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Posted 10/5/2009 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Okay I have been feeling okay here lately. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow to have some cavities filled. My body does not act well to the novacaine, ever and I am already getting nervous about the appointment. The novacaine has adrenaline in it and it makes my heart race very fast, and I always have a panic attck(full blast) I really feel like Im gonna die. WEll I am on a beta blocker for mitral valve prolapse to slow my heart rate down, so I am hoping that it prevents the unwanted symptoms and feelings that I usually get.Does anyone have this problem at the dentist? Any suggestions on ways to stay cool?
Posted 10/5/2009 4:17 PM (GMT 0)

Anastasia,

Good Morning, I have been on a beta blocker for years and have never reacted to the epi in the novacaine.

However, MVPS patients should tell their dentists they have MVPS and ask for the novacaine that does NOT contain adrenaline.

I would call ahead and talk to the staff at your dentist explaining your situation.

Good luck and glad to hear you are doing better.

Hugs

Kitt

Posted 10/5/2009 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor said that the beta blocker blocks the adrenaline and I should not have the same reactions. I guess just thinking of what happened and thinking of being in the same room or something is what is bringing these uncomfortable feelings. I really hope that I have a good appointment tomorrow. I am trying to overcome these what if thoughts and unwanted feelings and once I go tomorrow and see that I make it through, it will build my confidence. Thanks.
Posted 10/5/2009 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Anastasia,

I have the exact same reaction to novacaine that you are describing and it scares the daylights out of me.  I always tell the dentist before any procedure what my fears are and they have always been extremely kind about it.  I've had one dentist (for root canal) who administered the novacaine very slowly and in two doses.  I got a tiny bit of the fast heart rate, which only lasted a second on the first dose, and then nothing on the second dose.  Another dentist (oral surgeon to have wisdom teeth pulled) used what he called a "short acting novacaine", which I had absolutely no negative heart effect to at all.  These could be a couple of possibilities for you as well.  After I explain my fears, I also ask for a cup of water, so after the shot I can take some small drinks, it keeps me calm since another fear of mine will be that once I get the novacaine, I will not be able to swallow, which of course has NEVER happened.  Try to remember that the feeling of the novacaine only lasts a few seconds and there is a reason outside of your panic that is causing it, I keep that thought running through my head each time...it's just a short acting reaction.

I agree with kitt that you should tell your dentist about your MVPS and the meds you are on, that's always important to let them know any health issues and meds!  I so understand your fears of the dentist, and I really, really hope that your appointment will go very smoothly tomorrow!  I'll be thinking of you and hoping for the best!

Posted 10/5/2009 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah my dentist knows of the situation and I have to take a antibiotic before dental procedures since I have some reguritation. I never took them before any other dental work until I learned of my mitral valve prolapse this year. I will talk to the dentist before my appointment to tell him my feelings and how I have felt before during visits and he will know what to do. I have taken antibiotics(amoxicillin) before due to infection in wisdom tooth and now I am sort of nervous to take an antibiotic. I have never took a lot of antibiotics in my life and I hear of people having allergic reactions. I dont want to die from having to take a little pill. I should not die should I? 

If I have taken amoxicillian before then I should be fine when I take it right? Atleast I think thats what will be prescribed. My husband will pick up the prescription today for me. I think I only take one antibiotic 4 hours prior to dental work. Any advice. I am sorry to bother everyone with these crazy what if's I have running on in my head. When I was younger, I would take anything and not think twice about it and now Im scare to take a vitamin.lol! I am trying to snap out of it you know. Someone advice!

Posted 10/5/2009 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Anastasia,

I also have these issues, but don't have anymore to add than the great advice already given. Just wanted to come on to show you some support and send well wishes your way.

