TGA - Transient Global Amnesia (temporary memory loss)
Posted , 27 users are following.
There seem to be no postings about TGA, so I thought I'd start one up as it is quite a bewildering experience. 14 April 2016 - 4pm: I came in from the garden (sawing through 2" hazelnut branch - which has probably been the trigger in my case) and said I was confused, asking what day of the week it was. Hubby said: Thursday. Apparently I kept on repeating the same question every 5-10mins - about 20 times. Hubby thought that strange, why doesn't she know these simple things. Then Hubby asked me: do you know what we did this morning? And I couldn't tell him. He told me we had been shopping, so I said: well it can't be Thursday because I go shopping on a Friday! (No probs with LT memory/reasoning then?) Hubby was worried so he thought he'd better check what I'd been up to in the garden and found one long hazel branch cut off which he put in the wheelie bin, but I told him to cut it up in chunks as things mustn't stick out of the bin (bossiness still in tact!). He tidied the stuff up and I changed out of my wellies and garden clobber all by myself apparently (procedural memory intact!) and by then Hubby had Googled 'loss of memory', and it came up with things like: go straight to A&E, it could be blood clot. So at 4.30pm Hubby said we'll ring up the surgery and I said: I'll do that. So I rang the surgery myself and spoke to L, but she couldn't get much sense out of me apparently, so Hubby spoke with her and she advised him to take me to A&E. About 5pm arrived at the hospital. Hubby was chatting with me asking what we'd been up earlier that day, but I couldn't remember anything. Couldn't remember our walk, that I had done some invoicing and arranging parcel despatch. After 30mins it was my turn, then had CT scan very quickly - around 6pm. apparently, had a Chest X-ray at 7.40pm and ECG at 8pm. I do remember a nurse sticking these ECG pads on my body, but I don't remember the actual ECG being recorded. The very first check had been how physically fit I was - knee reflex, push the medic's hand away with my own hand and foot, etc. - all OK. Followed by blood tests. CT scan results came back within one hour, all clear. Good news, so then what could it be? Then it was change of shift (8pm-ish?) and at that stage they seemed to think I had to stay in overnight - I do remember that bit, being told to stay overnight, feeling quite calm and resigned. Then Dr D came to us towards the end of our stay - he tested my ST memory by asking me if I remembered his name. I had no trouble remembering his name. He told us I had Transient Global Amnesia. He said it was fairly typical, liable to have a headache, it should have cleared up within 12 hours, with a 6% chance of recurrence. Otherwise I should be back to normal. But I have been feeling very groggy ever since, a headache for 2 whole days (yesterday Sunday, was the first day without) and very very tired, so it ws very reassuring to hear other people's experiences with similar after effects (on a soon to be defunct website). The consultant's secretary rang the next day with a follow-up appointment in 14 days' time. Can't fault the UK National Health Service. I have looked on YouTube for TGA and found a video called 'It's Tuesday' - a daughter recorded her mum in hospital - had to laugh, recognised all the symptoms, only with her it happened on a Tuesday, so daughter had to keep on repeating 'It's Tuesday' to her mum, hence the title of the video. Hope it doesn't recurr. Will ask consultant at my follow-up appointment if I need to avoid strenuous exercise for a while/forever?
0 likes, 77 replies
carla31080 maja68564
Posted
I had TGA one and a half weeks ago. I still do not remember much about my day or night. I am healthy, active, 66 yr old. I went surfing, so I am told, and I am sure I was dehydrated. Also have been under tremendous stress as a result of an unethical contracting company. It was good to find this thread and know I am not alone . I do a lot of outdoor activities alone, but now I am rethinking every move I make. Doctors tell me it wont happen again, but of course I see that is not true. Thank you all for sharing. Praying this never happens again!
vicky902 carla31080
Posted
Hi Carla!! Sorry you went thru a TGA as, I am sure, most of us feel for you bq we know the fear you are experiencing after the fact....I had my first at 59 in Nov 2014 and I too was very active-gym, walked and hiked 6 days/week....after that the fear engulfed me and I would only hike if someone was w/me. I attributed that episode to the extreme stress I was under for 5 yrs taking care of my parents and traveling monthly for almost 2 yrs from AZ to their home in NY. Fast forward to 2018 and, once again, under stress and experienced a mini-TGA then another full blown one a few months later. As much as I hate telling you this but it's a reality, like myself, many have had more than one. Try to remember what led up to your episode. I have basically pinpointed my feelings prior to an episode that now when I feel "out of sorts", I take a quarter of the lowest dose of Xanax and that helps. The last time I had the full blown TGA, I took same amount of Xanax and it helped. Just don't get in the habit of taking Xanax bq, like everything else in the Rx world, they all bring on other problems... I had my Xanax prescribed back in 2015 and I rarely have used.....BTW, prior to taking the Xanax, I first try to take a lot of deep breaths and that too helps.
