RufusBowland

Hi… does it also apply to those of us who are just a carrier of the ginger gene? I always get extra numbing at the dentist; partly due to being needle phobic and a nervous patient as a result and partly after being aware (but not in agony) one time despite the extra numbing. He was surprised, but as soon as I mentioned I’d read something about redheads needing extra numbing and that I’m genetically “half-ginger” he Ahhhh-ed knowingly and loaded me up with even more numbing. I’ve been since and he always says he’s giving me a double dose. Works a treat!

I had a general anaesthetic for the first time in October. Mentioned the “half-ginger” thing to the anaesthetist (I’m in the UK). No idea if he did anything differently, but whatever he did also worked a treat.

Also, and sorry to semi-hijack this question, I was absolutely wired for 30 hours afterwards and didn’t sleep. Pinged wide awake in theatre (i.e. the OR), didn’t need to go to recovery, ate relentlessly all evening and into the night, would have gone for a jog if my leg had been working properly, and made Dory from Finding Nemo look like an intellectual great for over a week. Do you see this often?

Many thanks for reading this and for your time!

Many thanks for the reply and the extra info. The ginger gene is recessive, although I’ve got plenty of red highlights in my (dark brown) hair when the sun shines on it. Have always wished I was a proper redhead; I think red hair is stunning.

I know the anaesthetist gave me something to stop sickness; he mentioned he’d already done it when I told him I didn’t like throwing up. That was whilst he was loading me with a tasty little selection of syringes. Don’t recall my arse being on fire though - haha!

I also warned him I don’t metabolise codeine at all (CYP2D6 gene variants proven) and my resting blood pressure is always ridiculously low (80s/40s-50s), which was appreciated.

I was loopy afterwards - repeatedly asked if I was dead (no), had I been abducted by aliens (no), and would he go and get me a Maccies (polite no). I had no pain because I’d also been given a local anaesthetic into my right thigh (excisional biopsy of an intramuscular myxoma). Felt so well and bursting with energy. The staff were bemused/amused by it all. Had a meal when I returned to the ward, stuffed myself with biscuits (cookies), then pleaded for extra toast and tea at 11pm (NHS toast and tea is food of the gods) and was found shovelling down a massive bar of chocolate and flicking around on my iPad when they came round for 2am rounds.

I also went down to theatre loopy. Due to the needle phobia they’d given me diazepam an hour before. Didn’t sedate me, didn’t erase my memory, just got rid of all the anxiety and any verbal filter I previously had. Begged them to sell me as many pills as the £12 I’d brought to hospital would buy, and when I saw the big syringe of propofol asked if that was what killed MJ. When he laughed and said yes I replied “Coooool… at least you know it works!” Then boom, it was 90 minutes later in what felt like two seconds.

I think you folk are amazing - keeping us safe, free from pain and then waking us up after we’ve been operated on. Many thanks!

(and to any NHS staff reading, you’re also amazing).