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TLE and Memory Loss

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 20:58

Earlier this year, I have been noticing that my memory hasn't been as good as it usually is. This past semester in college I didn't get the good grades that I am used to getting in my classes and I think that it is due to my memory in some way. On Monday, I found out that I have Medial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. The way my neurologist's nurse explained the term, it was a full diagnosis. I want to hear that again. I was happy to hear that I am a likely candidate for Epilepsy surgery and all that. I have been dealing with Epilepsy since I was 2 years old. I am 22 years old and I am happy I know my type of Epilepsy in full medical terms.

Has anyone experienced memory loss due to TLE? Any comments or responses will be very helpful.

 

Comments

Re: TLE and Memory Loss

Submitted by vivaciousgemini22 on Fri, 2013-08-16 - 20:16
Thank you. From what they told me, I have scar tissue on the left side of my brain due to a stroke I had before I was born which also caused me to have Cerebral Palsy.

Re: TLE and Memory Loss

Submitted by Frank Lee on Thu, 2013-08-15 - 22:15

A better question to ask: Has anyone with Epilepsy not experienced memory loss?

You probably have Left Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. The left side involves memory, reasoning, "cognitive ability". Mesial means the damage on the brain is involving the hippocampus. (The opposite would be "lateral", or  outside / not touching the hippocampus). Have a look at the MRI and get a good look at the hippocampus. Look for any shrinkage or reduction in size.

As a result, I will focus on one thing at a time; not "multi-task". I also write everything down. I often ask someone to repeat themselves (not embarrasing). And believe it or not, I have to scan any information I write for grammar or spelling errors.

A better question to ask: Has anyone with Epilepsy not experienced memory loss?

You probably have Left Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. The left side involves memory, reasoning, "cognitive ability". Mesial means the damage on the brain is involving the hippocampus. (The opposite would be "lateral", or  outside / not touching the hippocampus). Have a look at the MRI and get a good look at the hippocampus. Look for any shrinkage or reduction in size.

As a result, I will focus on one thing at a time; not "multi-task". I also write everything down. I often ask someone to repeat themselves (not embarrasing). And believe it or not, I have to scan any information I write for grammar or spelling errors.

Re: TLE and Memory Loss

Submitted by k35k35k35 on Fri, 2013-08-16 - 11:43
I have had epilepsy all my life(45 yrs.) and had right temporal lobectomy at 17. The surgery did lessen the amount of seizure's I have but at that time the surgery was still in research stage and did not completely rid me of my epilepsy. Even though mine was on the right side, I still had a great deal of memory loss. Retired from work 2 yrs. ago as a produce manager at a grocery chain because my memory had worsened to the point that I could not keep up with all the duties that I needed to perform even though I had been in that job for 6 year's. Given the prior statement, my management above me were constantly on my back causing great stress which caused more seizures which I believe also effects your memory. So I felt I was in a situation that would get worse before it got better and retired after 23 yrs. with the company. But you can attribute memory loss to med's, seizure's, or surgery. But the end result for all of us is that at some point there will be memory loss and if you can keep a written record of all that you need to achieve, it will make thing's much easier.

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