Doctors on board: Nitrous Oxide & rare metabolic order

Factual Questions
1

According to this article NO2 given to children with a very rare metabolic disorder can cause neurological damage and possibly death.

So why do I care? You see, I have a very strange reaction to NO2 - it causes dizzy spells* for months and even a couple of years after NO2 has been used to anaesthetize me. This isn’t a real problem in itself, I’ve just told every medical practioner I get care from that I’m “allergic” to the stuff. I’ve not had it since I figured this out. But everyone I’ve told this to has never heard of this before.

My question is twofold - could it be that my reaction indicates that I might have this issue (or would I already know if I did)? And could it be causing me problems, i.e. I should look into getting a formal diagnosis and treatment?

*Rather distinctive “spells” - not your basic room spinning type stuff.

2

Probably not that particular disorder (you said it was rare, after all), but it could be something physiological. Turns out that nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in a variety of metabolic pathways and regulation:

relaxes smooth muscles
prevents platelet aggregation
functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain
mediates immune response
(from Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry, 2nd edition)

I couldn’t find anything about conversion of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) to nitric oxide; any dopers out there familiar with NO metabolism?

You might want to at least mention this to your doctor and/or dentist.

3

Well, the problem may be rare, but it does create an adverse reaction to NO2. And I have an adverse reaction to NO2. Which is why I’m asking about it.

Every doctor (5 or 6) that I’ve mentioned my problem with NO2 to has basically said the same thing - “I’ve never heard of that”

Anyone else have any ideas?

4

Nitrous oxide is N2O, Not NO2. NO2 is a dangerous toxic chemical and will kill you dead, dead dead if inhaled.

5

Huh. I’ve been calling nitrous oxide NO2 for years.

6

Blocking the production of methionine is not going to cause dizzy spells, and blocking it for a few hours is not going to any harm to an adult. It’s deadly to developing nervous systems, i.e., kids. You’re barking up the wrong tree.

Care to divulge exactly what makes your dizziness distinctive?

7

here’s the material safety data sheet for NO2. We worked with both, and were VERY careful to keep’em straight!
MSDS for NO2

8

Sure, I just didn’t think it particularly germane. It’s not your normal room going in circles thing.

You know how you are sometimes walking along and there’s a step down that you don’t see? And there’s that weird feeling when your body drops down? That’s how it felt, except there wasn’t a step. It was sometimes followed by a short period of disorientation and always followed by a nasty headache.