Epilepsy and Memory

RE: Epilepsy and Memory

Submitted by Cedar on Wed, 2005-03-30 - 14:22

Let me first say good to hear you have chosen this topic. My personal experience is that I do not remeber alot of the years prior to having my seizures. I recall a few incidents but not much. I have always prided myself of having a relatively good memory. I remember dates , numbers like one with a photomemory. details and facts are much less likely to one get registered withe out much work of memorizing them. NAmes and directions are also in this . However events are one thing I continue to remember, But I notice as I enter perimenapause I am beginning to forget more which is fusturating . I have always felt as I have adapted with learning ways to keep myself remembering things. Good luck and hopethis helps.

RE: Epilepsy and Memory

Submitted by mommy2kyra on Wed, 2005-03-30 - 16:57

Hi Michelle,

Depending upon what part of the brain affected by a person's seizures, epilepsy can have a huge impact on memory. I have TLE, my seizures are primarily in the left temporal lobe, and I have noticed my memory is REALLY bad. It isn't a specific memory loss (like good times or bad times), rather it's generalized. It can take a while for me to remember specific words or names, which can then cause me to lose my train of thought entirely. I'm always forgetting who gave me this or that for Christmas or my birthday, gifts that are special.

Thankfully, my hubby doesn't take it personally...as I apologize a dozen times for forgetting that HE gave the gift to me. It's not that those weren't good times, or I didn't appreciate my lovely gift, I just can't remember. And, that's really frustrating!! So, try to keep that in mind with your sister. It really isn't easy to be the one who's always forgetting things, or be seen as "Miss Negativity".  A lot of negative memories are branded into our brains, because they evoked such strong emotions..fear, rage, whatever. Try to think of positive memories that were that strong for your family...evoking joy and passion, I'll bet your sister remembers those times.

Just my two cents, good luck with your paper. BTW, you're a good sister for trying to understand what she's going through!

Heather :)

RE: Epilepsy and Memory

Submitted by Christine on Thu, 2005-03-31 - 15:52

At the outset I'd like to express my own interest in reading your completed report on "Memory and Epilepsy." That is why most of us with "E" continue to frequent this site, so that we can learn and recognize patterns in our own deficiencies from Epilepsy. May I also suggest that you investigate specifically "Memory and Epilepsy" on this site. As for myself, I am in the process of investigating "disability benefits" as my memory is clearly an obstacle in pursuing gainful employment. For example: At my last place of employ, I had the same co-workers virtually every day, but I could not remember their names, let alone fulfill my job requirements. At my last (and final) job review my employer said "and we are finding that we have to keep telling you the same things over and over and over again....." (and I was not aware of this.) If you were to meet me you would realize a collected, savy individual, but if you got to know me better you would clearly recognize my memory deficiencies. As one contribution stated "my friends become my memory." For example if someone were to join our group, all of my friends would know to say the person's name, because otherwise I would not know it.