Transient Global Amnesia and OSA, there is no relation.

[M.D.Hosehead]

Rosacer,

As you have read, TGA is still a complete mystery. The cause is completely unknown, so any relation to OSA is complete speculation. My guess is that it's unrelated, because, OSA is common and tends to worsen with age. TGA, as you read, usually happens only once in a lifetime, so that doesn't seem to fit.

jamiswolf,

As you say, alcoholic blackouts sound similar, in that the person can be competently carrying out complicated activity without any memory of doing so. Alcoholic blackouts usually have an abrupt onset and termination, correlated with crossing a specific blood alcohol level. And of course an alcoholic who has blackouts will have them every time their blood alcohol level reaches the critical threshold.

[DoriC]

Rosacer, forgive the hijack but M.D, could there be a correlation with low blood pressure as Rosacer mentioned? I ask because when Mike had his episode of staring into space at breakfast as he was bringing his spoon to his mouth and stayed that way until EMS arrived and put the oxygen mask on him. He then came around somewhat. At the time his BP was 90/40(actually the paramedic said he was just guessing at the diastolic because it wasn't really registering). He doesn't remember anything about the chaos in the house or why or how he got to the hospital, etc. I realize his symptoms were different than Rosacer's but since it's such a rare occurence and not much is known about TGA, I'm just wondering if it's worthwhile bringing it up with his doctor. I was never really satisfied with the explanation I received about it being an episode of LBP and I don't think the drs really knew what happened either. This happened in May and it still bothers me. Thanks.

[M.D.Hosehead]

dori, during an episode of TGA, a person continues to behave normally, only he is not storing any memory of what he is doing or what is happening. This does not sound like the episode you described Mike having. TGA's don't seem related to blood pressure.

With all Mike's medical problems, it's no wonder you are worried and it's uncomfortable to be lacking a satisfactory explanation. I don't know whether low BP caused his spell , but it isn't an unreasonable guess. Low blood pressure in an older person can cause a transient ischemic attack, (TIA.) A young person with low blood pressure typically has, at most, a feeling of faintness. But older people have narrowed arteries. A small arteriole, feeding a small brain area, may provide adequate bloodflow at normal blood pressure, yet not quite enough if pressure becomes low, causing a temporary symptom or behavior change. Of course, I don't know that that 's what happened to Mike; I'm just glad he recovered.

[DoriC]

M.D, your explanation really satisfies me much more than what I received at the time. There was talk of a TIA at first but somehow that got lost in the shuffle and they came up with nothing definite. I understand that TIA's don't show up on scans and that diagnosis is usually made by process of elimination but I may be wrong. He does have some narrowing of his carotids, about 60%, but hasn't gotten any worse in years and his Cardio doesn't seem too concerned. Thanks very much, your description makes sense to me.

[rocklin]

Does a couple of minutes count?

If it does, then I absolutely have TGA.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Hi M.D.

I know it easier to say it in this rather definitive shorthand:

TGA, as you read, usually happens only once in a lifetime

But wouldn't it be more accurate to say:

1. From the slice (not all) of the medical literature that I read (and remembered),

2. in my humble opinion (IMHO),

3. I believe, that the condition described as TGA (and TGA's definition may evolve),

4. as reported by people recognizing that they have some type of memory loss (keep in mind that I didn't realize that I didn't have "TGA" (rev 2.0) until 7 scant minutes ago),

5. and then deciding that this phenomena was important enough to report to a medical professional,

6. who in turn, felt it was important enough to report that report in a form that was tabulated and then published in a peer-reviewed journal that is part of the wilderness of mirrors we call "the scientific (wink-wink) literature",

7. and that the author had the audacity to precisely match his abstract with the body of his report ( possibly a rarity these days), which is important because I typically only have time to read the abstracts,

8. then . . .

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yeah, that's a mouthful.

But my brother said it best.

He said: "Michael, when one of your arrogant a$$h*le cardiologists says 'THIS IS THUS", quietly, humbly, request the following:

"Jimmy" (use the doctor's first name, and make it an overly familiar version such as "Jimmy" instead of "James").


Would you be so kind as to rephrase what you just said, employing the phrase: 'In my HUMBLE opinion, SIR, I BELIEVE . . .'?




Folks, it works wonders.

Guaranteed.

roc

.

[rosacer]

Thanks very much for your explanations M.D.Hosehead, it's nice to have you around here .

Rosacer

[-SWS]

Thanks very much for your explanations M.D.Hosehead, it's nice to have you around here .

I'd like to add my appreciation and thanks to M.D.Hosehead!

[M.D.Hosehead]

TGA, as you read, usually happens only once in a lifetime

But wouldn't it be more accurate to say:
.
.
.
etc.

Regarding that sentence fragment, out of context, you may have an arguable point.

In context, however, my response to the OP's question about a possible link between TGA and OSA was clearly labeled a guess.
Just my guess.
You are welcome to guess otherwise.

[SleepingUgly]

Does a couple of minutes count?

If it does, then I absolutely have TGA.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Hi M.D.

