ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: Dzimy on October 03, 2006, 11:46:48 pm
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It seems my only major side effect is a numb tongue. Not too bad considering I need to drop a few pounds and food just doesn't taste right. Sweet, sour or foods of different texture nothing taste good. Is this common. They worked on me 10 hours. The last 2 trying to get as much off the facial nerve as possible before closing. They left only 5% with no facial paralysis. Anyone else had the same. My mouth was so dry when I woke up.
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Hi Dzimy,
I was in a similar position, a numb tongue that left food tasteless. But after awhile sections of my tongue slowly started to get feeling back and food started to have taste again. It was really nice when that started. It did take its time though. Hope this helps.
windinthesails
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I'm still waiting for my numbness to go away and have been told it can take as little as a few months to a few years. Certain foods don't taste right but others taste fine (especially sweets LOL) I guess it depends on the side of your tongue that is numb.
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I had taste issues and major tongue numbness for at least three months. Two years and five months later, my AN side of my tongue is a little sensitive to cold but it is not a big deal. Good luck, it does get better. Kathy
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I lost the taste on the side of my tongue and it's a little numb too. It's so odd the things that taste good vs. the things that have an odd taste...it doesn't make sense which is which. I also notice I have to work at some of my speech that involves my tongue...everyone says I sound fine, but I still feel like I sound like I have an impediment. I hope this clears up soon!!!!!
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I complained and worried and pestered about my taste buds and my tongue for about 6 months. It will pass, but this takes patience and confidence on your part. Not much you can do but chew slowly, avoid things that upset your tongue, and note that being tired makes the darn thing act up. Here I am at 10 months and only mention the problem once in a while. Still improving. My surgeon said the tongue and taste sense complaints are part of the afteraffects of facial nerve trauma.
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I went to this site and read up on the facial nerves. IMO 8 or 10 out of the 12 are affected when you have had a AN tumor pressing on the nerves. then during you operation the try to peel the tumor sack off everthing. They (the Doctor's) also said it sticks like a bandaid to everything and that's why it takes so long to try and get all of it. The Doctors also told me that once they tamper with some of the nerves they go limp or quite functioning for a while even if they don't damage them. Your taste is provided by the VII crainal nerve, this one is usually severely affected by an AN operation, so will will be bonker's for awhile. Here is the site that explains the motor or sensory nerves of all the 12 crainal nerves. click on Brainstem nuclie of crainal nerves. http://thalamus.wustl.edu/course/.
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Thanks everyone for your input. I knew I wouldn't be all alone on this one. A week home from the hospital and taste/ tongue problems are really not any better. But as time goes by I am grateful to not have many other of the possible side effects that go along with AN surgery. I can walk pretty straight and can finally sleep through the night.
Donna
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Donna, hang in there. You will taste things normally in a few months. It can be frustrating and threatening, but the nerves will recover. My husband repeated encouraging words at dinner almost every night. I found mild and moderate temperature foods the easiest to tolerate for the first few months. I never did tire of my morning coffe though...just not as hot as usual.