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memory and seizures.

Thu, 01/06/2005 - 15:41

 I've read that a number of people on this site have bad memories. 
Is this a result of seizures or the medication?  I also have NO interest in sex.
This can be frustrating as I am married and it is not all that fair to my husband.
I'm sure anyone else out there who has the same problem knows what I mean.
  The reason I started this question is because I saw a new neurologist a few weeks ago.
I brought up both subjects.  She was of no help at all.  With regard to the sex drive she told me to talk to my family doctor.  Unfortunately my f. doctor is not too great.  She keeps increasing and decreasing my medication and making me very sick.
  As for the memory this neurologist said something about having to see a psychologist (or psychiatrist).  She refused to even discuss it with me.
  So if anyone out there knows more about this subject I would love to hear it.

thanks so much.

Comments

RE: memory and seizures.

Submitted by mexican_fire on Fri, 2004-10-15 - 17:53

Memory loss can be generated by both the drugs and the Epilepsy.

Memory problems are more common in people who have the epileptic syndrome called TLE.

The seizure disorder causes damage to a structure called the hippocampus, which is responsbile for the way that memory is stored, sorted, catagorized, retrieved, and made.

Most people suffer from short term memory loss.

THings like walking to a room and forgetting what they went there for, talking and all of a sudden can't remember what the next word was, talking to someone and they tell you something, and 10 seconds later, you don't remeber what it even was.  That type of thing.

On-going seizures can cause that structure to shrink and get hard over time, and the result is memory problems.

People who don't experience temporal lobe seizures, but who also have memory problems, it is rest assured that your meds are causing it.

For me, I have memory problems from both the TLE, and the two AEDs I take at high doses.

I take 3600 mgs of Neurontin (the max), and 1000 mgs of Depakote ER.

THe TLE has also caused problems with my speech as well.  Slurring and studdering.

IT has also caused problems with my language skills.  I can't complete a sentence a lot of the time, my spelling stinks, and I have trouble grasping the right words.

IT has also created an abnormal thought process.  It is delayed, slowed, and prcesses stuff differently than someone who doesn't have this.  It mentally, and physically slows me down. 

That is just from the Epilepsy.

The drugs thelselves don't really cause many side effects, but add to the effects of the epilepsy.

THe epilepsy is controlled for the most part.

Nancy

 

 

 

Memory loss can be generated by both the drugs and the Epilepsy.

Memory problems are more common in people who have the epileptic syndrome called TLE.

The seizure disorder causes damage to a structure called the hippocampus, which is responsbile for the way that memory is stored, sorted, catagorized, retrieved, and made.

Most people suffer from short term memory loss.

THings like walking to a room and forgetting what they went there for, talking and all of a sudden can't remember what the next word was, talking to someone and they tell you something, and 10 seconds later, you don't remeber what it even was.  That type of thing.

On-going seizures can cause that structure to shrink and get hard over time, and the result is memory problems.

People who don't experience temporal lobe seizures, but who also have memory problems, it is rest assured that your meds are causing it.

For me, I have memory problems from both the TLE, and the two AEDs I take at high doses.

I take 3600 mgs of Neurontin (the max), and 1000 mgs of Depakote ER.

THe TLE has also caused problems with my speech as well.  Slurring and studdering.

IT has also caused problems with my language skills.  I can't complete a sentence a lot of the time, my spelling stinks, and I have trouble grasping the right words.

IT has also created an abnormal thought process.  It is delayed, slowed, and prcesses stuff differently than someone who doesn't have this.  It mentally, and physically slows me down. 

That is just from the Epilepsy.

The drugs thelselves don't really cause many side effects, but add to the effects of the epilepsy.

THe epilepsy is controlled for the most part.

Nancy

 

 

 

RE: RE: memory and seizures.

Submitted by LeeMc on Tue, 2004-10-19 - 13:59

Nancy

Lee here - Sounds like a mirror reflection of me and 30 years on Dilantin and Mysolin.  Age adds to that too.  So far my speech has only been effected by the memory and the denture that has resulted from the med side effects.

Thank you for sharing the added information.  You have provided me with some more knowledge as well as questions to seek answers to concerning my own condition.  Hang in there and thanks...........Lee

Nancy

Lee here - Sounds like a mirror reflection of me and 30 years on Dilantin and Mysolin.  Age adds to that too.  So far my speech has only been effected by the memory and the denture that has resulted from the med side effects.

Thank you for sharing the added information.  You have provided me with some more knowledge as well as questions to seek answers to concerning my own condition.  Hang in there and thanks...........Lee

RE: RE: RE: memory and seizures.

Submitted by fenway on Wed, 2004-10-20 - 07:57
I have noticed that doctors comment srictly on their speciality and when it comes to some other area, they refer to another doctor.  That is just the way it is. 

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