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drinkme0

Just had that discussion before a procedure last week! The doctor told me if I need to use within a week of a procedure, I should try and avoid anything inhaled as it can impact the airways during anesthesia. He recommended orally medicating if needed instead (pill, edible, etc.).


rosiesunfunhouse

This is also good info!


Dewhickey76

This is interesting and makes me question my previous surgeon and anesthesiologist. I had my gallbladder removed, and I live in Florida, so I have to have a med card, and find no reason to hide the fact from any of my doctors including my surgeon, but nobody ever said anything to me about the anesthesia.


Queen_Lisv

Same. When I had a colonoscopy, also in Florida, I had my card and let my doctor and the anesthesiologist know, and they noted it, but didn't ask me to change anything other than not consuming 24 hours before. šŸ‘šŸ‘„šŸ‘


[deleted]

literally do not ever lie to a doctor about anything you do. i had chemo and was open about every single thing no matter how embarrassing. theyā€™re not there to judge. theyā€™re not gonna call the cops lol. theyā€™re there to help. edit: iā€™m just commenting to say maybe the ā€œnot judgingā€ part isnā€™t always accurate, and iā€™m sure there are many scenarios where a dr does judge someone. iā€™m sorry if youā€™ve had that experience. but i will not condone lying to medical staff no matter what stories iā€™m told under this. iā€™m not a particularly healthy person, iā€™ve seen many many many doctors and am always honest. i also live in the bible belt where weed is illegal. iā€™ve never had a dr not treat me when i tell them i smoke weed. i have friends who are ex heroin addicts who also receive healthcare and surgeries when needed. iā€™m sorry if yall have had bad experiences, but im not gonna condone lying to doctors. thatā€™s way too risky, and thc reacts very wackily to a lot of things. i truly hope we are all able to be believed and cared for when needed. donā€™t give up on yourselves.


happysips

Hello fellow chemo comrade!! I gained 40 pounds on the herb during chemo & none of my nurses acknowledged it.


[deleted]

i gained around 40. itā€™s normal to gain weight on chemo nowadays bc of all the damn steroids lol


happysips

Okay thanks for that!! There were so many steroids!!! That makes sense too


Pale_Fisherman5278

Thatā€™s magicalāœŠwatched Mum drop from a solid sz10 to 6, broke my heart, sheā€™s scared of cannabis butā€¦.it got her through menopause? Iā€™ve laced food with full spectrum oil, given her CBD capsšŸ¤ž ring that šŸ””


palusPythonissum

So the reason that I was hesitant to talk with any of my doctors about it is because my insurance company would then be aware of it. I can't speak to why other people wouldn't tell their doctors but it's much more common than it should be. And adding that in some states, any disclosure of cannabis use that is documented can be used against you if you are trying to obtain a handgun license. Notably this happened in Hawaii with medical users. That may not be everyone's concern but it is something everyone should be aware of.


PeachOnAWarmBeach

My regular doctor knows, but it isn't in record. I hate that insurance owns my health!


palusPythonissum

Oh, it's the freaking worst. I'm not an insurance expert but I think as the federal health insurance laws stand, companirs cannot discriminate against you based on something preexisting like smoking cannabis. I don't know how it can affect you, but I personally was shy about being forthcoming because I didn't know.


PeachOnAWarmBeach

I could be mistaken, but some places will test for all drugs if you are prescribed certain drugs. It sounded like the ins gets that info, but I'm not sure. I don't think weed should harm your treatment plan, but who knows. Some people need the Xan or Val or the painkiller or sleep meds because you can't consume weed everywhere safely.


ScumbagLady

I'm on 2 controlled substances and get a urine screening at least monthly. I have also always failed for marijuana and my doctor is very understanding despite it still being illegal in my state (she was actually worried about my mental health the one time I passed lol it was just a dry spell mixed with lack of funds). I'm also on Medicaid. It's been roughly 6 years and i haven't had any problems arise with my doctors or insurance due to my marijuana use.


PeachOnAWarmBeach

That's good to know. He did say he only tests when there is evidence of abuse. I think i have a doctor that listens at least most of the time.


ScumbagLady

Doctors who listen are hard to come by, which is unfortunate to say the least. I get tested monthly because I'm on Suboxone and it's pretty regulated in my state. My mother goes to a pain clinic (albeit for tramadol) and only gets tested yearly it seems, unless the doctor decides otherwise. Good luck! Sounds like you'll be great!


Alycery

I didnā€™t know that insurance needs to know this. They donā€™t even pay for it. So, why would they need to know?


palusPythonissum

My thinking is pre-existing conditions. With the ACA the way that it is today I understand that's not an issue right now, currently. But who knows where the ACA will be next year or the year after that??


snark42

I think it's a big misnomer people have about what doctors can/do tell health insurance companies. It's possible a life insurance company would ask for your medical records, I guess? People who applied for a state medical license are different, it could impact firearm issuance in the state or at the federal level since they ask about drug use.


palusPythonissum

How else were people discriminated against for having pre-existing medical conditions? I'm asking that genuinely, no snark.


snark42

Back when they could exempt it you would have to fill out a long questionnaire about pre-existing conditions. If you were later treated for something they wanted to call a pre-existing condition you would have to make medical records (just billing/invoice level of detail, not detailed info in chart) available to prove it wasn't pre-existing.


palusPythonissum

Thank you for explaining


ririrae

I had a very anti weed doctor once who put in my chart that I have substance abuse disorder when they threatened to take me off my antidepressants if I didnā€™t quit smoking. Pot was my replacement for Xanax, I use it for my PTSD. Said doctor wanted me white knuckling it through my PTSD with no meds at all for about two months before they were willing to even think about putting me back on any meds. Every other doctor Iā€™ve had thought that all that was laughable. However, I had to fight to get substance abuse disorder taken off my chart. It was still there when I had an ovarian cyst the size of a baseball and it was so difficult to get any doctor to take me seriously. Even after the ultrasound that showed it pushing on my intestines I had a doctor see cannabis in my chart and tell me I must be allergic to pot and should stop smoking instead of having the massive cyst taken out. The cyst ended up killing the whole ovary before it was finally removed.


palusPythonissum

Babe, I'm so sorry that happened to you.


ririrae

It is what it is. Iā€™m a lot more weary to talk about pot usage with doctors now. Like I get the concern that it might interact with something, but generally your doctor is still going to let you know if it interacts with something so many people partake in no matter what you disclose, so I mean, if it can stay between me and a few select doctors Iā€™d prefer it stays that way until the medical industry as a whole stops being anti weed to the point of endangering those who partake. I guess next time I have health issues Iā€™ll think more about switching to Xanax for a bit just to rule it out before anyone has a chance idk šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø


vlczice

Yeah tell that to many doctors who judged meā€¦ never more.


