Question

I am due to go into hospital later in the year to have a major operation that will obviously involve a general anaesthetic. I have a copy of your excellent ‘Going into Hospital’ information pack and the new MEA information leaflet covering anaesthetics. I have read elsewhere that there are general anaesthetics that people with ME should avoid having and others which may be more appropriate to use. Why is there no guidance on specific anaesthetics in your leaflet?

Answer

This is an important point that was discussed with our colleagues at the Royal College of Anaesthetists during the preparation of this leaflet. We reviewed all the clinician, patient and research evidence on specific anaesthetics and then came to the conclusion that there wasn’t any evidence that was sufficiently strong enough to make either positive or negative recommendations regarding specific anaesthetic agents in relation to ME/CFS.

We have also written a scientific paper that covers the use of anaesthetics in people who have ME/CFS and the co-morbidities – such as POTS, mastocytosis and hypermobility – that can occur and how drug treatments being used for comorbidities may affect anaesthetic decisions. This paper is now going through the pre-publication review process.

• The MEA and the Royal College of Anaesthetists information leaflet on anaesthetics and ME/CFS
• ME Association: Hospital Support Pack

SEE MORE: Dental: Anaesthetics