narcotic alternatives

[Guest guest]

Hi --

Well, my doctor's appointment that was last week had to be rescheduled

as he wasn't in that day although they had him on the schedule.

In the meantime, I had a colonoscopy followed by a barium enema

yesterday. Complete with an obvious (to me) reaction to too much

demerol which they used to put me out. When I came out of it after

the barium enema I had trouble breathing, my throat was closed, I was

beyond dizzy. But of course, my vitals were all fine.

They ended up moving me over to the ER for temporary observation where

the head of the ER (yet again) dismissed any of my comments regarding

the impact of my auto-immune disease on treatment.

In the very rare times I use codeine and/or valium, I have to take

half doses. I learned that about morphine and daladin (sp?) when I

had my diverticulitis attack in April which ended me in the hospital.

And obviously this is true for demerol.

I'm sure all of this is related to my auto-immune disease and likely

tied to my genetic profile which I haven't had done yet.

I've searched the archives but can't find anything related to my

concerns which are discussed below.

I'm looking for two bits of information:

1. Any alternative to narcotic medications that are as effective? I

don't anticipate needing any for a while but just in case.

2. Anyone have any documentation on the inconsistent reactions to

medications by people with CFS and specifically how the reactions may

not be detectable by normal means?

I am planning on meeting with the head of NAS Hospital as I'm going to

suggest an internal education program on these issues. I'm at my

tolerance level for being dismisssed. And imagine there are others

who don't realize what's going on.

Thanks,

Laurel