I promised a follow-up post on my experience of having an episode of Transient Global Amnesia.
Thank you to all those people who commented on the post and to the other twelve who sent me personal emails.
One of my readers also told me of a support group on Facebook so of course I asked to join. Some of what I learned is used below. If you have had a TGA and wish to join, I can send you the link. Just let me know.
AFTER MY TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA EPISODE
Nearly two weeks after my episode, I had a brain MRI in Beaumont Hospital.
The consultant Dr. Linda Brewer got in touch with me by phone to tell me that nothing of any concern had shown up on the scan. She was satisfied that her original diagnosis was correct. I realise I was fortunate that she had prior experience of TGA and knew a lot about the phenomenon.
So I feel I need to give the lovely consultant a shout-out here. Her main area of expertise is geriatric medicine incuding stroke and I certainly would have no problem returning to her in the future. My only concern was that I felt too young to be termed geriatric!
Some of those people who got in touch with me had to spend several days in hospital and some had to have lumbar punctures which I believe are incredibly painful. Most of their doctors had never heard of Transient Global Amnesia.
I was tired for a few weeks after the event and I had insomnia for a few nights. I do on occasion have difficulty finding the right word, but not sure if that is just an age-related complaint or a direct result of my TGA!
WHAT I LEARNED
TGAs are more common than I realised. The response to my post was overwhelming.
Many of those who got in touch realised that they had episodes of TGAs that were never diagnosed. But on the other hand, I had never heard of it before it happened to me. So not that common, I guess.
TRIGGERS
I did write about the these before but I want to add more possible triggers to the original list:
- Anxiety/Stress (this can be on-going or continuous stress or a stressful happening)
- Migraines
- Over-exertion as in extreme exercise such as a spinning class
- Sexual intercourse
- Extremes of hot and cold (I know of several people who had one following a sea swim)
- Holding your breath/Valsalva manoeuvre
FINAL THOUGHTS
There is no doubt that it is a frightening experience. I have put it behind me now and quite honestly I hardly think of it. I was told it might never happen again. However, there seem to be many, many people in the FB group who have experienced more than one. Several of them are aware that it has happened before.
There is very little research into Transient Global Amnesia, probably because it is not life threatening. I consider myself fortunate that it was a TGA not a stoke that I had at the end of February.
OTHER NEWS
In other news I have had my first AstraZeneca vaccine last Thursday morning. I had no major side-effects. I felt tired all day and was cold, but that could be the result of a sleepless night. My back and pelvis have been giving me problems and the nights are the worst with a niggling ache in the groin and knee.
I was out for a coffee with my daughter the following day and felt great.
I must say I am looking forward to a more normal life in the coming months and I cannot wait to go into some boutiques and department stores again. My friends and I are already planning some outdoor dining and Graham and I are hoping to get away for a night or two when the hotels open in June.
Of course we still need to be careful.
Stay safe and healthy my friends.
So happy and grateful that all is good xx
Thank you Anna xx
THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE!
NOW IF YOU COULD JUST DIAGNOSE ME!
LOSS OF VISION, feel faint left with headache………ALWAYS EXHAUSTED!
I’m in my 5th year with this SH*T talk about TOO YOUNG!I also have a problem with my right arm………….hurts to put on a coat or take t-shirt off over my head.Also hurts to sleep on the side!I ASK MYSELF THE SAME QUESTIONS……can this be fixed or is just OLD AGE?
I have DOCTORS who donot care…………and I am tired of being the patient and the one doing ALL the research!
YOU LOOK GREAT!
XXXX
I am so sorry that you are still suffering. Have you gone down the complementary medicine route? A good naturopath might be able to help. xx
YES with a new one now……..35 pills a day!
It must have been such a scary experience to have gone through, but I’m glad that you’re all ok now, Hilda!
Hugs,
Suzy xx
Thanks Suzy. All good. xx
I’ve never heard of TGA so thanks for shining a light on this! You’re the least likely “geriatric” I’ve ever seen – it’s another ageism thing from decades ago that still persists.
I did laugh. So thrilled it was not anything serious. xx
I, like you, never heard of this condition before. Glad that they didn’t find anything serious. Love your outfit, the yellow colour represents the sunny side of our lifes
https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for reading and commenting Anna xx
Thanks Anna for commenting and your good wishes. x
I had not heard of it until your last post about your episode. It is good to write about it so people can be aware. Loving your yellow and camo look!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thank you Mireille. I am amazed by the number of people who have had it. Some were not aware as they were not given a proper diagnosis.
What a scary thing to have to go through and before reading your post, I have never heard of this. So, thank you for bringing awareness but more importantly, I am glad you are okay. We are also looking forward to getting outside a bit more this weekend. I just wished that the rules of whether or not you need to wear a mask is consistent. I see some people just taking it lightly and others who follow the rules. Anyway, wishing you a fabulous weekend!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
A very interesting read Hilda, and I’m glad you can put this behind you. Dee has quarterly lumber punctures and they are actually not that bad. Not nice, but not overly painful. I’m still waiting to find out if I can have a vaccination. The doctors have narrowed it down to the Jensen. Otherwise I might have a blood transfusion with anti-bodies. xx
Gosh poor Dee. He has obviously got used to them. And I hope that they can work out soon what is best for you. xxx
Hilda,
Wow. What an experience. I’d never heard of TGA before so thank you for expanding my knowledge about this. ‘m glad that there are no lasting effects from it and that life for you has returned to as it was.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thanks for reading Rena xxx
Hi Hilda. I hadn’t heard anything from you in a while and I was concerned. Then I was checking my blog, which I haven’t been on in a long time. I’ve been doing YouTube videos, about our renovation, instead. I finally saw your comment on my blog, from a while back. Sorry I missed it. I’m glad you are well, and look forward to reading more of your posts. I am subscribed, but haven’t been good about checking my E-Mail either. xx
Ah Christina I totally understand. I have not got time to keep up with everyone either, but I would like to see how your renovations are going so will check your videos. Thanks for getting in touch xx
Wow! Fascinating post! I honestly had not heard of Trans Global Amnesia before. I am so glad you are back and feeling good again! Great share about the possible triggers as well. It sounds like you have a pretty awesome doctor! Truly so glad you are recuperated!
Thanks Amy. Yes it is very underreported. Thank you. x
My husband suffered his second episode of TGA recently when we were away on the mainland together recently. Ironically I was being tested for a lump on my neck and it was therefore a very stressful day for both of us as he had the episode that evening in the hotel room. He lost the memory of most of the day and it’s only recently that I spoke to our GP who diagnosed TGA. I remembered reading that you’d experienced this very scary event too and am so pleased to have read both your posts about this Hilda.
Stress is his trigger for this frightening experience so I’ll be keeping an eye on him in the future.
Anna x
Oh Anna I am so sorry to hear about your hubby’s TGA. It is very frightening indeed. I think we all need to control our stress levels. Hugs xx