I had an allergic reaction to anesthesia during surgery about 15 yrs ago. how can i find out what it was if records are no longer available?

Get the records: Though difficult, the records are in fact probably available. This may be worth the struggle to acquire them. Try. If not, review carefully with the surgeon and anesthesiologist in advance. Tell them what kind of anesthesia (general vs. Local vs. Spinal vs. Epidural), whether you had an antibiotic, and what type of symptoms you had. They will monitor you carefully and keep you as safe as possible.

Ask your Doc: Maybe your primary medical doctor has some records. Real allergy to anesthetic meds is uncommon. There are many reactions mistaken for am allergy. The most likely drugs to cause a real allergy are antibiotics.

Follow up: Contact the hospital where your procedure was done and ask for a meeting with an anesthesiologist who was on staff at that time. You may get lucky and they may be able to tell you what agents were most likely to be used and who knows, they may be able to find records. Good luck.

You can not: If records are unavailable your parents could help with the description of the event or other witnesses. Chances that if you are still alive you will do well with modern medicine. Alert your anesthesiologist.

Check again: Most hospitals keep records on microfilm from that far back. There should also be some documentation in your surgeons notes that might help you out. I hope this helps.