Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 3/19/2008

Question
I had an arthroscopy on my knee in December 2007 - since then I have been suffering persistent dizziness and occasional nausea.  I feel as if I am exiting in a fog and struggle to concentrate at work.   I am 43, fit and have never before had general anaesthetic or any significant medical condition - in fact I have hardly ever been to my GP but this is beginning to worry me.

Answer
Hi David
It is difficult to explain your problem and I suggest you do need to go and see your GP with this and discuss being referred for assessment. I assume you had a GA for the procedure?
There is a feint chance I could explain it if you had a spinal anaesthetic but if you had a GA then I am somewhat at a loss.
There is no doubt that anaesthesia can affect people in different ways and that some people are probably more sensitive to the 'side effects' than others. However we shouldn't ignore the possibility that this is co-incidental and that you have had some type of low grade viral infection that has effected your brain tissues. There are many possibilities - you need to see someone about this.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson
ps if you did have a spinal then send a second question and I'll give you some extra info.