Memory loss

Glad, the amnesia drug you're describing is called Versed. It's an amnesiac but also a sedative. From what I know, it is a standard part of almost every anesthesia process done in US hospitals. I'm pretty sure you'd have a hard time finding an anesthesiologist who would agree not to use it on you if you were having general anesthesia. Even when I've only had "sedation" anesthesia (rather than general anesthesia), Versed was still a part of the anesthesia "cocktail" I was given.

I wasn't told that I was going to be given a drug to relax me. The only thing that I was given prior to being in the operating room was an antibiotic that was started about a half hour prior. I must have been given that drug as part of the "cocktail" when they knocked me out. I have no idea because I don't remember that part at all. I have been put under a few times for surgeries but this one was the worse in terms of memory loss. During the other surgeries, I never seem to remember the recovery room but I do remember being put under and the rest of the day once I am out of the recovery room. This wasn't the case this time.

Sorry post was unclear. You are right, Z, valium is not usually an amnesia drug. It simply belongs to a family of drugs, SOME of which cause amnesia and also anxiety reduction in preparation for genneral anesthesia. Not every place uses these specific drugs for surgery prep.
I found the name of the drug from the OR supervisor and then talked to the anethesia department chief to confirm it.
And hopefully I was clear that some people like the loss of memory surrounding their prep. Nothing wrong with that at all. I had been told I would meet my surgical team. Maybe I did, I don't know.
The specific drugs are documented in the medical records. And you are also correct that a combination of drugs are used during general anesthesia.
And I am not a doctor either. I review medical records as part of my job, and usually get copies of my own reports. Like I said, I can claim to be a bit of a control freak.
I would have my surgery again without a second thought. I just wish I knew more about the IV injection that made my pre op and recovery a total blank.
Sorry again for my lack of clarity about the larger family of drugs called benzodiazapenes. My bad.

I am glad that they told me ahead of time exactly what they were giving me. And I also don't like to not be in control. I think they really need to be honest from the beginning. I have so many bad reactions that I think I scare them into honesty. I like to think they would all be honest but maybe my reactions force them into it. Kind of hard to give me something and not tell me any of side effects because they are pretty sure to regret it. I think my body demands to be in control at times. Sorry that they didn't do that for you.

Because of my fear of having my mouth/nose covered (yeah I KNOW there is air coming in thru the mask, but still ) and my seizures which cause memory loss (don't have the seizures anymore but I still have a problem with forgetting things and if I forgot a big thing I panic) I was giving a shot in the back (ok forgot what it was called) and they told me before at pre-op they would give it to me and it would make it easier for me and would cause memory loss and again that morning.

I don't remember recovery at all. I don't remember being moved to my room, I don't remember my family all being there to walk into my room with me, I don't remember the Doc coming in to check on me and telling me (us) I wouldn't remember him being there at all. I don't remember asking first thing in recovery for my mouth piece (I have bad TMJ). I remember parts of my stay at the hospital but don't remember leaving the hospital but remember a bit of the ride home.

Most of it has to do with the meds, some the stress. I have learned to always explain about my fear/worry about forgetting things and they are usually pretty good about reminding me that it's natural to forget some of it.

Shyanne, it's probably estrogen deficiency - which can also cause depression. Have your estrogen/progesterone/testosterone levels checked. Anti-depressants come with their own range of side effects. It's really best to see if you can get your estrogen/progesterone levels more in balance first, and also your thyroid needs to be checked. You may not need anti-depressants at all. Don't let your doctor prescribe something just because it's easy for him and he doesn't feel like figuring out your hormones. You may need to go to a specialist for hormone replacement advice.

There are a ton of books out there on hormones and their effects. I recommend "Natural Hormone Balance" by Uzzie Reiss. Memory loss is classic estrogen deficiency.

I also don't remember recovery from surgery. But what has me concerned is that I am 6 weeks post-op and I can't remember certain things from day to day and week to week. it doesn't help that I am an attorney handling hundreds of cases but I used to be able to remember better. I hope it is just side effect that will disappear soon. In the meantime, I think I need to keep a calendar or diary next to me at all times to remember both what I have done and what I need to do.

Yes, an RN also told me what you reported:

	Quote:
Originally Posted by gladtofindya ...many hospitals use pre op drugs to ease anxiety and induce amnesia. I am furious for now (it will probalby go away) because I got an IV injection I was told would "relax" me and my memory disappeared for about six hours. I did not react well when I found out the "to relax you" injection was indeed an amnesia drug...

I was also FURIOUS when I learned that tidbit. I have no memory from about a minute after the IV injection to nearly 48 hours later. DH and others say I spoke with them and seemed lucid, answered questions, but I have absolutely no memory.

I still have problems with brain fog. It was REALLY bad for several months, and only slowly got better, but is still not completely resolved 16 months out. I wonder how much of the severity or duration of my brain fog is related to the sudden hormone crash of the surgery (TAH, I opted to not do HRT) and how much to the amnesiac.

Have you talked to your doctor about this? If you are on medicines, sometimes they can make it harder for you to clear them from your system. I know that I started remembering a lot of it about eight months post op. So it has gotten better but if it isn't then I would talk to the doctor about it. Like I said before, some medicines do make you more lethargic and as a result less likely t o remember things.

I'm 10weeks post op and still experiencing memory loss, to the point it is impacting my day to day activities and work. It's not just the recovery period that I struggle with, I'm out of focus and find it impossible to concentrate... Anybody dealing with this?