Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/3/2007

Question
Dr. Levy, I had a total hysterectomy on May 15, followed by a root canal a week later.  After the surgery I had numbness in the inner halves of my legs from the thigh down to the ankles.  After the root canal, which was done with a local, I also began having terrible neck pain which led to migraine-like headaches and another hospitalization for the pain.  About a week ago I came down with a fever which I had for about 4 days, sometimes spiking to 102.  I very rarely get a fever, and even though I seem to have a cold, I have no other signs of infection.  My dr. has run blood tests, and I've have had a sinus, chest x-ray, and a pelvis sonogram and nothing turns up.  I also am having an issue with my sense of taste--it seems to be off and everything tastes kind of metallic.  I am currently on no other meds except the hormone.  I am at my wits end, because I just don't feel good in general.  I thought the hysterectomy would make me feel better, but I've been sick and haven't felt good since I had it.  Any ideas?  Is this going to last forever???  Thanks in advance!!

Answer
You have several issues. Let me try to address some of them. The numbness is likely related to the position you were in during surgery. You were in lithotomy position so the leg rests were probably putting pressure on the nerves in your inner thighs giving you this feeling. It should go away but it may take some time. As long as it is not getting worse, give it time. As for the metallic taste, anesthesia can sometimes cause that but it shouldn't last for more than a couple of days (at most). Same for the taste. As for the general feeling of malaise, recovery from a hysterectomy can take 6-8 weeks. I can't explain the fever without much more details so I will leave that one to your doctor.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston