Psylo Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) No.... it's not an admission of me wanting to have a cut & tuck My partner requires surgery, and has just been given a confirmation date in April, with a pre-op examination in about four weeks. One of the questions on the patient registration form related to the usage of recreational (party) drugs, to which she answered in the negative. The rumour mill being what it is, I have heard stories in the past that on occasion, paitents who require essential surgery through the public health system have been denied treatment due to the presence of certain substances in their system. Along the lines of "You dont value your own health enough for us to fix you". In the instance I speak of, it's nothing more than a bit of green - far from chronic user, but regular small, single hit daily journeys. Should the pipe be laid aside for the next couple of months ? Edited February 4, 2012 by Psylo Dread Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
applesnail Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) usually they dont operate on ppl if they havnt given up smoking afew weeks before the surgery, ive had more surgery then frankenstein and they always tell me to give up the ciggies,but i never do. i dont think the anesthesiologist would sedate knowing someone was on a recreational buzz either, as the patients welfare is there primary concern to how they may react to the anesthesia...ive always told them whatever ive takin and what metabolites they may find in my system, most medical staff are quite understanding after all they do this everyday... Edited February 4, 2012 by applesnail Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psylo Posted February 4, 2012 Are you referring to cigarette smokers or other ? For cigarettes, she (honestly) stated that she had smoked for 7 years, but gave up in December 2010 - also an honest statement. And occasional 'spin' tobacco consumption has also ceased, since we started vaping as of last week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
applesnail Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) ciggies mate.... the other is kinda medical anyhow i think..but i wouldnt be gettin bob marleyd before the surgery....as they slow a persons heart rate and breathing down....but should be ok.(personal preference and risk i guess as were all different when it comes to medications etc).. i was operated on 24 hours straight once to save my life and that night i went into emergency i was a stimulated chemical factory..i assume they anesthesised me as i woke up with a metal leg.... Edited February 4, 2012 by applesnail Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
El Presidente Hillbillios Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) any sources of people being denied medical care? Edited February 4, 2012 by El presidente Hillbillios Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psylo Posted February 4, 2012 any sources of people being denied medical care? Errr, no. This isnt a statement of fact - it's a general query for discussion purposes. The question of credibility was outlined in my opening post. As per: The rumour mill being what it is, I have heard stories in the past Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
El Presidente Hillbillios Posted February 4, 2012 medical treatment will not be denied without proper evidence of habits causing harm and even then only on rare occasions Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psylo Posted February 4, 2012 Well, it comes down to whether a procedure is considered 'elective surgery' or essential. A while ago I was hospitalised for a few weeks (paralysed, out into the osteo ward) and a late 30's room-mate at that time had his hip replaced. He waited FOUR YEARS because the public health system didn't consider it essential. The two years leading up to his op, he couldnt work, was on a sickness pension, wife divorced him over his inability to earn an income (bitch!) . Funny how one arm of the State system acknowledges his issue and grants him a pension, yet the health system considered it a luxurious, non-essential surgery. Anyway, that's all irrelevant, my Mrs got an admission date within a month of seeing a specialist, so that's good I s'pose. It would suck if they denied treatment due to false statements on the admission form. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chnt Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) i first read sugary admission and thought you OD'd on sugar... firstly as everyone here would know, the "risks" of green use is BS, and even more BS when vaping, and it would be complete BS for them to deny treatment, but as this world is largely BS, then perhaps she can lay off for a week or 2 before hand, but if not (which i dont think is necessary, though i am no expert...), then perhaps at least stop 24 hours before hand, just in case. i'm sure many an alcohol abuser would get away with drinking the day before a surgery (so much BS) and i didn't realise they drug tested patients, since when? surely this is not legal if it is indeed happening, surely not? Edited February 4, 2012 by chnt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niggles Posted February 4, 2012 From my experience working in hospitals, drug tests are only done when there is a need to know what they have taken to treat them, check blood alcohol levels, or after car