Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
Just wanted to share my experience today.
I have been taking flecainide for a year now and doing very well. I had a couple short episodes early on and it has been about 8 months of NSR.
Today I had a procedure done. I have old acne scarring and had laser skin resurfacing done. First they smeared a numbing cream all over my face....not sure what that was exactly, but then she also injected some of the areas where I have deeper scarring with lidocaine. I didn't count but must have had 8-10 injections in different areas of my face. As she was finishing I went into a fib. I was not on a cardiac monitor so no one knew except me. I tried to relax and decided I wouldn't say anything. I had been given vicodin and valium in addition to my normal meds so I was pretty relaxed. Decided to just ride it out . After about 10 minutes I suddenly converted back to NSR (probably thanks to the valium).
I can't prove it, but I think it was all the lidocaine. Isn't there supposed to be a connection?
BTW...my face looks like I was dragged along the pavement for a few miles. Doesn't hurt though......I think I might be numb for days :)
I have been taking flecainide for a year now and doing very well. I had a couple short episodes early on and it has been about 8 months of NSR.
Today I had a procedure done. I have old acne scarring and had laser skin resurfacing done. First they smeared a numbing cream all over my face....not sure what that was exactly, but then she also injected some of the areas where I have deeper scarring with lidocaine. I didn't count but must have had 8-10 injections in different areas of my face. As she was finishing I went into a fib. I was not on a cardiac monitor so no one knew except me. I tried to relax and decided I wouldn't say anything. I had been given vicodin and valium in addition to my normal meds so I was pretty relaxed. Decided to just ride it out . After about 10 minutes I suddenly converted back to NSR (probably thanks to the valium).
I can't prove it, but I think it was all the lidocaine. Isn't there supposed to be a connection?
BTW...my face looks like I was dragged along the pavement for a few miles. Doesn't hurt though......I think I might be numb for days :)
So sorry you had to under that procedure. I have heard it is pretty awful while it is happening. Someone said it was like someone was hitting your face with an extended rubber band. I certainly hope yours wasn't that bad. The good thing is that you went back to NSR on your own.
Best of luck. Sorry I don't have any experience with lidocaine.
Moy...
I have always converted on my own but generally it takes several hours. I have never had a problem with the dentist, but I think I got a whopping dose of lidocaine because she used it on so many areas of my face.
For anyone contemplating laser skin resurfacing.....It wasn't bad. But I think that is because she used the injectins of lidocaine in the areas where I have the most scarring. My face is still quite numb. And the vicodin and valium might have helped too.
lidocaine may be plain, or it may be mixed with epinephrine. I think the epi makes them work a little quicker. I don't know if it contained epi, but if it did, that's my answer.
Hoping you have a speedy recovery.
D.
I see you came up with the answer before I had a chance to respond. I agree with you, that it probably contained epinehrine. That is exactly what I was thinking. I hope you feel better.
Janet
Take care!