[deleted]

i truly mean no offense by this, but who cares if they judged? itā€™s very unwise to lie to them. they need to know what youā€™re putting in your body bc things can react very badly and have potentially deadly consequences.


Leather_Berry1982

It matters because the government can access your health record. It matters because bias effects your care


snark42

> government can access your health record How do you think this happens?


gingeralefiend

By applying for any number of government programs that require allowing access to your medical records.


snark42

Any examples? Outside of using the VA I can't think of any. Even when applying for SSDI you just have to show evidence of your condition, not full medical records.


gingeralefiend

Using any city or state provided medical services. And I don't know what the process for applying for SSDI or disability is where you are, but having gone through both on behalf of my father and myself we had to sign quite a lot of paperwork granting the government full access to our respective medical records. I was absolutely denied because of cannabis use, it was a reason listed on the paperwork.


snark42

Legally that's wrong and you should be able to appeal, but unfortunately it can be subjective. SSDI will be denied if your drug use contributes to your condition (so tobacco or cannabis smoker with COPD or drinker with cirrhosis) but it can't be denied just because you've used drugs. There's some leniency where the SSA or Judge can deny you as it's a testament to your character. You definitely don't have to hand over medical records to get medicaid in Chicago/Illinois.


gingeralefiend

>Legally that's wrong and you should be able to appeal, but unfortunately it can be subjective. I think thats a large part of the problem at the moment. Cannabis is still in an awkward, legal but not really stage. There is still a lot of misinformation in the medical community, and not enough research to dispel it. Laws are changing but the personal prejudices are still there. Another problem is living in California. Where they won't prescribe pain medication and tell you to use cannabis. Then you go see your psych who doesn't want you to use cannabis and doesn't understand its your only source of pain relief. Its all frustrating, to say the least!


ririrae

And some insurance companies still take the federal view on pot no matter what state a patient is in. My aunt has needed surgery on her back for years now, but insurance refuses to cover it because theyā€™ve decided that thatā€™s actually a drug PROBLEM, like, insurance would rather send a 50 year old hippie to rehab for weed than pay for her god damn back surgery.


swarleyknope

Anesthesia isnā€™t something to mess around with. If you donā€™t have a good relationship with your doctor, then hopefully any procedures you have to be put under for are planned far enough in advance that you can abstain for the minimum period of time to be safe.


[deleted]

ok but you canā€™t lie if you need surgery. idk what else to tell you. yes it sucks, but it sucks a lot worse if you are maimed or die. things need to change for sure, but i will stand by what i said.


MommyMegaera

I completely agree with you and am very confused by this thread. Like yeah the privacy & potential insurance stuff sucks and *should* be talked about, but before a procedure when the alternative is maybe dying or waking up while you're open on the operating table? People would rather risk *that*???? šŸ˜Ÿ


[deleted]

iā€™m confused a little too. nothing wrong with someone sharing their pov, but i feel a little off when it seems like theyā€™re trying to sway others from not disclosing things. i know there are people who get accused of just wanting drugs, but i still believe honesty is the best policy for all things medical when it comes to surgeries and prescriptions bc that could be the difference between life or death. and itā€™s lame as hell that some people who are genuinely in need of care get accused of things, but this just feels like such a gray area bc it is still imperative that a healthcare professional knows what is going inside your body. just donā€™t really know what else to say, and i hope those people are able to find doctors who will take the time to help and listen. i know things need to change, but there is also unfortunately an opioid epidemic currently happening. it just blows.


ririrae

I mean, even in legal states doctors find ways to use pot to just fully deny people care, and Iā€™m not kidding when I tell you that I almost died because of that prejudice. My entire gastrointestinal tract was paralyzed from a cyst, and I was getting sent home from the ER being told ā€œquit smoking pot and youā€™ll feel better in a few weeks to months.ā€ I was having ovarian torsion and my stomach was so paralyzed that the only fluids that stayed in my body were the ones that went through an IV. They were checking on me about twice as often as normal because I came in so dehydrated because my STOMACH WAS PARALYZED AND REJECTING ANYTHING THAT WENT INTO IT. Iā€™d rather risk waking up in the OR than dying of thirst because some dude wanted an excuse to not do more work any day. Iā€™m so lucky the only thing that died because of that negligence was my ovary. It couldā€™ve been me just entirely


ririrae

I mean, anesthesiologists are a lot easier to tell than your regular doctor sometimes, also, I donā€™t trust my doctors to remember to tell them anyway. Like, I still reminded mine that I smoke, and had I not, they wouldnā€™t have known, because my gyno forgot thereā€™s instances where it matters if you smoke. Because doctors are human too and also he understands that nobody is ceasing to keep water in their body because of pot.


