Word recovery and speach

Hi Biogal- I am not on that med but since I started having szrs I have developed this problem, especially recently. Its not so much like I can't recall what a thing is called (like a dog) but in mid sentence, I will forget what I was saying.or I can't find the proper words; very annoying. Don't know if its related to my meds (topomax)though or not. Chris W.

I have had epilepsy since I was about 9, and I'm 32. I have a left frontal/temporal brain tumor. I began having problems with seizures when I was 12, and was put on Tegretol, which I have been on ever since. I remember beginning to have word finding problems about that time. Before that I was excellent, and ahead of my age verbally. I am still talented in that area, but have a hard time recalling words, remembering names, expressing myself, and conversing. Sometimes I am better, but the word finding thing can be embarrassing. Some of this is probably due to medication. I have been trying to think of things to do when I can't verbalize something. Usually, if I just don't get too upset, it will come to me soon enough. If I just can't remember, I try to describe it. In most conversations this is not a problem. "Normal" people also sometimes experience the same thing, so they understand. I think that the amount of time that actually elapses is not as long as it seems. It is more obvious to us because we are more tuned in to it. In places where it is really important to be eloquent, I'm not sure what to do. I think that the worst thing is to let on that you feel humiliated, or frustrated, or incompetent. Getting upset makes it worse. Maybe you can think of something to say, a joke or something. It might be ok to say, "the word has escaped me", because everyone usually knows what it is you are trying to say anyhow and can supply the word. Unfortunately, if somebody judges you because of this there is not much you can do. You can just try to do your best to impress them in other ways. Matthew