2 1/2 Weeks Post Translab @ MGH - Odd post surgery symptom

[BrokedownPalace]

Hi All,

I completed my translab surgery on October 28 w/ Dr. Lee & Dr. Barker @ MGH. The surgery was as much of a success as possible, full tumor removal with full facial function intact. My hearing in my AN ear was already so bad that getting used to the SSD in quieter environments feels pretty comfortable, and I'm slowly bringing back music into my life. My balance is slowly but surely coming back, and I'm going on unassisted, slow walks for an hour at a time already. Still feel pretty unstable, but I know that it'll be sometime before I fully get that stabilization back.

The one thing that has been bothering me though is a strange symptom. Every night, my AN ear will become red and a bit hot to the touch for a few hours and then return to normal. I'm now off steroids and other prescribed meds so they don't seem to be the direct cause. I've had some extensive conversations w/ the team @ MGH about this and they're unsure of the cause, but are not concerned given the lack of other infection symptoms (fever, confusion, etc.) and the fact that it goes away relatively quickly. I have an appointment with my PCP per the MGH team's recommendation next week as I don't live in Boston to cover all my bases on possible causes.

Has anyone else experienced this post surgery? Looking to find any insight into this, thanks

[Mark F.]

Welcome to the post-op side.  Glad things went well for you.   Keep active it will speed up the process.   I am 56 and I'm now 6 months post-op.   The first few weeks I was unbalanced, told people I looked like a 6 foot tall drunk toddler.  But it didn't take me long at all to get to a point that is better than I've been in years.  Even competed in a couple 5k's already, and putting in times faster than I was before surgery.  So keep up the walking and before you know it you will be better than ever.   As for your particular side effect, sorry to say no that's not one I've experienced so I'm not much help there.  My worst side effect, which has lasted a lot longer than I expected it would, is that my taste buds are still messed up even after 6 months.  The only real flavors I taste are spicy and salty.  Everything else is either bland or metallic tasting.   But I'm not sure if that was directly from the AN surgery or if it was because while in the hospital I developed a nasty throat infection that had me on a liquid diet and not able to speak well for about 2 weeks.  Hope your issue resolves itself quickly. 

[BrokedownPalace]

Thanks Mark! Glad to hear you're back to crushing 5ks already.

I also have a weird taste in my mouth on the AN side post surgery that comes and goes, seems to be pretty "common" from what I've read on here as apparently the AN is generally located near some taste receptors in your brain. I can't do anything too artificial tasting currently with the taste being off.