Seizures, Seizure Medication and Short Term Memory Problems
 

Greetings again.

I've had transient periods of short term memory loss for a while, even before my seizures developed. Now my short term memory is becoming exponentially worse. I understand that anti-seizure medication can cause this problem, as well as the seizures themselves. If any of you have short term memory issues, how are you coping? Any suggestions?

I have also had a few episodes when I wake up, get out of bed, walk around, but feel as though I am still dreaming, a feeling I can't shake for some time. I do have seizures both day and night. This sensation of being caught inside a dream is quite scary. Is this familiar to anyone else?

Hi Oriana,
Take my word my short term memory has gotten really bad over the past few yrs. since I had brain surgery and they removed all of my right hippocampus which is one area for short term memory and learning. I've been told to do a lot of math, word search puzzles as well as brain teasers to help better my memory.
What concerns me is how you have mentioned that you get out of bed walk around and still feel like you are in a dream. I'm no neuro but it sounds like you may be having complex partial seizures or possibly a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. You should call your neuro and let them now what's going on. a.s.a.p.
Here's wishing you well and May God bless You!

Sue

I too get that dream like state from time to time, never really considered to be a seizure, just thought I was in a fog. I dont like it, just considered it to be part of my new reality (I too have had brain surgery and continue to take AED's). My seizures are few and far between but who really knows anymore. It does remind me of my complex partials and gives me the heebee geebees..
My memory is terrible, I mean really terrible. But like Sue, my hippocampus was removed and the seizure meds only make it worse. I am going for neuropsych testing next monday for disability to find out just how bad it is. It was bad after surgery but its even worse with the medication. I would switch, but Topamax is the only med I've ever been on that has controlled my migraines as well as my seizures so as you can imagine I am VERY hesitant to mess with that.

I get into these dreams where I am having some kind of nightmare, and I try screaming in my sleep but nothing comes out of my mouth. I can't wake myself up either. It is a really strange feeling and it only started a couple weeks ago when I started taking a new medication for seizures.

I am very surprised about my memory right now. I had sz 36 years, finally had the surgery, have been sz-free since (4.5 years). I started reducing lamictal 4 3years ago and have been med-free 3 mos. My memory is coming back with a vengence. I am shocked. I never realized how much of the problem was meds. I am actually remembering peoples' names and my dyslexia is GONE! I think the meds caused far more problems than the szs ever did.

Great to have you with us, Bella!!!
 

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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 of fellow members here to assist as possible. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I had surgery last december and have not had a seizure since then. Iam always able to remember my dreams now. I will be seeing my neuro this coming Monday, he said we could reduce my meds, if everything is going o.k.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene :hug:

I walked around during sleep late in my epilepsy history. Id wake up in different places my home like on top of the washer and dryer or in front of the TV like it was morning. I don't know if maybe I dreamed something and acted out my dream, but my doc said it was complex partial seizures. I have no memory of the actual process of getting from the bed to the landing place. I had surgery shortly thereafter. I can smoke asleep too which is not safe. I have had what seemed like a partial dream when I was really walking down the mall in my city. Did not at all remember the trip. That was a complex partial too.
When I lowered my Keppra, I immediately felt happier. I am down to half the dose I was on but have never been off all meds since I was 14. My memory seems better, and it has improved since surgery. My IQ has jumped 15 points too. The Psychologist who read my tests in 2009, wrote that my memory should improve even more as long as I stayed seizure free. This is exciting but hard to know what to do with all this good fortune surgery gave me. I am trying though. I also find I remember my dreams a little better than I did before. Tattoo