Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
        
(Message started by: Wapitihunter on Jan 14^th, 2004, 11:19am)

Title: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by Wapitihunter on Jan 14^th, 2004, 11:19am

Hi All;

A couple of months ago I posted regarding some headaches I was experiencing. Here's an update on my case. I went to the doctor who ran some tests and by the time I received the results the headaches were all but gone. The closest thing I could describe them was an ISH based on the description I received here.

Now here's the strange thing. Just a few days before I first experienced these jabs I had been to the dentist for a crown prep and received a shot of novacaine. After a couple of weeks they were gone. Last week they returned two days after visiting the dentist again and getting a shot of novacaine. I don't know if it's coincidence or something in the novacaine triggers a nerve in the sinus area. This time it started over the right eye closest to the nose. In the last couple of days it has moved more to the temple area over the right eye.

Anyone heard of drugs like novacaine triggering this?

Larry

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by don on Jan 14^th, 2004, 11:21am

Novacaine has never triggered my cluster headaches.

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by aprilbee on Jan 14^th, 2004, 11:24am

Let me just say my dentist LOVES me I keep him in business! I have a lot of dental problems and get novacaine shots pretty frequently, sometimes several in one visit, I have unreceptive nerves, its a whole mess of fun, I get headaches, sometimes CH but I think its from my head being in one position too long and my gums being drilled on...but no headaches days after.

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by AlienSpaceBabe on Jan 14^th, 2004, 11:29am

never had novacaine set off my cluster headaches....

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by CHmess on Jan 14^th, 2004, 11:37am

I always get a FIERCE MIGRAINE after a dentist appt. maybe from the novacaine, maybe from the drilling, maybe from the position - I don't know --- I like you, always need extra shots too -- my dentist always says you can STILL feel that to me? ;;D and after my last dentist appt. my legs were like jello and my feet were tingly... so what's up with that?

I haven't had it TRIGGER a cycle though --- I did have a dentist appt DURING my last cycle and it DID NOT HELP things that's for sure!!!

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by floridian on Jan 14^th, 2004, 11:45am

The trigeminal nerve has branches that runs along the jaw, to the eye, the sinuses and the upper teeth. Inflaming a branch of the nerve, or hitting it with an anaesthetic could activate the nerve near the injection or higher up. Not sure if this is what happened, but its possible. Brush, floss, water-pick. ;;D

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by aprilbee on Jan 14^th, 2004, 11:57am

Ok, this is the dumb okie coming out in me, but I've never heard of ISH, what is it?

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by Wapitihunter on Jan 14^th, 2004, 12:11pm

ISH = Idiopathic Stabbing Headaches

Idiopathic meaning no known cause, or something like that.

Short stabbing bursts in the sinus area lasting only a second or two - almost like an electric shock. Usually over one eye, not both.

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by aprilbee on Jan 14^th, 2004, 12:35pm

ok thanks! [smiley=thumb.gif]

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by Margi on Jan 14^th, 2004, 12:49pm

if anything, the adrenaline in the anaesthetic should work as an abortive for a cluster. I've had it abort a migraine for me, actually (not that migraines are the topic here, but there have been a few of us oldies here who have done a little research into the adrenaline theory...) I believe it's actually epinephrine in the dental stuff, man-made adrenaline? It does make your heart beat faster and there is "flush" that comes over you as that drug surges through you. (Non-epinephrine dental numbing stuff is available for those with heart probs....)
Think about it though....clusters most always abort when there is an adrenaline surge (maybe clusterheads should take up perpetual parachuting! :)) and 9 times out of 10, reactivate when relaxation (and drop in adrenaline) hits. It's a plausible theory.
If dental anaesthetic is causing headaches, I would highly doubt that they are of the cluster variety.

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by floridian on Jan 14^th, 2004, 1:45pm

Quote:

almost like an electric shock

Trigeminal neuralgia is often described in terms of an electric shock.

Quote:

A form of microvascular nerve compression, trigeminal neuralgia patients experience episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like facial pain that are caused when a blood vessel comes in contact with the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve, applying pressure to the nerve. The shock of this excruciating pain can actually cause a sufferer's head to snap back, or it can immobilize the individual. The pain attacks viciously and without warning. Left untreated it tends to worsen over time.

http://www.csmc.edu/5389.html

These people are trying to sieze our claim to fame:

Quote:

This condition is universally acknowledged as the most painful affliction known to adults and affects thousands of Americans each year. (same csmc.edu source)

Title: Re: Dental Novacine Causing ISH?
Post by don on Jan 14^th, 2004, 1:47pm

LACK of novacaine has caused my DENTIST some headaches.

As well as bruising about the face and body.