Question:
Had tooth filled yesterday, Made me feel terrible

I had novacaine and a small filling yesterday, just as I have done lots of times. But right after the shot I started feeling anxious, and by the time I got home, just minutes away I felt terrible. Barely ate dinner. Real sleepy, anxious, scared, just felt horrible. I wonder if this was a affect that somehow is much more noticaeable because of my weight loss? It lasted till bedtime. Feel fine today & felt fine BEFORE going in that chair. Anyone experience something like this? I will check with my dentist but she never had a patient loose this much weight, 130 pounds..    — bob-haller (posted on August 15, 2002)

August 15, 2002
I had noticeable effects from the novocaine last week when I went to the dentist. I didn't get the anxiety, but I was VERY sleepy and noticed that about 10 minutes after I got the shot. I didn't eat that day either. My dentist said that the empty stomach was a factor. I haven't lost that much weight yet (35 pounds) - I'm 2 months out.
   — Cathy K.

August 15, 2002
Hi Bob, I, too, react to the epinephrine in novocaine, although not as much when I was larger. I had a filling done about two weeks ago...my first visit since losing 70 lbs., and I had a bad reaction to the novocaine again. The dentist, as usual, had to give me double doses of novocaine as I'm a hard patient to get numb. I had that anxiety reaction and actually was shaking uncontrollably for at least an hour after being given the novocaine. I hear this is actually kind of a common reaction. You get "speeded" up from the epinephrine in the novocaine, and then feel wiped out later on. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 15, 2002
I've never been able to take novacaine without some side effects. Typically, if I have it, I'm wiped out for the remainder of the day. No appetite and I sleep for a good 10 to 12 hours. I think it's just an allergic reaction. I broke a crown 2 weeks ago right before my tummy tuck and there was NO way I was going to have it fixed that close to surgery. I decided to wait it out until after I feel better from the tummy tuck and my dentist felt that was the best thing to do too. I just let the anesthesiologist know of the broken crown and I didn't have a problem with it.
   — Patty H.