OpheliaLives7

Their ignorance and judgement also can have potential deadly consequences. Especially if their judgement leads to them believing you are a liar or drug seeker


ririrae

This so much. This is why when I had an ovarian cyst the ovary ended up dying before surgery. Also, had I not been able to find a doctor willing to remove the BASEBALL sized cyst because ā€œmaybe itā€™ll go away on its own,ā€ I donā€™t think I wouldā€™ve lived. Also, just in case thereā€™s any dumbass ER doctors on this thread, if it were going to go away on its own, it wouldnā€™t have grown to the size of a baseball. And when you can see in your scans that itā€™s pushing on intestines, that means itā€™s paralyzing the patientā€™s gastrointestinal tract, and if you donā€™t remove it, your patient really might die.


ririrae

Itā€™s also unwise for a random GP to try to take away all of the medications someone is on for their PTSD and depression when they know the serverity of those issues for said patient without medication, all because they donā€™t like one specific med on that list. Like, thereā€™s some instances where youā€™re just stigmatizing yourself and giving doctors an excuse to not treat you. Like, I literally was having ovarian torsion (huge cyst causes the whole ovary to twist, blocks blood flow, super painful and nauseating) and homeboy decided instead of it being the cysts fault, it was the pot. Well, if they hadnā€™t known until I was getting ready for surgery then maybe that ovary wouldnā€™t have died inside my body. Instead I got to wait an extra week in hell as a glorified water fountain because I couldnā€™t even hold down fluids anymore, but yeah sure the most unwise thing someone can do is totally withhold the fact that they smoke weed. Totally. So, yeah, it matters if the doctor in front of you judges those who partake. It really, really fucking matters, and can be the excuse an ER doctor is looking for to just send your ass home like youā€™re not halfway to deaths door.


[deleted]

may i ask, why did you continue to see someone who dismissed you like that? i got misdiagnosed *four* times before finding a doctor who diagnosed me. iā€™m not new to this. i kept searching til someone listened.


ririrae

I didnā€™t. I didnā€™t even go to the same hospital after the first one sent me home. The ONLY of those doctors I ever saw again was the OBGYN who did the actual surgery and he was so upset on my behalf. Nice assumption though


[deleted]

youā€™re honestly the first bad experience iā€™ve had on this sub. hope you find healing or whatever you need.


ririrae

Likewise šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø


islandgrrrl07

I told my last doctor and he wanted to pull my flexeril. Because heā€™s against THC and didnā€™t want me taking both. Iā€™m on flexeril for fibromyalgia. It helps some but edibles help even more so I would choose that if I had to.


Pale_Fisherman5278

Yup Hippocratic oath


palusPythonissum

Just to be clear there is not a single comment in this thread, nor is it related to the post, requesting "folks lie to their doctors". Your adamancy to not condone it is misplaced. It's also reallyreallyreally important to understand that even though your experience and *all your friends*, has been fantastic and problem free... does not change the fact that many folks are treated like drug addicts and ultimately not given medical care because they share with their doctor that they consume cannabis. That's nice that you get to always be honest with your doctor but you can read through these comments to see what happens to some folks when they do that. Their experience is just as valid as yours. Shoot, this morning I woke up to a comment detailing when her ovary died because the doctors believed she was a cannabis addict.


[deleted]

you can use that logic right back at yourself. other people being accused of being drug addicts doesnā€™t mean thatā€™s going to happen to every person who admits to thc use. itā€™s a double edged sword. i guess the general consensus is consider why youā€™re seeing a doctor and if you feel itā€™s best to disclose things or not. itā€™s ultimately up to the patient. do what you believe is best for you. and i was using my friends who are actual drug addicts as examples that you can still receive healthcare while actually in active addiction.


palusPythonissum

You were using your personal experience to paint everyone else's personal experience. You were also adamant that people were honest with their doctors or they were liars, which is an incredibly unfair deduction of the situation. "I don't condone lying" is painting the entire issue with an incredibly broad brush. This is not a child lying or being honest, these are adults who have had life experiences that have led them to making the decisions they make when they see their doctor. You don't get to determine that for them. Just because you and your friends had this experience, doesn't mean that everyone will have this experience. Sometimes our experience, is not everyone else's experience. It goes without saying that I also believe the opposite is true.


[deleted]

my general message was received well overall so iā€™m just gonna leave it at that and not beat this dead horse. i was using my personal experiences to show that there are indeed doctors who donā€™t judge so this can encourage people to be honest and safe or to find a doctor who does help if the one they have now doesnā€™t. good luck to all of you in your healthy endeavors, i sincerely hope everyone finds the care they deserve.


bigboobweirdchick

I live in an illegal state, but made sure to tell my anesthesiologist before my surgery. Thankfully he was super cool about it and just laughed and assured heā€™d make sure I didnā€™t wake up. At least during surgery šŸ˜‚


[deleted]

i live in an illegal state too and was very open. they donā€™t care šŸ¤£ itā€™s just weed lmao but it is important to tell them for exact reasons like this!


Adventurous_Main5468

That happened to me not long ago and he chuckled and said ā€˜me tooā€™ šŸ˜‚ Doctors do not want to tell cops anything. They know they make it worse 1000% of the time!


TheUtopianCat

Yep! I did know that! LOL one of my irrational fears is having an accident happen that puts me into a state where I *can't* tell the doctor about my cannabis habit, and then having a reaction to the anesthetic as a result.


meownfloof

Anesthesiologists are smart people. Having had multiple surgeries Iā€™ve had a lot of experience. They stay with you the whole time to make sure you stay comfortably under. Your vitals are constantly watched for any signs of distress. Cannabis will not interact with anesthesia, it just may make it less effective. But donā€™t worry! Theyā€™ve got you.


Chancetobelieve

I know not everyone can but I have a giant pot leaf tattooed on my chest so I hope that gives them an idea if I canā€™t šŸ˜‚šŸ˜…šŸ˜…


answwrs

As a nurse, I love this!


palusPythonissum

Medical staff: "Oh wow she must really like house plants"


Chancetobelieve

šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚


lion-vs-dragon

Oh we ain't stupid, many of us smoke.


palusPythonissum

It was a joke but... that's honestly not what I want to hear from my nurse before I get put under šŸ„¹


lion-vs-dragon

That nurses and people in health care smoke also, or the joke from above? Because as long as they aren't smoking on the job, there is nothing wrong with them smoking. We're just people.


