Since surgery, I lose my train of thought quite often. I am terribly forgetful now, but I used to NEVER forget anything. I struggle trying to recall things like my social security and phone number every now and then. I sometimes struggle to do simple math in my head. I also struggle to focus on small tasks. It's getting embarrassing. I'm wondering if it's the lack of calories. Anyone else have this problem? FYI, I'm 4 months post op.

@@OKCPirate My B1 was good. Range is 65.5-200, mine was 138.8. I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

@@her1981 - When you do, please post, I'll follow this one thread to see what you find out.

@@her1981 - Have you been taking beta blockers? Earlier this year my doc gave me eye drops to decrease the pressure in my eyes. After 5 weeks I noticed I was forgetting very important things. Turns out memory loss/confusion is a side effect. Took nearly 2 weeks for that drug to get out of my system. Might want to see if there is anything you are taking where memory loss can be an issue. Weight loss can cause changes in how meds work or affect us.

NOTE: to make it worse, turns out the eye pressure increase was because of Nasacort. Oh well, that's a few weeks I'll never get back.

I hope you aren't depressed...memory loss is a symptom. I am worried about this down the line myself.

Edited October 15, 201510 yr by Key Tones

@@Key Tones Definitely not depressed!!! I feel fantastic!

@@OKCPirate I take no medication except vitamins.

@@her1981 - OK, worth asking, if you find out anything definitive, please post, I'll be monitoring this thread.

Since surgery, I lose my train of thought - terribly forgetful

@@her1981

too funny

I JUST made a response to someones earlier similar post today, or was it yesterday

2nd half of post - middle of page

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/353029-concerned-about-memory-loss/

i seriously don't think memory loss has anythings to do with WLS)

as long as you remember you have lost 89 lbs - you are fine!!!

kudos on loosing 89 lbs!!

keep up the good work

kathy

congrats

@@OKCPirate OK, so based on some basic research, there is a link between ghrelin and memory. There are no (free) definitive studies; however, there is indication that the reduction in ghrelin does affect the memory. Apparently, the hormone stimulates the portions of the brain involved with making memories.

This also explains why my memory was so great pre-sleeve, lol

Edited October 16, 201510 yr by her1981

@@her1981 - Thanks, I'll try and remember to look into it some more. (sort of)

@@OKCPirate I'm going to go with that for now since my labs came back ok.

I'm 10 months out from surgery and I developed memory issues 3 weeks post surgery. Mines hasn't 100% cleared up but it has gotten a whole lot better over the last 2 months. As what was quoted below, what helped to get me back to were I wasn't totally confused and could at least make comprehensive decisions was getting on prescription Thiamin first for about 30 days in Jan/Feb. I took that drug and it at least made doing my job somewhat sustainable. Since then, I've seen a neurologist twice, had an brain MRI, EEG exam, comprehensive neurological exam, at least 3 blood works done, and I've got a sleep study scheduled for early Nov. Conclusion was that they couldn't really find a root cause as to why my memory, which prior to the surgery was extremely accurate and rock steady, was so sever so suddenly. My neurologist believes that I might have had a B vitamin deficiency and possible allergic reaction to the anesthesia. He has put me on a prescription for a drug called Donziepel and since I've been on it for about a month now it has really helped me get back on track. I'm still not where I was at pre-surgery, but I now finally feel like I'm actually starting to get there memory wise.

When this first started I couldn't remember not only dates, but actual days of the week, tell time from an analog clock, or remember my address. Now none of those things are issues. I still find myself writing down important things such as appointment dates, and setting up reminders to pay bills. But I hope as my health improves and my body totally gets comfortable with getting in the fuel its getting that I'll eventually adapt.

Besides the prescription Donziepel, over the counter I take my multivitamin men's one a day, along with the following suppliments:
Nature Made B1 (Thiamin) supplement
Nature Made Probiotics chewable tablet
Calcium Citrate capsules (I hate the chewable stuff)
Bariatric Iron supplement chewable (taste like ass)

Liquid B-complex drops
B-12 lozenges

So in other words, I made sure to increase my B vitamins big time to makes sure I am getting in the good memory stuff. I was doing omega 3 too, but I haven't had those in a few months. I may go back to them though.

