Question:
5 weeks post-op and seeking mental clarity
I'm 5 weeks post-op, and I declare, it is very difficult for me to concentrate on anything for any length of time. It was easy to brush it off when I was at home recovering, but now that I'm back at work, it's getting in my way. Details get lost. Also, I used to LOVE watching "The West Wing", but now I can barely follow it. Their rapid-fire dialog almost feels like crickets dancing in my head! Is it just me? Thanks for any help. — Felissa L. (posted on November 15, 2001)
November 15, 2001
It's called more energy!!! At first, it was a little annoying to me
because I felt like I had ADHD. Now, I consciously try to concentrate and
have been doing much better. If this happens A LOT and it's affecting your
work, you might be suffering from a vitamin deficiency or something that's
causing you to be unable to concentrate. Try ginko biloba.
— Terissa R.
November 15, 2001
It may be from the anesthesia and post-op pain meds. Some folks are more
affected by that than others. I thought someone had given me a lobotomy by
mistake!!! I could not remember the word "popsicle" at one point,
much to the delight of my family. I could not do a crossword puzzle (I
usually do 3 a day) or anything else that required vocabulary. I am 3
months post-op tomorrow, and all those problems are gone. They were gone at
about 6 weeks. So hang on, you are almost there!
— mskarns
November 15, 2001
Hi...just wanted to let you know that I'm 7 weeks post op and for the first
4-5 weeks I felt really stupid...couldn't do simple math, couldn't remember
some words...was really relieved that I hadn't gone back to work early!
I'm fine now. I believe it was the anaesthesia.
— Yvonne R.
November 15, 2001
These are also symptoms of depression! I take zoloft for depression and if
I miss it boy do I feel like I have lost it. Can't remember the simple
things in life. Maybe you need a antidepressant.
— Cathy B.
November 15, 2001
If you are not well nourished, it might feel like half your brain fires
NOW, half later. They didn't have us on enough protein supps back in the
olden days. I was better off than I was pre-op, but had that same
sensation you're talking about. Like, HUH? Is my swtich stuck on slow
motion and the world is stuck on fast? Getting your nourishment up to
speed, timed so you don't have lows, all that, water up to speed--all that
will help. Slight dehydration will make the world run at a different speed
than our brains, too.
— vitalady
November 18, 2001
Boy, am I glad to know it's not just me! I went back to work after 3 wks
(Open RNY) and my job is mentally demanding. I couldn't do anything that
required numbers! Forgot a very important appointment, and was sooo not
me! During week 5 I backed my car into a wall doing $1300.00 worth of
damage. For no reason!! Just goofy!! I took vitamin E prior for memory (
alzheimers prevention) so I started taking 400IU a day. Also thins the
blood so don't take too early post op. Started improving almost
immediately. Now going into my 6th wk, think I'm finally "all
there" Good luck Linda
— Linda B.
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