Between episodes (which we think they're probably temp lobe seizures, but no one know for sure . . .) I have been having more and more trouble with trouble finding the word I want for something. I know there's a specific word for a thing or concept or person's name, etc and I know that I know what it is, but I can't access it. Usually I try to describe what I'm not able to find the precise word for and often my husband can fill it in for me. As soon as I hear the word, I recognize it. I just can't recall it on command. t's not complete aphasia, and if my husband says the word I'm looking for I know it. It's very frustrating and is beginning to make me feel like a dummy! Plus I find it worrisome to have it slowly getting worse.

Have others had trouble with this? If so, what course did it take? Does decreasing the seizure frequency help? I'd really appreciate any thoughts!

Thanks!

Is your sz frequency increasing? If so, it may be due to that, although check your med levels, too, and the possibly of a reaction to anything you take. A med I used to take (Tegretol) induced horrible aphasia. I'd open my mouth and nothing would come out! This went on for nearly 3 years before I finally succeeded in getting off of it, and it took so long because I couldn't explain to the neuro what was happening. It was a nightmare.

You might also have an MRI and maybe even a PET scan to check for any subtle damage you may have had from any possibly previously-unID'ed neuro events, such as mini strokes. They can appear much like szs, and with this being an increasingly bothersome issue, it should be checked into.

Good luck...





LIZARD

Hi Ruby,
Often I'm not able to speak or say words I want to right before a cp sz. I had a wada test done to find out that my speech was on both sides of my brain instead of just the left side of the brain like most people. I've had TLE for almost 35 yrs. now and I found the thing that caused the biggest problem for me was when I took neurontin it messed me up good and I couldn't spell simple everyday words. It may be the AED your taking but if you've had a lot of sz. this could have caused the hippocampus to shrink and harden which can cause memory loss for people. This is what happened to me and when I had brain surgery 75% of my RTL was removed and all of the right hippocampus. I will look at a person and they look familar to me but I can't remember their name. You may want to look into having neuropsych testing done to see if your sz. have affected areas of your brain on the left side where your speech is. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Thank you both! I don't think it's the AED, b/c I've been taking it for a couple of years and these problems are pretty recent. I see a neuro on Friday and will talk to him and ask him about the hippocampal thing. What is the WADA test?

Thanks!
Ruby

BTW, Lizard, I did check out your website and am tremendously impressed!! I wish I could do that!

Can you tell I haven't been there in awhile?? Seriously, WW is the best program on the planet! If you're serious about losing weight--even if you have a lot to unload--it's the only way to go! Check it out at www.weightwatchers.com.


LIZARD

Hi Ruby Here's some info about WADA http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/surgery_wada.html

15 months ago at 105 lb I stopped smoking ... Now I desperately need Weight Watchers too. I need to lose 50 lb. But, of course I don't drive and I'm far out in the country, miles from the nearest WW meeting.
excuses, excuses, excuses

Hey, Jingle.

Consider doing it online. Lots of people have similar probs--too far from a meeting, no convenient time, etc. Go to the site and see how it works. WW is the coolest program on earth! I will never again go back to my old habits!


LIZARD, down 92 lbs in 17 months!!

Ruby, I hope you get answers real soon.

Miss Lizard...so proud of your weight loss. I'm thinking of doing it online too.

Thanks, hon'! WW is the coolest! Come check it out, and come "see" me on the 100+ers board. (Click on "Community," and the list of boards will come up.) I'm LIZARD110366. Weigh-in tomorrow...we'll see....


LIZARD, who'll eventually shrink it off, anyway

Hi Ruby,
The websites posted explain exactly what a wada test is and what they are for. Out of all the testing I've had for E. I found this test to be the most amazing test. The Drs. were even able to tell what caused my E. from the wada test. The did a video of the test so they could study my case better and that's how they found out my speech was split on both sides of the brain instead of the left side only. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue