memory trouble

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caterb85

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 12, 2008
Messages
76
Location
lancaster.pa
Happy 4th everyone!!!!!! Could anyone tell me if they had some memory trouble after there surgery that lasted off and on for many months. My husband is 7 months post op and was on heart and lung machine around 1 hour, I have heard that this can effect your memory but is it common for it to last off and on for this long after surgery? Would he be having other symptoms if it was an TIA?
 
If you are truly serious that it might be a TIA, please call his physician right now. We cannot answer that one!

As far as memory issues go, though, many of us do experience gaps for awhile. The drugs from surgery stay in your body for up to a year. That and just the whole hit to the system do seem to produce some troubles in people for a time. For me, it's a voacabulary loss. Like a word is on the tip of my tongue but just won't come out. Or someone's name escapes me for an uncomfortably long time. Or I trip up phrases a bit. 2 years out now, it still occurs, but with not much frequency.

Please describe your husband's loss.....but after you call the doctor. :)

Marguerite
 
Heck I'm 5 years out and I still sometimes forget things, mostly names, but they come to me after a while.
 
memory trouble

The memory trouble is his only symptoms. He occasionally forget names of people he doesn't see very often, the other day he put the cheese in the knife drawer, he sometimes forgets other things like getting ourdogs names mixed up (which I also do). I asked him if it seems worse then a few months age, he said he thinks its the same but has been noticing it more.
 
caterb85 said:
The memory trouble is his only symptoms. He occasionally forget names of people he doesn't see very often, the other day he put the cheese in the knife drawer, he sometimes forgets other things like getting ourdogs names mixed up (which I also do). I asked him if it seems worse then a few months age, he said he thinks its the same but has been noticing it more.
Click to expand...

I too have memory problems. Names for sure sometimes it'll be hours later that I think of it but it usually comes in time. I figured it was my age::confused:

Sometimes it's a word and sometimes I just draw a blank.
Earline
 
I had two OHS last year; the first one I had memory problems but it started getting better.. then I had to have 2nd surgery and I was afraid I would have NO memory. However, it didn't get worse, but I do still have trouble remembering sometimes. From what I understand it's pretty common.
 
I'm sure the memory loss is quite common with OHS. I do it every once in while. I've put O.J. on my cereal and putting certain things away in the wrong drawers or even forgot where I put things.:rolleyes: So I would'nt worry to much about your husband forgetting things unless it seems to be getting worse. Then you probally need to tell the dr. I mark some of mine up to getting older too, not quite as sharp as I use to be...:D
 
Age

Age

You Sure Can He Is 53, But I Know This Past Year Has Aged Him Alot.(me Too, I'm 48) My Memory Is Terrible But It Always Has Been Where As My Husband Was Extremely Sharp. Thanks For All Your Input I Don't Have Many People That I Can Talk To About Things.(most Of My Close Relatives Are No Longer Living And I Just Dont,t Feel Comfortable Talking About Such Personal Things With Peolpe That Know My Husband.(he Is A Very Private Person) Good Thing He Doesn't Read This Site And Know What I Tell About Him. He Would Understand That I Need Someone To Talk To About My Concerns Though.
 
At 53, and being post OHS, he may just be absent minded, worried, or a bit depressed.
If he shows signs of blurry vision, loss of speech, headaches, etc. he should be examined.
Something I do every week is crossword puzzles to "exercise" my brain.
Post op I was doing Sudoko puzzles. It sounds silly, but it works for me.
 
caterb85 said:
You Sure Can He Is 53, But I Know This Past Year Has Aged Him Alot.(me Too, I'm 48) My Memory Is Terrible But It Always Has Been Where As My Husband Was Extremely Sharp. Thanks For All Your Input I Don't Have Many People That I Can Talk To About Things.(most Of My Close Relatives Are No Longer Living And I Just Dont,t Feel Comfortable Talking About Such Personal Things With Peolpe That Know My Husband.(he Is A Very Private Person) Good Thing He Doesn't Read This Site And Know What I Tell About Him. He Would Understand That I Need Someone To Talk To About My Concerns Though.
Click to expand...

I can certainly relate to that! If my husband were to see some of my posts, he'd have my puter confiscated!!! :D

And I bet most of us say things here that we probably wouldn't say to our spouses so don't feel embarassed or uncomfortable about telling it like it is!

Take care!:)
 
Just some thoughts-

The incidence of cognitive problems(memory , etc) goes up the longer the patient is on bypass. There is a lot of literature on the CTS website regarding this.

Almost everyone suffers from memory problems induced by anesthesia for days to months. Pain medications and medications for anxiety and sleep can also cause problems.

Anything that affects quality and quantity of sleep (depression, insomnia, pain) can affect short-term and ultimately long-term memory.

TIE's, strokes, and arterial disease are always in the differential, as is Alzheimer's, so get evaluated by your friendly M.D.

Sometimes just plain distractions can cause problems, too.

Loud cicadas in Idaho,
-Laura
 
I don't rememner having any serious memory problems. Oops that sounds like I'm joking, :D but if I have had any problem beyond normal absent-mindedness, I am not aware of it. For that I think I owe my surgeon, who does the complicated operation I had (a Bentall's) so expertly that time is not wasted and time on the heart-lung machine is not prolonged. I think time being hooked to that device makes a difference. (In a sense, we die and are brought back to life.) Just from what you describe, it sounds to me like your husband is not having problems out of the norm, but if you have any concerns (and spot any of the signs others have mentioned) by all means get it medically evaluated,
 
Thanks

Thanks

NJean thanks for understanding, I do feel very comfortable talking to you all. I know you have common problems and understand most of the concerns on our plates. Hope you all have a happy 4th.

I have'nt noticed any other symptoms and he said he hasn't either. Thanks again!!!!!
 
There have been some threads on cognitive and/or memory 'issues' after OHS. (Try doing a SEARCH for those words).

Two contributors that have been identified in studies are particles in the blood (better FILTERS help) and the rate at which the body is brought back to normal temperature. BobH a.k.a. TobagoTwo wrote a good explanation of the latter effect (but I forgot where it is :). If I remember correctly, adding a few minutes (5?) to the warmup protocol produced a measurable reduction in post surgery cognitive issues.

Other than 'mental exercises' I am not aware of any cures or aids to the issue. Hopefully someone will provide further suggestions for memory and/or cognitive improvement.
 
I didn't think I had any memory loss problems until I was unable to introduce my wife on an occasion when I was 2 months post op because I could not remember her name. :eek:Thank goodness it gets better! No doubt I am an official member of the "Pump Head Gang"
 
I am 10 months post-op today. I, too, suffer from memory troubles - forgetting things that have happened, not being able to find words, difficulty doing mental math, "dyslexic" typing, reduced ability to focus, etc.

It was much worse in the early months but seems to have leveled off now. I have found that it has affected my job performance and am searching for solutions. One thing I have found that has helped is to be open and honest with people around you about what is going on.

It is frustrating but compared to the alternative...we can LIVE with it!
 
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