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Q. My mother recently had surgery and now is experiencing significant memory loss. The doctor said that anesthesia sometimes affects memory. How long will this last and is there any thing we can do to help her recover?A. Surgeons and anesthesiologists are aware that surgery may pose risks to mental function, especially in older people. They call this condition post-operative cognitive decline (POCD).
There is controversy as to whether the problem is brought on by anesthesia or by surgery itself. Some commonly used inhaled anesthetics have been linked to dementia in mouse research (Neurobiology of Aging, online March 7, 2007). Gases like isoflurane and halothane lead to accumulation of beta amyloid, a compound that is thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. Injected anesthetics such as propofol and thiopental may be less likely to cause such problems (Neurochemical Research, Aug, 2005).
For many surgical patients, POCD disappears within a year. A small number, however, may have lasting memory problems. We don’t know of any way to reverse such cognitive decline.
I had two abdominal surgeries about four years apart and noticed an immediate mental decline--memory, esp. trouble taking in and remembering new information--after each. I still experience it four years after the 2nd surgery. Shortly after the second surgery, I had other problems that led to my being diagnosed with CFS. But the proximity of all these problems to the surgeries made me wonder about a direct connection. Could the surgeries also have caused the CFS by affecting the hypothalmus (also a part of the brain)?
One can sometimes NOT avoid having to have surgery. So, are there anesthesics that are less apt to cause cognitive problems that one could request in future surgeries?
I too experienced problems after surgery with mental functions. Felt like I was in a fog for 3 to 4 months following surgery. Then I read reports that additional oxygen administered during surgery sped up recovery. I reasoned that perhaps my mental capabilities might be improved by receiving additional oxygen during and after surgery. I cannot confirm that I received additional oxygen during surgery. However I did receive oxygen in recovery and overnight until I was released the next morning. My mind was clear and sharp and I never experienced the "Mental Fog" as in the past. My last surgery was this past April. I will be sure to always make my request for additional oxygen during and after surgery while in the hospital.
Have had 7 surgeries over the years. I had this happen after 1, a breast surgery. It lasted for several months. I seemed unable to get organized and accomplish anything during the day. Eventually things got back to normal. I have had problems with comming out from under anesthetic a time or two.
I had sinus surgery in 1997 in Wilmington NC. I was never the same after that surgery. I had no awareness that something like this could happen. I am very sensitive to medications and made this known. I had an unusually good memory prior to surgery. I have never gotten it back. When I tried to speak with the surgeon about it, he dismissed the issue. This has been a very real loss for me.
What a relief to hear that others are suffering this unspeakable lack in memory. I was ashamed to admit this defect. I have endured 16 operations and after what I have read, I guess it is not too bad to have cognitive senility; or is it?
Not by choice, but have had 17 surgeries; all very major, beginning at age 23. My family and I (at now 73) see no problems. The first few days after, there's always some confusion, but generally my experience has been it's not permanent. Notes jotted down the first few days following are hard to read; but believe this is an O2 problem, which reverses itself quickly.
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My mother has memory loss and confusion it started after minor surgery in 2005 but she also has Diabetes and Thyriod problems.and wonder if this may be conneted that people who have other medical problems that it accelerate the memory loss and confusion after being under anesthesia !
Same thing with me last year, the surgeon and then a neurologist insisted they never heard of his happening to anybody now I find out that maybe a third of all people have this issue for varying lengths of time. I was in college with a 4.0 before the surgery and had to drop out because I can't read a chapter and answer questions at the end. It has really disrupted my life.