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New response to trauma - typical living with MCI?
Hi. I am on the evolutionary path to cognitive impairment. Currently I have a diagnosis of “mild cognitive impairment”. I have had two rounds of neuropsych testing 18 mos apart, and the requisite brain scans, genetic tests (one instance of APOE4), and blood work for indications of Amyloid B, and Tau - Which were positive.
I stopped any general anesthesia three years ago. Amazingly, one can get regional or local anesthesia for almost anything. This week I had a dental appointment where the dentist did a poor job numbing me. I wont bore you with details but it was over two hours of gruesome drilling of implants and chiseling bony overgrowth under the gumline. All while Insufficiently numb.
By the time we finished and I walked to my car, I was literally shaking - like an autonomic response. I sat and did some deep breathing and calmed myself enough to drive home. Later, I went over to visit my son and his wife and over the course of the visit, I got the day of the week wrong, didn't remember recent events I should have, and generally was not hitting on all cylinders.
Does this seem typical for an MCI -afflicted person? Is it a predictable trauma-related outcome? I was pretty dismayed because so much of my waking focus is strengthening my defenses against cognitive decline. So this shook me. I know most things are some degree of ups and downs - but I guess I haven't had a real down before this.
Sorry to go so long. I would appreciate your insight.
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Missed the window to edit my post, but wanted to add that the confusion did materially resolve by morning and was completely resolved in a couple of days.
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5 ReactionsYes it's typical. My grandfather who had been living independently was totally cognitively impaired at 92 following a massive abdominal surgery. It lasted 6 months and then he pulled out of it.
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4 ReactionsWhenever my Mom got sick or had a fracture, she got worse. But, she improved. It seemed any physical stress did increase confusion temporarily.
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7 ReactionsYou went through a horrible, terrible, excruciating experience!
I do not have MCI. (I am a caregiver.) But, if I had experienced the dental trauma you did, i can guarantee you i would have been utterly exhausted—mentally and physically— and unable to deal with anything else, including what day of the week it was. It would have shaken me up and taken me out. (I have had too much dental work in my life, so i am able to imagine what you went through.)
Yes, my understanding is MCI can make unexpected difficulties—not to mention excruciating pain and truly traumatic events —even more difficult, or even exacerbate symptoms. I hope you are better now! But i would encourage you to not attribute your response to this particular trauma solely to MCI. Your questions and self awareness show sound thinking. I am so sorry for what you went through!
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8 Reactions@nelms thank you so much. I am aware I am intense about what impacts my cognition. Thus bouncing my reaction against my friends here. 🙂 i appreciate your input and support.
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4 Reactions@tracidw thanks! That is helpful to Know.
@gilkesl oh wow - and thanks. I am aware that anesthesia is the worst. Age must also exacerbate that impact as well. Your grandfather is 16 yrs older than me. I had my first undeniable cognitive impact following a surgery three years ago but recovered more quickly. Thanks again for your reply
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