A little background: I've had bad teeth since birth - constant problems due to thin enamel & dry mouth (and maybe genetics). Full reconstruction 25 years ago - 30 crowns & 29 root canals. Yesterday, I had root canal #30. At my first visit, I notified the dentist in writing on the required forms I filled out and also told her in person I can't have an anesthetic with Epinephrine because it causes an irregular heart beat & uncontrolled tremors. I learned about that 20 years ago when a dentist called paramedics when I had trouble breathing from the anesthetic. It's not uncommon; many people are allergic to it. In this dental practice, a different dentist (specialist) does root canals & other more-serious procedures, which is a good thing; he's very experienced & good at it. Today, right after I was given the anesthetic, I knew immediately what happened. I asked the dentist if the anesthetic had epinephrine in it. He said, "Yes." Apparently, he didn't look at my chart before administering it. I lay there with my arms, legs & head shaking uncontrollably & my heart pounding irregularly for 30 minutes before any work could be done. I guess I should have said something before the anesthetic was given, but previous dentists have always put a red sticker on my chart to let them know, so I thought the same precaution would be taken. And, I assumed any medical professional would look at a patient's chart before doing any work. We have to SPEAK UP. This could have been my last day.
That's scary stuff. I'm going in tomorrow to have bladder stones removed under anesthetic, but my only [known] allergies are to a couple of antibiotics. So what would they give you if you went into anaphylaxis from an insect bite?
Given that epinephrine is one of the main drugs given in cases of cardiac arrest, its effect on heart rhythms should be commonly known.
Not sure but from one experience I had it might be as simple as a Benadryl injection. I was at the eye doctor and he gave me an injection of fluorescein (a fluorescent dye) to help visualize my retinal vasculature. I suddenly started getting very uncomfortable, not sure what I was doing but he asked me what was wrong. I told him I was feeling very hot. He looked at me briefly, pulled down my shirt collar and then literally ran out of the room. He came hurrying back in and gave me a Benadryl injection. After a couple minutes he handed me a mirror and I could see huge red hives all over my neck and upper chest. No idea in the world why I would have been allergic to that. I’ve been thinking it might have been something else in the solution. One more mystery.
@Tony Nathanson anyone administering any kind of sedation or anesthesia should ask EVERY TIME if you have any allergies or reactions regardless of what is on the chart, as patients can develop problems between visits that are not recorded. Sounds like they were negligent, but you should have said something as well.
Benadryl (diphenhydramine) would be standard, but you can react to that as well. Epinephrine is what is in Epi-Pens, so that could be given as well depending on the severity of the reaction.
I sometimes carry an EpiPen (when I remember to.) I almost died from yellow jacket stings, and went through a desensitizing regime.
I don't know. But I've been stung by bees 4 times & one Yellow Jacket with no problems - one was last year.
You make him fix that! And dont' take his word for it. Red sticker on the file and notification in computer.
He's their root canal specialist. He comes into the office once or twice a week. When I see the regular dentist for the bridge replacement on 4-21, I will definitely let her know. The office has called me several times today to ask how I'm doing.
I was stung on my chin by a bee a few years ago, instinctively I looked down and knocked the bee down my top, I've never been so terrified of an insect in my life.