First, I want to introduce myself, as I am new to this board.
I have had seizures since early childhood (undiagnosed - my family thought I was just "weird" since I never lost conciousness). My simple partials turned into complex partials at age 25 (I am 33 now). This is when I was diagnosed, and found out about the childhood seizures.
I still deal with daily seizures, but meds have definately reduced the number of seizures I have in a day. I am on 200 mg Lamictal x2 daily, 500 mg. Keppra x2 daily.
On to the memory problems. I noticed that many people deal with memory dificulties. I'm not sure if the meds have affected my memory. My memory has been worsening for several years now. The neuro said this is due to the seizures themselves.
My main memory problem is my language skills. My spelling ability has gone down the tubes, thank goodness for spell check! I also have trouble recalling words, even the simplist ones. My family (even my 9 yr old) finish my sentences for me and give me the word I am looking for frequently.
To combat my memory problem, I decided to really exercise the language center. I chose to learn a new language. I picked Latin, as I felt it would challenge me. I take 30 minutes to an hour a week to work on it. I am just self teaching it at home. This has really helped me. It has not completely fixed my memory problems, but I noticed a definate improvement.
Just thought that I would share this with others. It might help someone.
HI Ashnan, YOurs is a neat and unique way to work on the memory problems!! It can often help if you do work on trying to improve it! Meds and seizures can both have a negative impact...
http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1063660566.html
Best wishes with learning Latin!! Thanks for sharing
http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1063660566.html
Best wishes with learning Latin!! Thanks for sharing
I can totally relate. My short term memory has slowly been going down hill for some time now (I'm 24yrs-old). It drives me and everyone nuts because my boss or my boyfriend will tell me something then and if I don't write it down, I forget. I recently went back to school, I thought that by taking a few classes would help with my memory and to keep my mind sharp. My basic chem teacher is a god sent!!! He is totally understanding and helps me with my work and even lets me bring in a recording device, so that I can tape his lectures. My Math teacher has shown me techquies(sp?) for remembering formulas and algebraic equations and stuff. I have a friend at work that helps me with some of my stuff, so that I don't get in trouble. The biggest thing that I have to remember is that I have to write everything down. I make to-do-lists and have alerts on my calendars to let me know when appointments are and other important stuff is. Its tough, But Hang in there!!! 
Ashnan & singlemom: I can totally relate.
My short term memory is almost totally gone and my recall isn't much better.
It's caused problems with my job too but that's a whole other story. Besides this I have slurred speech and very poor gait and coordination(as well as several other side effects from the meds), people think I'm drunk. I've even been pulled over by the police as DUI until they saw my medic alert bracelet.
Lots more to say but I don't want to bore you all.
Randy (ontario, Canada)
Your never boring Ranman! 
I may be new to this forum but I am a veteran to epilepsy and all that is involved in the day to day struggle, I feel by reading the posts that I for the first time have someone to speak to. At the moment I am not able to work due to my epilepsy (this is a first for me) depression is very bad, my seizures are very bad and I am just needing to talk...in short I just wanted to say that this forum is a true god send for me. I hope to see some of you on the chat line later.
Graffix_sk
Graffix_sk
Memeory sucks. I have 3 spiral notebooks and a loose leaf binder in my room. It's to remember when to talk to my kids and get online with them. I would never find a webpage if I didn't have them. I do algebra in an attemt to recover something. I've had epilepsy for 15 or 20 years now so the memory problems I have are here to stay. I forget my nephews names. after seizures I forget my kids names. I've had them for at least 18 years. I take 3 meds, dilantin 300mg zonegran 400mg and lamictal 350mg. It might have something to do with them too. I hope a Latin helps. My prayers are with you and all. Jeff
Graffix_sk,
Sorry to hear about the job. I understand how depressing that can be.
I was fired from my job when my boss found out that I was epileptic. He said that he didn't realize that he had hired someone with a disability and he felt that he should not have to continue to employ a disable person. No matter how hard I tried to explain that it would not effect my work, especially since he hadn't noticed in the year and a half that I worked there before he found out, but he would not listen to anything I said. He had his mind made up.
This was a year ago, and have not found work since. Somedays, the depression is a pity-party waiting to happen, but these forums always help me rise above it.
Sorry to hear about the job. I understand how depressing that can be.
I was fired from my job when my boss found out that I was epileptic. He said that he didn't realize that he had hired someone with a disability and he felt that he should not have to continue to employ a disable person. No matter how hard I tried to explain that it would not effect my work, especially since he hadn't noticed in the year and a half that I worked there before he found out, but he would not listen to anything I said. He had his mind made up.
This was a year ago, and have not found work since. Somedays, the depression is a pity-party waiting to happen, but these forums always help me rise above it.