accidents for legal purposes. noone really cares much in my experience. I dont really think hitting the vape now and then is going to have much effect on a surgery, but might wanna give it a rest for a bit beforehand - its good to be in peak condition for recovery purposes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psylo Posted February 4, 2012 Slightly off-topic, but in your opinion how is using herb going to be detrimental to the recovery process ? Also off-topic, I had an endoscopy (camera up the arse) and they put me under a general anesthetic. After coming back to consciousness, I was told to wait for an hour,, as there was no-one to take me home. Five minutes of music videos and crying infants in the waiting room and I was outta there ! Walked home, had a pipe, and down to the RSL for a schooner. Whatever the combination, my world descended into darkness and I only came to an hour later, with some old guy overseeing my progress. So who knows, maybe weed and anesthetic don't mix Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chnt Posted February 4, 2012 i'd say the alcohol was far more likely to be contraindicated with anesthetics. dont mix alcohol with opiates dont mix alcohol with benzos dont mix alcohol with anti-psychotics dont mix alcohol with anti-convulsants dont mix alcohol with anything. seriously people need to realise how insanely fucked up alcohol can be (not saying you psylo or the majority of people here, just generally, the general population) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) just for the record psylo, i hope she does ok and gains better health in the near future with/without the surgery. Thinkin of ya's buddy Edited February 4, 2012 by Chef_ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psylo Posted February 4, 2012 chnt. I only had two chugs of the chilled chalice Cheers Chef for the cheery, chipper chit-chat. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niggles Posted February 4, 2012 Im not necesarily saying that pot will affect your recovery, but having an anesthetic is a pretty big whack to your system, along with being cut open. When you have an endoscopy or colonoscopy they use a shorter lasting 'twilight' anaesthetic as opposed to the general. General anaesthetic is known to make (some) old people go really whacky. Not that I have done a lot of research on it, just from listening to doctors and being around recovery. They tend to avoid generals where possible and some people have very unpleasant reactions. I would figure the less consciousness altering substances in your body when they hit you with it,the better. The mechanism of general anaesthetic seems to be very vaguely understood, so its hard to say what does what. Ironic that anaesthesiologists have to study for so long, to administer something they dont understand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niggles Posted February 4, 2012 (edited) Slightly off-topic, but in your opinion how is using herb going to be detrimental to the recovery process ? Also off-topic, I had an endoscopy (camera up the arse) and they put me under a general anesthetic. After coming back to consciousness, I was told to wait for an hour,, as there was no-one to take me home. Five minutes of music videos and crying infants in the waiting room and I was outta there ! Walked home, had a pipe, and down to the RSL for a schooner. Whatever the combination, my world descended into darkness and I only came to an hour later, with some old guy overseeing my progress. So who knows, maybe weed and anesthetic don't mix Heh, that does tend to happen... when you have an endoscopy or gastroscopy, youre meant to fast overnight first, and not drink much water... then they give you drugs, you wake up and .. well for me I get low blood pressure anyway so I start getting all flakey and dizzy standing up, if its particularly bad, dizzy sitting down too. Takes a while for it to completely leave your system, food and water usually makes me feel better... but I do recommend NOT having delicious spicey mongolian barbecue after having stomach biopsies. --edit-- also, just not eating for a day, and getting really high knocked me out so badly in the restaurant waiting for my food that they called an ambulance on me... no anaesthetics involved, just a warm day. Rug burn on my face from sliding down stairs. Nothing like that ever happend before, but pot can definitely mess with my blood pressure. Edited February 4, 2012 by niggles Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Distracted Posted February 4, 2012 Slightly off-topic, but in your opinion how is using herb going to be detrimental to the recovery process ? Also off-topic, I had an endoscopy (camera up the arse) and they put me under a general anesthetic. After coming back to consciousness, I was told to wait for an hour,, as there was no-one to take me home. Five minutes of music videos and crying infants in the waiting room and I was outta there ! Walked home, had a pipe, and down to the RSL for a schooner. Whatever the combination, my world descended into darkness and I only came to an hour later, with some old guy overseeing my progress. So who knows, maybe weed and anesthetic don't mix LOL That's why they make you sit, have something to eat/drink and observe you for a bit, I hope you've learnt your lesson Next time IMO elect to not receive the GA, you'll still have to wait and be observed but it's a fraction