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.
Memory Loss - after sezuire
Fri, 07/01/2011 - 00:56Hello,
I am only new to this site, I have had epilepsy for over a year I am 19 years old, the sezuires started as grand mal sezuires and this continued for most of the year, they became more and more frequent before I started my medication I was having at least 2 or 3 a week. I started medication and have been on it for just over 6 months, every thing was going pretty well, I had one sezuire a few months after starting and then up until 2 weeks ago I have been fine. My concern is to do with the last sezuire I had. Basically, it wasnt really a 'normal' sezuire. I dont remember clearly anything that happended in the day. I have been told that I didnt blackout or have a sezuire as I would normally have, but I just forgot who I was, where I was and everyone and everything. This lasted for over 3 hours. I didnt know who my boyfriend of three years was and I fought him off me when he tried to help, I didnt even remember my mums name until 2 hours after it started. I am really worried and scared that it might happen again. I just want to know if anyone else has experience this or knows any thing about it. Thanks so much.
Comments
Re: Memory Loss - after sezuire
Submitted by scottO on Tue, 2011-07-05 - 06:45
Re: Memory Loss - after sezuire
Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Fri, 2011-07-08 - 10:36
| Epileptic Amnesia | |
When you have a seizure, ther neurons in your brain show abnormally heightened activity. And it's not uncommon for those with epilepsy to report amnesia, or memory loss, for events which happened during the period of the seizure. In many cases, the individuals also report amnesia for a short period after the seizure, which means that there is some disruption of the ability to store new information. This amnesia may last for a few minutes to a few hours after the seizure terminates. In rare cases, an individual may interact normally with his environment during a seizure, but later have no memory for the events which occurred during the seizure. This is known as a pure amnesic seizure or ictal amnesia. A person having a pure amnesic seizure doesn't show any outward symptoms, such as convulsions. You and those around you may be unaware that a seizure is occurring. For example, in one reported case, a man was able to continue playing cards while his seizure occurred, although he repeatedly asked his wife, "Why are we here?" Later, the man had no memory for the events which occurred during the seizure. It is currently believed that pure amnesic seizures occur when the seizure is limited to the hippocampus, a brain structure important in new memory formation. I hope this helps. Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com |
| Epileptic Amnesia | |
When you have a seizure, ther neurons in your brain show abnormally heightened activity. And it's not uncommon for those with epilepsy to report amnesia, or memory loss, for events which happened during the period of the seizure. In many cases, the individuals also report amnesia for a short period after the seizure, which means that there is some disruption of the ability to store new information. This amnesia may last for a few minutes to a few hours after the seizure terminates. In rare cases, an individual may interact normally with his environment during a seizure, but later have no memory for the events which occurred during the seizure. This is known as a pure amnesic seizure or ictal amnesia. A person having a pure amnesic seizure doesn't show any outward symptoms, such as convulsions. You and those around you may be unaware that a seizure is occurring. For example, in one reported case, a man was able to continue playing cards while his seizure occurred, although he repeatedly asked his wife, "Why are we here?" Later, the man had no memory for the events which occurred during the seizure. It is currently believed that pure amnesic seizures occur when the seizure is limited to the hippocampus, a brain structure important in new memory formation. I hope this helps. Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com |
Re: Memory Loss - after sezuire
Submitted by KylieAA on Mon, 2011-07-04 - 22:29
Hi there Liberty19. I was diagnosed when I was 12. My thinks I may have had it since birth as I fell limp in her arms when I was a baby. Over the years I have learn't quite alot about afteraffets. My seizures started out as petimal and then as I got older they started to become grand mal. What you experience after your seizure is pretty normal. I have woken very confused and not knowing where I am, who people are and where I am. Often I have woken with very bad migrane and nausea which turns to vomiting. My husband is a great help. He asures me of what has happened and who he is. It is normal but if it is really worrying you I suggest you see yr gp. Sometimes I wake thinking I am elsewhere and sometimes even relate to the past. I hope I was of some help too you, but as I said if it is really a big concern see your gp. I suggest that you try to stay lying down until you feel a little better and then rest for the rest of the day. If you tryed to fight off your boyfriend, he would of understood if he really cared for you.
If you haven't already, I suggest to find a local epilepsy foundation in your area. Where I live there is one in town and several nearby. Just ask your gp for some information to point you in the right direction. It would be a good idea to ask your boyfriend to go with you to have some more experience in what happens.
I hope I was of some help to you
Regards KylieAA
Hi there Liberty19. I was diagnosed when I was 12. My thinks I may have had it since birth as I fell limp in her arms when I was a baby. Over the years I have learn't quite alot about afteraffets. My seizures started out as petimal and then as I got older they started to become grand mal. What you experience after your seizure is pretty normal. I have woken very confused and not knowing where I am, who people are and where I am. Often I have woken with very bad migrane and nausea which turns to vomiting. My husband is a great help. He asures me of what has happened and who he is. It is normal but if it is really worrying you I suggest you see yr gp. Sometimes I wake thinking I am elsewhere and sometimes even relate to the past. I hope I was of some help too you, but as I said if it is really a big concern see your gp. I suggest that you try to stay lying down until you feel a little better and then rest for the rest of the day. If you tryed to fight off your boyfriend, he would of understood if he really cared for you.
If you haven't already, I suggest to find a local epilepsy foundation in your area. Where I live there is one in town and several nearby. Just ask your gp for some information to point you in the right direction. It would be a good idea to ask your boyfriend to go with you to have some more experience in what happens.
I hope I was of some help to you
Regards KylieAA