Does anyone find they are beginning to experience some memory loss? Or maybe I should just call it some memory "issues". I have been DX'ed with nocturnal seizures for 5 years, and take Lamical, 400mg day, Topamax 100mg day. I'm 56. Not elderly yet. lately I find I find myself forgetting things I normally wouldn't, simple things. A few times, I have forgotten whether I have taken my meds or not, and once woke up an hour after I went to bed, got up out of bed and took them again. VERY unlike me. I can't think of words I want to say many times. I forget to do things. When cooking I forget to add some ingredients I'm supposed to.

Seizures under control pretty good, maybe one or 2 every couple of months, but according to my Neuro, that's too many.

Is it possible that taking meds over a period of time can do something like this? Anyone heard of that? Last time I saw my Neuro, she said she wanted my seizures nil, or it would cause memory problems. I jokingly told her I already was senile. I've NEVER heard of that, has anyone here heard that?

I've never had severe seizures or daytime ones.

(((((((((Hugs)))))))))))).

Seizures and meds can both do this. I have always had E and started on phenobarb at 6 mo. I also have hydrocephalus and two kids, including one with autism, so there's a lot to keep up with. Thank God, I'm not on a lot of med now, and since I take it at night, I'm not as affected as I used to be, but I have certainly been there. The worst was in my 20s, in college, when Tegretol nearly turned my brain to complete rot. It's been 16 1/2 years since graduation, and I still can't tell you how I got my degree.

I don't have a lot of wisdom to pass along to you, unfortunately. I just make a lot of lists, carry a planner (and have to remind myself to write in it ), and am thinking seriously of getting a digital voice recorder. I would use it like a dictaphone. Maybe that can help you.

Get a pill minder, too. They're dirt cheap, and you can get them at any drug store. Just put your day's doses into the slots. It can help immensely.


Good luck...

LIZARD

Hi,
I've had both absence and complex partial sz. for 34 yrs. and I've had a lot of memory loss especially when it comes to names. I will recognize the person but I don't remember their name. Often I will ask my husband what he will want for dinner 2-3 times a day, and if I've been baking during the day I always check the stove before I go to bed but then about 1 hr. later I get up to be sure that I checked the stove once again.
I had brain surgery done twice to help reduce my sz. and my epi and neurosurgeon removed the right hippocampus of my brain because it had shrunk and become hard from yrs. of sz. This is the main thing that has caused memory loss for me. The hippocampus is where short term memory and learning is. Also I've been on 13 different AED's but not a single one stopped my sz. and neurontin really messed me up causing me to have absence status sz. which left more brain damage.
Try doing crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, and a lot of math those are the 3 things my epi told me to do to better my memory.
Here's wishing you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

I find the memory loss as a big problem. I assume it's from many years of seizure taking its toll. Use whatever helps in your day to day living. I usually forget where I put them. I've done the puzzles and found they have been of little use.

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