A couple of years ago while playing VP in Las Vegas I had a situation where I could not recall any of the play-strategy for VP. It was like a wall had been erected in my brain. I felt OK otherwise. It was late night so I stopped and went to bed. The next day I felt fine and could recall the VP strategy cards as I always had. I talked to my MD about it a few weeks later and although not using the TIA terms, he said I probably had a mini-stroke and although not serious I should watch for other symptoms. I stopped playing Video Poker a few months later and haven't played since. I think it's age, being overweight, and oxygen deprivation. Since then I have stopped all casino play as I am not interested in play unless I have an advantage, however small.

I have a new MD now and one of the things he recommended for me is "Sleep studies" with body monitors that record what's happening as you sleep. I did an at-home study last month and the results were as he feared... I am having repeated intervals during sleep where my heart is beating rapidly and breathing stops for several seconds. All adds up to watching your heart and circulation as you get older (I'm 80 now). Result may be CPAP assisted breathing at night and possibly supplemental oxygen.

Hope I'm not scaring you further, Jerry, but there are signs that should not be ignored and things that can be done to keep your breathing and oxygen deprivation from being a serious problem.

I'm also reading a book called "Sleep Interrupted" by Dr. Steven Y. Park which talks about Sleep Apnea and ways to recognize it an react to it. It's available in print and as a Kindle read for $10 or so. Here's a free web-site to read-up on the situation and get oriented: http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/post-author/steven-y-park

This condition is not widely recognized but many have it. As the book relates, it's not just old overweight men who can experience the condition but skinny younger girls can as well. Anything that deprives your organs (especially the brain) of oxygen can cause big problems. That's what strokes are all about and if they don't clear up on their own, you may lose some mental capacity or the use of certain body parts.

Good luck, and keep well, Jerry!