Memory and Medicine

[ApologiaPhoenix]

I'm not sure if this is more appropriate for health science, but I was wondering about this last night and I thought I'd put it here.

As you may know if you read the prayer requests, I recently had my gallbladder taken out. My wife and my pastor were back in the room before I was to go into surgery. I don't remember much. I remember a nurse telling me something and she said you won't remember this. I told her I would. Well she was right. I just remember her telling me I wouldn't remember.

Anyway, I seem to remember getting an oxygen mask of some sort, but I think my wife has indicated that didn't happen while I was with them. I do know I was on an IV and they gave me something called "Versed." (Spelling) My wife tells me that I said something like "Am I the only one who hears singing?" to which my pastor said I was going out of it. (I understand also I said then some of the most coherent things I've ever said, but I was pleased I was telling my wife how much I love her still.)

I was pondering this however. How can it be that I can view something happen and make statements and still have no memory whatsoever of the event? What is going on? I realize this can happen when people are drunk also, which I've never been, but I started wondering about the neurology and such of all of it, especially with my interest in memory.

Any thoughts?

[Augustine2004]

Curious. I remember my own surgery with anesthesia just fine, including that a nurse stuck an IV needle in the wrong place. I mean, right up to the point of losing consciousness and right after regaining it afterwards. After the operation I did babble a lot about how cold it was, something like, 'The coldest in the history of mankind.'

[Jedidiah]

Versed is specifically used to help stop memory of the approach to surgery, especially for children.

[Sparko]

You were probably in twilight sedation during the procedure. It's like being half awake and half asleep. You know how you can wake up out of a good dream and then a minute later not recall what you were dreaming about? Kinda like that. Your brain wasn't "recording" what you were saying or doing, so you didn't remember it later. Not to mention you were half unconscious (read "drunk") on the drugs they gave you.


http://surgery.about.com/od/beforesurgery/qt/VersedMidazolamVersed.htm

[Catholicity]

Versed is also used to stop in status epilepticus. It works well.

[Augustine2004]

There, aren't we well-versed, now? :running & ducking for cover: