NeuroTalk Support Groups - how do i get past this?

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how do i get past this?

When i was a child i had head trauma that triggered Epilepsy. Since then, i have been diagnosed with ADD and Depression as a teen, and i am consistently on medications and a lot more than when i was a child. I often have a horrible memory and it makes it hard for me to remember things and even think sometimes which makes studying hard, makes people think i am being ignorant, and selfish.

These memory blocks seem to contribute to delays of progression of success and doing important things. How do i overcome the memory thing? I do not want to be a failure, and want to be more self-sufficient, and i don't want those that i love to think i am being neglectful or rude when it is not the case.

Hi Twofish and welcome.

I had this problem while growing up as well and it took a lot of time and hard work to overcome. What I did was make copies of everything. Like my study sheets, I'd copy and fill out over and over until I had it memorized visually more than mentally.

Many medications, and especially with AED's can and do cause problems with your memory. Keeping a notebook handy, post it notes, etc. really helps. Also printing out information about Epilepsy, Brain Injuries and medications for your neurological conditions and sharing them with people who may question your memory (or anything else) could help them to better understand these things.

You will not be a failure, I barely made it through high school and once I self-trained my brain - I graduated college (twice). Don't give up, and don't be so hard on yourself.

You can find my story sharing post in this forum if you'd like some information about me.

Feel free to chat all you like here, I'd be happy to help in any way possible.

*Hugs*

Ellie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie (Post 38693)

one of my studying problems is recently i memorized paintings and artist names for a test, but when the test came, i knew the pictures, and artists, but no longer could i put them together. there was a mental block and i failed the test.

My medications are an extended release version of Depakote with two 500 milligram tablets, some Primidone (i forget the dosage), sometimes Enderal (extended release also). What is interesting is Depakote is used against seizures and depression, seizures can be caused by being overtired, depakote can make a person tired, and sometimes i am very very depressed.

Hi Twofish,
Welcome to the forum! I started having seizures when I was 10 and just like you I had a hard time in high school especially when it came to doing a test. I was also on the same AED's as you are.
One thing that I did is take extra notes for myself and I would read them over and over which was a great help to me. I also found that I could concentrate better in a room with no noise.
Don't be so hard on yourself take a look at Elton John, he's had E. for many yrs. but he still made it big. I've had E. for 34 yrs. and I've been working as a teacher aide is special Ed. for 21 yrs. I never thought I would make it that far but I just told myself not to give up and I'm sure you won't either. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Twofish,

I have had epilepsy ever since I was 10, back at that time so lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggggggg ago I was on dilanton and mysoline, with I had a hard time remember things for test in school. For the last few years since I was taken off those meds my memory has become better.

I agree with Ellie just don't give up. I keep looking at looking at other handicapes I don't feel so bad.

Welcome aboard.

Darlene;)

Hi Twofish and welcome!

I too suffered severe head injury as a child and have depression and Epilepsy.

Have you tried asking for accomodations in college due to your memory problems?

Julie

i took dylantin, tegratol, depakane, then now i am on depakote and primidone which is actually mysoline.

I do have an digital organizer, i guess maybe they will let me use it if i talk to the disability department.

i am not sure how it will work though if i forget to use it.

Look into Cognitive Remediation Therapy. It can be helpful in cases of brain injury caused by meds, trauma, etc. They will teach you different ways of remembering, studying etc.

My dd had this for about a year at age 12 or so. It really helped her get organized and begin to work on ways that helped her learn best.

Hello Twofish,

Don't ever give up on yourself. Ask your teachers for suggestions, they may have resources you have not considered. Have you tried making yourself flash cards? Words or phrases on one side, and the answers on the other side. I know that sounds so simple, but it does work.
I hope you find what works for you! Have a nice Thanksgiving and keep trying.

Cathy(Garney)

I second the flash cards. I passed medical terminology with a perfect score using flash cards.

yeah i try those sometimes. sometimes they work, sometimes no.

why would i stop getting notifications here when still subscribed?

hmm, is it true that epileptics cannot have healthy children because we are on medicines or something? if so, do you have article on this?? some countries are telling people that epileptics shouldn't or can't have kids. i don't mind if that is true, but i need to know. i could adopt if i get married and want kids.

