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Simple Partial Seizures & Long-term memory
Mon, 07/07/2008 - 05:26Hi, I am new to this forum.
I suffer from what are suspected to be Simple Partial Seizures. They are currently under investigation, and having had an MRI and EEG with nothing abnormal showing, the doctor is starting to suspect epilepsy, although nothing has been diagnosed as yet. I have always thought since they started that these simple partial seizures are just a minor inconvenience which I can live with, and as such I probably wouldn't want medication in case the side effects were worse than the actual seizures.
However recently I've started wondering if these seizures are cumulatively damaging my long-term memory. Sometimes my wife talks of things we've done, places we've been, and it's worrying that, for some things, I have no memory of them at all.
If this is the case then of course I'd want to take medication in the assumption that controlling the seizures might prevent further memory loss.
Does anyone know of a link between seizures (I believe they are temporal lobe based) and long-term memory loss? Or maybe I've just always had a lousy memory anyway?
Comments
Re: Simple Partial Seizures & Long-term memory
Submitted by ValNewLife on Mon, 2008-07-14 - 17:30
Hi there. My son's Neurologist has said that Simple Partial seizures cause no damage whatsoever. I have read that the only seizures that cause any type of damage to the brain is Status Epilepticus, which is when you go from one seizure to another, without any recovery time.
As far as having trouble with "word finding" and concentration, I do know that is a MAJOR side effect with many, if not all, of the AEDs.
With all of that said... I've also learned that EVERY ONE is different and reponds to illnesses and meds differently.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Have a great day! ~Val~
Hi there. My son's Neurologist has said that Simple Partial seizures cause no damage whatsoever. I have read that the only seizures that cause any type of damage to the brain is Status Epilepticus, which is when you go from one seizure to another, without any recovery time.
As far as having trouble with "word finding" and concentration, I do know that is a MAJOR side effect with many, if not all, of the AEDs.
With all of that said... I've also learned that EVERY ONE is different and reponds to illnesses and meds differently.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Have a great day! ~Val~
Re: Simple Partial Seizures & Long-term memory
Submitted by elowry on Mon, 2011-08-01 - 12:12
I have the exact same problem. They come in clusters, usually after or during some very stressful event (like my graduate school exams) and lately I've noticed a DEFINITE decline in my memory. It's especially frustrating at work when I'm in conversation and can't think of words that I should easily remember. People will ask me about things that I did even yesterday, and I struggle to remember the details. I went to a neurologist after college, and went through every test known to man, including a long term eeg where I had those tabs on my head for a few days. Nothing showed. The neurologist swears I can't have anything, or it would have shown on the EEG. He actually treats me like I'm med seeking, or some type of addict (it's very odd). Reading these forums have been the only thing that has kept me from thinking I'm going crazy. I'm changing neurologists, and can only hope I'll find some answers. I've been trying to avoid taking any type of medication (fear of side effects) but if my memory declines any more, I may have no choice. Hopefully a new neuro will have some answers. If I have any success, I'll be sure to share.