@PS
my link didnt work. Trying again. If this doesnt work i googled for anaesthesia and M.E.
http://m.hfme.org/site/mobile?dm_pa...64caff6fb1c49aadc35de9&fb_sig_network=fw#3322
" *In addition to physical activity, cognitive activity and orthostatic stress patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis are also very likely to relapse with anaesthesia and need extra care during all stages of surgery. This is well-documented.* The articles below give more information on many of the different issues to be aware of regarding anaesthesia/surgery and M.E. In summary:
* Surgery for the M.E. patient should be avoided if at all possible
* M.E. patients must advise their anaesthetist and doctor of the problems M.E. patients face with anaesthesia (and that their body will not react normally to it in a number of ways) so they can be prepared for this (and educated about it)
* M.E. patients may also want to make their doctors aware of the characteristics (and severity) of M.E. generally (see: What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis?
)
* Patients should also inform the doctors about their orthostatic problems so doctors can avoid placing them in positions which will negatively affect their blood pressure and heart-rate during and post surgery. Patients should also advise doctors of any other relevant problems eg. Known chemical or drug allergies or intolerances etc.
* The M.E. patient should be hydrated prior to surgery and additional saline administered as needed
* Less anaesthetic will often be required than normal for M.E. patients. Doctors/anaesthetists should start with a smaller dose than usual and then add more only if needed
* Caution is required with muscle relaxants and M.E. patients
* M.E. patients may need higher doses of pain medications
* Certain drugs may need to be avoided by those with M.E. (eg. histamine releasing drugs, adrenaline containing injections in dentistry)
* Certain common drugs may be replaced by other drugs that are more suitable. For example, adrenaline containing anaesthesia in dentistry can be replaced with adrenaline and preservative free Prilocaine HCL
* Respiratory functions of M.E. patients should be carefully monitored during surgery, along with cardiac function (these are the two areas most likely to be problematic in these patients)
* Magnesium and potassium supplementation may be required prior to surgery and supplements such ashigh-dose vitamin C
may be of use before and after surgery (though vitamin C should be avoided the day of surgery)
* Patients should tell their doctors about all herbal medicines they are taking, as well as prescription medication as some of these can adversely affect surgery/anaesthesia
* Longer recovery time should be planned for with M.E. patients as relapse caused by surgery and anaesthesia is common. In some patients this relapse will be very severe and prolonged (perhaps also permanent in some cases; the previous low level of health is never regained)
* M.E. patients may want to consider wearing a medic alert bracelet in case they require emergency surgery and nobody is available to inform the doctors of their M.E. and the extra care that must be taken with regards to surgery and anaesthesia
See the articles below for more information on anaesthesia and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
To read more about all aspects of M.E. (and to view the references for the introductory text) see: What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis?
This fully referenced paper can also be downloaded in Word and PDF formats.
Doctors or other hospital staff caring for M.E. patients are also encouraged to read the following papers on this topic:
* Hospital or carer notes for M.E.
* Why patients with severe M.E. are housebound and bedbound
* The importance of avoiding overexertion in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Before reading this text, please see the notes below for more information on the terminology of M.E. and CFS’ and why these are anything but synonymous terms.
