recreational drug use and anesthesia

[roobis]

I will be undergoing surgery on my nose in a couple weeks. And like most of you, I often take recreational drugs. The RN at my pre-operation appointment asked me several questions about my medical history which is pretty much nonexistent… One minor surgery and no allergic reactions or anything like that. But then she started asking about drugs. I said that I smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol once or twice a week but denied using any other drugs. She gave only three examples (cocaine, heroin, and marijuana) and I have done all of them in the past couple days. But anyway, here is the question:

Does any recreational drug use have an effect on my health when I go under anesthesia?

I am more worried about cocaine, heroin, DXM, and marijuana, but any other drugs that might interfere please post it up.

I certainly won’t go in for the operation high… but what if I do something the night before.. or even the week before. I’m just really curious and a bit worried.

 

[Leg]

you should just tell her...i think she is forbidden to tell anyone else (except your doctor, i guess) anything about you unless you are going to commit a violent crime against someone else or yourself.

although this stuff might have been changed by the patriot act? my mom is a doctor, though, so i'm pretty sure they are required by law to keep your privacy. i think you're safer off just telling her...i mean...i don't see what harm can come from it?

(wrong forum, btw, i think)

 

[fastandbulbous]

If you'll be getting halothane or isoflurane as the general anaesthetic agent, the presence of any drug that stimulates the sympathetic NS (amphetamines, cocaine, methylphenidate, MDMA - quite an extensive list) can cause cardiac arrhythmias, sometimes with VERY serious consequences.

Any tolerance, w.r.t. opiates, benzos, alcohol, other depressants (eg barbiturates) can mean that the dose of anasthetic you get might not be enough to produce full anaesthesia (see stories about people who wake up half way through an operation, if you need convincing). The person responsible for anaesthesia needs to know these sort of things before they start.

Tell the nurse, as what can happen if you don't, just isn't woth the risk

 

[roobis]

well then...

 

[BilZ0r]

What fastandbulbous said.

 

[Pharcyde]

Dont sweat it they said the same thing to me about my wisdom teeth, you shouldbe fine