i extracted this from the straits times forum.
I READ with an awful feeling of deja vu the recent article on drug
allergy which cost a young mother her life (ST, Oct 1
. I had a similar experience in 1997.
On that day, I went to my dental surgeon for root-canal treatment
which lasted more than an hour. With due diligence, my surgeon
asked if I had any drug allergy and I told him I had no history of
adverse drug reaction. I was then prescribed a painkiller, Naproxen
(Synflex).
Hours later, I took the Naproxen and, within minutes, swelling and
rashes were visible from head to toe. I called the surgeon, who
advised me to see him immediately. I rushed down and, to my
surprise, found him waiting outside his clinic to usher me to a
general practitioner a couple of doors away.
I was given an anti-histamine jab and my blood pressure was
monitored. My dental surgeon then took me to his clinic and I was
asked to rest in his dental chair for further observation.
Not long after, I experienced difficulty in breathing and felt very
faint. Sensing my distress, the surgeon took the unusual step of
taking me to hospital personally. To ensure that I was adequately
taken care of, the dental assistant went along.
At the hospital, my blood pressure dropped drastically and I went
into shock. Nursing staff, internal-medicine specialist,
dermatologist and pharmacist surrounded me and I was assured that
they would do their best to save me.
I was hospitalised for nearly a week and, during this trying
period, my surgeon and his wife never failed to visit me.
I survived the ordeal and to this day I am grateful to my dental
surgeon, Dr Pang Chin Heng of Pang & Ng Dental Clinic, for his
dedication and alertness, and for going the extra mile to ensure my
recovery and comfort.
Special thanks also go to the medical experts, namely Dr Chew Choi
Noi and her staff, whose professionalism and experience saved the
day.
My advice? Never dismiss any drug allergy; it can kill.
Esther Wong Choon Kim
