Transient global amnesia

[Xantavia]

So, strange question, but does anybody have any experience with dealing with transient global amnesia?

Backstory: My mom was heading over to my brother's to babysit when she called my dad because she didn't recognize the road she was on or where she was supposed to go. She knew to pick up my niece at school, but not where to take her after. She somehow made it to my brother's house but was acting strange enough that he decided to take her to the hospital.

About 10pm last night, I got a call that the doctors suspect TGA, but my brother didn't have any more details other than that my mom knew it was Friday now (not Tuesday), but she still has a blank of 4 hours or so in her memory. They are keeping her overnight for observation.

Wikipedia makes it sound like it is not a very serious condition, but it's 3 in the morning and I can't get anymore information so I'm still kind of freaking out. If any late night posters know anything to put my mind at ease, it would be a great relief.

[thetruepandagod]

I thought this was going to be about the berenstain vs berenstein bear alternate universes.

[kuronosan]

Are they sure it isn't onset of dementia?

[SephYuyX]

I thought this was going to be about the berenstain vs berenstein bear alternate universes.

My first thought was some sort of new gender definition tumblr made up.

[FNH]

Are they sure it isn't onset of dementia?

Xantavia, is this the first event where she was "forgetful"? When my Grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's it was well after she had been showing signs, which allowed her to be a danger to herself and others as well as prevented her from being on the correct medication that might have improved her quality of life. When we finally realized it she had driven to get groceries like she always did, but she couldn't remember where she was or how to get back home. She always tended a garden until near the end she couldn't leave the house because she forgot where she was.

A few years before those events there were small things that now I know were warning signs. She would forget names like calling my uncles by their brothers names or me by my uncles names. Burning things because she forgot, but we wrote it of as she had so much going on, etc. 20 years ago we didn't really know, nor was there a whole lot extra we could have done to help between the onset and the time she needed to go into daily care(the daily care could have been a lot better but that's a different story). But having gone through that I am better prepared for if my mom starts showing signs, because I do not want a repeat.

So with all that said, if you or any other family member can put together a pattern of events I implore you to share them with her and her doctors to have them go through the full array of tests.

[Dimmauk]

Sounds like Alzheimer's or Aliens

[Byrthnoth]

Sounds like Alzheimer's or Aliens

seventh'd, or whatever we're up to now. Sounds like some kind of sudden onset Alzheimers, which can happen (particularly if she's been stressed lately).

[kuronosan]

Question: is she diabetic?

[Heavencloud]

Dx of exclusion but the presentation sounds right. They likely ruled out stroke, etc. Ddx should be broad if she doesn't get better relatively quickly including bad shit like prions (cjd) or autoimmune encephalitis, but these are rare as shit. also, does she take any meds? accidently taking ambien in the AM or something can do this too

[Xantavia]

So, according to the neurologist, there really isn't anything to worry about (like alzheimers or dementia which is some of what was going through my head). Ran her through a full spectrum of tests like an EKG and Catscan to rule out stuff like a stroke or seizure. Supposedly, it is not uncommon in people over 50, especially in the midwest where the doctors see it come in waves. Like nothing for months, then several cases around the same time. Nothing to prevent it or treat it, since it clears on its own. You can be perfectly functional so little danger of doing something like burning down the house. As a matter of fact, she was helping my dad put winter plastic on the windows and cooked lunch yesterday, but has no recollection of doing either.

So a huge relief on my part. Just wish I had know ahead of time, then I would have left the snow shoveling to my dad since I'm lazy as shit.

[kuronosan]

Great to know, but stay vigilant.

Doctors can be wrong.

[Byrthnoth]

Supposedly, it is not uncommon in people over 50, especially in the midwest where the doctors see it come in waves. Like nothing for months, then several cases around the same time. Nothing to prevent it or treat it, since it clears on its own.

That's some almanac level explanation right there, but I still hope it was nothing.

[FNH]

If it were me, I'd be getting a second opinion.

[vivbiibasjiu]

I thought this was going to be about the berenstain vs berenstein bear alternate universes.

It could be. It sounds like she switched into a parallel universe. She may have been in the Berenstein universe and now just arrived to the Berenstain universe. The roads could be different in the other universe