I wonder why you are on Inderal? Inderal (propranolol) is not used much any
longer, in favor of the newer betablockers.

Quote:

:Am J Psychiatry 1982; 139:1187-1188
Copyright © 1982 by American Psychiatric Association

REGULAR ARTICLES
Substitution of atenolol for propranolol in a case of propranolol- related depression

GN McNeil, PK Shaw and DS Dock

The authors describe a 62-year-old woman with symptoms of major depression presumed to be secondary to propranolol use. The patient responded poorly to imipramine; however, her symptoms cleared rapidly when atenolol was substituted for propranolol.

and regarding memory:

Quote:

Memory-altering drug research is currently focused on propranolol, one of several so-called beta blockers widely used to reduce blood pressure, treat abnormal heart rhythms and prevent migraines. The brand name for propranolol is Inderal. Other beta blocker brand names are Inderide, Innopran XL, Betachron E-R, Kerlone, Lopressor, Tenormin, Toprol XL, Visken and Zebeta.

Beta blockers work by "blocking" the stimulative influence of stress hormones – specifically adrenaline – upon the body, relaxing blood vessels and slowing nerve impulses inside the heart.

Experiments indicate propranolol also blocks the effect of adrenaline upon areas of the brain involved in memory formation, including the amygdala. It seems to disconnect emotion from memory.

from http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/neur..._drugs_sd.html

Also Depakote depletes l-carnitine. I would suggest you have your physician test your carnitine levels. A supplement of this if low may help you dramatically. Carnitine is necessary for proper mitochondrial functions...mitochondria are the energy producing factories in your cells.
There is a link to secondary carnitine deficiency and Depakote in the thread here by Ellie about Foot pain. You may be able to improve your functions with a supplement and a conversation with the doctor as to the necessity of Inderal and perhaps a medication switch. Never hesitate to complain of loss of quality of life while on seizure meds. Most of them cause significant side effects, and doctors are aware of this and will try to pick ones that work better for you.

can depakote cause thinking problems?

Do Epilepsy medications cause problems in reproduction? Can Epilepsy itself?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twofish (Post 42447)

can depakote cause thinking problems?

In many forms, yes. A lot of the medications available to us typically cause problems with memory and awareness. Sometimes it only lasts until you adjust to your medication, sometimes it never leaves. From my understanding, side effects tend to vary by person.

Quote:

Do Epilepsy medications cause problems in reproduction?

I don't believe it causes as many problems in the actual reproduction as I believe the medication(s) can cause harm to an unborn child (as with many medications). If you're looking into having children, it would be best to discuss this with your Neurologist in advance (planning the pregnancy would be best for you and child when you're on medication) so that he/she can alter any medications if need be.

Quote:

Can Epilepsy itself?

Quote:

Reproduction

When a person with epilepsy thinks about having children, a natural question is whether the child could also have the condition. Some types of epilepsy are inherited and do tend to run in families. There is a higher risk of having a child with epilepsy if:

*
one or both parents has epilepsy (the risk is higher if the mother has epilepsy)
*
one or both parents has generalized epilepsy
*
parents' seizures started early in life

Epilepsy can sometimes skip a generation.

To find out the risk of a prospective child having epilepsy, people with epilepsy can ask the epilepsy care team or their family physician to recommend them for genetic counselling. These specialists would study the person’s medical and family history, possibly request some laboratory tests, and calculate the risk for the person’s baby.

If a woman with epilepsy is considering having a baby, she should speak to her family physician and epilepsy care team about it before conceiving. They can give valuable advice about actions and precautions to take to ensure a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Fertility

A number of studies have found that people with epilepsy seem to have fewer babies than people in the general population. There are probably several reasons for this:

*
Social factors: People with epilepsy are less likely to marry and have children than people in the general population. This in turn may be partly related to problems with social development and poor self-esteem. In addition, people with epilepsy may face family or social pressure not to have children.
*
Sexual factors: As described above, epilepsy and anti-epileptic drugs can interfere with sexual desire and arousal.
*
Physical factors: Epilepsy and anti-epileptic drugs can interfere with fertility.

