Comments on: “Memory Loss After Heart Surgery?” Asks Paige

By: Christi

Christi — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:46:46 +0000

Yes I too had open heart surgery in 09 and they had to go back in and placed me back on heart lung machine for second attempt! I definitely have experienced short term memory loss! It is very frustrating bc I won’t see something that will remind me of what I was doing or going to do it is completely gone! I have two small children and it is such a challenge!! If I leave our routine but don’t write down what I was doing or going to do it is lost from my memory!!

By: Kristen Garcia

Kristen Garcia — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:27:06 +0000

I had heart surgery at 17 and again at 20 (3 total) had an ASD repair and mitral valve replaced. I have never been the same mentally since. I’m now 32 and still have trouble remembering things and especially gathering my thoughts when communicating verbally. I blank out a lot when having just normal conversations, even with friends. I’m fine when it comes to typing or writing… strange

By: SAM THOMAS

SAM THOMAS — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:11:26 +0000

HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE OTHER PUMPHEADS.

BUT I HAVE A DIFFERENT ONE. BEFORE SURGERY [AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT]
I HAD PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN THE LOWER LEGS/FEET. AFTER SURGERY THE
NEUROPATHY MOVED UP ABOVE THE KNEE IN BOTH LEGS. I FEEL THIS COULD
BE IMPORTANT INFO TO MEDICINE FOR ONE WHO IS COLLECTING INFO.

IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS AFTER SURGERY. LOOKING FOR A BRIGHT NEW YEAR.
SAM

By: jim tidwell

jim tidwell — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:27:59 +0000

Hi, my father had triple by-pass 6 weeks ago and has severe “pumphead” symptoms. He doesn’t recognize my mother, me or my sisters. He has become, (mostly in the middle of the night), awake, showers, gets dressed and demands to have the keys to his vehicle to go “home”. My mother is beside herself, because she doesn’t know this person when these episodes happen. The docs say it will pass. It’s been 6 weeks, and I understand that this is somewhat common, but it hasn’t gotten any better. Not even a little bit. Just wondering if we are dealing with early dymentia or if he will get better. Any thoughts or anyone else dealing with this. BTW, he is 77, and before the surgery was very active and in relatively good shape. Thank you for this forum.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:31:25 +0000

Hello everyone, Nov. 2009 my mother(64 yrs old & diabetic but very active)had her aortic valve repaired. The surgery was successful and Doctors were surprised at how fast my mom began to wake-up post operation. Her first day fully awake she was eating and talking but her demeanor was changed. She kept repating herself using a line from a song she liked to answer most of the questions. Ex: I would say Mom,how are you feeling? her reply: I’m fine “I got the Midas Touch” It’s now 2011 and my Mom still has memory loss, she repeats herself, her sentences are often jumbled, gets easliy agitated and she tends to stare into the distance for several minutes likes she’s frozen, until you call her name. This can occur anytime and IT TOTALLY SCARES ME. My Moms says she’d like to go back to work (part-time)but she’s not confindent due to the symptoms I’ve described. What can I do to help her? I want my vibrant,intelligent,funny & creative mom to get past struggling with these issues and get as close as possible to the woman she once was. Any suggestions

By: Marsha

Marsha — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:37:14 +0000

I had aorta replacement 2 1/2 years ago and have recently begun to experience short term memory loss. I live out in the country and have suddenly not recognized the roads home. I lose my keys, my glasses, forget to go to the bank when that is the sole reason for going into town. I have difficulty feeling comfortable on the interstate as I get confused when there is a lot of traffic, especially on the on ramps. My Dr. is starting me on Aricept tomorrow, just in case of early onset Alzheimer. I am only 52, so he isnt convinced that is the problem. I will see a psychiatrist for testing soon.

By: ANTHONY

ANTHONY — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:11:53 +0000

In October of 2009 I had an aortic valve replacement (bovine) and a AAA done–That’s an Acsending Aortic Aneurism for the lay people..I noticed almost immediately that I wqs having cognitive problems during my recovery period.Everyone attributed it to the trauma my body experienced.As time went by I realized that the condition was not improving and I mentioned it to my cardiologist whoi said I might have “Pumphead”,but that it should go away within 6 months.Well, here I am 1 1/2 years later and things dont seem to be improving. Rather, there are times when it is obvious that I may actually have lost just alittle bit more.I have a terrible short term memory now–if I am doing something as simple as dialing an unknown phone #–I have to look at the number while dialing because I cant even seem to hold 10 digits in my head long enoughto get it dialed.Confusion comes fairly easy and yes, I have forgotten where I’ve parked my car regularly.When I mention these things to my cardiologist–he just plays it off–I also notice recently while typing on-line–I must re-read everything–because I have a habit of inverting the letters–”Anoterh words” To the left you will see an example of what happens if not corrected.Any Feedback frm Anyone”?

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:32:09 +0000

my pal Nick had a 4 operation with six stents… seems the last two were to repair what didn’t get done with the 1st two but I digress. Nick is a shop instructor and recently has complained about short term memory loss where he has to ask another instructor how to do something as he just can’t remember the steps.

It’s only been a month since the final procedures were done and just the other day he was sure he left some nails at my house the last time he was here…but do you think we could find ‘em. Just yesterday while watching the Eagle’s play and I indicated it was the Eagles… He goes, “we must be getting old as we can’t even tell whose playing”.

Glad to see this thread as it appears a linkage and it also appears to dissapate in the 6-12 month timetable. I will be letting him know as I am sure he will appreciate knowing that it is more temporary than not. Well, let’s hope so.

By: Robert Parker

Robert Parker — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:33:14 +0000

I had a CABG done in May 2000. Since that operation, I have lost parts of my memory. I noticed it first when someone would discuss a person or event in my past, and I had no memory of them or it. It has become very annoying and at times depressing. I was only 36 at the time of the heart surgery and I believe that my young age has added to my feelings of depression. My thirty year class reunion has come and gone. I didn’t attend. I can’t remember a lot of the members of the class I graduated with. Enough said. I will have to live with it.

By: Mark Clancy

Mark Clancy — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:53:15 +0000

Yes I am having memory loss problems after heart surgery in feb 2010, is there any exercises for the brain you can recommend