of the time. The only way I could see them particularly caring about a bit of greenage(besides the ethical/moral/'intellectual' viewpoints) is if your partner's surgery involves their liver/lungs or if they rock up high as a kite on the day as MJ can affect both pulse and blood pressure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psylo Posted February 4, 2012 I hope you've learnt your lesson Yea, you would think so, but no. I have since tried to deliberately induce the experience, with no success to date. The only way I could see them particularly caring about a bit of greenage(besides the ethical/moral/'intellectual' viewpoints) is if your partner's surgery involves their liver/lungs or if they rock up high as a kite on the day as MJ can affect both pulse and blood pressure. Nah, that's not going to be a problem, there's no dependance that would stop her from ditching it a few days beforehand. I was think more about the detection in the blood stream, which can last up to a month (as per another mates recent tests for a job which I wrote about recently). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Distracted Posted February 4, 2012 When a pathologist checks blood they get given a list of things given by the doctor to check for. They don't just start checking random shit, wastes both time and money. So unless they're testing for specific drugs on purpose they won't get any readings. I'm sure as hell no doctor or even a pathologist... but i did do a unit of lab med and have had a fair amount of blood tests. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psylo Posted February 4, 2012 Rug burn on my face from sliding down stairs. Oh and by the way, nice cover story for your alternative lifestyle scars 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ballzac Posted February 4, 2012 Based on my experience going to hospital after having DXM (discussed here a long time ago) there is no way I am ever, ever telling a medical professional if I use, have used, or am under the influence of any drug, unless I think it will be a direct threat to my safety not to mention it. In my case, the problem I had was triggered/exacerbated by my use of DXM, so it is a different situation to just telling them that you smoke weed when you're going in for surgery. Nonetheless, I was treated like worthless garbage, and it makes a mockery of the idea that healthcare professionals care only about my wellbeing and aren't going to make judgements about my lifestyle. Situations like that may be in the minority, but it's been literally 100% of my adult visits to hospital, so it's really left a bad taste in my mouth. It also makes me seriously question all these stories about meth addicts attacking people in hospital, or junkies attacking paramedics. I was in the most docile condition possible. I can't imagine what my reaction would have been if I was drunk or on meth or something. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FancyPants Posted February 5, 2012 My personal experience from being in and out of surgeries many times in the last 12 years is that when doctors need to know something; TELL THEM. There's too many other factors to potentially fuckup anaesthetics and other medications for it not to be pertinent for them to be aware. Psylo, your missus isn't going to be crucified or denied care for being honest about a small daily toke. But on the off chance she has minor throat complications from inhalation of smoke, and the a complication occurs, you want the anaesthetist to at least have a potential idea of what could be wrong. Ballzac, I think I remember reading about your experience ages ago and that fucking sucks. My DXM ambo trip went pear-shaped but I'm still glad my friend and I went. Although spelling out dextromethorphan and avomine (for the nausea) while in the grips of robo was an insanely frustrating experience. The ambo lady said we should've just stuck with good pills... Psylo, if you missus needs a pre-op appointment, I'd definitely stop her smoking at least two to four weeks before the op. You prob wouldn't want to just stop a few days before in case she gets some w/d issues (as tiny amounts as she has), but why risk it? Plenty of time after 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psylo Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) I used to get asked if I was a drug user, and it would go like this: Doc: Are you a drug user Me: No Doc: Are you sure? Me: Yes ! Doc: Are you an injecting drug user (looks to my arms for evidence) Me: No ! Although lately if the question is asked of me, I will answer yes. When promoted to tell which drugs I use, I rattle off salvinorin A, psilisin, psychotria and aspirin. Theu usualy look at me confused, hesitate a minute, then ask "So how many aspirin do you take per day". All the doctors around here are fucking lazy, infecctive shills whose sole purpose is to refer patients to a specialist, and await the kickbacks. Edited February 5, 2012 by Psylo Dread Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Psylo Posted February 5, 2012 Psylo, if you missus needs a pre-op appointment, I'd definitely stop her smoking at least two to four weeks before the op. You prob wouldn't want to just stop a few days before in case she gets some w/d issues (as tiny amounts as she has), but why risk it? Plenty of time after She no longer smokes. Only vaping. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