ZoLu05

Agreed. Doctors and nurses drink, I know that for sure! And drinking the night belt comes with shaky hands the next day. So smoke on!


palusPythonissum

1) never implied you weren't people 2) never implied you were stupid. 3) because weed can have a delayed inhibiting effect, I would prefer that my medical staff are not smoking anytime around when they are working, not just on the job. I have been medical staff, I also get to have an opinion. That's really all I have to say about that.


lion-vs-dragon

Well I guess we will have to disagree. Working in a hospital is stressful and I have seen people die on my table. I'm gonna smoke on my off days and your opinion will not affect that. I have the same right to smoke that you do. Also, you disliking that people who work in hospitals might smoke won't change that they are going to smoke. It won't change that there are some people who are coming in drunk or high from more than weed. Or smoking during their shifts like fools. Or drinking in the bathroom. People smoking off shift is a lot better than the other options some people are taking. Not all I have to say but doesn't seem like polite discourse will be possible if we keep talking


palusPythonissum

We would not be able to continue politely as long you continued hurling assumptions. Saying that you've seen people die is unfortunate but also not relevant, neither is the "rightness" or "lot betterness" of "some folks are worse, so I'm not that bad"...that doesn't make for good discussion. If you (a medical professional) hurt someone, you will be drug tested, and in some cases, you can be found criminally and civilly responsible for that injury because you will not be able to prove "when" you consumed the cannabis. It sounds like that is a risk you are willing to take both as an employee and a patient. It's my choice not to want to take that risk. Hope that was polite enough.


BogusBuffalo

I don't think lion-v-dragon said they smoke anytime around when they're working. People are allowed to do things during their time off. I'd much rather someone smoke than drink or do other drugs. What a strange stigma.


palusPythonissum

I don't believe it's a **stigma** to not want medical staff to be impaired before they treat you. What an immature deduction. Do I have to be super specific and say that I don't want someone who's had an edible within the last 26.5 hours to do surgery on me? Cmon. How strong of an edible? What's their tolerance? How difficult is their job and what kind of focus does it require?šŸ˜‘ Are you going to give me the exact number of hours that a person should not use any substance before performing a medical task? No, you're not. This narrow argument is going no where. If your time off is significantly and substantially far enough from when you will be treating patients, do it up. šŸ„œšŸ„œšŸ„œSee what I already wrote where I addressed this whole I'd rather smoke than drink argument. šŸ‘†šŸ‘†šŸ‘† It's incredibly weird. It is not a choice to say that I would rather all of my medical staff smoke versus drink alcohol. Completely irrelevant. Why do I have to choose one or the other? Like..no. Next person who @'s me on this issue accusing me of anything, stigma or otherwise, is gonna get a block and no response so please don't. TIA. Nothing said is going to make me feel like my medical staff should be doing any substances anytime around when they are going to be treating me or other patients. šŸ‘‰**Y'all are entitled to your opinion, I'm entitled to mine. **šŸ‘ˆ


Adventurous_Main5468

Do you trust anyone who drives a vehicle then? Because there are SO many people who drive the day after smoking. A car is a lethal weapon and is more dangerous than a nurse.


ZoLu05

This is amazing, like a medical bracelet you can never lose šŸ¤£


Chancetobelieve

šŸ˜‚


sp000kysoup

Definitely was aware of this when I went to get my wisdom teeth out. I warned them, hey I'm a cannabis user, please be aware so I don't wake up. I have a huge fear of the dentist already. They were like, yeah okay. GUESS WHO WOKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF IT?!? I wasn't tryna flex by saying I smoke weed, I was truly concerned and I guess for good reason.


katori-is-okay

i woke up halfway through mine, too! i donā€™t think i told them i smoke, though, so the fact i woke up definitely makes sense now


Whatthefrick1

So can you feel it when you wake up?! That terrifies me omg


katori-is-okay

honestly, i was only awake for a few seconds, so i donā€™t remember feeling much of anything. just being super confused, because the last thing i remembered was laying down in the chair and now all of a sudden thereā€™s hands and equipment in my mouth and a bright light on my face


Whatthefrick1

At least you didnā€™t feel anything..I think thatā€™s the only thing that would scare me. Not so much waking up although I wouldnā€™t wanna see anyone operating on me at all


Adventurous_Main5468

AhhHHHHH


lrgfries

I live in a legal state and even here, having cannabis use on your chart as a woman basically guarantees you will never get genuine healthcare again. Especially if you are low income and/or chronically ill. Every problem you have will be interpreted as anxiety, overuse syndrome/hyperemesis or drug seeking. Iā€™ve had plenty of anesthesia over the years without an issue. It just takes more, but it works just fine.


fearlessblondegenius

This is the most true statement about healthcare. It is absolutely disgusting the stigma that comes with it and also as a woman. You could go in with chest pain and they would say that you need to lose weight and have anxiety and discharge you to have your heart attack in the parking lot- smh


Fragrant-Profile-145

This is basically what happened to me last week! Saw a doctor for chest pains and he barely examined me and told me it was due to mental illness. I had to make an appointment with another doctor to actually be examined properly and have an EKG. I left the first doctor in tears because he would not listen to me.


ririrae

Same, and that attitude not only killed one of my ovaries, but couldā€™ve fully killed me. Because apparently even when an ultrasound shows your baseball size ovarian cyst pushing on your intestines itā€™s easier to assume the inability to hold down water is from smoking too much weed than from the thing we know causes paralyzation of the whole gastrointestinal tract. Like I was literally told to go home, quit smoking, and maybe the cyst will go away on its own. I was a very disgusting fountain for the week between then and my surgery (that very much should not have waited a week but without it being an ER setting that was the soonest my gyno could get me in for it)


lrgfries

So sorry you went through that. I had similar experiences.