Graffix_sk,
First off, WOW, I don't know where you're from but I'm from Canada and as per the Human Rights Code of Canada, It is illegal to fire or not hire an employee with a disability. This is a form of descrimination and is not tolerated. Especially if you have already been working there for over a year with no problems.
The law states that the employer must provide "adequate" accomodations for the employee even if it includes making necessary adjustments to the work area or furniture/equipment, even if this means sending the employee for neuro/psyc testing to determine what you can/can't do.
That way it is documented and the employer can determine what modifications are required for your job, or necessary modifications to your job description.
This only proves again that there are so many people out there from the "old school" who still think that if you have epilepsy or a seizure condition, you are a bad person or possessed by the devil.
The only way the employer can get arount this is if they can PROVE that the disabled employee is a danger to themselfs or others like a heavy equipment operator or airline pilot etc OR if they can PROVE that the job has become redundant.
Up here in Canada, an employer can face stiff fines for discriminating or even jail time.
I would not however recommend taking them to court because they will get a good lawer and find a loop hole to get out of the charge BUT they shoud be reported to the Department of Labour and then let the cards fall where they may.
I talk from experience as my employer of over 29 years descriminated against me but since I work for the Canadian Government, I knew the proper chanels to go through and after a 4 year fight, I won the battle, they terminated my job and put me on termination with full pay until Feb/05 and then DISABILITY insurance after that for 2 years at 75% of my full pay and then medical retirement 'til age 65 and then my pension. So they're paying me to stay home.
I could go on for hours but if you want to know more you can e-mail me remarcot@mountaincable.net
Randy (Ontario, Canada)
Post Edited (RanMan) : 9/25/2004 7:57:00 PM (GMT-6)
I just want to say YUCK to memory loss. I can't remember alot of normal everyday things. I am 24 and have only been on the Meds for almost 4 weeks. I can't remember anything, things I have interest in or not. Even a song I have known and loved forever, ask me the artist, and I go blank. I also get startled very easily now. Err, I can't take the memory loss, hoping it was gonna get better, but I think this is just a side effect of the Keppra, PPL5
PS~
Welcome ASHNAN!! :)
Welcome ASHNAN!! :)
I can totally relate to the memory problem. I had my RTL removed during epilepsy surgery. That combined with 33 years of sz's and aed's has put my short term memory up there with someone who has alzheimer's, no punn intended. And sometimes when i'm on the computer what I plan on typing and what ends up on the screen are two different things. I look at it and go "Where did that come from?" I think memory problems is something that anyone with E can relate too.
Christine
I'm new here and I've just been going through some older posts, and this one really hit home!
I had my first and only grand mal seizure in January which led to my diagnosis following two abnormal EEGs. I guess its pretty common to have pretty intense memory loss surrounding a grand mal seizure - I have no memory of the event itself, and my memory of the week leading up to it as well as the week after is full of holes and complete (I mean COMPLETE) blank spots. Scary!
But I've also noticed my short term memory is just flat out faulty now! I bought a planner/notebook to write things in, but the trouble is that half the time I don't remember to bring it, write in it or read it hehe. What I do most of the time now is just keep repeating things over and over to myself. One of the hardest tasks for me is looking up a phone number in the phone book. I'll find it, say it to myself, turn to grab the phone and then its gone already.. I often have to do this about 3 times to finally get it. I know for some thats not too weird, but I used to remember EVERYTHING. I'm only 24, and I can fully relate the the memory problems my parents are encountering with age!
-Em
I had my first and only grand mal seizure in January which led to my diagnosis following two abnormal EEGs. I guess its pretty common to have pretty intense memory loss surrounding a grand mal seizure - I have no memory of the event itself, and my memory of the week leading up to it as well as the week after is full of holes and complete (I mean COMPLETE) blank spots. Scary!
But I've also noticed my short term memory is just flat out faulty now! I bought a planner/notebook to write things in, but the trouble is that half the time I don't remember to bring it, write in it or read it hehe. What I do most of the time now is just keep repeating things over and over to myself. One of the hardest tasks for me is looking up a phone number in the phone book. I'll find it, say it to myself, turn to grab the phone and then its gone already.. I often have to do this about 3 times to finally get it. I know for some thats not too weird, but I used to remember EVERYTHING. I'm only 24, and I can fully relate the the memory problems my parents are encountering with age!
-Em
Hey Emeria,
I feel the same way you do! My memory is a gonner sometimes. I have Lupus as well, which doesn't help the memory thing! I'm only 30, and I feel sometimes like I'm older in my brain than my 80 year old grandma! Hehe! Not nice! You're not alone, there are a lot of us!!
