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RedditMayne t1_iy9erc2 wrote

That’s really irresponsible. Irukandji have one of the most excruciating stings on the planet and attending doctors just can’t prescribe painkillers to counteract it because the risk of overdose is too high, forcing the patient to feel all the pain and nausea for hours until it exits the system. In some cases, death might occur.

Here are two marine scientists who accidentally stung themselves.

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Xitobandito t1_iyaa2f5 wrote

Lady started rethinking her whole life path during that episode. Straight up wanted to change careers after

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FoodFarmer t1_iyabb6w wrote

I wonder why they don’t just knock you out

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mitchaboomboom t1_iyaelcq wrote

Because it's dangerous

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MedicalJargon-itis t1_iyahee2 wrote

Why would it be dangerous? People undergo general anesthesia all the time.

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Berlinexit t1_iyaioeh wrote

All the time for certain procedures.

For other procedures it's dangerous and your heart could stop.

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MedicalJargon-itis t1_iyajhfg wrote

I'm a physician and routinely prescribe sedating medications. If I were taking care of a patient in that much pain, they could at least get an amnesic like midazolam. Phenobarbital is also very safe and long-acting for sedation. I understand that this is not really an opiate-responsive pain, but that's not the only possible intervention.

I'm not even an anesthesiologist. I feel like this would be well within their wheelhouse.

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Succulentmeditator t1_iyb1gl8 wrote

As narcotics don’t seem to dent the pain, I wonder if a drug for nerve pain like gabapentin might be helpful.

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driverofracecars t1_iyb205r wrote

>get an amnesic

There are drugs that stop you from forming new memories?

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absentmindedjwc t1_iyb544a wrote

Yeah - it prevents any memory retention until it wears off. People wake up in the operating room after a procedure, but they don't "wake up" until that amnesic wears off in recovery.

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Fit_Access9631 t1_iybyg79 wrote

Sounds like bad rape drug for use in horror movies. Can’t imagine there’s a drug that actually exists that makes you unable to form memories.

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absentmindedjwc t1_iyc2o0l wrote

The commonly known date rape drug flunitrazepam is the same category of drugs - a drug depressing neural activity, causing amnesia and loss of consciousness.

Given that it is far cheaper and easier to administer, I don't imagine it'll be replaced by this any time soon.

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kenxzero t1_iyamwoa wrote

I'd wager its better to die in my sleep than writhing in pain. I'd sign a waver.

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pieandablowie t1_iyacew7 wrote

Interesting how extreme pain and a decent dose of ecstacy seem to manifest in very similar ways, physically

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nomnomnomnomRABIES t1_iybq46w wrote

Why can't they use general anaesthetic?

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RedditMayne t1_iybrtvh wrote

The venom works on a variety of pain receptors, and because doctors can’t predict how, how long, or to what degree the venom will affect a person, putting them under can be a risk. There’s more info in the included link.

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