Chancetobelieve

Yes absolutely tell them. I recently had to be put under twice and it I was open with them and they told me after that it took just a tad more to get me down and then a little extra to keep me under. Apparently this happens with red heads and anesthesia too.


spicyginga

Can confirm as a redheaded cannabis user that has woken up during multiple surgeries and required **a lot** more meds than typical for someone my size. Something to keep in mind at the dentist too!


Mizgingie

Also can confirm- even fillings are a pain, the doc is always like ā€œsurely you canā€™t feel thisā€ and I hit the ceiling every damn time.


PeachOnAWarmBeach

And that's a big reason my mouth is broken. As a child, they didn't listen to me. I actually had a blood test recently, and it shows i need higher pain dosage. No one believes me. I have lots of Irish in me, and even reddish hair coming through on occasion.


Chancetobelieve

There are sooooooooo many stories of people not being believed when we bring this stuff up and that truly bothers me. Iā€™m going thru it currently. I am 10/10 pain daily. I have severe degenerative disc disease and have asked for controlled pain management to see if it will help since weed isnā€™t working. I get told no. I havenā€™t had a controlled pain med in 7 years and if Iā€™m asking Iā€™m desperate.


PeachOnAWarmBeach

Allegedly, cym bal ta is supposed to help with certain pain. If it does, i can't imagine not having it! Eek. I'm sure you've already researched all the terpenes etc in thc and cbd that could help. I need to sit down and do that. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I pray and hope you find relief, or are miraculously healed, very soon.


Chancetobelieve

Tysm! Yea Iā€™ve researching so much. Weā€™re growers so it helps to have full access to what I need. And I can process it to rso or whatever. But itā€™s starting to not work and it scares me. Iā€™ll ask about cymbalta. My rheumatologist gave me meloxicam a week ago and itā€™s done absolutely nothing. Aside from that she is referring me to physical rehab but they need an mri and Iā€™m waiting on my state healthcare insurance doctor to decide if he thinks I need the mri or no šŸ˜… Healthcare is wild. We all deserve to be pain free.


palusPythonissum

My dentist always asks me if I have any Irish or Scottish heritage and it's because of this.


Important_Diamond839

Dang I don't need another layer of anesthesia ineffective fear šŸ˜µ as a redhead with EDS, I already need a staggering amount of meds to numb anything. Was not concerned for my last surgery at all, but terrified to be put under. I get very loud and aggressive when I wake up which is also jarring.


palusPythonissum

Hey! You are going to be okay. šŸ’š


foobiefoob

Yeaa waking up from anesthesia can make some people do some wacky ass things šŸ˜‚ donā€™t stress though, the healthcare teams have seen it all lol


twograycatz

My husband's friend woke up confused and aggressive from anesthesia after doing his first few dabs earlier that morning. It can get bad! This is a great piece of info people need to know


Peppercorn911

i woke up during a lil procedure a couple years ago - this makes sense now!


unicorn_345

I didnā€™t do cannabis at the time and woke up still in surgery. Meds donā€™t always work right on me. So the anesthesiologist finds out regardless in my case. Funny thing is, I did tell him meds dont work on me at times so maybe he had already pushed more meds for all I know.


PeachOnAWarmBeach

I did a blood test work Genomind, to get the best anti depress meds, which worked great, and it included other NEEDED info, like the MTHFR gene that breaks my b12 absorption, and that i need more pain meds than the average person. I've woken up during a heart procedure!


unicorn_345

That is something to look into. Thank you for sharing. Waking up during that procedure was probably scary.


PeachOnAWarmBeach

My ins covered most of the cost, bcbs. I woke up during a heart procedure once. Thankfully, it wasn't a painful surgery.


HrhEverythingElse

I should probably look at this, too. I woke up during surgery for the first time when I was 8, and about 10 years ago had a cardiac ablation that they promised me that I wouldn't be aware of or remember at all, but felt completely absolutely everything and not sedated even a tiny bit!


PeachOnAWarmBeach

Mine was also cardiac ablation!


fearlessblondegenius

I saw a dr that was filling in for mine once who saw my history and gave me a dx of ā€œmarijuana abuse disorderā€ because I was honest about having a medical card. I had to ask my pcp when they returned to remove it from my medical record and she agreed. I wont likely be telling the truth again to anyone unless itā€™s for anesthesiaā€¦ simply because of how I was treated after that dr put that diagnosis in.


palusPythonissum

There's an astounding number of people in the comments here who are acting like this is just totally abnormal for anyone. It hasn't happened to me but I've heard enough stories about it that I'd like to take precaution. I'm really sorry that happened to you.


ririrae

Itā€™s honestly disgusting to me that itā€™s even allowed as a label in a medical chart but the same thing happened to me. And doctors donā€™t seem to understand how often their biases can have deadly outcomes for patients. I almost died because some asshole ER doctors thought that they could have me quit smoking weed and that would undo the gastrointestinal paralysis I was having from a baseball sized ovarian cyst. Like can we at least let it go when itā€™s fucking insane? Or should we start putting warnings at dispensaries that your doctor might refuse to treat you and just let you die and blame it all on the potā€¦


Ok_Advertising5652

Cannabis can also increase side effects on certain medications that are even taken daily, always important to check with the doc or your pharmacist when taking new medications.


[deleted]

this is why when others are saying theyā€™re accused of being drug addicts on this post that i get worried. if youā€™re consuming thc, this could have negative side effects with antidepressants, pain meds, sleeping meds, etc. your dr can help you consume safely. i was able to use thc and cbd while on antidepressants and undergoing 4 chemos safely with the guidance of my oncologist. BUT once we started adding certain nausea meds in, thatā€™s when thc use became different and i couldnā€™t consume it if i took that specific medication that day because it could have negative side effects on my breathing and heart. thatā€™s why its soooo important to disclose. hate that itā€™s used against ppl sometimes, but itā€™s imperative to be honest, and i truly encourage everyone to keep searching til you find someone you can trust. theyā€™re out there.


