I have been recuperating nicely from a major spinal operation-a fusion of C5-6 cervical-which has gone well and I’m now 8 wks post op. Ive had a few serious lapses of memory e.g. driving and forgetting other things. I have lost a bit of confidence but getting there.
Has anyone else had memory problems following an op? I had a tough time in recovery with my COPD and low oxygen-if i had problems then ( i was in ICU ) for 8 hours-do you think the operation has affected things?
Would appreciate any comments.
Thanks!
Love Janzo
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Janzo54
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I too had Serious operation in hospital for three months, I feel I have lost enormous brainpower and can’t remember things at all finding it difficult even to remember the words of any item I see, I do hope it passes for the both of us cheers Bill
A number of years ago I had fairly major surgery and since then my memory hasn't been right. I've since had two operations which didn't appear to have any further effect on my memory so I think it came from the first operation, though whether that was due to the lengthy surgery or the problem itself, I don't know. I have about a 12 month gap in my memory and can't recall anything that happened in that time no matter how much detail people tell me. At the moment I keep forgetting little things, like I permanently feel like when you wake up and just can't remember that dream, but I'm putting this down to a combination of pills and lack of sleep.
I don't have COPD so I can't offer anything helpful from my experience except to say I think I've found it easier to remember things since. I hope it will get better for you.
Janzo54 I have had about 14 anesthetic procedures since 2002 and I have found the older I get the more I notice the impact on memory of the anesthetic. I was having some 6 months apart. I understand your concern.
Discuss with your doctor/s but it sounds like the anaesthetic has probably had an effect on you memory. From what you say, it would perhaps be safer if you stopped driving until you feel better or at least discuss with your doctor and with your insurance company.
Yes makes sense but i seem to be getting back into swing of things perhaps i didnt give it full concentration at first few drives alone as expected to just drive as normal!
Im returning to work Tues and self employed and need to use car-if i continue to have concerns i would definitely speak to someone.
did you have a GA for your spinal? or was it done via epidural? If you - also whilst in the ICU where you ventilated. I ask, as if you had a GA, and/or ventilation, you are given a cocktail of drugs, one of which has the ability for you to not remember- in easy lay mans terms - it basically messes up your filing system of memory- it takes a while for it to resort- try making lists - think of them as file indicators!
I had a GA for my spinal- im not sure if i was ventilated after the op-would i know once i woke up? I dont remember but definitely ventilated during operation yes.
Hi Janzo 54 when you were in ICU were you breathing unaided? or where you connected to a machine? If you were breathing unaided, then you would have only had the cocktail of drugs for the GA. If you were assisted breathing in ICU, then it's likely you had the same but modified cocktail there too. Much depends on what underlying lung conditions you suffer from whilst you are in ICU.
I was breathing unaided when i woke up so unless anything happened before that I dont know about, it was all fine. The operation involved incision to front of neck and moving wind pipe to one side so obstruction was a concern but i was observed for seven hors in ICU then over night in a room with a nurse by the door so they were very careful.
It's my guess then, it was only the GA cocktail you had. So in time, your files will sort. As I mentioned lists help. It takes the stress out of refiling the memory - It seems as though you were thoroughly looked after. How bad is your COPD?
Yes i think youre right. My COPD has been moderate but since the op its been increasingly hard to take a breath without coughing- i was swimming weekly before the procedure so that was helping i hope to get back asap.
My lungs feel do itchy and tight but then the heatwave and poor air quality hadnt helped much either.
It is well documented that a serious effect with a general anaesthetic, on older people, is that memory is impaired. If at all possible an alternative such as a block may be an alternative to consider.
No Janzo I was talking about medical definition of 'older' and at 63 you are definitely not in that category. Although, I read on one Big Pharma leaflet they classed 65 as 'elderly'. Are they having a laugh ???? I'm sticking with 60 is the new 40.
Hia glad op went well you did not say why you did op . But oftentimes our body mind has trauma . It takes while cum back balance . I am a psychologist. Well was till gotten sick !! I think don't stress maybe talk to a me where ever u are . I can't explain quickly how where op affects the cranial nerves .
Hia that quite an op I am gussing not done Uk . Where I am now . Only back here 6 years USA Spain Africa . I think it will be fine shure you having good phisio . I go a story which I call non local mind . Only quick way explain this some one has car accident wip lash . All after while phisocall fine but still pain . Cause lives in psyc the story of the accident. So I leant US somatic body work . Which if I go gently into the tissue .ask clients the question. About accident then process . So in way at mo memory loss just your body being kind . Ok I venture this cause don't know u but stuff at c6 has some oh dear psychological Conections best you look on line . Wishing u well ,
I, too, had major surgery, fusion of C1-C5, back in 2012. I've experienced lots of memory loss. I thought it was a temporary problem but as the years go by things are getting worse.
Does anyone know how to reverse this or is it something other than the surgery? It's extremely frustrating and difficult to carry on conversations with anyone.
What's worse is the surgery didn't heal so I'm still in a lot of pain and due to other medical issues surgery is not an option at this time.
I am getting better with my memory i still have lapses but if that continues will go to memory clinic. Mu driving seems to be ok now.
As to the operation the surgeon had advised that it wouldnt fix my neck problem just alleviate my trapped nerve problem. Hrs done his best to creat mire space for the nerves and it will take time for them to heal he said a year or more but my pain should improve in time.
I still have some problems but its early days and the nerve pain is much less.
There’s a memory clinic? What happens there? I’ve pretty much accepted that my memory’s gone, certainly my missing year, and all the problems since. It is a lot better now than it was but I know it’s not right. I didn’t know there’s anything that can be done though. Please tell me about this memory clinic.
I also spent six months in hospital and four months in a coma, since coming out from hospital my memory and brain seems to have decreased enormously, I am therefore reading and doing puzzles and doing as much as I can so that I can get back to a semi normal life which includes driving my car . Best wishes Bill
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- It seems as though you were thoroughly looked after. How bad is your COPD? 
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