I recently went to see a Cardiologist for something and he was more concerned about my repeated TGA's. He did a very thorough heart exam (I'm fine nothing critical) but wants me to see a neurologist....Unfortunately, my Neuro moved so I am scheduled to see a new one 11/7....at that time, I will report on here what he says, recommends, etc....
We are all lucky to have each other on here so we can learn from each other.....I rarely talk to anyone about TGA bq they are clueless....but then again, so were we all til we experienced it....I have found there seems to be people out there that have experienced a TGA, was never dxd; therefore, they blow it off to "it's part of aging"......it's not!! Like cancer, TGA is not prejudice, you can have a TGA when you are young or old....
Well, keep us informed....if you have any questions, please feel free to ask us....Have a great Sunday!!Vicky
susan63768 maja68564
Posted
Dear Carla 31080
It saddens me to hear about your recent TGA experience, it is very scary for you and your loved ones. Please accept my sympathies. As a wife of a third time veteran, it has really changed our lives. I can see that my husband has less trust in his decisions which is painful to see. Looking back, I can see that each episode had different losses-the first minimal-no memory of attending (ironically) a memory lecture , the second, a loss of 30 days of previous events and the third, locations-like how to get to the local Urgent Care (sprained his foot) or the RAMS local meeting place which he had been to numerous times. First steps- get the trust in order, then put together a plan so that each of us carry a cell phone at all times; but what about after that-how to deal with the constant fear of the next episode? So, I changed our focus from fear to doing something about possibly preventing another episode. A note: parallel, to this I was working on the steps to reverse Alzheimer's Disease (The End Of Alzheimer's, Dr. Brednesen-a best seller internationally ) and watching recent internet series (Awakening from Alzheimer's, Science of Prevention )-the bottom line being in order to restore ones's brain to health, one must change one's lifestyle. Reading the above emails, stress (physical/emotional) is a big possible trigger for a TGA episode; guess what- STRESS is one of the big six: along with getting restorative sleep, exercise, maintaining a healthy microbiome, decreasing environmental toxins, getting off the standard American diet. In the interviews they mentioned that diet and exercise are being utilized in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, so why not TGA? A healthy brain has got to be more resilent .
Back to stress- also important is managing our cortisol (flight or fight response ) levels and amazingly as we get older, cortisol secretion increases in the body (see below reference) and once elevated it does not decrease right away, but hangs around! So hello to meditation, exercise, lots of hugs, laughter and good sleep hygiene (no blue light from computers 3 hours before bed as it interferes with the body's natural sleep patterns).
In case you are wondering what changes my 84 year old husband has made; he already swims and hour each day and does a nightly yoga routine, but now includes music meditation, takes magnesium at night to help him sleep, has resigned from being the President to the T-bird club
(a biggy, as a perfectionist, he has the ability to make small tasks complex and stressful , plus he is now eating a healthier diet. Best Wishes Susan
Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.
shirleyps susan63768
Posted
Great advice, thanks so much for sharing. I can't emphasize enough that personally I know stress/conflict is my trigger so finding what triggers an individual's personal TGA experience is really crucial to managing and preventing future episodes.
MemawKym maja68564
Posted
I know that you posted this quite some time ago! I just had my first and hopefully last bout of TGA on 5/24/2020. Doctors did not seem too well versed on it, so naturally I went online to research as soon as my mind felt able to function a bit better. I just wanted to let you and everyone else who have posted on this know how much comfort you gave me! I got way more info here than anywhere else. I am slowly beginning to feel better but definitely feel what most on here have spoken about. So grateful to have seen your post! Thank you again! Kym
Iron_origami maja68564
Posted
So I’m trying to minimize this as much as possible. I’ve noticed people have gone deep into detail over a single episode. Not that I don’t sympathize...deeply. In fact as a joke...I’m jealous! I’m 42yrs old. Starting about 5yrs ago out of basically nowhere I began having “seizures”. I spent roughly 2 of those years ignoring and avoiding them and remained focused on my work...metal sculpture/furniture. I know...not the best idea but I had no insurance and no clue what was going on. I don’t do drugs or drink alcohol. My reasoning isn’t addiction related. I just enjoy doing what I do. I assumed I would get better or they would go away. Again...I know...terrible idea. Especially considering I was averaging 2-10 TGA episodes a week. Not a typo. Three years ago, after having one while driving on the highway and nearly dying I finally got insurance and began to see a neurologist. I’m confident, especially after seeing a new neurologist starting in July...that I was misdiagnosed. Personally and my neurologist seems to be listening to me, I believe I have some type of mechanical/physical issue that starts with the herniated discs in my neck. Maybe the stress in my life adds to this in some way but I have