Awful Memory

[ceci1957]

I started taking Hydrocodone in February. I noticed that as the weeks went by, I just wasn't myself at work (home either). I forgot to do things, or forgot about conversations. I always have to write things down, but it is especially critical that I either write it down, or complete the action right away. In the past week, three different people told me about something I had forgotten to do since the beginning of June. I work for a city and these items could affect my audit. I won't go to jail and neither will my mayor or council, but it's not like me to forget to pay the fire association, put the budget amendment in the software or pay the wrong person, among other things. I have been told about conversations I've had with others and I don't remember them. I gave another city clerk incorrect information and I had gotten an email already that had the correct info. I would say it has gotten worse since the beginning of June and I had surgery on June 16. The other day I threw out tartar sauce that expires Sept. 2008 because it was one year old. Let me mention that I will be 51 in November and I wonder if it's also hormonal. I'm about ready to be tested for Alzheimer's. I really feel disoriented at times. Well, this has been long enough, but I'm concerned. Maybe I'll call my female doc tomorrow a.m. and talk to her about it. I see the OS next Tuesday. God help me and thanks for your help, too.

 

[dharlander]

Hi,
Are you still taking Hydrocodone? This could be causing some of your issues.I also had my surgery on June 16th, but I was not on any narcotic medication prior to my surgery. I notice when I have to take Percocet (which is only maybe a half a one during the day and one at bedtime) that I tend to forget things, can't finish a sentence, just overall feeling a bit loopy. So it could be the medication. How much hydrocodone are you taking now? You are already back to work? Maybe it's way too soon, especially if you are still on pain medicine, which likely you are on some. Mental fogginess is a known side effect of hydrocodone.

Now, if you are no longer on pain medication and you are having memory issues, confusion, or disorientation, then you need see your primary care physician as soon as you can. It can be as simple as stress (pain, emotional, physical, environmental) that can be causing your memory issues. But there are other more serious issues that could be causing it. Regardless, your doctor needs to know what is going on.

Please keep us posted.

Debra

 

[2hips]

Hi,
Sounds like you are just a little overwhelmed. For me I took 3 months off work. I sorta wanted to be back without the worry of being anxious about my hip and worrying that I didn't do anything to hurt my new hips.

I had one done in 10-2007 and other 11-2007 so 3 months was a good wait for me. I also audit for a state agency and wanted to feel comfortable back and able to concentrate 100% on job and not worry about my hips.

That's just me. Could be the hydrocodone may be having a negative effect on you. Talking with your dr. sounds not a good idea.

Hope things clear up for you
keep us posted

Deborah

 

[ceci1957]

Thanks to the 2 Debs. I was on hydrocodone at the beginning of June. At that time, I think I was on 2 pills 4 times a day. As soon as I found out it could affect my liver, I cut back. Currently, I am on tramadol. I take 2 before I go to work. I am having the 2nd hip replaced August 18. In the evening, depending on my left hip's pain level, I might take 2 Aleve or 1 hydrocodone. So I do hope things get better. I do think I went back to work too soon. Next time, I am taking the full six weeks off. If I feel like going in a little just to get caught up a bit, I will, but won't stay long. I can also work from home via "GoToMeeting". Deborah, please don't tell me you work for the state of Iowa. If so, and you see my audit come through (though it won't be until after next July), just have pity and let it go on through!

 

[JudyS]

CECI
I am also 51 and now state that I just don't have a memory. I did go to my primary doc about this about 4 or 5 years ago. I also do really stupid things. I was not on any narcotic prescriptions aat the time!!
I am definately blaming mine on hormones. I actually do have hypopituitarism with lack of many hormones...yes they do affect memory and cognition.

Judy

 

[ceci1957]

Judy, I'm calling the OS in the morning and talk to the nurse to see how many other people complain about this around surgery. And then, I will call my doc and talk to her about some testing. I think it's time I started taking care of myself because I haven't done that in years, unless it was to buy a cute pair of heels and now I can't wear them for a few months, at the least.

 

[rejoyce318]

My experience -

I was given Hydrocodone (Lortab) once I was off the IV stuff after my THR. I stopped taking it the day after I was released from the hospital after I realized 2 things:
1) All it did was make me woozy & unsteady on my feet (granted, an improvement over the puking from the IV DuraMorph they gave me for surgery, but otherwise counter-productive) &
2) All Hydrocodone is is Tylenol & codeine! So, I went back to taking the 8-hour (generic!) Tylenol I had been taking the month before surgery. My problem solved. I did check with my OS's office & it was fine with them.

Joyce

 

[dharlander]

Hi Joyce,
It's great that you were able to take only Tylenol (generic) soon after you got home. I have a very high pain tolerance, heck I took only Tylenol after spinal fusions 20 years ago. But, I sure do think that each and every individual is different and has completely different pain tolerance.

However, 27 surgeries (including 2 shoulder surgeries), and 20 years later, I found my pain tolerance to be a bit lower with this one. I also want to be as mobile as possible to recover as quickly and safely as possible. I am now six weeks post op and I find I do not need narcotic medication very often. I may take 1/2 of a 5mg Percocet with a Tylenol in the mid afternoon when I seem to be the most uncomfortable. I also still take one Percocet at bedtime with a Tylenol to get a good night of sleep. There are days when I take only Tylenol and it works fine, but I have learned to not allow my pain to get ahead of me, chasing it is unproductive.

