The condition of “Transient Global Amnesia” may not be a condition familiar to most people but is one that you need to be aware of for your own benefit.
Transient Global Amnesia– “Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a neurological disorder whose key defining characteristic is a temporary but almost total disruption of short-term memory with a range of problems accessing older memories. A person in a state of TGA exhibits no other signs of impaired cognitive functioning but recalls only the last few moments of consciousness, as well as possibly a few deeply encoded facts of the individual’s past, such as their childhood, family, or home perhaps”. (Wikipedia)
If this sounds a little scary, it was for this past week I expedience this condition which has completely wiped out two days of my memory which has not yet returned.
I have had cancer, a heart attack, installed two stints in my heart, an ablation done to the inside of my heart, extreme sleep apnea, radiation treatments, plus the usual broken bones and the normal things to the body in an 80 year of life, but my recent visit to Transient Global Amnesia land was totally different. The loss of memory is in a class all by itself.
I will alternate the scientific material with my own experience to give you a complete view of what happened to me during these (unforgettable) forgotten two days.
Transient Global Amnesia; Causes, Symptoms & Prevention (clevelandclinic.org)
What is transient global amnesia (TGA)?
“Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a rare medical condition in which a person experiences a sudden episode of memory loss. During a TGA episode, a person cannot form new memories (a condition called anterograde amnesia) and has difficulty recalling recent memories (a condition called retrograde amnesia). Transient means “passing,” and TGA episodes usually last no more than several hours. In rare cases, TGA lasts up to 24 hours.
People with TGA remember who they are and can remember their friends and family members. They can still perform complex daily tasks, such as cooking or driving. They also retain their language and social interaction skills. However, during a TGA episode, they may not know where they are or the day or time”.
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This past Friday evening began this very interesting and disturbing mental adventure. I joined members of our extended family at our favorite Pizza restaurant for dinner. I remember nothing of that restaurant nor the meal, nothing! This was apparently the beginning of my condition.
The next morning I took a shower which I thought was at most, took no more than a few minutes but upon asking my wife, it apparently lasted much longer than normal. This was the first example of my lack of awareness of the passage of time.
Later that day our group enjoyed a meal of Tacos at our favorite Mexican restaurant. I placed our order myself, received the change and took the bill to our table. Once at our table I asked my wife if the order was correct to which she confirmed that it was. We then preceded to enjoy our meal. I still have no memory of that at all!
After completing our meal, we drove across the Mississippi River bridge to visit a car show in Davenport, Iowa. At the show, I visited with several car enthusiasts, sharing our like histories as custom car buffs and our past customized cars. After viewing the large assortment of custom cars which took appropriately an hour, we returned to the car to return to our hotel across the river in Moline, Illinois. I still have no memory of the car show, at all!
By that evening, my wife began to realize that something was wrong even though I was able to follow, communicate and otherwise act normal. It was at that time they visited with me and asked questions as to my health and mental condition. I was asked my name, where I lived and after telling them that we lived in Branson, Missouri, it was determined that medical attention was required for we did live in Branson but that was four years ago.
I remember entering the local hospital, being checked into an examination room, getting an IV started and the doctor asking me my name, how I felt and who was the current president of the United States. I thought two out of three would be good enough but not knowing the President must have been important information to the doctor. After blood tests and a CT scan, it was determined that I had experienced an episode of TGA, Transient Global Amnesia.
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What are the symptoms of transient global amnesia (TGA)?
“Transient global amnesia (TGA) involves a sudden inability to form new memories. Some people also cannot recall memories from hours, days, or longer in the past.
People experiencing a TGA episode may appear disoriented and confused. They know who they are and know their friends and family members, but may repeat questions about the time or date. Other complex mental tasks, such as the ability to drive a car or cook, are not affected”.
According to the above symptoms, I should now be the poster child for this ailment for I meet all of the above conditions.
“Other symptoms that can occur with TGA include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Tingling in the feet, legs, hands,or arms”
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I had none of these symptoms.
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How is transient global amnesia (TGA) treated?
“There is no treatment for transient global amnesia (TGA). The condition resolves on its own within 24 hours. However, treatment for a suspected cause may be recommended”.
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My advice, as one of the 3 to 10 people out of every 100,000 enjoying this life experience, I would like to share my feelings and thoughts as to what to expect and how to cope with TGA.
- You will not be able to determine that you have this condition without the help of someone close to you. Your friends/relatives will know it before you will.
- You may, as in my case, be unaware of time, places or events.
- Normal functions such as walking, visiting, communicating may not be compromised. Driving a motor vehicle may be possible but not recommended.
- Trust the people around you when they say that you have asked the same question several times. I did, repeatedly.
- Once you have received professional help, which you most definitely will need, realize that you have had the experience, there is nothing you did to bring it on, there is nothing you can do to make sure you will not have it again and the memories that you have forgotten or have not formed are not life threatening.
Some day they will figure this out and we will all be better off. But until then consider yourself a unique member of this very select group of individuals capable of doing anything you want and once faced with your indiscretions, can plead innocent because of your recurrence of Transient Global Amnesia !
Very informative- https://www.youtube.com//watch?v=hXH2nQSpi8I
Patients reactions to TGA condition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3fA5uzWDU8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeA0Ke2ul20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhrBpUmx8ZU