no serious PTSD. After the last three years and potential misdiagnosis I’ve continued to have these “episodes” with no obvious triggers even while taking seizure meds and continuing contact with my doctors religiously. Mind you, my new neurologist put me on Kepra in September and I slowly stopped taking Tegratol...which I've been taking for the last two years. Two years of this medication that have left me miserable and most of all fatigued, having to take a nap by 1:00pm most days. at least the new medication...needed ir not...has given me back my energy. My original neurologist found a very small irregularity in my initial EEG. After a recent normal EEG and 72hr EEG from my new neurologist in the past few months...there is no sign of irregularities. To add to all this on August 5th, on my way to work at 8:30am I was in/caused while having an episode a horrendous 5 car accident. Thankfully no one other then myself was severely injured. I was left with a brain hemorrhage, bruised lung, broken ribs, sever lacerations and worst of all my entire face ripped open from one side to the other and about 150 stitches...ruining my modeling career!jk I was also arrested in the hospital near death and charged with three felony counts of driving to endanger. I have no record and sadly imagine, based on what friends and family have described...that the police believed i was in drugs instead of researching my medical records. niw i can't drive, totaled my brand new Tacoma and have a $4000 lawyer bill. I’d like people to read this, understand how extreme it can get and ask for my help or help me. So I apologize if this sounds like complaining. TGA seems to be misdiagnosed and is an awful feeling. I’m happy to share more details or correlate in any way that can help. I currently feel lucky that my new neurologist is actually listening to me and rationalizing what I say/express. My old one dismissed all or most possibilities, threw a pill down my throat and called it a day. Do not let this happen to you.
Iron_origami maja68564
Posted
So I’m trying to minimize this as much as possible. I’ve noticed people have gone deep into detail over a single episode. Not that I don’t sympathize...deeply. In fact as a joke...I’m jealous! I’m 42yrs old. Starting about 5yrs ago out of basically nowhere I began having “seizures”. I spent roughly 2 of those years ignoring and avoiding them and remained focused on my work...metal sculpture/furniture. I know...not the best idea but I had no insurance and no clue what was going on. I don’t do drugs or drink alcohol. My reasoning isn’t addiction related. I just enjoy doing what I do. I assumed I would get better or they would go away. Again...I know...terrible idea. Especially considering I was averaging 2-10 TGA episodes a week. Not a typo. Three years ago, after having one while driving on the highway and nearly dying I finally got insurance and began to see a neurologist. I’m confident, especially after seeing a new neurologist starting in July...that I was misdiagnosed. Personally and my neurologist seems to be listening to me, I believe I have some type of mechanical/physical issue that starts with the herniated discs in my neck. Maybe the stress in my life adds to this in some way but I have no serious PTSD. After the last three years and potential misdiagnosis I’ve continued to have these “episodes” with no obvious triggers even while taking seizure meds and continuing contact with my doctors religiously. Mind you, my new neurologist put me on Kepra in September and I slowly stopped taking Tegratol...which I've been taking for the last two years. Two years of this medication that have left me miserable and most of all fatigued, having to take a nap by 1:00pm most days. at least the new medication...needed ir not...has given me back my energy. My original neurologist found a very small irregularity in my initial EEG. After a recent normal EEG and 72hr EEG from my new neurologist in the past few months...there is no sign of irregularities. To add to all this on August 5th, on my way to work at 8:30am I was in/caused while having an episode a horrendous 5 car accident. Thankfully no one other then myself was severely injured. I was left with a brain hemorrhage, bruised lung, broken ribs, sever lacerations and worst of all my entire face ripped open from one side to the other and about 150 stitches...ruining my modeling career!jk I was also arrested in the hospital near death and charged with three felony counts of driving to endanger. I have no record and sadly imagine, based on what friends and family have described...that the police believed i was in drugs instead of researching my medical records. niw i can't drive, totaled my brand new Tacoma and have a $4000 lawyer bill. I’d like people to read this, understand how extreme it can get and ask for my help or help me. So I apologize if this sounds like complaining. TGA seems to be misdiagnosed and is an awful feeling. I’m happy to share more details or correlate in any way that can help. I currently feel lucky that my new neurologist is actually listening to me and rationalizing what I say/express. My old one dismissed all or most possibilities, threw a pill down my throat and called it a day. Do not let this happen to you.
marcia34305 maja68564
Posted
I have just had my second TGA (with a TIA in between). After ten's of thousands of $ of tests no one can find anything wrong and all they doc can do is tell me to take fish oil and put me on a vitamin and blood thinner. I'm looking for helpful advice of how to live with this. I am lowering the stress in my life, and eliminating overseas trips, and traveling alone in US. Any other ideas?