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Epilepsy and Memory Loss
Sun, 10/08/2006 - 19:36Comments
Re: Epilepsy and Memory Loss
Submitted by needja on Wed, 2009-08-05 - 22:21
Great forum...at 56 with a lifetime history of epilepsy of unknown orgin I've had my share of Grand-Mals and complex partial....anyway as for memory loss...you bet ya big time. I did a document for our local Senior Center several weeks ago and passed it out to all the Board Members. They discussed it today and I knew nothing about creating this document! I looked at it, they and I were impressed but I have no recall of doing this!! I came home and checked into my computer and documents and there it is!!
What I am wondering....absent seizures?? This is not a first time occurance. Forget names a face recognition, individuals continually say hello to me and I haven't a clue who they are! I am active in the County and do know a lot of people. "you don't remember" seems to be a upcoming montra from my friends. At least they are kind and understanding. My last Grandmal, that I know of, I live alone, was at nite on 11/21/08 I awoke and had eaten the left side of my tongue, literally! I slept for the next 48 hours. I have been on Mysoline since I was 20 and additionally topamax for the last 10 years.
There are so many of us with this "disease" that is seldom spoken of or shared with legislative health care issues and changes it's a shame....the cost of medication alone without insurance!! I have gone to Canada for mine. Been a licensed Vocational Nurse x 35 years and finally qualified for SSD a couple of months ago. I have 3 fused cervical discs from seizures and another possible surgery needed.
Anyway thank you for letting me share....I will forget I did this within the next several days!! lol lol lol
Great forum...at 56 with a lifetime history of epilepsy of unknown orgin I've had my share of Grand-Mals and complex partial....anyway as for memory loss...you bet ya big time. I did a document for our local Senior Center several weeks ago and passed it out to all the Board Members. They discussed it today and I knew nothing about creating this document! I looked at it, they and I were impressed but I have no recall of doing this!! I came home and checked into my computer and documents and there it is!!
What I am wondering....absent seizures?? This is not a first time occurance. Forget names a face recognition, individuals continually say hello to me and I haven't a clue who they are! I am active in the County and do know a lot of people. "you don't remember" seems to be a upcoming montra from my friends. At least they are kind and understanding. My last Grandmal, that I know of, I live alone, was at nite on 11/21/08 I awoke and had eaten the left side of my tongue, literally! I slept for the next 48 hours. I have been on Mysoline since I was 20 and additionally topamax for the last 10 years.
There are so many of us with this "disease" that is seldom spoken of or shared with legislative health care issues and changes it's a shame....the cost of medication alone without insurance!! I have gone to Canada for mine. Been a licensed Vocational Nurse x 35 years and finally qualified for SSD a couple of months ago. I have 3 fused cervical discs from seizures and another possible surgery needed.
Anyway thank you for letting me share....I will forget I did this within the next several days!! lol lol lol
Re: Epilepsy and Memory Loss
Submitted by emilyseizure on Tue, 2009-07-14 - 14:07
Hi Tricia, It sounds like you are having occasional nocturnal seizures - grand mal nocturnal seizures. The cheek bite is a pretty good indicator. Have you talked with your doctor about nocturnal seizures? If you are having them, you might want to adjust your medication level - if you are taking medicine. Breakout seizures every once in a while show that the medication is not doing its job. When you wake up after having bitten your cheek, do you feel really tired? But congratulations on the limited number of grand mals that you have experienced. Only 3!!! (clearly identified ones). Thats great! I've had so many that I haven't bothered counting. On the 20th I'm taking a neuropsychological exam. Hope my doctor and I will learn something about my memory from it. Sincerely, EmilyP