I did a google search:

Thiamin
Vitamin B1, also called thiamin or thiamine, is one of eight B vitamins that assist the body in converting food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose) and is used to produce energy for the body.10 Thiamin and the B complex vitamins assist in fat and protein metabolism and proper functioning of the brain and nervous system and are essential for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver.10

Bariatric surgery can exacerbate or increase the risk of thiamin deficiency and lead to beriberi, a disease caused by a lack of thiamin. Patients at high risk of developing beriberi include those who have preexisting thiamin deficits, low nutrient intake, had a malabsorptive bariatric procedure, or have episodes of chronic nausea and vomiting. Early diagnosis of signs and symptoms is extremely important. Gastric banding patients also may be at risk, particularly if they experience intractable vomiting because thiamin has a short half-life, meaning that thiamin stores last only a few days in the body.

Untreated thiamin deficiency may lead to Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a syndrome characterized by visual abnormalities such as nystagmus and lid ptosis, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, memory loss, confusion, apathy, disorientation and, in some cases, death. IV infusions of thiamine with dextrose are recommended to treat patients with thiamin deficiency.10

Symptoms of thiamin deficiency include burning feet, neuropathy, and chronic vomiting. Treatment can involve patients taking B-50 complex vitamins, 300 to 400 mg of total elemental magnesium for maximum thiamin absorption and appropriate neurological function, 20 to 30 mg/day of oral thiamin to address early symptoms of neuropathy, and 50 to 100 mg/day of thiamin administered intravenously or intramuscularly for more advanced signs of neuropathy or protracted vomiting.10

Exercise caution with magnesium supplementation greater than 490 mg/day since this may cause diarrhea. Moreover, magnesium supplements may be contraindicated in patients with chronic kidney disease.

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/111412p50.shtml

http://www.robinskaplan.com/services/medical-malpractice-attorneys/failure-to-diagnose-and-treat-complications-of-bariatric-weight-loss-surgery

The syndrome, called Wernicke encephalopathy, affects the brain and nervous system when the body doesn't get enough vitamin B1, or thiamine. It can also cause vision problems, such as rapid eye movements.

The study found that the syndrome occurs most often in people who have frequent vomiting after the surgery. It usually occurs within one to three months after the surgery, although one case occurred 18 months after surgery.

The study reviewed the scientific literature for all reported cases of the syndrome occurring after obesity surgery. A total of 32 cases had been reported. Many of the people also had neurological symptoms that are not typical of Wernicke encephalopathy, such as seizures, deafness, psychosis, muscle weakness, and pain or numbness in the feet or hands.

"When people who have had weight loss surgery start experiencing any of these symptoms, they need to see a doctor right away," said study author Sonal Singh, MD, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "Doctors should consider vitamin B1 deficiency and Wernicke encephalopathy when they see patients with these types of neurological complications after weight loss surgery. If treated promptly, the outlook is usually good."

For treatment, patients are given vitamin B1 through an IV or injection. Of the 32 people, 13 made a full recovery. Many people continued to have problems, such as memory problems, weakness, or difficulty coordinating movement.

Singh said more studies are needed to determine how often the syndrome occurs after weight loss surgery. He said some doctors prescribe thiamine supplementation for their patients after weight loss surgery, but recommends that national standards be set for all doctors to follow.

Hopefully you will remember to check into it. Sorry little gallows humor.

@@her1981 - FYI, interesting TED talk on memory, not on this topic, but might give some perspective

@@BigTink2LilTink - Thanks for sharing your experience and remedy. I'm due for my next round of blood work next week. Be very curious what comes out of it.

@@OKCPirate TED talk?

@@OKCPirate TED talk?

Opps, sorry, the link disapeared...https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_loftus_the_fiction_of_memory