novacaine reactions

I believe that I am allergic to epinephrine, an adrenaline product they put in the local anesthetic ( novacaine ) to make it work faster. Last time I had an injection, I started shaking, I broke out in a cold sweat, my heart was racing, and I couldn’t breathe properly. Is it possible that I am not handling this substance that well?

Hi! I think that one can’t be allergic to epinephrine because the body produces it. It is possible that you are allergic to some preservatives that are put into local anesthetic. You could ask help from a allergist to test your sensitivity to these preservatives. If this is the case, you may have plain local anesthetic.

I started having a similar reaction to Novacaine at the dentist a few years ago but didn't think too much about it because the heart racing dizziness & trouble breathing would wear off when I asked the assistant to raise the back of the chair to the vertical position.
Then I had an internal gynecological procedure to which I reacted a lot too, got spinning sensation on top of the racing heartbeat . The doc said she used Xylocaine which did not have epinephrine ( it could cause heartracingbecause it constricts the blood vessels). A cardiogist said to stay away from anything with a "caine " sounding name.
A couple of years ago during a eye exam they dilated my eyes & I had a reaction again this time to proparcaine which I didn't even know they were using .
My former dentist used another 'caine' derivitave which still got my heart racing but the effect was less than usual. I have to look it up since I'm due for some denatl work at a new dentist.

I am in pain....I had anestetia the other day for some filling and i noticed each time i have it i seem to get a cold afterwards. I also have pain at the sight of the needs, my teeth are extremely sensetive (the ones worked on and surroounding) and the pain in my gums are awful. I can hardly talk due to the air surrounding my teeth. I feel worse than when I went in. the pain runs to my ear and into my sinuses. I know the teeth turned out fine. and the dentist said it could take a few weeks. But i cannot eat or sleep it is so bothersome. and i have always been told i have a high tolerance from other surgeries and teeth being worked on. What gives and what give relief.....I have tried it all.
HELP!!!!!! Lola

Well, I just got back from the dentist about 10 minutes ago. I had smoked a little bit of weed (less than a bowl). I was kinda high cause its some good stuff. I had 3 injections of novacaine. 1 on top right of mouth, 2 on bottom right. After he injected those I felt like I was on cocaine. I think marijuana increase the feelings, because I've had novacaine when I didn't smoke any marijuana and I've never felt like I did today. I had a racing heart, but I was relaxed. The room was a little "shaky" not really spinning. Some other parts of my body where I didn't even get injected (my hands) were becoming a little numb. But I've noticed after I sat up those effect wore off a little, or maybe it was because I sat up about 15 minutes after he injected it so it could have worn off.

Guest wrote:

I am in pain....I had anestetia the other day for some filling and i noticed each time i have it i seem to get a cold afterwards. I also have pain at the sight of the needs, my teeth are extremely sensetive (the ones worked on and surroounding) and the pain in my gums are awful. I can hardly talk due to the air surrounding my teeth. I feel worse than when I went in. the pain runs to my ear and into my sinuses. I know the teeth turned out fine. and the dentist said it could take a few weeks. But i cannot eat or sleep it is so bothersome. and i have always been told i have a high tolerance from other surgeries and teeth being worked on. What gives and what give relief.....I have tried it all. HELP!!!!!! Lola

Me too, Lola! I just had Radiesse (a dermal filler) injected into my face yesterday for the second time this month - a "touch-up." Before she injected the Radiesse, she numbed the area with Novacaine. Two weeks ago she did the same thing, and two days later I got a sinus-infection type of cold. Body aches and all. Yesterday she injected a little bit more, and sure enough six hours later I started to feel ill. So one day later and I have yet another head cold. I am convinced I am allergic to the Novacaine and not the Radiesse because I had Radiesse one time before this month (about two years ago) and had zero side effects.

It took about three days for the "cold" to go away two weeks ago so maybe this one will be shorter. Or it could be longer. Who knows?