6th nerve

[Valeriel23]

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick question...anyone have nerve issues after surgery? I'm 3 weeks (and 3 days) out from my crainiotomy and my left eye isnt tracking/moving. I have double vision. I'm told this is the 6th nerve and that it's stretched or 'upset' or something other than damaged. They did an MRI after surgery and saw no damage, no nerves were cut or something severe, I guess this is just a case of the brain not liking being touched?  I have posted before, dont want to repeat myself here. I have other issues too but, they are minor. I can't taste food, issues with swallowing etc which I think is also nerve related? I'm not sure, kind of flying blind here. Any insight would be wonderful. This site has helped me understand so much, I knew of some possible effects of the surgery but was not prepared for the fact of not being able to see unless I cover my left eye. I cant drive and even being the passenger in a car is really hard to do.  If you had a similiar issue, did therapy work? Do I just need to give it time?  Wondering how long I'll be unable to drive or even walk straight.

Gonna end on positive note that my tumor was completely removed, I had 4 great surgeons at Johns Hopkins and I have a new appreciation for life and my health after having surgery and being in rehab for 14 days. Best wishes to all that are recovering and have recovered 

Thanks
Valerie

[Brewers7]

Valerie,
     I had double viision following my surgery.  My pupils did not seem to act in concert.  I wore a patch as needed.  The good news:  ultimately my double vision(and vertigo) resolved on it's own.  At the outset, however, riding in a car was difficult.  A vestibular therapist suggested that I focus on something stable while in the car.  I looked at the glove compartment keyhole.   

[chelsmom]

Hi Valerie,

Sorry to hear you are having post surgery problems.  My daughter, Chelsea, had 6th nerve problems.  She had a 2 part resection surgery and then a couple years later another resection due to regrowth.  She had this problem both times.  Her right eye (AN side) would not track past the mid-line to the left.  It took about 4-5 months both times before it corrected itself.  At first the surgeons thought she would have to have an eye surgery to correct the problem but it slowly started moving beyond the mid-line around 3 1/2 months post op so they waited.  Until her eye movement came back she wore a pirate patch.  It helped her function without dealing with the double vision.

She also had swallowing issues.  She had a feeding tube in her stomach and didn't eat by mouth for 99 days, but again, she recovered and although she now has a little troubles with breads and such she finds a way to enjoy everything she desires. 

I hope with time you will be able to put this all behind you.

Michelle

[Tod]

Valerie,

My surgery was in February and I had bad double-vision. However, by July 5, it was all gone. If you wear glasses, and probably even if you don't, there are some things you can do. For example, my occupational therapist had me tape over the outer 2/3s of the lens over the affected eye. This narrowed the range that my eye had to deal with and it was tremendously helpful. Later I saw an optologist who put a series of plastic prisms on the lens that got weaker and weaker. These eliminated the double-vision and helped my brain bring things "back in line." There is probably no reason this couldn't be done with non-prescription glasses and so you may want to speak with your doctor about these options. In my case, my doc suggested I wait six weeks post-surgery, but then he knew I wasn't going back to work any time soon.

As for taste, there are other nerves involved in those. Again, talk with, or email, your doctor about how surgery may have affected those nerves.

I'm glad you have a positive attitude! as difficult as this stuff can be, I truly believe a positive attitude makes a huge difference.

I hope this helps,
Tod

[Valeriel23]

Thank you everyone, I really apprecaite the replies. I'm just digging into the AN world, and the post treatment discussions. Trying to gauge what is normal and what is something to be concerned with. I have faith that time is going to heal most of my concerns,  which is a great thing however...time takes patience and being a mother of 3 small kids...I'm just so ready to be back into routine and fill the role they need me in. Not being able to see/blurred vision/left eye not tracking is such a stressful thing. I wake up each morning and before I open my eyes I think to myself "maybe today is the day" the day I'll see straight. Going by these replies, I'm thinking giving it a month or two is more realistic. I will take the advise and talk to Doctors and perhaps a vision specialist. If there is something I can be doing in regards to therapy or glasses or anything, I just want to be on top of it.

Thanks again for the advice and if anything else comes to mind in regards to what I can do please let me know.  Have a wonderful evening

Valerie

[mar50]

Hi - I had a lot of similar problems after surgery.  I found help from a neuro-ophthalmologist.  My neurosurgeon has referred me to a regular ophthalmologist, but I found this doctor on my own.  He fitted me for prisms - stick ons for my regular glasses - which helped re-train my eyes.  It took a few months.  I know it is very frustrating.  Hang in there, and good luck!

p.s. I was even able to begin wearing contact lenses about a year after surgery, something I never thought I would be able to do.