IV Sedation Needle did not work?!

[Max123]

Hello, hope I've stuck this in the right forum, apologies if not.

I went for my IV Sedation appointment this week to have a front filling done. After having a panic attack in the chair and my blood pressure shooting up, the dentist was unable to find my vein. The needle went in, trust me! But he said there was no flow back? The needle was inserted into both hand backs and both inside elbows twice, so I've ended up being stuck about 8 times but still no blood was coming back up the needle. He said he could not find any veins. Well he found something, as all the needle sites are still bruised and sore (that usually happens to me after needles anyway), so I know the needle went in! Anyway, the procedure was finally abandoned as he told me that if the needle doesn't flow back, it means the sedation solution won't enter my blood stream and flow, thus it was a pointless exercise. And he could see I was getting too traumatised.

So now I'm really upset. It took a lot of guts for me to go and I feel as if nothing has been achieved. He also said that if I can't do it under sedation, I will have to go to the hospital and have it extracted under General Anaesthetic - this means a partial denture (at 32, no thanks!). I'm not sure how different it is for the hospital to find a vein?! I'm fairly confused as well, I'm a regular blood donor and usually they have no problem with my veins (just my nerves!).

I don't think what happened was anybody's fault but I still have a couple of questions. I did want to ask my dentist but I was desperate to get out into the fresh air.
Firstly, any ideas on why he couldn't find a vein (could my panic attack or high bp have caused this)? Secondly, how will the dental hospital find a vein if my dentist couldn't?
Thirdly, is it worth booking in for another attempt at the IV Sedation and is there anything I can do to prepare myself to ensure my veins are ready to go?

Thanks so much for any answers.

 

[coolin]

Hi Max
I replied on your other thread but I'll just add a bit more here.

Firstly I am a midwife and on a daily basis I take blood from people and start IV's so I feel qualified to answer you at least in relation to the IV.

Yes - the dentist was able to find the vein as you correctly guessed because of the blood and bruising. But the cannula unfortunatey was not sitting correctly in the vein. He knew this because there was no blood flow. If he had continued the drug would have been infusing into the surrounding tissues causing swelling and not giving you the desired sedation.

I'm not sure how different it is for the hospital to find a vein?

Because they do it all the time they are just better at it.

He also said that if I can't do it under sedation, I will have to go to the hospital and have it extracted under General Anaesthetic

If you had a GA it would be performed by an anaesthetist. If the reason given for the GA was 'dentist cannot find a vein' the anaesthetist would fall about laughing - honestly the anaesthetist would not give you a GA for that reason. In all likelihood there would be an anaesthetist at the clinic and he or she will site the IV for you - they are the absolute experts at doing that - I promise.

As I said on your other thread ask the dentist or your GP to prescribe something like temazepam before you go the next time.
Cheers
Coolin

 

[comfortdentist]

Some days the hardest part is finding a vein. The best ones are the old women at the hospital who have been doing it for 30+ years.

 

[Max123]

Thank you for your kind answers

Sorry my reply has taken so long!

Well, I did return back to my dentist a few weeks later and he referred me to a specialist sedation clinic, rather than the hospital. I attended and I was given IV sedation by their anaesthetist. Then the dentist started work on my teeth. After two sessions, I now have a filling and a crown rather than two extractions, so I am very happy!

The anesthetist got the needle in with the flow back more or less straight away. I was still very nervous, but I did succeed without any prior medication to calm me down. So well done me!!

 

[Deejay]

I just want to say a big well done for going back after having such a scary initial time,
I started reading this with dread as I'm having IV sedation, but soon realised where it was heading I have people of various medical experience/ qualifications/ status in the past locating my veins and it's usually those that do this regularly and for a many years that are best, so glad you had a great final outcome x x