Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 3/23/2009

Question
Dr Jackson- I am a 45 yo female, in general good health. I underwent an open right shoulder rotator cuff repair 18 days ago. I have been tired since the surgery, which I expected. However, approximately 10-12 days post op the tiredness increased, along with general weakness, and persistent vertigo. These symptoms persistent whether I am active or not. I have also lost weight(6-7 lbs) since the surgery, am having trouble sleeping and am urinating more frequently. Are any of these symptoms related to the general anesthesia I received? I know not to believe everything I read on the internet, but one site I found advised to notify your doctor right away if these symptoms appear within 2 weeks of receiving general anesthesia. Why?
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Julia

To answer your last question first I must confess I am at a loss to explain why. In the old days we used to use agents that could cause damage to the liver of a small number of patients - something like 1 in every 20,000. Perhaps this is why they are saying this but I cannot be certain.

As to present day modern agents can still cause issues with your liver but the incidence is extremely low perhaps something like 1 in 800,000. However perhaps a mild degree of this is more common than we think - I don't know. It might be worth going to your General Practitioner and getting a blood test to check your liver function is OK.

Otherwise it is difficult to explain the increasing tiredness and the other problems.
Sory can't come up with anything more specific - if you do get tested then please let me know if anything is found.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson