That was REALLY weird!

[debster913]

Hi, all--

I suppose in "celebration" of my 3rd valversary, my brain decided to go pumpheaded. I got to work this morning, and suddenly I couldn't remember my password to log on to my computer or my e-mail, or even what day it is, year, or which periods take their final exams today. This lasted for about half an hour and suddenly, my mind cleared as if all this confusion had never happened. I haven't experienced this in quite some time...maybe about 6 months or a year ago?

I have been very stressed lately, and maybe that's why I went loopy, but I just want to know if any of you have had any episodes of "pumphead" this far after surgery.

Thanks!

 

[escargome]

I cannot say for sure if it has been pump-head, but I do have a lot of senior moments that some times truly frustrate me.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Did you tell any of your Doc's about this Memory Lapse / confusion?
I suspect your Cardio and PCP may want to know this.

That could be a sign of stroke or TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack). You may have had a small clot that lodged somewhere in your brain. If you are on Coumadin, perhaps that eventually dissolved it.

Whenever I get a 'Visual Effect' (or any symptom that may be the result of a clot lodging somehwere) I always chew either a half (162 mg) or full (325 mg) Aspirin (depending on how long it has been since I took my daily 81 mg Aspirin) with my Cardio's approval. You may want to discuss that with your Doc(s) before adopting a similar protocol.

 

[Bina]

Deb, that sounds like a major brain fart. Mention it to a doc just in case.

 

[Freddie]

I thought it was normal??
Seriously, I've seen this happen with my bosses wife, who has had no surgery. She had all kinds of tests done.... all came back negative. Conclusion was stress....mind overload. For her it hasn't happened again.
But do mention it your doc Debi, rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

Bina is right. I get eye divergence, probably caused by TIAs. My doctor said to make sure and call if any weird symptoms lasted for more than 5 minutes.

 

[geebee]

Call the doctor - this is something that should be reported.

 

[Cris N]

I, too, think you should report it to your doctor. Not unusual to have stuff like that happen, but I think it maybe went a bit too long for my comfort.

 

[Dina]

I have similar occurrences but never for more than 20-30 seconds,and I had
this pre op too,mostly just blanking out for a moment,totally losing what i was about to say or the word I wanted to use. Strange that it never happens
when I'm writing,Only when I am speaking.And I have definitely linked my episodes with stress or anxiety,but I would certainly ask the doc if for no other reason than 30 minutes is a bit extreme in my (in)experience.
Wishing you the best-Dina

 

[Superbob]

As an old codger, I have my "senior moments," but they are usually just that -- moments. An episode lasting a half-hour, as you describe, ought to be reported to your doctor, I would think, just as a precaution. Wishing you all the best....

 

[Bridgette]

Hi Debi,

I hope you are feeling better now, and that you got checked out by your doctor.

I don't know if this will be any help to you or is similar to what you were describing, but about a year after my surgery, I was working in the veterinary clinic one Saturday morning, taking a payment from a client. She handed me her eftpos card, and the next thing I knew, it was a few minutes later and I was handing it back to her. I had no recollection of doing the transaction for her, but I must have because she smiled, thanked me and left the clinic. It was like I had lost those couple of minutes completely, totally lost awareness of what I was doing or something, and functioned on auto pilot.
This sounds weird I know, but it's the best way I can describe it. It has happened one more time since then too.

Anyway, hope you are okay.

Bridgette

 

[Guest]

I have been very stressed lately, and maybe that's why I went loopy, but I just want to know if any of you have had any episodes of "pumphead" this far after surgery.

Yes.

Late in the summer in 2005 (last surgery was January 2003), I was out driving my Monte Carlos ... and happened down a stretch of road west of Elgin ... and, all of a sudden, thought I was on Rt 47 ... SOUTH of SR 24 ... just north of Champaign IL. Luckily, that only lasted for about 5 minutes ... but it was definitely a moment of strangeness....

*shudders*



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...Chitown #2 = 07/25/09
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"Now, how do you feel?" ... Dido ... 'Don't Think Of Me'

 

[debster913]

Wow, Cort!

Yup, this happened the last week of school and my GP said it was just a brain fart from stress. Still have a lot going on! Thankfully, no more brain farts since.

 

[Ross]

You have not talked to me yet. That is a guaranteed brain fart right there.

 

[Guest]

Yup, this happened the last week of school and my GP said it was just a brain fart from stress. Still have a lot going on! Thankfully, no more brain farts since.

GOOD!

It was definitely a bit scary for me. Yes, I've had times before where driving down a road I've looked at something that reminded me of a stretch of a different road, but never before then had I literally thought I was on a different road than I really was. I remember wondering how the heck I had managed to get that far south and where was the best place to turn around and head back north.

Scarily, I have to admit that it also happened just a couple weeks ago, too. But, that time, I thought I was on a different road in the area than I was. All of a sudden, I turned my head back to the roadway after looking at some scenery I was passing ... and couldn't remember what road I was on. Luckily, that episode lasted less than a minute ... but it was a WEIRD feeling thinking that I was on a different road in this area.....



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ...Chitown #2 = 07/25/09
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"I didn't mean to catch you by surprise" ... Lane Brody ... 'Over You'

 

[Cooker]

I have this quite often ... I stay so busy that the day of the week means almost nothing so when I forget what day it is no surprise ... It never is a bad idea to get things checked ... if i got checked every time something weird or unexplained happened to me I would need a permanent, daily appointment with my PCP

 

[TeresaCW]

Yes, oh yes. This happens to me occasionally (once every few months maybe) but for just a few minutes. I'll have a glitch where I have to really think hard to remember what month and year it is, or I forget briefly the name of someone I know really well or a piece of information that is usually second nature. I've always had a terrible memory though, and I also suffer with ocular migraine which can disorientate me, and I think the combination of that, and my age (hormonal 50) doesn't help, although it has been more noticeable since I had heart surgery.

 

[Reddog]

I think you were experiencing a glitch in the Matrix.

Seriously, my understanding is that pumphead is supposed to improve (and typically disappear, according to the latest studies) over time. If I had sudden significant episode like yours, long after surgery, I would definitely consult with my physician immediately.

 

[JeffM]

Maybe migraine?

Maybe migraine?

Occasionally, (none since surgery), I will have a few hours of confusion. Difficult to describe. Not necessarily even a memory issue, but almost like, I remember doing or saying something, but it kind of feels like someone else did or said it. It happens very infrequently, perhaps a dozen times in my life, but I have chalked it up to migraine. Typically, mine are the aura followed by pain type: classical. I'd never want to tell someone not to see a doc about something that concerns them, but if you ever get migraines, that is a possible explanation.