Concentration problems after surgery

[vocrehablady]

I've heard a lot about problems with concentration following open heart surgery. The surgeon who is doing my surgery (pulmonary valve replacement) told me I will be on a heart lung machine, but they will not have to start my heart. When I asked him about memory loss following the surgery, he told me that I may have problems with concentration for a while after the surgery. Questions---How long does it last? Is there anything that can be done to improve concentration and memory?

 

[Cooker]

I had a problem with "pump-head" but it clears up....mine did pretty quickly....I tried to work crosswords, read etc to speed up the recovery....I would not worry about it....I don't know of anyone who had a permanent loss of cognitive function....I was back work in a month....I desk deals in the car business and my day is filled with math....no problem, at all.......I am sure you will be fine.

 

[cp172]

Hello,

I underwent MVR Feb.7th and was on a heart/lung machine for a long time. I do not think I have memory problems. Frankly I was having concentration problems prior to surgery which I think seems to have improved. However my wife says I have always had "Pumkin Head" issues so what do I know.

I would not worry about it. My job is 100% mental and I seem to be doing ok at work.The biggest problem I had was explaining why an executive had a teddy bear (my cardio bear) sitting with me behind my desk. Best of luck! When is your surgery?

 

[Bina]

Huh??......What was the question.... .....

 

[Freddie]

Oh Yes......"bump Head"
Is it a big deal? No it isn't. Nothing to worry about.

I had problems to stay focus on tasks around the home. I'd start one little job then I'd remember I had to do something else. Then before I knew it I had like 3 or 4 different jobs unfinished
and to tired to finish them

But everyone is different and I wouldn't worry about it. Heck I wasn't even told this could happen - so I just did my own thing.

But your question is "How long does it last?" You my not even experience "Pump Head" and everyone is different. But for me I think it lasted about 4 months.......maybe 5

Take Care and don't worry

 

[vocrehablady]

Hello,

I underwent MVR Feb.7th and was on a heart/lung machine for a long time. I do not think I have memory problems. Frankly I was having concentration problems prior to surgery which I think seems to have improved. However my wife says I have always had "Pumkin Head" issues so what do I know.

I would not worry about it. My job is 100% mental and I seem to be doing ok at work.The biggest problem I had was explaining why an executive had a teddy bear (my cardio bear) sitting with me behind my desk. Best of luck! When is your surgery?

The surgery is Thursday, March 20th.

 

[TLB123]

I had some short term memory and concentration problems after my surgery. I would go into the kitchen and forget what I needed or why I was in there in the first place. The only time it really bothers me is at work. I will answer the phone and by the time I put the person on hold I forget their name. It seems to be getting better!! I would get really upset about it at first, but now I can laugh and make jokes about it. No worries!!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

This was sometimes a problem in years past.

Studies were conducted and some recommendations came out the minimize / prevent cognitive issues.

Two recommendations were to

1 - use 'the Best Filters' to catch any possible debris and/or bubbles

2 - use a 'longer warm-up time' (add 5 or 10 minutes to the 'older' recommended warm-up period) following surgery. TobagoTwo wrote a post on this subject. My surgeon suggested this also prevented 'bubbles' from forming in the blood that goes to the brain.

Hopefully ALL? Surgeons / Hospitals have done all they can to minimize cognitive impairment during or after surgery.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[aussigal]

I felt detached from reality for quite some months (probably about 6). I was able to function fine but I remember spending alot of time just thinking quietly and observing while life went on around me. It does seem to go away.

 

[Freddie]

I felt detached from reality for quite some months (probably about 6). I was able to function fine but I remember spending alot of time just thinking quietly and observing while life went on around me. It does seem to go away.

Very well said aussigal - well done! Thanks

 

[marie]

I felt detached from reality for quite some months (probably about 6). I was able to function fine but I remember spending alot of time just thinking quietly and observing while life went on around me. It does seem to go away.

Ditto for me and I'm going to be eight weeks Tuesday
Earline

 

[JAJ99]

At least now I have an excuse for being forgetful and not attributing it to getting older

 

[lieb2101]

Here's my experience.
I've always battled with ADD my whole life but I've been able to come up with non medicinal ways to deal with it.
I had a rather involved surgery (6-7 hours) where they performed circulatory arrest and back fed my brain with blood to keep me going.
Getting out of surgery and while I was in the hospital I couldn't focus on anything both mentally and physically. My eyes wouldn't even focus right.
They eye focus straightened out after a couple weeks but I had concentration issues for about a month. I didn't suffer any intelligence loss but I had a hard time dedicating time to specific tasks. My procrastination got way worse.
I'm about seven weeks out now and I think my concentration is almost back to my pre-surgery level. I've been using meditation and organization techniques to help me out. I'm expecting that in another couple weeks I'll be better off than I ever was. I blame most of my issues on the anesthesia that they used and not "pump-head" but I could be wrong.
Before surgery I made the decision to keep taking classes in pursuit of my MS degree and I've had to write papers and do homework throughout all of this. I'm happy to report that I'm still getting an A (well, maybe an A-).

Best of luck,
Brian

 

[musician2k]

Yeah the pump-head was kinda hard for me at first too! But I was kinda ditzy prior to the surgery so who could tell? I got a chuckle from the guy (above) who said his wife called him punkin head all the time...that was my situation too. If anything, my ability to consecrate has gotten better post-surgery. I mean, uh, conCENtrate. yeah.....

 

[Jkm7]

I felt I had some 'pump head' after my first OHS. I had trouble concentrating and could not read a full magazine from start to finish at one sitting. It cleared quickly for the most part and these four years later, I did not feel there was any residual.

I just had second OHS and my concentration was immensely better this time. I'm not yet three weeks out and can read books and have been working on our taxes etc Either I was luckier this time or the procedures have been improved, maybe both?

Don't worry about something that probably won't happen and if it does, it is a very rare person who has suffers severe change on a very long term basis.

You'll do fine!!

Good luck.