Good day
My health is very good, but usually very sensitive to medicine and anesthesia.
I am 55 and a hep B carrier. I have to go for dental implants soon and surgeon wants to use conscious sedation as the procedure will take 2.5 hours. I normally get veru sick. Is this because of my liver ? Do you have any suggestions ?
Kind regards
Dear @Angel
I am also highly sensitive to drugs. This is typically due to natural genetic variations in the genes that break down or excrete drugs, such as the cytochromes P450. That being said, as we get older (I’m 63) our ability to process “xenobiotics” (that’s the excessively fancy name for molecules such as drugs that get into our bodies) slowly gets weaker. As the liver is the primary site of processing xenobiotics, an impairment of liver function such as an HBV infection can induce will alter (usually slow) drug processing. That results in either an inadvertent over-dose of the drug or the drug effects lasting for longer than in most people.
I take half doses of some medicines (with the approval of my physician of course). I just could not wake up after my first colonoscopy–that amused my wife to no end! I described that experience to my physician when I had my 2nd colonoscopy, and they adjusted dosing of the sedative so that I popped back awake right when I was supposed to. Based on that experience, I encourage you to discuss your drug sensitivity carefully with your dentist–including specifics such as which types of drugs have caused you problems in the past, etc. That will allow them to adjust as best they can to your sensitivity.
I wish you the best,
John
Hi Johan
Many thanks for your reply, I appreciate your time. I will discuss with my doctor.
Have a great day
Angel