Author Topic: New member - one week post-op - Novocaine face?  (Read 3200 times)

pixels

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New member - one week post-op - Novocaine face?
« on: September 07, 2016, 05:00:37 pm »
Hello everyone! I've been lurking for a while and have just become a brand new member. It's great to actually meet you all and I'm thankful to be part of such a supportive group.

Today is the one week anniversary for my acoustic neuroma surgery. I had a sub occipital craniotomy to remove an Acoustic Neuroma with Drs. Lim and Weinreich at Johns Hopkins. The tumor was 1.9 x 1.7 x 2.1 cm and had started growing aggressively since my last MRI a month back. It was grabbing on to my brain stem and visual nerves, and the doctors got it just in time. Although we had to sacrifice my hearing and my balance nerves, they were able to save my facial function. I am incredibly grateful for their skill and ability to act so quickly, and can't complement the surgical team and their wonderful support staff highly enough.

So all that said, I'm dealing with some typical side effects. Dizziness and double vision, light sensitivity, looking a bit drunk as I re-learn to walk and balance. These seem to get better as each day wears on, so I'm not complaining. I know it will take patience.

The one thing I am concerned about is the AC side of my face looks normal and has normal function, but it feels *big* like I've just been shot full of Novocaine at the dentist's office. It's not numb and I can feel touch etc, but it feels like my lip and cheek are the size of a car tire.

Has anyone else experienced this? How long did it last? I appreciate any insight and look forward to hearing from you. :)

melissahosken

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Re: New member - one week post-op - Novocaine face?
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2016, 11:21:01 am »
Hi Pixels

I should have read your post before putting up mine just now! It sounds like we are pretty much surgery twins as I had a trans lab procedure at the National hospital for Neurology in London on 30th Aug! I have literally just started getting some outward facial swelling today, so called my hospital for advice. The docs are off duty so as long as I don't start exhibiting any signs of inward swelling I am just going to sit it out. My instinct is that it is just an unsightly part of the hewing process!

For your balance I would strongly recommend yoga/Pilates  I have been doing both for years and find it has helped my walking immensely as in know how to use my core strength!

Melissa

pixels

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Re: New member - one week post-op - Novocaine face?
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2016, 05:00:11 pm »
Hi Melissa,

Great to hear from you! It does sound like we're seeing some of the same symptoms. I just started the steroid taper down today, and it seems like my face is a little less visually swollen. It still feels like I'm shot full of Novocaine on the one side of my face -- feels rubbery and large to me, although you can't tell by looking at it. I do have some darker bruising on the side of my upper cheek that is coming to the surface now. I think this is just part of the natural healing process, as you said. Our bodies have been through trauma and are still trying to sort everything out.

I'm still hoping the rubbery feeling will vanish and my face will be back to full normal soon. I know, it takes patience. ;)

Thanks for your recommendation of Yoga / Pilates. I'll probably look into that as I get a bit stronger.  I didn't have any balance or visual issues before surgery, so that was all a bit of a surprise -- especially the visual stuff. In the past week I've gone from not having enough strength to pull a blanket over myself, to toddling around the house and stairs. So I'm feeling pretty happy with progress and praying it continues.

Please keep me posted on what you hear back from you doctors! It seems like your surgery went really well and I hope you continue to experience a swift recovery! :)

Pixels

melissahosken

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Re: New member - one week post-op - Novocaine face?
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2016, 10:54:22 am »
Hi Pixels

Sorry for the delayed reply. It turned out that the swelling was not a great sign and I ended up with a CSF leak after some of my sutures were removed. I had to be opened up again to they could re-pack more tightly than before and then put on a lumbar drain for 5 days!  It wasn't fun, but I am now 2 weeks on from that and all seems to be good.  Hopefully you've not had a similar experience and have come on well since your last message. This whole experience is a tough journey!

Best
Melissa

pixels

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Re: New member - one week post-op - Novocaine face?
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2016, 04:26:43 pm »
Oh wow! I'm sorry to hear you've had such a rough time of it. Glad that you seem to be on the mend now. I'll definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

I haven't experienced any issues with CFV leakage, but there have been a few other issues. I'm not used to taking medication -- I usually try to tough stuff out and let my immune system handle it. So having such a strong steroid in my system (Dexamethasone) and the subsequent "dosing down" really did a number on me. I lost some hair, broke out, regressed in my balance and vision, and worst of all, was achy like you couldn't believe. I couldn't get comfortable, couldn't sleep, and every joint was just in pain. It was like having the flu on top of everything else -- no fun! And not surprisingly, I was *ahem* kinda cranky.

Oh yeah -- and the right side of my face and tongue are still numb. But I do think they're slowly getting a bit better.

When I did my two week follow-up visit with Dr. Lim, he said everything looked good. I got a bit panicked because of all the above symptoms, especially the face numbness. I was convinced something was still terribly wrong. (I'm usually very reasoned and level-headed, so I blame the steroids.  :-* ) Dr. Lim was kind enough to ask one of the ENT specialists to take a look at me. The ENT was amazing. He did a thorough exam and told me everything was normal. I was incredibly relieved.

As of right now, everything else (except the face/tongue numbness) is pretty much back to normal. I only have one new symptom. My pulse and blood pressure have gone through the roof. It has always been normal until this point, so I don't know what is causing it and I'm pretty worried (which isn't helpful in keeping it down, of course). I went to my primary care doctor and she gave me a mild medication, but so far I'm not seeing much difference. And I'd rather my body correct itself naturally and not need meds, if possible.

You're right, it is a tough journey. But hopefully the worst of it has passed and things will only get better from here! :)