Lvoe
Ginny
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1
I am 43 and have almost no short-term memory. Just now I was trying to remember the drug I am on. It's Carbatrol. I e-mailed a friend tonight, in reply to her e-mail. But I might have already replied, I just can't remember. I call is CRS Disease. (Can't Remember Sh**) I hope that's allowed. Anyway, it's getting pretty bad and I don't even have epilepsy. I've just had seizures, 3 of them. They were grand-mal seizures.
JSaari - haha, I like your take on it. I think a lot of us here suffer from CRS ;)
You say you don't have epilepsy - can I ask what caused your seizures?
Grand mal seizures are also the worst for memory problems I think. At least surrounding them its horrible. Around mine I lost about 70% of my memories for the week before and after the seizure. My friends and family got so confused because I seemed completely coherent and normal afterwards, but my brain simply wasn't building memories, and about a month to even 6 months later I would still randomly ask questions about something during that time. Like.. I couldn't drive after it happened, but I was out of town at the time. All the sudden one day I freaked out because I couldn't logically piece together how my car got home... I just couldn't remember! So I had to have my mother explain it to me. She was baffled trying to understand how I just 'forgot'. Its so annoying! I've always been a bright girl, but now sometimes I have to have things explain to me a couple times. Its not because I'm dumb... its just because I don't remember from the first time!
You say you don't have epilepsy - can I ask what caused your seizures?
Grand mal seizures are also the worst for memory problems I think. At least surrounding them its horrible. Around mine I lost about 70% of my memories for the week before and after the seizure. My friends and family got so confused because I seemed completely coherent and normal afterwards, but my brain simply wasn't building memories, and about a month to even 6 months later I would still randomly ask questions about something during that time. Like.. I couldn't drive after it happened, but I was out of town at the time. All the sudden one day I freaked out because I couldn't logically piece together how my car got home... I just couldn't remember! So I had to have my mother explain it to me. She was baffled trying to understand how I just 'forgot'. Its so annoying! I've always been a bright girl, but now sometimes I have to have things explain to me a couple times. Its not because I'm dumb... its just because I don't remember from the first time!
I had my seizure because of being over-medicated on Ultram/Tramadol. The last time landed me in the hospital. I hope my memory gets better with time. This is ridiculous. At least I can still remember who my husband is, at least I think I can remember.......oh screw it!
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JSaari,
You mentioned that your seizures were caused from over medication.
It is VERY important that you find the right "cocktail" of medications and not over-medicate.
 I have an interesting story about my 40 year old sister who was dx'd with EP when she was 13 yrs old.
At that time she didn't see a specialist, but instead, saw her family doc who over prescribed pheonobarb and dilantin, so much that it became toxic in her system and caused brain damage after long term use.
It (the grande mal seizure) was triggered when she got her first menstrual cycle.(puberty)
At that time, my mother took her to the family doc. but instead of getting a second opinion, she let the family doc. over medicate her.
The meds were so powerful that she has never advanced past age 13. Now she's 40 and has never worked a day in her life or played any sports and couldn't even complete high school or have a family because she was constantly in a fog and everything is "TOO STRESSFUL".
I blame my mother for most of her problems because every time my mother takes her to see a doc. if she doesn't hear what SHE wants, she takes her to another doc. because she doesn't want her daughter to be labeled as having a disability. I don't have anything to do with my mother because of what she's done to my sister.(Kelly).
Now my sister (Kelly) is so messed up that she barely regognizes me, She tried some voluteer work at the hospital and I happened to be in there one day to visit a friend and when I called out to her she didn't know who I was at first for a few minutes. When she speaks (which is rare) she looks through you. not at you. You have to speak to her like she is a 13 year old or she can't understand. She can't complete a setance without messing it up.
Her gait and co-ordination is so bad that she is always holding on to something and when she walks she always looks like she's going to fall.
She's a walking vegitable. What kind of a life is that.
My mother thinks that Doctors are stupid and just like to use big words.
Thank god I was dx'd after I had moved out or that might have happened to me.
All this from being over medicated.
And she still has several grand-mal seizures a week.
So this is what can happen if you're not careful and the meds go toxic in you're body.
I'm not looking for any help for her, she is permantley damaged and I'm just venting (pissed off)
 Randy (Ontario, Canada) |
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Wow...I am sooo sorry to hear about your sister's sistuation Randy. Really good example of why to be careful though. It is a shame your mother can't properly accept things. Its all fine to want her to not have the label of disabled, but if she actually IS disabled, its another story! She needs proper treatment.
Thankfully, my neuro is closely monitoring my medication dosage and regularly ordering bloodwork from me.
-Em
Thankfully, my neuro is closely monitoring my medication dosage and regularly ordering bloodwork from me.
-Em
Thanks Randy, it's really too bad about your sister. I'd be pissed off too. Your entire family was robbed. I'm definitely looking into the medication and trying to make sure I get the right medications and the right amounts.