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grades suffering from memory loss
Mon, 09/28/2009 - 23:04I am 17 years old, and i suffer from memory loss.
for about the past 5 years (has gotten ESPECIALLY bad within the past 2), my memory has been suffering. I can recall long term stuff, but short term is really bad.
My mom took me to a neurologist who examined me (about four years ago) and decided the memory loss (i also would suffer from attention issues and "blanking out," but the memory is probably the biggest issue) was because of my epilepsy, which i was diagnosed way back in first grade... i now see a psychologist who specializes in epilepsy, and i take "Kepra" medication, but i dont find it helpful... could the prescription be wrong? should i ask my doctor to up my dose?
does epilepsy even sound like the issue? could the neurologist have been wrong?
Comments
Re: grades suffering from memory loss
Submitted by sportz_nut on Thu, 2010-02-25 - 18:20
Hi there. I've been attempting college for around 8 years now and for me each year gets no easier. I've actually found for me the trade off for seizure control is medication that gives me bad memory loss and trouble concentrarting. I've had a wide spectrum of classes through the years, honestly I'd have to say I don't know if I've learned anything. I remember anatomy quizes, 15 question fill in the blank. I never passed any of them. I asked someone how long before they memorized the body parts they could do it in one study session. The frustration can make me want to try to get off some of my medication since I know I will have half a brain left. But when I'm late on my meds I have a nasty petti maul. I take horse pills of keppra and plenty of lamictal.
Hi there. I've been attempting college for around 8 years now and for me each year gets no easier. I've actually found for me the trade off for seizure control is medication that gives me bad memory loss and trouble concentrarting. I've had a wide spectrum of classes through the years, honestly I'd have to say I don't know if I've learned anything. I remember anatomy quizes, 15 question fill in the blank. I never passed any of them. I asked someone how long before they memorized the body parts they could do it in one study session. The frustration can make me want to try to get off some of my medication since I know I will have half a brain left. But when I'm late on my meds I have a nasty petti maul. I take horse pills of keppra and plenty of lamictal.
Re: grades suffering from memory loss
Submitted by skersse on Fri, 2009-10-23 - 09:50
Hi, I'm afraid I'm not 17 but 23. However, my epilepsy started when I was a teen 6 years ago. I was just wondering what type of epilepsy you have? I suffer from simple and complex partial seizures and also have memory problems. In my case my memory problems are probably directly related to my epilepsy, especially because of the region I have them (temporal lobe). I also have trouble with episodic memory, as well as the ability to memorise new stuff and find the correct word sometimes. I would seriously consider discussing with you neurologist what area of the brain your seizure takes place or where it starts as this can explain memory problems. As for Keppra, I was on it many years back now and I have to say it caused me no memory problems. As for attention issues, you are not alone there! I remeber often losing my concentration in lectures at uni (I promise most of the time it wasn't the lecturer being boring!). I'm not sure whether this can be caused by seizures, that's something you may want to bring up with your neurologist. As for you grades dropping, I was also scared of this, esp because of the number of seizures I had. Also do you have any arrangements with you school for extensions on work or special arrangements for exams?Both my school and uni were great with this: they gave me extensions on work, and rest breaks and extra time in exams. So it is def worth talking to the school. Sorry if this is too long but I hope it helps a little!
Hi, I'm afraid I'm not 17 but 23. However, my epilepsy started when I was a teen 6 years ago. I was just wondering what type of epilepsy you have? I suffer from simple and complex partial seizures and also have memory problems. In my case my memory problems are probably directly related to my epilepsy, especially because of the region I have them (temporal lobe). I also have trouble with episodic memory, as well as the ability to memorise new stuff and find the correct word sometimes. I would seriously consider discussing with you neurologist what area of the brain your seizure takes place or where it starts as this can explain memory problems. As for Keppra, I was on it many years back now and I have to say it caused me no memory problems. As for attention issues, you are not alone there! I remeber often losing my concentration in lectures at uni (I promise most of the time it wasn't the lecturer being boring!). I'm not sure whether this can be caused by seizures, that's something you may want to bring up with your neurologist. As for you grades dropping, I was also scared of this, esp because of the number of seizures I had. Also do you have any arrangements with you school for extensions on work or special arrangements for exams?Both my school and uni were great with this: they gave me extensions on work, and rest breaks and extra time in exams. So it is def worth talking to the school. Sorry if this is too long but I hope it helps a little!
Re: grades suffering from memory loss
Submitted by MikRib on Thu, 2009-10-22 - 22:58
wow so im 17 also, on keppra, have epilepsy and have definitely found that my short term memory is way worse than it used to be. this is a side efffect of keppra. I also have trouble with attention now. Im pretty sure its from the medication because my doctor did a number of tests to determine what was going on