Memory / Cognitive Loss after Bypass
In a message dated 5/7/01 12:34:16 AM Canada Central Standard Time, indbio@... writes: << I am eating 5 mg of warfarin everyday. I do not know that I am having any problems. Except that I have lost some of my mental ability and do not get as much work done as I used to. That may be because I am working too hard for the exercise. For example, I just wanted to write the name of a software editor, but I can't think of the name of either of the two softwares that popup under windows. That was two hours ago and I still can't think of either of them. Harold Eddleman, Biophysics, PhD. Thanks for the reply Harold. I too have had some memory / cognitive problems since my bypass 2 years ago. If I concentrate and make a point of remembering, I do, but it seems to take more effort than it did before my heart bypass surgery. My understanding is that is a result of being on the heart-lung (pump) machine. Doctor's I have spoken with about this subject seem to think it only happens in more elderly patients. (I was 55 at the time of my surgery). Anyone else having similar effects? 'AL'
I was 43 when I had mine. Upon return to work (if I can really call what I did ' work') I did have trouble rememberring names of people , mostly the most recent ones that I met. Going 'north' when I neeed to go 'south' on some occasions . I'm somewhat better now (6 years down the road); thank goodness for a good job market - I'd have been 'toast' , quite possibly,if it weren't for that. Time, patience, effort, and a huge dose of self-acceptance will go a long way toward recovery. Funny, I never lost too much ability at the NY Times (early-in-the week-and easy) crossword puzzles. Go figure. Be well Harold
Yeap im having problems with short term memory loss....stand in the middle of the store and forget what im there for....forget to pay bills unless they are laid out on the table in front of my face...i was 53 at the time of my bypass.
In a message dated 5/9/2001 6:52:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time, pamven@... writes: Yeap im having problems with short term memory loss....stand in the middle of the store and forget what im there for....forget to pay bills unless they are laid out on the table in front of my face...i was 53 at the time of my bypass. For those of you who have not heard my memory story I will repeat. I return home from an intense 50 mile cycling ride. Before jumping in shower I look in refridge for some cocktail fruit. None there so I take can and put in freezer while I shower. Knowing my memory problems I turn oven timer on to remind me. After shower I come in kitchen and timer is beeping only now I can't remember why I set it for. Can laugh now but I can tell you I was angry at the time. You are correct being on heart lung machine affects short term memory. I can remember back to the 50's and name starting lineup and most of the numbers of my favorite baseball team but usually have hard time remembering movie I saw last week. I wanted to write more but forget what it was :). Harry K