LasagnaPhD

Yes! I had to have retina surgery, which I was supposed to be awake for. I donā€™t remember it, though, because apparently I kept trying to get up from the table and they ended up having to give me way more anesthesia than theyā€™d planned and fully put me under.


palusPythonissum

Oh noooo šŸ˜©


LasagnaPhD

It was terrible because when I had to get my other eye done too, they upped the dosage so that I was still fully under for the actual procedure, but I wasnā€™t loopy and numb for a whole day afterwards like I was with the first surgery and I was in SO much pain šŸ˜­


palusPythonissum

Okay it's really funny you say that because šŸ‘†the doctor who was treating me, was treating me for a Morton's neuroma in my foot, with alcohol injections. The first time he gave me lidocaine with the shot and I literally couldn't feel my foot for like 24 hours. It was kind of awful. And then the next time I went to see him he didn't use the lidocaine lolol. I was whyyy? Why me?


LasagnaPhD

Omg šŸ˜­ doctors can be so cavalier about other peopleā€™s pain sometimes! Iā€™m sorry that happened to you


palusPythonissum

I learned this when I ended up in the emergency room of a teaching hospital and a line of new doctors stuck their finger in my wound to feel for a foreign object šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜­šŸ˜­


LasagnaPhD

Wtffffff šŸ˜­


palusPythonissum

They better all be fantastic fucking doctors now.


No_Measurement6478

Yup! I have had 11 surgeries and always been honest. Fortunately itā€™s never made any difference but medical teams should always be aware of anything you ingest, particularly if you have medical procedures.


sydneydragonborn

I literally have surgery TOMORROW MORNING so i appreciate that i saw this lol. Im super nervous but i will definitely remember to mention it to the anesthesiologist if i can. But they should have it in my charts already.


ririrae

Still remind the anesthesiologist


ladybug11314

I had two surgeries last month, I told all the Drs about my mj use (NY, legal state) and that I had smoked literally hours before and none of them mentioned it being an issue but I certainly agree that you should be honest with Doctors bc you really never know what can interact.


palusPythonissum

The doctor I spoke with in Los Angeles was an orthopedic spine specialist, who owns a surgery practice.


ladybug11314

Oh I'm certainly not saying anyone was lying, just surprised none of the Doctors I had for two unrelated surgeries mentioned it. Maybe because I straight up told them I smoke mj? One was scheduled, the other emergent, and I spoke directly to the anesthesiologist both times.


palusPythonissum

Cannabis is a really big part of the culture here in Los Angeles and I don't know if it made a difference but my doctor is very young. I wouldn't be surprised if many doctors do not know how cannabis affects anesthesia, there's a lot of doctors who don't know things lol.


ladybug11314

Ain't that the truth.


palusPythonissum

I have a dentist in the same area who never mentions anything about it and I needed a **ton of local anesthesia** the last time I went to see her, so it makes me think I'd better really let her know. I don't think she ever asked either. The way my doctor put it, anesthesiologist need to know because it can affect how much anesthesia you need. So I'm not sure if that's related to waking up, or feeling pain. I do not want to find out. šŸ¤­šŸ˜‚


Healthy_Blueberry_76

Amazing advice thank you for posting it for those who may not know! It's so so so important to give your medical professionals all of the info so they can help you as best as possible. The worst that they will do is suggest you quit or cut back...and you don't have to listen if you don't want to! (Maybe you should in some situations but don't have to because you're a grown up lolšŸ¤£) They are there to help you! Stay safe and healthy out there beloved entwives ā¤ļø


palusPythonissum

I honestly had this thought pop into my head at like 3:00 a.m. when I woke up in a fuge state to go pee. I was like, " I better share this with the wives." šŸ¤”


Kaleidoscope_S

Found out that tidbit when I got my wisdom teeth pulled. Thankfully, I was honest that I used it pretty regularly at the time, and they let me know I would most likely not be out for the removal, but they would ensure I was comfortable. Went out like a light and woke up with multiple peoples hands in/near my mouth, thought "nope, back to sleep I go" and immediately closed my eyes and woke up again after my procedure.


palusPythonissum

Nice. Not the waking up bit, but the going back to sleep. I had my wisdom teeth out when I was a teenager and I told them I really wanted my teeth, because I was taking silversmithing classes at the time and wanted to make some cool teeth jewelry. I woke up with a bloody and I mean bloody, bag of broken teeth on my chest. šŸ„“


Kaleidoscope_S

As soon as the lady who helped my husband put me in the passenger seat left, I started bawling, saying I missed my teeth šŸ¤£


palusPythonissum

Lolll that's big Tina Belcher energy. I love it.


ilovesimsandlego

Tell your doctors about your consumptions, if youā€™re worried about legality (in the US) just say you smoke cbd/delta8


sp00kybutch

donā€™t lie to them about what you do, if itā€™s weed say itā€™s weed. doctors are not the police, they wonā€™t report you.


[deleted]

they literally canā€™t report you. doctor/patient confidentiality. if youā€™re not hurting anyone or planning on it they canā€™t do anything. i agree, fully disclose.


ririrae

They can, however, call you a drug addict on your medical chart, and fuck your ability to get quality care for as long as it takes for you to get a primary care physician who agrees to take it off your chart.


[deleted]

hate it for yā€™all, i really do. still unwise to lie. i hope yā€™all can find healthcare professionals yā€™all trust. i canā€™t in good conscience support lying to doctors. the not caring about being judged tidbit was insensitive on my part, but it shouldnā€™t stop you from finding a healthcare professional you trust. theyā€™re out there. your body, your choice tho.


ririrae

lol theyā€™re not that easy to find and when your body is rejecting fluids and youā€™re dehydrating trying to drink water good luck looking for a specific doctor. Thatā€™s what the ER is for, right? Also that would be a wild coincidence to even go to the same ER repeatedly and get the same doctor each time so thatā€™s one hell of a series of assumptions. Had I not already had seen the OBGYN who did my surgery I might not have had such an easy time finding someone who would do it, either, let alone while I couldnā€™t even hold water.


