Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Permanent Brain Loss?
Fri, 02/17/2006 - 12:05I've read that simple partial seizures from the temporal lobe affect one's ability to learn and memorize. I know that repeated seizures can cause this, but I'm not sure what is what is meant by “repeatedâ€. Is this regular seizures for years, weeks, days?
I had one grand mal almost two years ago and a couple of simple partials the next year (these are from a brain injury I acquired from a violent assault). However, since November I've experienced a simple partial most every day. Is this considered the "repeated" amount that would cause permanent damage?
I desperately miss mental clarity and have lost so much time in graduate school due to this. Plus, it scares me that I'll be less able to work or pursue more school.
I'm taking Lamictil 600mg per day, coupled with hormone replacements from previous cancer treatments.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Kristine
Comments
"I've read that simple
Submitted by solis on Sun, 2006-02-19 - 14:50
"I've read that simple partial seizures from the temporal lobe affect one's ability to learn and memorize. I know that repeated seizures can cause this, but I'm not sure what is what is meant by “repeatedâ€. Is this regular seizures for years, weeks, days?"
Not even all types of repeated seizures cause an inability to learn and memorize.
I had temporal lobe seizures since I was 3 and I later went though university. I remember I was terrible at exams in high school (what I now realize was due to having a rotten memory) so I made sure my elective marks were based on papers.
Here's a page, on the topic, that you might want to read from www.epilepsy.com
http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1064856376.html
Best of luck!
~sol
Re: Permanent Brain Loss?
Submitted by coolcanadian on Sat, 2006-02-18 - 23:06
Hi Kristine, sorry to see you're having breakthrough seizures. The only solid knowledge I have about permanent brain damage results from status epilepticus- sz lasting longer than 30 min. I'm taking 400mg of Lamictal a day, and it does interfere with my short term memory. I've set up simple coping adjustments such as lists and the like to fill in the spaces. What catches my attention though is that your E has changed such that you're having simple partials almost daily. Does you MD know? Perhaps a change in your meds could control the sz and not do as much harm to your memory. Good luck and let us know how things turn out- cc