Memory loss following surgery

[mommasita]

Before I commence. I see my Dr. VERY frequently Just asking to see if anyone else has had this side effect in the meantime.


I had brain surgery in May, thought I was recovering nicely, then had a CSF leak the following week, landing me back in the hospital. I was on bed rest, then had 3 LP's, and the leak did stop.. Thank GOD

Recovery is very slow, long, and I think I am on pace. The Doctor seems to think things are going well. I was on strict orders, but slowly they are being lifted.

I was away last week and realized (all of a sudden) that my Short term memory is horrendously poor. I can not remember if I took my pills, who I spoke to on the phone, what was said, etc. Long term is fine. The short is not. I put a call to my Dr, and and am expecting to see him very soon. I did not notice this before, and I really think it was not an issue until VERY recently.

I have googled this to death, and realize it can be an issue, I just find it odd that 12 weeks after surgery I notice this (and others notice it), rather than perhaps the month following.

Has anyone experienced permanent short term memory loss after surgery. Major or minor? How about non-permanent?

TIA

 

[redlight]

Could it be your pills?

 

[mommasita]

Could it be your pills?

I don't take any pills on a regular basis. This is the worst part. They are pain pills 'when needed', so not like a daily pill I could count if I had taken or not.

I write it down now when I take a pill.

 

[Donnainnj]

Every operation I have had has brought on some kind of short term memory issues. For me I think it is the anesthesia. The longer I am out the worse it is. It has always gotten better over time and the longest it lasted was about a year.

 

[disfan07]

It's weird that you posted this now...i'm kind of dealing with the same thing.

I am almost 9 weeks post-op from having brain surgery. The only complications I had from the surgery was increased intercrainial pressure for a longer period of time (I was on decadron for 10 days longer than normal) and lung damage from intubation and meds.

But I just strated being able to really do things for myself again about 2 weeks ago. The more I do, the more I've noticed my short term memory is not as good as it was.
For example, i'll turn on the computer to look at my email and by the time the computer is on, i will have forgotten what I am doing.

My nuerosurgeon seems to think mine is very temporary mainly because of the location of teh surgery. They didnt really go into an area that should cause permanant damage. But for me, he thinks that a combination of the increased pressure for 4 weeks combined with the high dose steroids for 5 weeks could definitely cause it. But he also said that obviously, regardless of what part of the brain the surgery, it was major surgery and major trauma to a very very vital organ so its not uncommon for something temporary like this to happen. Combine that with the anasthesia plus long term use fo pain meds and it's a very common side effect. My surgery was 6 1/2 hours long and I was on a continuous morphine drip for 10 days and Percocet 4x day for 6 weeks and now I am on percocet as needed. He said 8 weeks of pain meds can cause temporary memory problems.

RIght now we're just thinking of this as another obstacle that is hopefully termporary. My recovery is supposed to be 12-18 months so its a very long road which i'm sure your very aware of.

For me, we're hoping it resovles itself in the next 4 weeks because i leave for school in 4 weeks adn start classes in 5 weeks and short term memory is kind of necessary for school...lol

Hope you get the answers you need and hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly

 

[nskjerven]

As POA for my mom with health issues (she suffers from dementia) - her anesthesiologist mentioned to me that she could have memory loss (that could last for hours/days/weeks) as a result of a reaction to anesthesia during her uncoming cancer surgery. Not so much of an issue for her/us since she is in decline anyways regarding memory - but perhaps this could be what you are experiencing? Worth an ask to your anesthesiologist perhaps?

 

[mommasita]

Every operation I have had has brought on some kind of short term memory issues. For me I think it is the anesthesia. The longer I am out the worse it is. It has always gotten better over time and the longest it lasted was about a year.

I was thinking along these lines. I just could swear it just popped out recently. I was under almost 7 hours. Thank You

It's weird that you posted this now...i'm kind of dealing with the same thing.

I am almost 9 weeks post-op from having brain surgery. The only complications I had from the surgery was increased intercrainial pressure for a longer period of time (I was on decadron for 10 days longer than normal) and lung damage from intubation and meds.

But I just strated being able to really do things for myself again about 2 weeks ago. The more I do, the more I've noticed my short term memory is not as good as it was.
For example, i'll turn on the computer to look at my email and by the time the computer is on, i will have forgotten what I am doing.

My nuerosurgeon seems to think mine is very temporary mainly because of the location of teh surgery. They didnt really go into an area that should cause permanant damage. But for me, he thinks that a combination of the increased pressure for 4 weeks combined with the high dose steroids for 5 weeks could definitely cause it. But he also said that obviously, regardless of what part of the brain the surgery, it was major surgery and major trauma to a very very vital organ so its not uncommon for something temporary like this to happen. Combine that with the anasthesia plus long term use fo pain meds and it's a very common side effect. My surgery was 6 1/2 hours long and I was on a continuous morphine drip for 10 days and Percocet 4x day for 6 weeks and now I am on percocet as needed. He said 8 weeks of pain meds can cause temporary memory problems.

RIght now we're just thinking of this as another obstacle that is hopefully termporary. My recovery is supposed to be 12-18 months so its a very long road which i'm sure your very aware of.

For me, we're hoping it resovles itself in the next 4 weeks because i leave for school in 4 weeks adn start classes in 5 weeks and short term memory is kind of necessary for school...lol

Hope you get the answers you need and hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly

Oh you poor thing. I so feel for you. Yes, this is a very long recovery indeed. I had brain surgery last year, and it was not nearly as long to recover, but like you mention, this is a serious organ, and as my Dr. often reminds me "you can cast this part of your body, so you don't see the damage, swelling, healing, etc". He also tells me that due to the CSF leak, the recovery is longer, and delayed.

My surgery time was very close to yours. I still have some issues driving and such, as the surgery went mid way down my back, having C1 and C2 also involved in this lovely mess. I do drive, but it is the backing in/out that is so fun ..

I hope your memory comes back for school. I play some exercise games, but it does not work. Yours memory issues seem VERY close to mine. My kids now laugh about it, and are VERY helpful indeed. Glad they are home for the summer, it sure made it easier..Take care of you

As POA for my mom with health issues (she suffers from dementia) - her anesthesiologist mentioned to me that she could have memory loss (that could last for hours/days/weeks) as a result of a reaction to anesthesia during her uncoming cancer surgery. Not so much of an issue for her/us since she is in decline anyways regarding memory - but perhaps this could be what you are experiencing? Worth an ask to your anesthesiologist perhaps?

Very good idea. THank you. I am hoping to see my neurosurgeon this week. Anytime anything has come up, he is right there for me. A real godsend.

I guess I am more nervous, as I prepare (at least mentally) to return to work. I was only supposed to see my Dr. in October to 'discuss' the possibility of going back. I am just afraid as I work in a very busy environment, with constant updates on flights, delays, passengers. I can not fathom now doing this properly, when a month ago I was.

Thanks again.

 

[kacaju]

My dh had major heart surgery 6 years ago and he did have some memory loss after. The worst was after he was back to driving he forgot to pick up our dd from dance one evening. I was out myself that night, thankfully my friend was looking out for my dd and when she saw he didn't come she called him, and then took my dd home for him!!!