Women with epilepsy seem to be more likely to develop a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This condition raises testosterone levels, causes ovarian cysts, and can interfere with menstrual cycles and fertility. It is especially common in women who are taking valproate, and many of the symptoms can be reversed when the drug is stopped. This condition is also quite common in women without epilepsy.

One study looked at ovulation in women with temporal lobe epilepsy, with generalized epilepsy, and without epilepsy. Women with temporal lobe epilepsy were more than three times as likely to have a menstrual cycle in which no egg was released from the ovaries, compared with the other two groups. This could obviously reduce their fertility.

Epilepsy and certain anti-epileptic drugs may also cause problems with fertility in men, including lower testosterone levels and lower sperm count.

People who are experiencing problems with fertility should speak to their doctor, as treatments are available.
Pregnancy and childbirth

Epilepsy can affect pregnancy: both seizures and certain anti-epileptic drugs may harm the developing fetus. Pregnancy can also have an effect on epilepsy. Despite these risks, with expert medical care, over 90% of women with epilepsy can expect a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.
Before pregnancy

A woman who is planning to have children should talk to her general physician and epilepsy care team, preferably before she conceives or at least as soon as she discovers she is pregnant. In some areas, there are obstetricians who have a special interest in caring for women with high-risk pregnancies. A family physician or neurologist can refer to this specialist.

The physician and the care team can inform the woman about any prospective problems and explain what to do to help ensure a safe pregnancy and a healthy child. They will discuss the following:

*
the genetics of the woman's epilepsy syndrome and the chances that her baby will also have epilepsy
*
the risks and benefits of prenatal screening tests
*
care during pregnancy, including general health issues and vitamin supplementation
*
the possible effects of anti-epileptic drugs on the baby
*
labour and delivery
*
breastfeeding
*
child care and safety

Seizure control

Ideally, a woman with epilepsy should have complete seizure control before she becomes pregnant. Failing this, her seizures should be as well controlled as possible.

About one-third of women with epilepsy have an increase in the frequency of their seizures in pregnancy, for a variety of reasons:

*
Their anti-epileptic drugs may not be absorbed into their bodies as well or may be processed more quickly.
*
They may have vomiting during pregnancy, and therefore do not take in as much of their anti-epileptic drug as needed.
*
They may have trouble sleeping, which can lower the seizure threshold.

If a woman is having more seizures, she should discuss this with her doctor. Her medication dose may need to be adjusted from time to time during the pregnancy. Uncontrolled seizures in pregnancy, especially tonic-clonic seizures and status epilepticus, can be very harmful to the mother and the baby. Tonic-clonic seizures reduce the mother's and baby's oxygen supply and can cause injury or miscarriage. Status epilepticus has been reported to result in the death of the fetus in up to 50% of cases.
Epilepsy, anti-epileptic drugs, and the risk of birth defects

Women with epilepsy are slightly more likely to have a baby with a birth defect than women without epilepsy. Most of this risk seems to be related to anti-epileptic drugs. Birth defects usually happen very early in the pregnancy, even before a woman knows she is pregnant. Certain drugs may increase the risk of:

*
a deformity of the face called cleft lip
*
a heart condition known as ventricular septal defect
*
abnormalities in the development of the central nervous system, called neural tube defects
*
minor abnormalities of the face and fingers

Read more HERE. This link will give you a LOT of information.

*Hugs*

-Ellie

yeah there is a lot of information there for women with epilepsy who want to have kids. But I am a man. I mean that myself, having epilepsy, if i marry a woman without epilepsy what the side-effects from myself trying to reproduce with her may be.

there are some concerns for males/Depakote.

Because Depakote lowers carnitine levels, it may inferfere with sperm production. L-Carnitine is a treatment for low sperm levels.

Here is a paper suggesting Tegretol may affect sperm:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi...ournalCode=iju
and another:
http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/62/2/247

The causes of epilepsy are many.
here is an example of genetic causes:
http://www.brain.org.au/epilepsyrese...ics/index.html

I was only on Tegratol a bit as a child. I am currently on an extended release version of Depakote and i am on Primidone.

For tremors, i occasionally take the extended release inderal, but not frequently. I have taken it on an as needed basis.

My Epilepsy likely isn't genetically originated. When I was very young, a kid was playing with me and accidentally dropped me and i hit my head and back. After this, I started having seizures.