General Anaesthetic and Driving?

Skint_Catt

Hi all,

In a few months (haven't had my appointment letter yet) I'm due to have two impacted molars removed under a 'short' general anaesthetic. Does anyone know whether I'm likely to be able to drive myself home?

The reason I'm asking now is OH needs to give lots of notice for a day off if he needs to be there to take/collect me.

cannylass_2

hi,
i think it is not recommended that you drive for at least 24 hours after having had a general anaesthetic.
good luck with the op!

meyore

They recommend you don't drive yourself after a general anaesthetic. My mum had to go in for an operation on her teeth and they refused to let her leave by herself, so I had to go and collect her.

She felt fine and wasn't happy about it, but I guess its a safety thing, as it hits some people more than others.

Skint_Catt

Thanks - I'd guessed that was the answer but as the nurse said it would be 'short' I wondered if that made a difference.

Not looking forward to it (my first general) but I've had toothache every week (most days) for more than five months and it starting to get me down! I'm living on cocodomol too which can't be good for my liver!

Will ask OH to prelim book his day off work as soon as I get my date then!

Thanks

shazrobo

Skint_Catt wrote: »

Thanks - I'd guessed that was the answer but as the nurse said it would be 'short' I wondered if that made a difference.

Not looking forward to it (my first general) but I've had toothache every week (most days) for more than five months and it starting to get me down! I'm living on cocodomol too which can't be good for my liver!

Will ask OH to prelim book his day off work as soon as I get my date then!

Thanks

as others have said they dont let you drive after a general.
i take cocodamol, every day for the past couple years prescribed by my gp, so i dont think it will do your liver any harm. good luck

Skint_Catt

Thanks shazrobo - I presumed it was like paracetomol but stronger in that you shouldn't take it for long periods! Maybe not too bad then but will be glad to be without it (and the pain!)!

sillyvixen

driving after a GA not a hope..insurance will be invalid and hospital will insist you are accompanied home!! - but can you really afford to leave your car in a hospital car park!!

eva11

I had a General Anaesthetic last week for an op in the morning and was discharged mid afternoon, there was no way I could have driven myself home. They also insisted that I had someone at home with me overnight, as my husband works nightshifts, I ended up staying with my parents!!

Skint_Catt

Thanks for this!

Casperthefriendlyghost

Hi Skint-Cat

You definately won't be allowed to drive yourself home. I'm a nurse and it's definately not allowed for 24 hours. I also took cocodamol for two months after a serious back injury which left me off work for 10 weeks last year, and I don't seem to have any problems because of it. I spent two months taking cocodamol and voltarol (which is pretty strong anti inflammatory drug) and was ok, apart from being fed up of having to remember to take them all the time and having to swallow them lol.

I'm also having surgery in April and am having to stay in for 2 days. Hope all goes well.

All the best
CTFG
x x x

Skint_Catt

Thanks CTFG - you too!

Catt xx