Royal College of Anaesthetists and ME Association: leaflet on ME/CFS Implications for Anaesthesia

From the ME Association —

The ME Association and patients with ME/CFS have been working with the College to produce a patient information leaflet that is being launched this afternoon in a talk by Professor Anton Krige and Dr Charles Shepherd: ME/CFS Implications for Anaesthesia. We hope this ongoing work with the College will raise awareness and understanding of ME/CFS among anaesthetists and help people with the condition when they need surgery in hospital.

This resource aims to provide people with ME/CFS who need to have an anaesthetic or sedation with information about what they might expect at the different stages of the surgical journey, and what they can do to prepare, in collaboration with their healthcare teams.

It has been produced in collaboration with people with ME/CFS who have shared their experiences of having an anaesthetic with us. Their input has helped us identify the most common questions and concerns that people with ME/CFS may have about having surgery.

ME Association Announcement | Download Leaflet

 

Its great, very helpful i just wish a guide for the anaesthetists themselves could be produced alongside it. I'd like something i could give to the Dr - written by doctors, for doctors, rather than for patients.

Why does the patient have to continually be the one to explain and justify their condition and needs.

I'm all for taking responsibility for my own health, but i find, particularly with people like us, it is weighted far too far in our direction. It shouldnt be up to me to educate my anaesthetist.

 

Yes i think it would be fantastic to have a shortened version that would be appropriate for just handing to the anaesthetist.

The other issue s that when PwME are in hospital they simply may not be capable of having the level of discussion/communication with anaesthetists/teams, that would be required. And many of us dont have a relative to speak for us either.
As someone who is facing possible surgery I can atest to this being a major issue.

 

@Kiwipom in case you wish to comment.