I am two day’s post op for a craniotomy to remove a second AVM that the docs found during my 6 min follow up. During our pre op discussion of the surgery my neurologist said that I could experience complications with the progress I made from my left side paralysis due to going under general anesthesia. When I woke up after the surgery I did experience a large set back, I went from walking almost normally to not being able to move my leg right away. Now some movement has come back bu I still can’t stand on it yet. My left arm is also slowly returning but it’s not where it was before…has anyone else experienced a set back like that in their paralysis progress after being under general anesthesia??? I’m so scared that I’ve gone so far backwards with my progress and there is very little info out there to give me an idea of what I’m looking at! The neuro doc said I may need rehab again. Is that what you guys had to do???
Lindsay,
I wish I knew someone who went through something similar to your experience so I could tell you how it worked out for that person. What I can tell you is this: even though I don’t know you, I can tell that you are a fighter. You have gone through some major life-altering changes and it sounds like things seem to slowly (but surely!) improve. Hang in there. Time heals a lot of things. Please keep us posted!!
Ginger
Lindsay, You didn't mention if the second surgery site was near your first. I assume that it was also on the right side of your head? (The right brain controls the left half of the body)
Simply undergoing anesthesia is unlikely to cause neurological deficit, I would be looking more at the surgery itself. That being said, there is significant "plasticity" in the brain which means that signals can be re-routed around damaged areas to a certain degree. This process can take up to six months, so don't give up hope. I would definitely go thru rehab again if it is offered.
Hopefully, this will be your last surgery, so you can get on with your life without worries.
LINDSAY I have had at least 20 procedures (under anesthesia). None were above my neck. But the long surgeries (6-8 hrs)did affectmy cognitive ability for a year each time. The "neuroplasticity" did help me re-gain my previous abilities. Word finding, retention of #s ; each incidence concerned me, was it dementia? But I am no worse to the # of anesthesias. I am 60 now normal to loss your keys once or twice a yr.
Not sure my history is relevant. I think of my brain as a starfish if a sction is cut off, it grows back. every time.