Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 11/13/2010

Question
Hi I had a procedure in a day surgery at the hospital sereval years ago and awoke to having the right side(My right hand was the side that he placed the needle in) of my face and arm being asleep. I was slapping my face with my hand saying that it was numb. I was also slightly disorientated, feeling slightly drunk. I had something to eat and drink but this did not help. Some time passed (hours) and they sent me home. They had to use a wheelchair as I could not walk and I was slurring my words. When I got home I was very sleepy. My mother was concern so I went to my local Dr, who then place me in our local hospital for the night. I had trouble staying awake. The next day I still had numbness and altered sensations that affected the rightside, My face and arm, I also had trouble naming things e.g.. fire truck was that red truck. (But this I did not pick up until a couple weeks later when I was talking about some thing I know well) My Dr said to wait awhile and it might wear off. It did not so, so she sent me to have my brain checked but found nothing wrong, I then went to a specialist to make sure I did not have MS. She said that nothing showed up and that I would just have to live with it.4 years have passed and I still have the numbness in my face and arm that when I get stressed gets worse, and have trouble naming things and stuttering.  

Answer
Lea
I am really sorry to hear about your troubles. Have you contacted the anaesthetic department where you had your procedure? Have your doctors looked at the anaesthetic records to see if anything unusual happened? What procedure/operation did they perform?
It is a bit of a mystery but I would certainly be looking at those areas first. A period of low blood pressure during your operation could cause issues.
Sorry I can't give you any definitive answer
Dr Ian Jackson