Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Short Term Memory Loss And Nightmares When Diagnosed With PTSD?
Question: Hello,
I have a good friend and she has some Very unusual health issues. Some of this info may honestly not be 100% accurate, but it is 90%.
About 5 years ago she almost died from Liver Failure from years of heavy alcohol use and ibupropen. This is what I am told. Problem gets worse and strange because when she woke up in the hospital she lost her short term memory , which 5 years later is not much better. She had been diagnosed with PTSD by her therapist and psychistrist as well. She has nightmares that repeat every night and she wakes up screaming and talking in her sleep, angry, swearing, etc. the part she remembers is about her first husband of 16 years and the nightmares are Very inpleasant. They are getting worse and not better. She is afraid to sleep and embarrased by her outbursts.
I just want to help her with both her memory and nightmares. I really do not believe she even knows the full story of her conditions, especially based on her memory loss. The S-T memory loss causes her alot of stress, anger & anxiety also. It is tough on me as well.
Appreciate any advice for me to help her XXXXXXX
I have a good friend and she has some Very unusual health issues. Some of this info may honestly not be 100% accurate, but it is 90%.
About 5 years ago she almost died from Liver Failure from years of heavy alcohol use and ibupropen. This is what I am told. Problem gets worse and strange because when she woke up in the hospital she lost her short term memory , which 5 years later is not much better. She had been diagnosed with PTSD by her therapist and psychistrist as well. She has nightmares that repeat every night and she wakes up screaming and talking in her sleep, angry, swearing, etc. the part she remembers is about her first husband of 16 years and the nightmares are Very inpleasant. They are getting worse and not better. She is afraid to sleep and embarrased by her outbursts.
I just want to help her with both her memory and nightmares. I really do not believe she even knows the full story of her conditions, especially based on her memory loss. The S-T memory loss causes her alot of stress, anger & anxiety also. It is tough on me as well.
Appreciate any advice for me to help her XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Symptomatic treatment needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Symptoms you refer about your friend, are caused both by alcohol consumption and encephalopathy due to liver failure at that time.
Treatment at this moment consists on symptoms relief and prevention of further deterioration of encephalopathy.
There is need to avoid alcohol use, good control of liver function and use of antidepressants to improve anxiety issues.
First step in treatment is consulting your friend's primary care Doctor, and blood tests about actual liver function.
Your friend's primary care Doctor also could prescribe the appropriate drugs to control this condition and can order appropriate consultations.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Symptomatic treatment needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Symptoms you refer about your friend, are caused both by alcohol consumption and encephalopathy due to liver failure at that time.
Treatment at this moment consists on symptoms relief and prevention of further deterioration of encephalopathy.
There is need to avoid alcohol use, good control of liver function and use of antidepressants to improve anxiety issues.
First step in treatment is consulting your friend's primary care Doctor, and blood tests about actual liver function.
Your friend's primary care Doctor also could prescribe the appropriate drugs to control this condition and can order appropriate consultations.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello and thank you for your answer. My friend is doing all the follow up care you mentioned. She does still drink a bit. She also takes Paroxetine and also Xanax as needed. With the nightmares and memory loss she wakes up in the morning from her dreams in a panic and confused where she is. Xanax is increasing.
2 questions please:
-If she completely stopped drinking can this type of Short Term Memory improve?
- she sees a psychiatrist and a therapist for her PTSD and nightmares. Anyone else can help her with this. Sleep Center?
Thank you, XXXXXXX
2 questions please:
-If she completely stopped drinking can this type of Short Term Memory improve?
- she sees a psychiatrist and a therapist for her PTSD and nightmares. Anyone else can help her with this. Sleep Center?
Thank you, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Alcohol stopping could improve symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
About your questions, if she stops drinking alcohol, at least memory issues should stop progressing and probably there may be improvement too.
There is need also for liver function evaluation from time to time and probably liver protection drugs (legalon eg.), so, following up with a Gastroenterologyst is needed besides Psychiatrist.
Hope I helped you. Best regards.
Alcohol stopping could improve symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
About your questions, if she stops drinking alcohol, at least memory issues should stop progressing and probably there may be improvement too.
There is need also for liver function evaluation from time to time and probably liver protection drugs (legalon eg.), so, following up with a Gastroenterologyst is needed besides Psychiatrist.
Hope I helped you. Best regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
