Absent MIND forgetful Easily Distracted since Surgery

I have found my ability to focus, reading, writing, even conversational thoughts to be a bit jumbled currently. Mistakes I would not normally make have been happening, I know it could partially be because I am waiting to see my PCP to change my adderall for none SR since it only works occasionally now,  but am worried it could be something else. Has anyone else experienced this in the month following surgery? If so when did it start to get better?

Thank You

Are you taking all your vitamins? Also how many carbs are you eating a day? Your body requires 50g to 100 grams for your brain to function at a normal state. No carbs is bad. I had those same issues the first few weeks, and that is what the doctor told me. Just make sure your doing good carbs, I do a lot of veggies, fruits and nuts now.

I am only 3 and 1/2 weeks out so getting in fruits and veggies at this point is extremely hard. I have only be averaging about 35 carbs a day range 20 to 45, I got a recipe from my nutrionist for a green protein smoothie where I am to add a whole serving of fruit to the shake that would probably help increase the carbs and I will try that. 

I'd get your B12 checked.  Below 550, it can cause symptoms like these.

Are you getting enough calories?  Enough protein?  Enough fluids?

Are you having any other symptoms?  Depression?   Trouble sleeping?

I will ask them to check it on Tuesday when I see my PCP. I am 3 1/2 weeks out and have been taking my vitamins very well including a sublingual b-12 in addition to my chewable vitamins having a large amount. I may need to increase my thiamin and D3. I am taking 10000 iu of D3 but I am always low on that naturally and getting about 15 of thiamin which is want my nutritionist said to take but maybe I need a little more? I average 75-100 g protein, 500-600 calories, and 35 g carbs. I get about 80 to 100 oz of water a day. I have also had a hard time with sleep but surprisingly no depression. I say surprisingly because it is something I have suffered from before. 

Ditto on the carbs.  People on very low carb diets often experience those kinds of issues.  I was even getting lightheaded, but was not dehydrated and my 3 month labs showed all vitamin levels ok, so my surgeon asked about my carbs and told me to add some more veggies and dairy.  Within a very short time, my mental focus was better and the lighheadedness disappeared.

Lora

I will definitely head to the store and get the frozen fruit and spinach in that recipe and start making at least one or 2 of my protein shakes this way. Out of everything what I am having the hardest time with food wise is dairy. I can do cheese but the greek yogurt give me this acidic feeling in my throat and skim milk the texture just bothers me now and I LOVED milk prior to surgery. I dont have any digestive issues with it, it just has a hard time going down. 

Thank You

Heather

I was a bit foggy-brained too for the first couple of weeks, but chalked it up to the physical stress of major surgery--and the disruption of my normal routines. I always seem to go through a bit of this when I return from vacation too. Now at 4 weeks it seems to be passing. I am going to bed earlier and fitting in a short nap at lunch time and that helps. Turning off the tv (too much drama and bad news) and reading or working on a hobby project in the evening helps me sleep better. 

Try some Carnation Breakfast Essentials (formerly Instant Breakfast) so you can enjoy milk again. Be sure to get the blue box for the sugar-free formula. I never could handle skim milk, but 1% works fine for me. 

It seems like many of us experience changes in tastes, textures and odors post op, so we have to try alternatives.

I will have to try a few alternatives I tried almond milk and that was a huge fail which sucks cause I again loved it before it seems  the thickness is the issue. 

I wouldn't worry as much about it but I am in grad school and its effecting my school work. I have to re-read everything several times and still sometimes it doesn't sink in which before surgery was not an issue for me I could read a chapter onces and barely need to reference back and trying to write my papers as a result is like pulling teeth. I have to have a friend read and edit because half the time it is not flowing the way my writing normally does. 

Please let me know if your PCP has any good suggestions. I review and evaluate hundreds of professional reports a year, so mental acuity is an issue for me as well.  Are you at UW? I'm an alum. Great school, lovely city. Don't miss the snow and cold though!