Welcome Pink Lotus and DJ22.

Hi Pink Lotus and welcome. A daily pill reminder is a great suggestion. I used two when I was pregnant, one for AM and one for PM. I know they even make ones with several slots for each day.

As for memory problems, I believe it's a combination of the seizures and meds. I took a heavy dose of Neurontin for years and I know it has really effected me. I was a championship speller and used to win memory contests, but am not that good anymore.

Welcome again and we all look forward to getting to know you!

Julie

I've tried to get one of my many Neurologists and my Epileptologist to address the memory loss 'issue' and they ALL swear by the book Epilepsy and/or Seizures do not cause memory loss; but blame the medication instead.

I personally think it's a combination. Speaking for myself, my memory has been crap since my seizures started and it gets worse with time. I'll be 30 in June, and my memory has been bad since I was young. My medications made it worse, my short term memory is not anything I would rely on.

I frequently forget even talking, so I have to say things like, "Honey, did I ask you what you wanted for dinner or did I think I did...but didn't?"

It's like as soon as I think to say it, I forget it before it comes out of my mouth, the same applies for physical actions. It's frustrating, I snicker at myself every now and then - like when I check the mail 3 times in a row (), but it gets annoying when it is non-stop.

People around me tend to get a kick out of it, but sometimes it hurts my feelings.

Hi All,

I do have a bad short memory. Yesterday I bought a bunch of fresh vegetables at & rode side stand. The guy handed me some free bananas, and I was so happy, I left my tomatoes, peppers etc. & we drove off. Did not miss them until we got home and hubby wanted some. Grrrr. He was not too happy about the whole thing.

Same day, I was in the store, thought cashier did not give me the sale price. I set wallet down, I remember that, and finished transaction. Got in car and paniced I went to get my wallet out for something else. Checked all over car. Picked up a grocery bag and there it was inside, the grocery bag tied in a knot. I had put it in the bag and did not know it. To me, that is not memory loss. I am frightened for my future.

I know meds & sz cause memory loss. My epi. says they both do.
What about paying attention & concentration?
What is your opinion?

Kitt00

When I was facing that brain surgery in Feb. for removal of a tumor and a bit of my left hippocampus I did a lot of searching and reading about the hippocampus. I sure wish I had saved it for now.

I learned ( if I'm rembering it correctly ) that the hippocampus is responsible for changing short term memory into long term and it's damaged by seizures. The hippocampus is damaged by seizures -- it can be destroyed by severe, long term sz -- and therefore the memory is damaged by sz.

Great topic! One we're all affected by for sure. My memory has definitely been affected, both by the seizures (which were plentiful but I rarely have anymore), and also by the surgery to remove a tumor and a seizure focus which included the right hippocampus and of course I still take meds. My epi & neuro's have told me that having uncontrolled seizures can cause brain damage and issues like memory loss (I'd consider that damage). No med's I took prior to surgery were ever able to control mine and I had definite issues before, definitely have issues after surgery even tho' I spent nearly 4 years seizure free post op and am pretty well controlled now (have the occasional sp or cp).
Certain meds definitely make it worse (the memory issue). I was a mess on Dilantin (pretty well stoned as a matter of fact). Lamictal was a lot better but didn't control things for me, Topamax has been the best for control and I couldn't tell you as far as memory goes since it's the only one I've taken post surgery when I've been having seizures (took Lamictal the first year after surgery but no seizures). I don't feel like my memory is getting any worse, presently, but- without the Topamax I think it's noticibly worse. I feel like I can think and focus way better with it than I can without it. I was a mess before I went on it back in September. Has anyone noticed that change? Where they are clearer WITH their meds than without?

stef

This is what makes me just nuts right now ........ long, boring story.

Way back in 2004 - at least then - I started noticing changes in my seizures, problems speaking - word finding - and problems with memory...BIG problems with memory. I was forgetting how to wood carve. Wood carving is the most important thing in my life. I complained over and over to my neuro and he told me I was whining to get attention. I wrote emails to him over and over whining for that attention.
I whined to my husband about those problems and he told me to stop whining.

July '05 my neuro said he was ordering the MRI just to prove nothing was wrong and to make me shut up and stop whining .... that's what showed the tumor. Believe it or not -- that neuro had saved all my emails whining of problems with seizure changes, word finding and memory trouble. He sent all of those with my other records to the university hospital that was getting the MRIs.

BUT -- the hospital gave me those hideous neuropsych tests that showed my short term memory, word finding, things like that were BETTER THAN AVERAGE. Huh? The surgeon did say that he had the test results but he knew that I knew more about me than he or the test did.

The neuropsych testing 6 months after surgery said the same thing....better than average. Oh, good grief.