No laughing matter

**silentC** · 5th May 2005, 10:56 AM

Read today that Nitrous Oxide (or laughing gas) has been discovered to have possible harmful effects and it has been recommended to drop it from general use.

Apparently, "it doubles the rate of serious vomiting and pneumonia after surgery and raises the risk of wound infections.

"Their study of 2050 patients also showed that those who had undergone surgery were slower to recover and likely to stay in hospital longer if gases used to keep them unconscious included nitrous oxide as a base, rather than oxygen alone or oxygen and air."

"Because it changed the way the body metabolised vitamin B12 and folate, it was also possible nitrous oxide could cause immune system and heart problems, nerve damage, cancer and birth defects".

The amazing thing is that it has been in use for over 160 years and until now, no-one has ever done a study into it's safety.

I've been under twice in my life and the second time I was as sick as a dog afterwards.

SMH Article

**Zed** · 5th May 2005, 11:42 AM

I love the stuff at the dentist! breathe deep son, breathe deep....

**silentC** · 5th May 2005, 11:50 AM

That's the same stuff. Will take all the fun out of a trip to the dentist if they stop using it.

**jow104** · 5th May 2005, 06:11 PM

Have you not noticed that everything is being notified harmful these days

**beejay1** · 5th May 2005, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by jow104

Have you not noticed that everything is being notified harmful these days

Theyll probably get round to foilies soon no doubt,,,Al already carries a government health warning

beejay1

http://community.webshots.com/user/eunos9

**smidsy** · 13th May 2005, 03:23 AM

Hei Guys,
I spose you could say that taking away the nitrous oxide is no laughing matter

Cheers
Paul

**adrian** · 13th May 2005, 11:04 AM

I've been in hospital four times in the past few years and due to go in again in two weeks. Unfortunately it's a risky place to be. If they could get rid of all the sick people it would probably be a lot safer. So far I haven't had any bad side effects except for the throwing up and I find that the risk of infection is far greater when you get minor surgery like excisions in a GPs surgery.
You don't find many GPs wearing masks when doing excisions. They stand over the patient chatting away and risk transfering every bug in their mouth to the wound through vapour.

**journeyman Mick** · 13th May 2005, 03:26 PM

Adrian,
before you go in to hospital ask your GP to write you a script for some Zofran Zydis 8mg wafers (Ondansetron). They probably won't have it in hospital and you won't get a script for more than 4 at a time (unless you're undergoing chemo or radio) but they will stop you throwing up. You can be on the verge of heaving your guts out and you just pop one on your tongue and you don't upchuck.

Mick

**AlexS** · 13th May 2005, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Adrian,
before you go in to hospital ask your GP to write you a script for some Zofran Zydis 8mg wafers (Ondansetron). They probably won't have it in hospital and you won't get a script for more than 4 at a time (unless you're undergoing chemo or radio) but they will stop you throwing up. You can be on the verge of heaving your guts out and you just pop one on your tongue and you don't upchuck.

Mick

Mick, will they work when SWMBO switches the TV to 'Everybody Loves Raymond'?

**Caliban** · 13th May 2005, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Adrian,
You can be on the verge of heaving your guts out and you just pop one on your tongue and you don't upchuck.

Mick

Mick
What happens if you swallow it?

**arose62** · 14th May 2005, 08:53 AM

On Thurs I dislocated and broke my left shoulder.

The hosp. used a "date-rape" type drug on me when putting the shoulder back in - they told me I'd be lightly sedated, would probably scream with pain, but wouldn't remember a thing afterwards. Next thing I remember, I was being X-rayed!

SWMBO says she didn't hear any screaming

)

And there was no nausea.

Cheers,
Andrew

**Daddles** · 14th May 2005, 10:43 AM

That's not fair Andrew. If you're going to suffer a dislocated shoulder and all the associated 'ouch moments', you should be allowed to enjoy the memories afterwards. Perhaps the voluptuous lass in x-ray made up for it?

I haven't done a shoulder but I dislocated a collarbone donkeys years ago. Twas an interesting experience. You have my sympathy mate.

Cheers
Richard

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