Am I Geting dumber after surgery

P_RN, ADN, RN · Feb 20, 2011

Interesting. What surgery and what did you doctor say when you told him.

Trekfan · Feb 20, 2011

Interesting. What surgery and what did you doctor say when you told him.

I had a supapuvic catheter placed . And he just said that odd never heard that Befor

carolmaccas66, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2011

Some anaesthetics can affect your brain functioning, but they are usually only temporary.

Are you internally or subconsciously worried about something? Do you need to talk to someone? Maybe one of the doctors hit a nerve by accident.

I'd go back and see the doctor I think just to get things checked out.

suanna · Feb 20, 2011

Look-out!!! we are going to get into the area of "medical advice" very soon in this thread, but before we do: General anesthesia can cause diminished mental capacity for weeks to a couple of mos after a big surgery. Often times it is related to the total dose and length of stay in OR- Chest surgery with a 6hr OR time is going to cause a lot more side effects than a 15min lap/chole. You are right to be concerned- PLEASE talk to your doctor about this issue. Change in mental status can result from a peri-operative hypoxic event, alterations in electrolytes, post operative anemia, and even post traumatic stress. Perhaps whatever you had sliced out has resulted in a change in your general health- Most of the time surgery is to cut out some bit-o-person you were supposed to have that has gone wonkey enough you are better off without it. Either way- it would warrent a good work-up to evaluate for treatable causes. I tell all my patients pre-op to expect poor consentration, sleep disturbance, depression, changes in mood and taste that can last for weeks after a surgical intervention. The good news is once you have ruled out physical causes, most of the symptoms go away after 6-8 weeks. You are getting to the far outside of this window and need a medical evaluation.

CVmursenary · Feb 20, 2011

Why is medical advice not allowed here? i don't agree with the policy, are nurses not capable of giving legitimate medical advice on a forum?

Trekfan · Feb 20, 2011

Look-out!!! we are going to get into the area of "medical advice" very soon in this thread, but before we do: General anesthesia can cause diminished mental capacity for weeks to a couple of mos after a big surgery. Often times it is related to the total dose and length of stay in OR- Chest surgery with a 6hr OR time is going to cause a lot more side effects than a 15min lap/chole. You are right to be concerned- PLEASE talk to your doctor about this issue. Change in mental status can result from a peri-operative hypoxic event, alterations in electrolytes, post operative anemia, and even post traumatic stress. Perhaps whatever you had sliced out has resulted in a change in your general health- Most of the time surgery is to cut out some bit-o-person you were supposed to have that has gone wonkey enough you are better off without it. Either way- it would warrent a good work-up to evaluate for treatable causes. I tell all my patients pre-op to expect poor consentration, sleep disturbance, depression, changes in mood and taste that can last for weeks after a surgical intervention. The good news is once you have ruled out physical causes, most of the symptoms go away after 6-8 weeks. You are getting to the far outside of this window and need a medical evaluation.

I had a supapuvic catheter placed so nothing was taken out but instead add " everyOne should get one .now if I donot want to get up to pee I donot have to" hahaha :yeah: and I should add I did not have general but the other one ??? " sorry Can,t remember what it's called " I think I try to talk to the doc again but every one just seems to think it is funny they keep asking did I hVe my brAin removed .

rn/writer, RN · Feb 20, 2011

Why is medical advice not allowed here? i don't agree with the policy, are nurses not capable of giving legitimate medical advice on a forum?

There are plenty of websites where medical information is offered. But even those sites encourage people to consult a medical professional IN PERSON. Competent medical care involves taking an accurate history, performing a visual assessment, and providing good follow-up care.

The other reason that AN doesn't allow medical advice is because this site has a different purpose entirely. It's about nurses coming together to offer support, education, encouragement, entertainment, and a sense of connection.

We can sometimes help people figure out the questions they need to ask and point them in the direction of the kind of medical professional they should be looking for, but I would seriously wonder about the judgment of anyone who would rely mainly on an anonymous website of any kind for their medical care.

Trekfan · Feb 20, 2011

I gess I should add that I am not looking for medical advice I did not want it come out that way "sorry" just

Yes I heard of that or no . I have already asked my nurses friends about it but none of them ever

Worked anywhere near an OR or in the case or two of them not for years so they had not heard about that haping long turn .

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2011

I'd suggest you talk with your primary care provider about your concerns. They will be able to assess you accurately and compare your current condition with how you were at your last checkup. They may also order any diagnostic tests that seem warranted. Good luck.

merlee · Feb 20, 2011

- - no one gets through school with spelling this poor, and why would someone capitalize a word in the middle of a sentence?

If this is true, then please go see a doctor.

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2011

Trekfan please forgive me if I seem like I'm snooping, but I took a look at some of your previous posts to see to what extent your spelling has degenerated. I agree, you need to have a complete medical work-up, not only to assess whether the anaesthetic might have affected you, but to monitor your existing conditions.

Please do not neglect this, it could be related to your diabetes.