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Epilepsy and Memory Loss

Sun, 10/08/2006 - 19:36
I'm brand new to this forum. Looking it over, I don't see my major problem & don't have much info about it. I have lost alot of my memory & it supposedly is because of seizures. I have been on Neurontin since I had some blackouts, which I guess are called Absence Seizures. I just blank out & my eyes get glassy. I want to know if the memory loss & "feeling weird" are the result of having Epilepsy, or could they be from meds? I also take Effexor XR for depression. I tried to go off that when I thought maybe I'd been mistakenly diagosed with depression before they realized I have Epilepsy. That resulted in some very bad mental & emotional health problems. I'm taking both now, & the memory loss & (sometimes)weird feelings persist. Anyone out there know anything about these issues?

Comments

Re: Epilepsy and Memory Loss

Submitted by kimberly.truong on Fri, 2012-06-01 - 19:56
I have partial complex epilepsy. I don't want to say I have memory loss, because that kind of implies that I know I forgot something. I don't remember things, and I don't even KNOW that I've forgotten it unless something comes up. I write things on my hand, pack things in my phone and carry a padfolio and ipad around everywhere I go. Again, I don't "forget" things... they just vanish in my brain, so I don't even know that I've forgotten something.

Re: Epilepsy and Memory Loss

Submitted by carmine7 on Thu, 2008-12-18 - 21:38

As a result of a auto accident, I suffered my first focal seizure. Over the next seven years, I experienced frequent seizures. After these episodes ended, I now have only sketchy memories of those years. It feels as if seven years were taken out of my life

As a result of a auto accident, I suffered my first focal seizure. Over the next seven years, I experienced frequent seizures. After these episodes ended, I now have only sketchy memories of those years. It feels as if seven years were taken out of my life

Re: Epilepsy and Memory Loss

Submitted by emilyseizure on Tue, 2009-07-07 - 16:18

 July 7th 2009

I can see that this discussion took place mostly during 2006, however I would still like to express myself even if no one reads this.

Firstly, I have temporal lobe epilepsy - grand mal seizures, myoclonic epilepsy and auras. I am taking 325 mg of Lamictal and 500 mg of Keppra.

Secondly, I have serious short term memory problems.

I am 25 and two weeks ago I was fired from my job at a phone/call center. I was a recent hire and had been looking for a job for the past 6 month. I was let go because I couldn't remember the training. It took tons of notes, but that technique didn't work. In a work environment, I simply cannot carry around notes and re-learn the job everyday. My boss and colleagues thought that I didn't pay attention, and had behavioral problems. In reality I was trying my hardest to learn, but nothing would sink in.

I have difficulty remembering faces, past events, people I've met and any technical details relating to literally any task. I am unemployed and cannot even learn how to use a cash register. I cannot find work until I regain my memory and sharpness. To say the least, I'm in a bind.

Also, I've noticed changed in my personality. I anger more easily and I often think that the world has no regard or respect for me. I am almost positive that these changes are due to my medication and memory loss. These thoughts are not a natural part of who I am.

I am worried that I will have to leave CA to live with my parents in WA because at some point I will not be able to support myself. I don't know when I will get better or if I will get better. I'm afraid that I have permanent brain damage. It's hard having memory problems, especially for someone who is so young.

I am seizure free, except for some occasional auras, however, I'd rather have a seizure disorder that is not completely under control than a dysfunctional memory. If anyone has any advice, comments or thoughts, I would appreciate them.

Sincerely.

Emily

 July 7th 2009

I can see that this discussion took place mostly during 2006, however I would still like to express myself even if no one reads this.

Firstly, I have temporal lobe epilepsy - grand mal seizures, myoclonic epilepsy and auras. I am taking 325 mg of Lamictal and 500 mg of Keppra.

Secondly, I have serious short term memory problems.

I am 25 and two weeks ago I was fired from my job at a phone/call center. I was a recent hire and had been looking for a job for the past 6 month. I was let go because I couldn't remember the training. It took tons of notes, but that technique didn't work. In a work environment, I simply cannot carry around notes and re-learn the job everyday. My boss and colleagues thought that I didn't pay attention, and had behavioral problems. In reality I was trying my hardest to learn, but nothing would sink in.

I have difficulty remembering faces, past events, people I've met and any technical details relating to literally any task. I am unemployed and cannot even learn how to use a cash register. I cannot find work until I regain my memory and sharpness. To say the least, I'm in a bind.

Also, I've noticed changed in my personality. I anger more easily and I often think that the world has no regard or respect for me. I am almost positive that these changes are due to my medication and memory loss. These thoughts are not a natural part of who I am.

I am worried that I will have to leave CA to live with my parents in WA because at some point I will not be able to support myself. I don't know when I will get better or if I will get better. I'm afraid that I have permanent brain damage. It's hard having memory problems, especially for someone who is so young.

I am seizure free, except for some occasional auras, however, I'd rather have a seizure disorder that is not completely under control than a dysfunctional memory. If anyone has any advice, comments or thoughts, I would appreciate them.

Sincerely.

Emily

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