Pumphead - New Study

[Mileena46]

You know Jeanie, you may have something there! I still can't figure out why they couldn't just TELL me why I was getting insulin shots! I kept asking, and no one knew! I finally got mad and told them I wasn't diabetic!!!! But I still got the shots!

Mileena

 

[tobagotwo]

The insulin is because your blood sugar often goes high after a serious operation. Not everyone gets it, but if your sugar count is significant, you'll get the insulin shots until it comes down on its own (which it does). I didn't need it the first time, but the second time I was getting insulin shots for two days.

As far as pumpheadedness, I think that, uh, what? That pump thing. I, uh... Well, shoot! I forgot...

Best wishes,

 

[Jkm7]

I have a different hypothesis, although it may be based on an incorrect underlying assumption(?). It is my understanding that standard post-op nursing care includes administration of insulin even to non-diabetics, and they apparently try to keep blood sugar lower than a normal post-prandial level. My hypothesis is, considering that the primary fuel for the brain is circulating blood glucose levels, artificially decreasing blood glucose starves the brain of nutrients at a time when they are most needed.
Jeanie

The nurses at Mass General told me I had one insulin shot before I was fully aware but didn't need any after that. They kept testing my glucose the whole time I was in the hospital.

In the four years between my two surgeries they began testing and injecting insulin to non-diabetics as they found it greatly helped in wound healing. My first surgery, they did not do this.

I've never had high glucose level so that one high reading was due to the surgery.

 

[cp172]

I am two years post surgery and am certain my surgery has caused some degree of cognative problems. I had minimal invasive surgery and was on the bypass machine a long time. No bypass surgery and no other health issues.

I can still find my way home and I know who I am. I guess I think I know who I am and this looks like home.

My guess is that something as major as valve surgery has different side effects for everyone. Everybody comes away with a door prize.

 

[Jeanie]

Ohmigosh, what a creative way to think of it! (that comment of 'My guess is that something as major as valve surgery has different side effects for everyone. Everybody comes away with a door prize.')
Jeanie

 

[drivetopless]

And see, I think an unrepaired valve on the brink would be worse for cognitve function (reduced blood flow, lightheadedness).

 

[TammyM]

Well, I am not sure what to think of the studies, but I just know that I do not function at the same cognitive level anymore. It improved slowly for a long time after surgery, but now at 4 years I guess I am just as good as I am going to get. In our house when people talk about things, they mention pre-surgery or post-surgery because I have a very spotted memory of things that happened in the several years prior to surgery. Many things that used to be easy are now difficult. I stay so stressed at work trying to stay on top of things and keep it together. I used to never have to write anything down. Now I write everything down in 5 different places and still forget! I often joke with new friends, "I wish you had known me when I was smart!"
I don't care what the studies or the doctors say...something does happen to some people. I was 33 years old and something changed instantly. I am now 38 and should not be struggling everyday with cognitive impairment. Of course, I would do it again, because without my valve, I would not be here. I just wish my doctors would have warned me.
It is my biggest fear about having a future OHS. I feel like I lost part of who I was and I am afraid it will happen again.