I wish you all the best in a continued, awesome recovery!

Debra

 

[rejoyce318]

Debra,

You're absolutely right about every individual having different needs.

I'm glad you have the wisdom to know when you need to take the pain killers, & the need to be mobile. After all your surgeries, I'm thoroughly impressed at how little meds you are taking for the pain. I'm thoroughly impressed, period!

I'm actually surprised at my level of pain tolerance, as I whine about hangnails! I think it's because I lived with the hip pain for so long, that post-surgery pain, though present, is a great improvement.

Joyce

 

[dharlander]

Hi Joyce,
I think those of us with joint/chronic pain develop a much different tolerance to pain. We have dealt with it every day, and for some us it's been years. I find the older I get the tougher it is to deal with pain, and I have to say that recovering from this hip replacement has been one of the tougher and longer recoveries I've had. Although I will admit, I would do it again, knowing the outcome.

I think pain medication for me has been a balancing act. I fear being one of those people who gets "hooked" on the stuff, that I tend to try not to take it. Then I pay for it. I now realize, especially with the encouragement of others on this board, that this pain is temporary and the use of the pain medication will help me heal and get the most out of mobility. I still try to take the minimum amount necessary to achieve relief without necessarily getting rid of it completely. There are days that I will take a half a percocet when I get up in the morning and another half in mid afternoon. But I still find taking the whole 5mg at bedtime assures me a good night of rest.

Thanks for your kind words!

Debra

 

[JudyS]

Debra I just reread this and saw about all of your other surgeries. Wow.

I had cervical fusion last summer and am facing possible thoracic fusion now. I am actually prescribed percocet from my spine surgeon as well. Last year when he tried to get me to take darvocet daily for thoracic pain and I would not, I think he decided I was not the personality to get addicted to pain meds.

Tell me how your spine fusion of 20 years is holding out
Judy

 

[dharlander]

Hi Judy,
I had 2 spinal fusions in 1990, it will be 19 years ago in January for the first one. I had a horrible accident with a rented hospital bed one week to the day after my first fusion (the bed collapsed and crashed to the floor when I was raising the head of the bed), and this ultimately led to emergency surgery 5 days following the accident and a second fusion in December of the same year. Other than some permanent nerve damage above my right knee on the outside of my lower thigh I did pretty well. This is not to say that I have been completely pain free, and the surgeries they today are so much better than they did 19 years ago.

The biggest problem I have had since my hip surgery is that my back is really rebelling. I have a lot of numbness in my left (opposite THR) leg and foot when I stand in one place longer than a couple minutes. My OS warned me that my back would probably give me more problems than my healing hip and I believe he is right. I do believe it will resolve when I'm not limping anymore.

Overall I think I've done well since my fusions, considering they were done such a long time ago. I guess maybe I've learned to live with it through the years .

I was told a couple years ago that I should consider a fusion in my cervical spine, but to date I've refused. I figure eventually the discs in my neck will completely degenerate and natural fusion will take place... wishful thinking maybe.

Take care, Debra

 

[2hips]

Hi ceci,
Sorry it took me sometime to respond ack to you. I spilled a lass of water on my laptop and it has een in ad shape. It is slowly comin ack to life. However still have 2 letters I can't type. You can tell y the words with missin letters. Can't type anythin etween a and c and nothin etween f and h.

No I am not in Iowa so you e fine LOL.
Did you et a chance to talk with your Dr.?
How are you doin ? Hope thins are oin etter for you.

Deorah

 

[Josephine]

Girl, get out your hairdryer and dry off that keyboard quick! You look like you have a bad case of aphasia!

 

[2hips]

Josephine,

People are oin to think I don't know how to spell my name.
One of the screws holdin the stupid keyoard on is stuck.
I'm oin to work on it tomorrow.

This is drivin me crazy.

Deorah

 

[ceci1957]

LOL Deorah! New keyboards are relatively inexpensive. I'm much better, thanks to the encouragement of "hippies" here and a few city clerks in IA. There are a few of us that have had knee and hip surgeries, one that had open heart surgery and another that lost her son last year. It certainly put my petty problems in perspective. I didn't call my doc yet about having my hormones tested. I need to make the effort and start taking better care of myself.

 

[electron]

deborah,...I have to apologize.

I just had the first real "to the bone" laughter,. since way before my ordeal.
at first I thought you were actually playing a game with someone on the forum,.
then I thuoght you were half asleep and trying to hurry the message (or had better meds than the rest of us).then I thought it was some kind of a " guess which keys I'm not using " game?
then right before I peed my pants I realized that god wants us all to lighten up and enjoy the beautiful and quirky life that we are traveling through!!

god bless and continue to heal us all

jon

 

[Josephine]

 

[JudyS]

Hey Jon,

I am glad and jealous about your interpretation. I have not had that laughter thing very often and last year I figured that was something missing in my life. The year before I had a coworker that I fed off and she off me. We were somehow in that state everytime we got together.

You are right about this life though. We must lighten up and enjoy

Judy

 

[2hips]

Girl, get out your hairdryer and dry off that keyboard quick! You look like you have a bad case of aphasia!

I'm back I can type b and g again.

Woohooo
Dell tech came to my work place today and put in a new key board.
I purchased a 3 year warranty when I got my computer.
Good to be back.

Deborah