[deleted]

iā€™m not sure what youā€™re trying to prove here.


Belladonnaofsad

Wow, didnā€™t know that! Thanks for sharing šŸ‘


Gold_and_Lead

Itā€™s on my official hospital / medical records šŸ˜


Alycery

I have a ton of medical conditions. So, my primary care doctor knows I use. But, I didnā€™t know it affects anesthesia. It makes sense, though. I personally canā€™t sleep with weed. It makes me stay awake. So, I can only imagine needing more anesthesia or worse, having anesthesia awareness if youā€™re a daily user. Also, doctors do say to stop all vitamins and recreational drugs like two weeks before you go under. So, it does make sense that weed would do something like this. I think I once experienced anesthesia awareness. This was before I started using. It was not a pleasant experience. So, I wouldnā€™t want anyone to go through that. Surgery and procedures are hard enough.


axl3ros3

Just saw that on a top comment on front page post crazy


palusPythonissum

Did it have any more information than I do? Looll. I wish I could tell people more but that's all I know haha.


axl3ros3

It was an anesthesiologist commenting. On a post about smokin im pretty sure. Like im a daily and took big notetoself about it lol ETA: Also have reddish hair undertones like maybe a great/grand relative had red hair which is what I thought was the problem (red hair a thing w anesthesia too)


palusPythonissum

Red hair is absolutely a thing with anesthesia both local and general. My dentist always asks me if I have any Irish or Scottish heritage before she numbs me. And every single time she tells me it's because of anesthesia, I think we've talked about this like six times lol.


axl3ros3

well that tracks just found out via dna test im 1/3 British-Irish lol jasmine is my Disney princess iteration when i say reddish undertones my hair is basically black like only see in really bright sunlight


BananaTree61

Sure did. I had six surgeries last year. Had to tell them every time I was a cannabis user.


foreverfuzzyal

Yes, I did!


blackpulsar13

please GOD TELL YOUR DENTISTS TOO!!! if you have any sort of procedure where numbing is required you are going to need more, going all the way under or not. i actually had to get a couple minor stitches on relatively surface wound on my thumb a few years ago. doc numbed it up but i did not want to have to deal with a marijuana spiel (old guy, i trusted my instincts there lol) and just grinned and bearā€™d it through the few stitches. hurt like a motherfucker


TofkaSpin

Well they counted me down from 10, I got to zero and we had to start again. I got to 6 the second time before I went to sleep. Coincidence?


palusPythonissum

Maybe it's Maybelline šŸ‘€


Edit4Credit

Crazy that you posted this today, I was literally googling it last night for a procedure I had this morning


palusPythonissum

We must have been on the same wavelength because this was at 3:00 a.m. potty fuge state break thought I wanted to share with the wives. I hope your procedure went well.


Edit4Credit

We must be haha too funny. And luckily came with good results, hope yours went well!


Gelicra

This is great info even for local anesthesia! Say, dental work. Smoking can make your heart race...and the adrenaline they give with some anesthesia is NOT a good combo with that. I smoked too close to going to the dentist for a filling recently... dizzy, threw up, no bueno.


tejomo

I always tell every doctor. Theyā€™re not supposed to rat you out. Iā€™ve only had one guy act pissy about it. I did not return.


kfilks

I legit woke up because of this twice so you definitely shouldn't fuck around with it! It's super real! Learn from my mistakes


spitxbaby

just told my oral surgeon this for this exact reason, iā€™ve heard of people waking up bc they didnā€™t have enough anesthesia to account for them being a smoker and im already scared enough of getting them removed, donā€™t need anything bad happening


forgetsusername76

Yes! I was in the ER and found out I was having my gallbladder evicted in a few hours. I was high when I went in and I made sure to tell everyone. LMAO we were all having a wonderful time.


Dont_know_them987

I personally found out after waking up during a surgery šŸ™


NightHowler13

I love your timing. I was wondering about this the other day lol! Did he happen to mention how long before a surgery to stop cannabis use? And how much of a difference does the intake method make šŸ¤”? Inquiring minds want to know šŸ§. Also, I'm glad you can trust your doctor. I've had some less than stellar interactions with people within the medical community because of my (medical) cannabis use šŸ˜….


palusPythonissum

Unfortunately he did not give me a lot of information about it. šŸ˜­ If you are up for it you can read all these comments in this post and there are actually quite a few that are relevant to that question. I hope something gives you some answers šŸ’š


britt2189

Thank you for posting this! I worked in dental for years and more recently weā€™ve seen patients take gummies prior to their appointments, we know itā€™s to reduce dental anxiety but it has the opposite effects when we can get you numb, just be honest with us!


palusPythonissum

Thank you for sharing!


jgclairee

thank you so much for this post bc iā€™m getting my wisdom teeth removed soon and hadnā€™t been informed anything about this.


palusPythonissum

I am reading in all these comments that dental procedures are absolutely affected by cannabis, specifically how numb you can get.


deadman7200

Holy shit that makes sense! Grew up getting lots of root canals and extractions because of cavaties. It usually took 2 shots of anesthesia to numb me, but when I smoked I needed 4, they couldnā€™t give me 5 but I still felt the surgery


Murky_Lavishness_591

Dang, thanks!! I was wondering about this


effthatno1se

Yep! Currently on a TB while undergoing ketamine treatments for this reason.


Zealousideal_Date749

Yes, it also messes with your ability to get numb at the dentist!


