Lidocaine and other local anesthetics (incl. cocaine) have a potential
for exacerbating seizure vulnerability, and I believe susceptible
people may have "partial seizure-like" experiences. We know litle
about the basis of panic attacks, but they can be chemically induced
(viz., the lactic acid probe); and some partial-seizures manifest
themselves as emotional experiences (suggesting focus in some limbic
structure), including panic. Conceivably, your reported history of
panic attacks may be relevant to a vulnerability to lidocaine side
effects.
F. Frank LeFever, Ph.D.
New York Neuropsychology Group
In <79k8dq$dmo$1 at denws02.mw.mediaone.net> "Richard Norman"
<rsnorman at mw.mediaone.net> writes:
>>The carotids and the vagus lie quite deep in the neck and any
>possible reaction would likely have occurred much sooner.
>You say this episode was similar to others you have experienced.
>Could it have been merely coincidental? or stress induced?
>(assisted by your worrying about possible vagal/caroltid involvement)
>>Tim Tillman wrote in message ...
>>Over a year ago I was having several moles (much less than 6.02 X
>10^23)
>>removed for cosmetic reasons over several months. The max was two at
>a
>>time, as that was all BCBS would cover. All were under local
>lidocaine with
>>epinepherin.
>>>>The last two straddled the carotid artery on the right side of my
>neck. I
>>remember thinking, "I hope the LPN doesn't stab me in the carotid.
>Well,
>>like all the other times, I was in and out of the dermatologists
>office and
>>home inside of 30 minutes. But this last time, I began to feel
>flushed,
>>anxious, like a precursor to one of my panic attacks. I began to
>have
>>extremely strong heart contractions, regular beats, about 100 bpm. I
>laid
>>myself down and these passed within an hour.
>>>>The question is, could this reaction have been due to placing
>lidocaine so
>>close to the vagus nerve or carotid artery or might it have been due
>to the
>>epinephrine or both.
>>>>Tim
>>>