The best of luck tomorrow. . . You will do great and be fine :)
Posted 10/5/2009 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much everyone. For some reason to have someone else to tell you that you will be fine really takes a load off. I am really trying to overcome some of my issues but along the way I may bog down a little and need some support. I grateful to have a supportive husband and a wonderful forum to run to that is the best support group!!!!Thanks
Posted 10/5/2009 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I would get extremly nervous at the dentist so I just let them get really bad then had them ALL pulled.Best thing i could do for me.......I can eat just as well with or without false teeth with the exceoptiong of nuts that type food.........lol
Posted 10/6/2009 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering how your appointment went...let us all know when you can. Hope it was really easy for you!
Posted 10/6/2009 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I did not go and now am upset with myself. I did not even call to say I could not make it and now I feel like I cant go there anymore. I got nervous when I went to get my antibiotics this morning. My cardiologist said I need to take them prior to dental work. I never took them beforebefore dental work,only once for a tooth infection. I was reading yesterday about how some people haveallergic reactions and may die. Well I already took them before so I dont think I would fall into that category but you know me thinking the what ifs. Well I get the prescription and there were 4 capsules 500 mg. And it said to take all 4 1 hour before dental work. I was not comfortable with taking so many and felt like if I did something would happen. Why did I do this to myself. Nothing is going to happen if I take antibiotics right? I mean I am not allergic to penicillin and have took amoxicillian before for days because of a tooth ache. I really need to have some cavities filled and I got to get back it. So now I will find a local dentist and go there because I dont think I can go back to the other one since I did not cancel my appointment. I just dug myself a deeper whole. I should have just got the antibiotics a week ahead so I would have known how and how much of them to take so by now I would have become comfortable with it. I am going toovercome this mess I put myself through. I do it to myself and can snap out of it. I use to never be this way. Thanks for your concerns.
Posted 10/7/2009 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Anastasia,

I'm so sorry that you couldn't make it too your appointment. I understand why you couldn't, I have alot of the same fears that you do. I know how dissapointing it is to not make it to someplace we need to be... been there too. Don't be hard on yourself, it's a small glitch and you'll get past it. Give yourself some credit for trying, and don't stop trying, you'll get there!
Posted 10/7/2009 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I am no longer upset about it. I was just being caucious about the medicine and all. If I am not use to something then I want to make sure I will be taking the right amount you know. I will make an appointment soon and I will get there and have my teeth done. I will get past all this nonsense. It is all in my head and I will make it through. I am strong.
Posted 11/19/2009 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I wanted to upday eveyone about my dentist problems. Well I am very comfortable about taking my antibiotics now and last week I had a root canal and today I went to have 2 filling filled in the back. I have an appointment next Monday to have a permanent filling put in of the root canal tooth and I will have another tooth filled the same day. And then I will have 4 more teeth to have filled and I will be through. I have made it through this with the help of klonopin. They really kept me calm and make me feel good about everything. I only take them for these stressful times like dentist appointments. All of my front teeth are perfect but I just had to work on some back teeth. Now the dentist says they should last me for the rest of my life just have dentist appointments yearly for xray to make sure they are all okay and for dental cleanings. I a-m+ *real prowd of myself. I hope each of you that read this letter are doing very well and find peace and happiness.
Posted 11/19/2009 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
ANASTASIA

Hello there and I am so proud of you too. Look how well you have done and I am glad to hear you used your med when you needed it.

Doesn't it feel good to know you made it to the dentist and your almost done. I am sure you have a wonderful smile on your face............just grinning ear to ear that you have come so far.'

Blessings,

Kitt
Posted 11/19/2009 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
It took me years to find the right dentist, but I finally have one who understands. He uses the short acting novicaine mix that either contains very little epinepherine or none at all. It isn't ideal for dental procedures that may cause bleeding because the epinepherine helps control it, but even with a little epinepherine in there I didn't have the racing heart and dizzy head feeling that kept me away from the dentist office for years. It is less convenient for the dentist to have to keep stopping to give another novicaine shot, so not every dentist is willing to do it.

Glad you were able to have your work done, best of luck for future visits.

Rose
Posted 11/20/2009 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Anastasia,  I am so thrilled for you!  What an amazing accomplishment, to go from not being able to go at all, to going and having all that work done...I am SO proud of you! 
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