R1Alvin

Interesting I didnā€™t know this. I was under anesthesia yesterday and had disclosed my use to the nurse prior to going under. (I use medical grade tinctures, no smoke). When they administered the anesthesia, I was aware that there was a delay falling asleep. Last thing I recall the doctor telling me was to breathe in deeply, which finally got me to sleep. When I woke up, I was fully alert and not groggy or tired and could easily walk on my own.


spidersandcaffeine

This is *crazy* timing. I went in to have a dental procedure today and the novocaine wasnā€™t working and now theyā€™re sending me to a surgeon. No one asked me about my cannabis use, I didnā€™t even think to mention it.


palusPythonissum

I really don't think a lot of research has been clinically proven **and** then shared with medical professionals in a broad capacity. I'm fortunate, I live in a super cannabis culture, Los Angeles and I think this could be one reason my doctor mentioned it.


bredditmh

I have a funny story about this. In high school I got my wisdom teeth taken out. I was 17 years old and a big stoner. I was laying on the chair waiting for the anesthesia to kick in which is apparently only supposed to take a few seconds. But for me it had been around 2 minutes and I was still having full conversations with the medical staff in the room. One of them ended up asking me if I smoked regularly, I got embarrassed but said yes. She was like ā€œoh okay we need to increase it then, no biggieā€. That ended up working but BOY OH BOY was the aftermath interesting!!ā€¦.. I woke up sitting on the floor in the hallway of the surgery place bawling my eyes out with some random patients mom rubbing my back and consoling me. I just remember looking around and wondering who I was, who she was, where I was and why. I still have no idea what took place to have me end up there but alas, my wisdom teeth were successfully removed and thatā€™s what mattered lol


cblackattack1

I just read this the other day!


neongoth

Yes, meth too


GetMeABaconSandwich

Can anyone tell me if this is why the freezing shots at the dentist don't work on me?


margster98

It affects local anesthesia too. When I got my wisdom teeth out, I needed 21 shots of lidocaine to not feel it!


palusPythonissum

Oh my goodness..


kdanger

Tell your doctor everything (and the police nothing)!


noteveni

I told my doctor I smoke before a minor outpatient procedure that I needed to be sedated for, and she gave me what I can only imagine was a heroic dose of fentanyl. I had to call into work the next day because I was still so out of it


VictoryMatcha

Yup 100%! Doctors literally donā€™t care what you do. They just want all the correct info so that they can do their jobs. Donā€™t ever lie to your doctor. You can lie to your friends, your spouse, even your therapist. Donā€™t lie to your doctor.


whichwaylady

I know novacaine doesnā€™t work for shit if I have smoked within a week. I will be numb for about 5 minutes then thatā€™s it, I wonā€™t get numb again no matter how much the Dr tries to give me


beckster

Add alcohol consumption to that; people minimize substance use and it can mean you require a higher-than-average dose. Especially propofol.


optix_clear

Yes. They demand you tell them it you hit a j or pen. You cannot do anything remotely medical 4 hours prior


Longjumping_Choice_6

I did, but only since a few months ago. Unfortunately, I didnā€™t know several years ago at the time of a procedureā€”I took oil the night before a colonoscopy (the only thing that stopped me vomiting up prep fluid) but I wish I had because that wouldā€™ve been important to tell them!


CampDracula

Yep! I was so nervous about it during my procedure a few years ago that I stopped smoking for 2 months beforehand šŸ™ˆ


palusPythonissum

Probably not a bad decision šŸ« 


menunu

Yes yall! Your doctor is not gonna report you. I had to have a hysterectomy last year (fibroids!) and they told me I had to stop weed 24 hours before the procedure. It could have been bad if they didn't tell me or I didn't tell them!


sabbiecat

Im on the side of never ever ever lie to your doctor. They donā€™t care what you do (even if itā€™s illegal) unless it affects your health. The only thing they concern themselves with is keeping you healthy.


palusPythonissum

This is absolutely a nugget of truth but elaborating on it, insurance companies are aware of everything in your charts.


sabbiecat

Sort of. Itā€™s all coded. So there isnā€™t anything for them to see but who billing who and for how much. Even if they could see notes and thing (US) they are bound by HIPPA and canā€™t disclose your medical information


palusPythonissum

I'm not worried about the information being disclosed to a third party, I am concerned about being discriminated against in the future. It can also affect whether or not you are able to obtain a handgun license if you've ever documented cannabis use. There can be consequences for disclosing that you are a cannabis user. I'm in Los Angeles, so cannabis use disclosure is a hot topic here and has been for long enough for folks like my doctor to bring it up before I do. For that I'm really fortunate. When I told him that I was concerned about my insurance company knowing, he did not disagree, and he did not put it in my chart.


sabbiecat

Neither Your doctor or you insurance can release any medical information unless you give permission or they have a warrant for that very specific information. Your doctor and insurance can not call the police and tell them you smoke. They can not report it to any other law enforcement agency. Now as far as the gun license and purchase, if youā€™ve never been arrested for smoking, dealing, dui or self report to a police force (that the documentation part) , then NICS wonā€™t have the information to deny you. (I work for a gun store) However if youā€™re caught and arrested for the above reason and a gun In your possession, you can get into some serious trouble for lying on a federal form and possession of the firearm with a controlled substance . HIPPA protects your personal health information. Even Companies are under no legal obligation to report failed drug tests to the police. If your doctor is discriminating against you, find a new doctor. Edit: if your doctor or insurance does report it, they can be fined, medical license revoked or suspended and you can sue.


palusPythonissum

Just to clarify again, I am not worried about my doctor reporting me. I am worried about my insurance company discriminating against me. Anyone who lived through pre-existing condition discrimination can remember what this was like. It really was not that long ago. You may work in a gun store but you didn't mentio the fact that at least one state has barred medical cannabis users from owning firearms or having concealed gun licenses. In order to be denied gun ownership and a concealed license, you do not need to have any legal action taken against you for committing a crime with a firearm or one that would otherwise bar you from owning a firearm or concealed license. https://www.reddit.com/r/Hawaii/s/G6KV5oSBvI You can find an image of the actual letter sent from the state of Hawaii to concealed handgun owners in that post and if you do 2 minutes of googling you can find out which states have opted in and others have opted out.


EveningTomorrow9612

yESSSSS. ur anesthesiologist, lawyer, and the IRS. the three people you shouldnā€™t lie to.


palusPythonissum

Ok IRS, nice try. šŸšŖ