Urgent question re: undisclosed drug use and general anasthesia

[bobbytee12345]

I suddenly realized I have a major concern about going under general anasthesia in two days for a minor surgical procedure.

I'm in the military and I recently had a bit of a bender while on leave - 4 non subsequent days in the last week I was taking 10mg percocets/5 mg lortabs. I'd say I took a total 100 mg percocet and 120 mg lortab total during that time.

I also did two grams of coke total yesterday and the day before that.

For some reason it didn't occur to me till now to research what the possible effects could be when I undergo general anasthesia. Dislclosing this to the anasthesiologist isn't
an option - my surgery is at a military facility and there is no confidentiality when it comes to drug use. I'd be facing certain discharge and loss of irreplaceable income - it isn't even an option.

I'll have 48 hours clean before going under. Not worried about withdrawal or anything like that, before this week I hadn't used anything in a long time. But is it possible
that what's left in my system will interact with the anasthesia? From my digging around on medical forums I saw an anasthesiologist say that while he wouldn't sedate someone who had cocaine in his system he also wouldn't be overly concerned about undisclosed use if the patient wasn't acutely intoxicated.

Wondering if it's the same with the pills? The surgery itself is only 20 minutes, but my biggest concern is being undermedicated during and therefore feeling it or having some crazy interaction.

Would appreciate any input here. Everything I find on the subject says just disclose it, it's confidential, but I can't do that because it's not. My choices are to
1) go and pray like hell it's ok or 2) come up with some excuse to postpone surgery , and also to postpone personal leave so I can get it out of my system before risking
a random drug test.

 

[szuko000]

I am not really qualified to answer this and I am not giving you a definite answer on this but I feel after 48 hours time you will be fine. All of the active compounds, be it direct or metabolites, have cleared your system. Because none of the drugs have long half lives and none were taken in extreme amounts I would say you will be fine to be put under. I would keep doing research and keep trying to get answers because you are playing with your life. I also understand that you dont get to be honest in your position and it is the one time where I wouldnt suggest being fully honest.

If you can come up with a stupid reason to postpone it, that would remove any uncertainty but otherwise you *should* be fine. Just remember you are playing with your life here, though if you were on benzos with an extended half life or methadone it would be a completely different story.

 

[jackie jones]

I doubt the doctor would rat on you. That is not their concern.

 

[bobbytee12345]

I wish that was the case jackie janes, but military doctors actually have a duty to report stuff like that for military members. I highly doubt one
would be willing to risk their career by not documenting that. It's very different than civilian healthcare - my doctors work on behalf of my employer's
best interest, not my personal best interest.

Thanks for the replies..I'm researching and finding out everything I can. Leaning towards going with it at this point.

 

[IndustrialStrength]

I wouldn't worry to be honest.
With the time frames involved I know enough pharmacology to be at least 90% certain that it shouldn't be an issue unless you have an underlying health issue.

 

[4meSM]

I think nothing will happen if you don't say anything about your use, unless they test you and your urine test positive for opiates or cocaine.

I'm saying that based only on what you posted, i don't know if you have any health issue or something else you didn't mention.

If you don't have a large tolerance then it's likely that you won't have any problems, some people even have a higher natural tolerance to opiates so they require a higher dose of anasthethia. It's not that uncommon.

Obviously don't take more opiates until your surgery, or any other drug.

BUT i CAN'T say for sure that you'll be ok, this is based on my limited knowledge and experience, im not a doctor.
Stay safe