I am 29 years old. I went into cardiac arrest in hospital 2 months ago, where I received 20 minutes of CPR with epinephrine and Ambu-bag. Doctors fear that I suffered a hypoxic brain injury. I was placed in a medically-induced coma for 3 days, and spent the following 3 weeks in hospital, then discharged to home.
Apparently, my scans and MRI did not show any damage or lesions on my brain...However, I understand that scans do not necessarily tell the entire story.
I just feel so out of it. My brain is clouded by fog, and my memory is hazy. Things that happened earlier in the day feel like they happened days ago. It's a very frightening and debilitating experience. I can remember things that happened, it's just the time when they happened that is escaping me.
I am not suffering from any physical impairments. I can drive and work, and take care of myself in general. I just feel completely detached from the world around me.
Does anyone have any experience or particular advice or insight into my situation? Thank you all so much for your time.
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absa
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Apparently scans don't show evidence of Hypoxia immediately but damage can show up later, as tissue deteriorates. I've copied an excerpt from a headway factsheet and a link showing the whole article on hypoxic injury :-
The body will respond to cerebral hypoxia by increasing blood flow to the brain in an attempt to compensate for the lost supply of oxygen. However, it is only possible to increase brain blood flow to about twice the normal level. If this is not enough to compensate for the hypoxia, brain function will be disturbed and symptoms will become apparent.
If the cerebral hypoxia is mild, there will be problems with concentration, attention, co-ordination and short-term memory, which may be relatively subtle to begin with. There may also be headache, light-headedness, dizziness, an increase in breathing rate and sweating.
My Husband has an Hypoxic brain injury and his memory is poor. I suggest you contact Headway for their many leaflets. They give you a good understanding of what is happening to you. Also join a local group for support.
I would suggest keeping a note book with you and get into the habit of writing things down.
Hi Absa. I have a Brain AVM and had a 'stroke mimic' a few years ago. I think it was probably fairly mild and I am almost completely back to normal now. But I can completely identify with what you say about events seeming as if they happened ages ago and feeling a little 'removed'. I had this, especially at first.
I know this isn't very helpful but time is certainly a great healer. Inevitably the body takes time to recover from such a huge thing. I also found the support of my family and friends invaluable. They gave me a distraction and took me out and about (in a wheelchair at first due to physical impairments). Secondly I would advocate maintaining a positive attitude. Tell yourself you will get better and be prepared to do as much as you can to help yourself, be it reading, brain training, outings, gentle exercises etc.
Thank you for your response. You said that you had the feeling that things transpired ages ago. Has this sensation dissipated as time progressed? If so, do you recall how long it took to resolve?
Thank you again. Im doing my best to stay positive and keep moving forward.
Hi there. Yes this feeling has subsided although in general my short term memory is still awful. Its difficult to say how long this too as we're probably all different. I would say a few months for me but it could be shorter or longer for you I'm afraid. That's the problem with brain injuries - everyone's recovery is a bit different and take varying lengths of time. Please do try to stay positive and I'm sure your time will come soon.
Thank you very much for your reply. It certainly gives me some hope.. It is the most awful feeling - as im sure you recall. I don't feel like myself at all...I feel like im outside my own head, and am desperately searching for ways to get back inside.
One foot in front of the other though I suppose. Keep marching on.
Hi there. I had Ulcerative Colitis and in 2016 had a complete pancolectomy and end ileostomy for which I am thankful. However I was then diagnosed with a degenerative liver disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) which has set me back somewhat psychologically. Unfortunately, I came off antidepressants too quickly and I became suicidal and around March last year I decided to end my life. I was eventually resuscitated and spent a few weeks in hospital having treatment for an hypoxic brain injury. Twelve months later and my family and I have slowly come to terms with it. I believe my brain has effectively been reset as I was diagnosed with autism 2 years ago. I am 50 this year. I haven't cried about it and show little empathy for things or people that I would probably have had before my brain injury. I feel sometimes that I purely exist. It's been difficult and I do sympathise.
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