I know it easier to say it in this rather definitive shorthand:

TGA, as you read, usually happens only once in a lifetime

But wouldn't it be more accurate to say:

1. From the slice (not all) of the medical literature that I read (and remembered),

2. in my humble opinion (IMHO),

3. I believe, that the condition described as TGA (and TGA's definition may evolve),

4. as reported by people recognizing that they have some type of memory loss (keep in mind that I didn't realize that I didn't have "TGA" (rev 2.0) until 7 scant minutes ago),

5. and then deciding that this phenomena was important enough to report to a medical professional,

6. who in turn, felt it was important enough to report that report in a form that was tabulated and then published in a peer-reviewed journal that is part of the wilderness of mirrors we call "the scientific (wink-wink) literature",

7. and that the author had the audacity to precisely match his abstract with the body of his report ( possibly a rarity these days), which is important because I typically only have time to read the abstracts,

8. then . . .

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yeah, that's a mouthful.

But my brother said it best.

He said: "Michael, when one of your arrogant a$$h*le cardiologists says 'THIS IS THUS", quietly, humbly, request the following:

"Jimmy" (use the doctor's first name, and make it an overly familiar version such as "Jimmy" instead of "James").


Would you be so kind as to rephrase what you just said, employing the phrase: 'In my HUMBLE opinion, SIR, I BELIEVE . . .'?




Folks, it works wonders.

Guaranteed.

roc

.

Stir, stir, stir. Did I mention my theory about wanting to stir things up? Is it boredom that drives this, or something...else?

[jamiswolf]

SleepingUgly wrote: Stir, stir, stir. Did I mention my theory about wanting to stir things up? Is it boredom that drives this, or something...else?

In Psychiatric parlance it's known as "Responding to internal stimulus"
J

[rosacer]

jamiswolf wrote:

SleepingUgly wrote: Stir, stir, stir. Did I mention my theory about wanting to stir things up? Is it boredom that drives this, or something...else?


In Psychiatric parlance it's known as "Responding to internal stimulus"
J

If it's boredom: what a childish and shameful way to invest the time
If it's something else: what a pitiful reaction it is
If it's because of an internal stimulus: I'm very sorry for that person.

I was not going to answer as I usually do on this kind of situation, but I think that person need to know I'm really sorry for he (if it's true it's a he).
Somebody acting in a so mean way all the time trying to make trouble with other's posts (if the problem is not mental or psychiatric ) is worthy of pity.

How much better could it be if he was able to invest his energy and intelligence (yes I think he is an intelligent person) to add value instead of making a clown or looking as a mentally sick person. There is all kind of people over the earth sigh.

[rocklin]

.

How much better could it be if he was able to invest his energy and intelligence (yes I think he is an intelligent person)

Only signal intelligent, my dearest rosacer.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Rosacer., I dreamed that when you were younger, you were quite the dancer.

Awake, I find this a little hard to believe. Is it true?

.

[jamiswolf]

Jamiswolf wrote: In Psychiatric parlance it's known as "Responding to internal stimulus"

I actually meant this in good humor...should have included a smiley. I didn't mean to imply that Rocklin is mentally ill. He occasionally quotes himself...like I'm doing here and it struck me as similar to a person who is talking to himself. I like Rocklin and didn't mean to besmirch him.

Rosacer wrote: I was not going to answer as I usually do on this kind of situation, but I think that person need to know I'm really sorry for he (if it's true it's a he). Somebody acting in a so mean way all the time trying to make trouble with other's posts (if the problem is not mental or psychiatric ) is worthy of pity.

Rosacer,
Roc was making a valid point...that MD could have formed his statement as an opinion rather then a decleration. But he embedded his point in layers of convolution. It was not mean-spirited and most of us here understand and appreciate his style. And, as SleepingUgly pointed out, that he does like to stir things up...which isn't always a bad thing.

I'm sorry you feel like it was an affront to you...I don't believe it was.
Jamis

[Muse-Inc]

Space Doc (read his website for details) reports his TGA caused by statins...his episodes sound terrifying, in at least one episode, a whole week lost with only bits recovered. Rosacer don't know if it might apply to your situation or not, but interesting nonetheless.

Literally a doc to the astronauts, his website forum has intriguing reports of apnea induced from statin permanent muscle damage...also some interesting research re apnea induced at high altitudes.

[rosacer]

Hi Muse

Very VERY interesting article, wow thanks .

http://www.spacedoc.com/transient_global_amnesia.htm

It describes very well a lot of what I experienced. The only possibly among the bunch he pinpoint could be the fact I was working outside in a cold temperature but it was not so cold, so I doubt it could be the starter; ALL the other possibilities where not present. I don't take statins and I have never taken cause I have never have cholesterol problems BIG MISTERY!

The only think I can say is not normal is I have been feeling tired very often, I have problems with the stabilization of my blood pressure since 1 1/2 months at least, I have meds prescribed for high blood pressure but I was trying to stop it cause my blood pressure goes slightly low and I get dizzy and tired. But the Dr says this is not a possible cause.

This Dr. speaks about very short TGA episodes, chunkyfrog you described very short periods of memory loss.

Rosacer