[lupusmaximus]

About six months ago I was diagnosed with Cramp Fasciculation Syndrome. I was prescribed Tegretol which controls the worst of the muscle spasms, the screaming ones, but has done little to control the other symptoms.
The worst of them being fatigue, fasciculations which started on the left side of my body and have now progressed to both sides and the feeling I can only describe as bacon frying and popping under the skin on my lower legs. I've had short-term memory loss for a while but things have become a little worrisome and I'm wondering if they are a symptom of what I have or a side effect of the medication.

Of course my mother had to make me feel even more apprehensive by suggesting I get a test for early Alzheimers. We all forget what we came for when we go into a room but I will leave the room remember what I wanted and go back to get it only to forget it again, often several times in a row. I will ask a question and five minutes later ask it again. My speech has become weird as when I try to say a word and I know what I want to say but I add different letters.

I have to keep trying to say the word before it comes out right. When I type I use the right letters but they are in a different order. The scariest part has been when I forget how to do something which has happened twice this month. The last time it happened I had washed my clothes and put them in the dryer. I could not figure out how to turn the dryer on, I spent about five minutes truning knobs and pushing buttons.

By the time I either remembered how to turn it on or by dumb kuck I did it I was frustrated to the point of tears. I've had that dryer for 10 years and I KNOW how to operate it. Is this something to be worried about? I don't see my neuro for another two months so was wondering if I should see him sooner or if this is just part of the natural aging process....liv

[Jomar]

Have you read about the side effects and/or interactions of any meds you are on?

here is a list of interaction checkers from the sticky thread on our Medications forum-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post119701-16.html

[lupusmaximus]

I did read the package insert. Tegretol is all I take. I assumed there are other side effects not listed and thought someone taking the medication might have the same experience as I am having. There isn't a lot of info about CFS out there so I'm a tad ignorant on the subject, maybe my memory problem is just par for the course.

[Darlene]

Struggling in oHIo ,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help.

There are great number and caring fellow members here, you will see we are supportive and relaxing place. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

[Rrae]

Welcome to NT!

Alot of what you typed sounds like Me! I too take meds for spasms (Baclofen) and this is when I noticed the short term memory issue. I've been pretty concerned about it. I brought it up to my psychiatrist and she gave me a 'motherly' smile and said she highly doubted I was heading toward dementia. Rather, she said that it is a direct result of the depression I battle and that I'm trying to juggle too many things. My brain gets 'tired' I guess .
I personally don't pin it all on the depression, as I've battled it most of my life. I believe it's the medication. I completely understand how you feel tho. To me, it gets to the point of embarrassing sometimes.

Others have brought this up and it's been discussed. I think we've talked about it in the 'General Health Conditions' forum. Here's the link to get you there:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/se...ry=memory+loss

Or feel free to post anywhere you'd like. Make yourself at home. People are very caring and understanding here.

You're not alone,

Rae

[zygopetalum]

I think you need to talk to your doctor about the medication. I looked on Drugcite and while I didn't see anything directly stating memory problems, the #1 group of SEs are neurological. I did see speech disorders as #8 most common and I'd bet at least some of your other symptoms are there if you want to look up all the '..eugias', '..agias', etc. Click to expand list. I 'm not familiar with your disorder but read that it is due to hyperexcitability. Think about it this, if Tegretol calms that it could also be depressing your cognition and performance as well, its all related.

I saw a forum for the disorder but can't do links right now. You might want to look for it and see what meds people are taking, I looked briefly and did not see tegretol. Have you always been on it or was it prescribed after others were not effective?

I'm not a doctor and I could be wrong but I've had some cognitive issues with medication as well and I think its possible that is what is happening. Please talk with doc and try to find more information.

Judi

[lupusmaximus]

Thanks for the site, I usually just read the inserts and then throw them away. Made an appt. this week to clear it all up. Feeling much better knowing it's probably just the meds....