short term memory loss

i noticed my short term memory loss right after transplant it was very frustrating.i would get so angry at myself .i couldnt remember names it was very embarrassing .now i know what alzheimer patients go through.i finally got an answer from a nurse who was a friend of mine.she said its because were under anesthesia for so long during surgery we get a lack of oxygen to our brain.that totally made sense to me and now i learned to live with it and compensate for it.i now make daily lists of things i need to do down to the smallest of things and check them off as i go.names im getting better at as i associate a name with a place or something else memorable where i met the person.i know it wont get any worse like alzheimers but will probably stay the same.just another thing you learn to live with after tx small price to pay for still being alive.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by mark on July 20, 2012 at 6:58pm

you too? my sister couldn't understand why I didn't remember names of my meds, much better now after 4 1/2 yrs! but still have things I can't remember like why am I writing this? lol! mark

Permalink Reply by BOBBI on July 20, 2012 at 7:18pm

that was a good one mark now if i could only remember mm lets see what was the discussion about again?

Permalink Reply by Reginald Tom Wickett on July 20, 2012 at 11:39pm

I am glad to have a new life. I think of my donor & his family often. Sometimes I think like buying a new tire, you dont know how many miles you will get. I wasnt like you, I was foggy before my transplant, but after & mons., I got my witts back, gets better everyday. I feel for you, I am 71 & aging lol, But I dont know how old you are, but you gotta stay active ,think young & have your family & friends near you. Phoning people sure helps. Hug.

Permalink Reply by mark on July 21, 2012 at 4:19am

I was foggy 4 years, its called brain fog when its mild, but it develops into encephalitic commas - adventures and hallucinations gone crazy! the memory lapse from anesthesia is a different animal! quite tame in comparison to encephalitic comas, defends on how bad your liver gets! mine was worse than most with a 33 meld score and ammonia levels near 300! now almost 5yrs post- I'm still a little nutz, its ok cause life, like that tire- only lasts so long! I am enjoying every day like the gift that it is!

Permalink Reply by Cindy Carty Madsen Sid on July 21, 2012 at 10:04am

I also have noticed this problem-only mine can belong term or short term memory. Yes I was wondering about myself. Now I see that I,m not alone. Wow this makes me feel a wee bit better.It,s bee 2 and 2-3rds yrs for my tp.

Permalink Reply by laura on July 21, 2012 at 12:04pm

Thanks for giving relief as I am 22 yrs out and have same problem. It's nice to relate some of the stuff to . My family just think I am crazy. No one understands untill you've been there.

Permalink Reply by scott on July 21, 2012 at 11:45pm

Bobbi

Hi my name is Scott I am 5 years post liver transplant and I tottally agree. I have recently heard some things in the medical world on studying this. Lets hope in the future they can come up some sort of soloution to this. I was under for approx 9 hours and that was just for the transplant of I also suffered from severe kidney stones and and a hernia that needed emergency procedures that were life threatning during my final year of waiting for the transplant.

Permalink Reply by Mark on July 22, 2012 at 12:54am

Yes, this has been a problem for me also. Not just memory but concentration and perception as well. Nothing major but sometimes very frustrating. I used to be able to multi-task all day long, now I have to make lists to keep track of things, especially for shopping and errands. I believe the condition is called postoperative cognitive dysfunction or POCD.

Mark, I can relate to your description "long strange journey". Mine has only been 1 year and I hope it is indeed long for all of us.

Permalink Reply by Christine Hilton on July 26, 2012 at 12:02am

I am so glad to read all these posts on memory loss. I thought I was going crazy! I went back to work 2 months ago and I do not think I can handle it. Besides forgetting, I stutter and stammer from time to time and I have ticks. I also fall asleep sitting at my desk. I has a heart transplant last October.

Permalink Reply by BOBBI on July 26, 2012 at 2:39pm

christine are you on prednisone?that could account for the stuttering and ticks and falling asleep any time any where.that used to happen to me on prednisone.heart transplants are under anesthesia for along time which goes with the memory loss.i commend you for going back to work.your transplant wasnt that long ago.and a heart transplant at that.i wasnt physically able to go back to work after my transplant i was told by the dr i wouldnt ever be able to work again.i had a lot of complications tho.you have to do what you think is best for you.and ask your dr. what he thinks about you working if you should still be doing it.take good care and know alot of people here are in the same boat your not alone

Permalink Reply by mark on July 26, 2012 at 4:22pm

good enuff for Dick Cheny now we know he has a heart! even if he had to buy it!

Permalink Reply by Mark on July 26, 2012 at 5:41pm

I won't quibble with your politics but your insinuation that VP Cheney paid for preferential organ allocation is not factual and further, it is an insult to the process that prolonged your life and my life.