This section contains references to brief articles and resources that may be of interest to people with ME/CFS visiting hospital, anticipating surgery or dental work.
Hospital Visits
Dr Charles Lapp provides some recommendations for people with ME/CFS about to ungergo surgery. Article published on
Prohealth, January 15th 2010.
The ME/CFS Society of NSW has produced a brochure for doctors and health professionals regarding patients with ME/CFS. A copy is available to download from their website here.
Journal Articles
Crowhurst, G (2005) 'Supporting people with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis', Nursing Standard, vol. 19, no. 21, pp. 38-43. [Full text]
News Articles
MCS America (2011) 'Planning a successful hospital stay or surgery for those with 'invisible illness'', Prohealth, [Full text, Jan 8].
Oregon Fibromyalgia Research and Treatment Team (2008) 'Guidance for fibromyalgia patients who are having elective surgery - an update', Prohealth, [Full text, November 18].
Surveys
Caring for seriously ill ME patients: A small survey, by Sidsel Elisabeth Kreyberg.
Having Anaesthetic or Surgery
When having an anaesthetic discuss your ME/CFS with the anaesthetist. You could provide them with a copy of the following article:
Fisher, M & Rose, M (2008) 'Anaesthesia for patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome', British Journal of Anaesthesia, vol. 101, no. 4, pp. 486-491.
Journal Articles
Pogatzki-Zahn EM, Englbrecht JS &Schug SA (2009) 'Acute pain management in patients with fibromyalgia and other diffuse chronic pain syndromes', Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology, [Epub ahead of print].
News Articles
Lapp, C (2008) 'Recommendations for persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or Fibromyalgia) who are anticipating surgery', January 8th, ProHealth.
Websites
Fibromyalgia Information Foundation: Guidance for Fibromyalgia patients who are having elective surgery.
Having Dental Work
Journal Articles
Brooks, J & Francis, L (2006) 'Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: Dental treatment considerations', Journal of the American Dental Association, vol. 137 [Full Article].
Services available for housebound people
Blood tests: A technician can visit you in your own home; there is no additional cost for Medicare-covered tests.
Dorevitch: 9244 0444; Healthscope/Gribbles: 1300 453 688
Dental services: Melbourne a domiciliary dental service is available. A dentist can come to your home. Payment depends on whether you are on a pension or not. Other states and non-metropolitan patients should check with their public dental health service.
Public Dental Hospital in Melbourne: 9341-1034.
Both of these services require the recommendation of your doctor.
