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absence seizures memory

Thu, 11/13/2008 - 13:35
My daughter is 11 and was diagnosed a year ago with absence seizures.  For the past maybe 6 months I have noticed her memory is terrible.  She will know her math facts and then all of a sudden something switches and she no longer remembers them.  I have watched her switch and actuallly saw her face change. It was really weird.  She also gets tongue tied easily and if she reads out loud very long its like her tongue kind of gives out on her (it's the only way I can explain it).  Do any of you have these issues?  She works her butt off in school but is really struggling.  Her teachers are finally starting to see the memory thing but arent sure what steps to take next.  She is already on an IEP and is in special ed for math.  She is very bright,witty and outgoing but will not draw any attention to herself for fear she will have a seizure with everyone looking at her.  She is only having 3-4 seizures a day now which  seems liveable to us.  If you know of any special tricks or therapies to help with her memoty please let me know.     thanks    sally

Comments

Re: absence seizures memory

Submitted by praizin on Tue, 2009-02-24 - 17:36
My daughter is 8 with absence seizures, night seizures, and ocipital lobe epilepsy. Her memory was good until Depakote. She was at the top of her class in 2nd grade. But was making mostly F's in third. Recently, I pulled her out of school and decided to home school. I have also noticed a learning problem with the Depakote too. But, this drug along with Lamictal works best for her. So, I will home school until she grows out of it or until there is a new med that will work for her.

Re: absence seizures memory

Submitted by rikk on Tue, 2009-02-24 - 18:32
hi,  straight and simple, it's time for a re-evaluation and change of medication.  there are other drugs that can have less of that type of side effect, and have a better effect toward seizure control.    hope it helps   rikk

Re: absence seizures memory

Submitted by mgarcia on Fri, 2009-04-10 - 12:52

I understand how you feel because there doesn't seem to many answers out there. Once the Doctors stop the seizures, their part is done. Then you are left to figure out the school stuff on your own!

My daughter is 8 with absence seizures.. we have tried lots of drugs, we are now on depakote and diamox. There comes a point when there has to be a trade off.. no seizures...or memory loss...we picked memory loss. We are currently going to have her tested with a Developmental Dr who seems to know what she will need as far as learning and we are going to call an IEP with the school to get her more help in the classroom. We currently have a 504 in place with the school but it is just not enough. We are going have her tested by the school district. This way the Developmental Dr can go over what the school thinks she need and what she feels our daughter needs.. I think if you haven't already, you might consider having your daughter see a Developmentally Doctor. They are expertise in this area and can help with what our child may need in classroom to help her learn. 

I understand how you feel because there doesn't seem to many answers out there. Once the Doctors stop the seizures, their part is done. Then you are left to figure out the school stuff on your own!

My daughter is 8 with absence seizures.. we have tried lots of drugs, we are now on depakote and diamox. There comes a point when there has to be a trade off.. no seizures...or memory loss...we picked memory loss. We are currently going to have her tested with a Developmental Dr who seems to know what she will need as far as learning and we are going to call an IEP with the school to get her more help in the classroom. We currently have a 504 in place with the school but it is just not enough. We are going have her tested by the school district. This way the Developmental Dr can go over what the school thinks she need and what she feels our daughter needs.. I think if you haven't already, you might consider having your daughter see a Developmentally Doctor. They are expertise in this area and can help with what our child may need in classroom to help her learn. 

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