JustAnswer > Health
Ask A Question|Register|Login|Help
JustAnswer

Health
Ask a Health Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own Health question?

16 Doctors and Nurses are Online Now
characters left:
Not a Health Question?

Related Health Topics:

  • Far
    • ,
  • Few
    • ,
  • Low
    • ,
  • May
    • ,
  • Mri
    • ,
  • Two
    • ,
  • Back
    • ,
  • Flow
    • ,
  • Ever
    • ,
  • Loss
Bookmark and Share

Question

When I was 16/17 I experienced a blackout where I was still conscious. I had a few drinks the night before, had no breakfast the following day, had walked several miles to the bus stop to work. Whilst waiting for the bus I suddenly could not see anything, I got on the bus via a friend and the bus driver suggested calling an ambulance as I was so pale I said no even though I couldn't see a thing. Towards the end of the bus journey my sight came back, I went through a full days work and appeared to be fine. I have always wondered what happened and what long term affect this could have had? Thank you in advance for your help.

Submitted: 25 days and 4 hours ago.
Category: Health
Value: $20
Status: CLOSED
+
Read More

Optional Information

Gender: Female
Age: 55

Posted by Dr. Mark 25 days and 4 hours ago.

Info Request

When you say "blackout" -- are you referring to the loss of memories from that day, or just the temporary loss of vision?

Did you ever have imaging of the brain done during your life?

Any similar episodes to this since then?

25 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

1 No loss of vision since

2 What does imaging mean

3 No

thanks

 

Posted by Dr. Mark 25 days and 4 hours ago.

Info Request

"imaging" means something like a CT scan of the brain, or MRI of the brain.

Do you remember having a headache at that time? Or severe lightheadedness?

Posted by Dr. Mark 25 days and 3 hours ago.

Answer

OK.

I have to step away from the computer for a bit, so I'll leave the answer here.

In general -- a single episode, decades ago, without any other problems should not have caused any lasting damage or anything to you.

It's tough to say what could have caused this loss of vision that many years ago, but it could be related to poor blood flow to the back of the brain (from severe low blood pressure / dehydration, which could have been possible given your post-drinking morning) or a part of a migraine headache syndrome, or partial seizure activity (still unlikely).

But overall -- it may not be possible to know what caused this, since it was so long ago. Brain scans, like a CT or MRI can ensure there isn't anything abnormal there, but given that you have had no problems in the past 30+ years, its not likely there is a problem.

25 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

I have had a really bad memory for names facts etc since then, It's Iike I know the answer but I go blank and cannot recall, I have had to really really conentrate as far as i can remember Even though I have done quite well in life (relatively) it has been and continues to be a real stuggle.
really hard work..eg. things like even though I know a person well their name eludes me. It's like my mind just blanks out. I have always known there has been a problem but can't quite put my finger on it. My recall is atrocious always has been.

 

With thanks

Accepted Answer

Well, this single episode of blindness really shouldn't have anything to do with memory, since these two things are in two separate areas of the brain.

So, unfortunately, your problems with memory for certain facts seems to be unrelated (as many people do have issues with memory, even me!)

Picture
Expert: Dr. Mark
Pos. Feedback: 99.8 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 10/28/2009

Doctor (MD)

U.S. Physician/Surgeon in Neurosurgery

+
Read More

Related Health Questions

  • have a burning sensation and very slow flow while urinating
  • i have a friend who has traumatic paraplegia. this patient
  • Still waitng for an answer about the skin conditiion?????
  • My Girlfriend has a bit of impetigo on her face. She just
  • I have a drug test next week for a job, i have prescription...
  • I have tiny bumps on my penis they are the same color as eve...
  • I get cold sore outbreaks about once a year mostly if I get
  • Do noses ears and tounges continue to grow all your lives.



Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Question List | Become an Expert | Terms of Service | Security & Privacy | About Us
© 2003-2009 JustAnswer Corp.