amnesia after seizure

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I am 76 yo female.Had seizures for 13 years.Started with 2 gran mal now have partial complex.My question is about having seizure,then acting normal but no memory of it or actions after seizure.Anyone else do that/May last an hour where I act normal but do not remember it.

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Re: amnesia after seizure

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2007-01-04 - 06:58

Not remembering all or part of a seizure, or even events after it are not unusual. They happen in seizures that affect the memory areas of the brain. Complex partial seizures can do this as they most often occur in the temporal lobes which are important for memory. During one of these, person may not be aware of events,and afterwards (called the postictal period) they are still confused or not aware for a period of time. This occurs as the brain is recovering from the seizure. When memory lapses last a long time, sometimes testing is done (with prolonged EEG tests) to look at what is happening during that time. This can be especically important if a person is alone when the seizures occur and can't tell what happened or how many seizures they may have had. Having the EEG testing may allow the doctor to see if the person is having one or more during the time they are not aware of events, and if the confusion is from the recovery period or something else.

Here is a link to information on complex partial seizures, understanding seizures, first aid and testing. Make a list of questions to take to the doctor! The more answers the better!

www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_complexpartial.html

www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/firstaid_seizures.html

www.epilepsy.com/web/animation.php?swf=what_is

www.epilepsy.com/info/seniors.html

Hope this helps! Welcome aboard!

Epilepsy.com Resource Specialist

Not remembering all or part of a seizure, or even events after it are not unusual. They happen in seizures that affect the memory areas of the brain. Complex partial seizures can do this as they most often occur in the temporal lobes which are important for memory. During one of these, person may not be aware of events,and afterwards (called the postictal period) they are still confused or not aware for a period of time. This occurs as the brain is recovering from the seizure. When memory lapses last a long time, sometimes testing is done (with prolonged EEG tests) to look at what is happening during that time. This can be especically important if a person is alone when the seizures occur and can't tell what happened or how many seizures they may have had. Having the EEG testing may allow the doctor to see if the person is having one or more during the time they are not aware of events, and if the confusion is from the recovery period or something else.