Can a seizure cause any long-term brain damage? My husband feels like he has memory loss; I think it's the medication.He had a gran-mal a month ago that lasted 5 minutes. Before that one, he's only had 2 others- 7 years ago and 20 years ago. Any thoughts?

coachdad
Depending on where the seizures are coming from it can affect your memory. My complex partial seizures come from the temporal lobe and the hipocampus. My memory is terrible. I had a right temporal lobectomy in 1994. Unsuccessful. My memory has become worse over time. My long term is intact but don't ask me what I did yesterday. I carry a note pad in my pocket. Just have to remember to look at it! What medication does he take? Does his doctor think it may be the medication? I've learned to ask a lot of questions. I don't always get an answer. I get a lot of I don't knows. But I ask anyway. Tell him I wish him the best of luck and hang in there!
Take care Johnna

Hi- thanks for writing back. He is on Trileptal. He has reduced the dosage on his own since being on it for about 6 weeks. He couldn't function being on the full dose. He wants to get off it altogether. He feels like he'd rather have a seizure once every 7 years than stay drugged out on medication. He also feels that he has no way to know if his memory is shot from the medication or the seizure. Any thoughts? Thanks.

This was something that, 1. I had never heard before and 2. had me rather concerned. So I had to get some definitive answers.
I saw my epileptologist yesterday and among all the things that are going on I asked her about seizures causing brain damage.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that has wondered this. I know some of you may already have this question answered - but many of you (including me) do not.

* There is no scientific/medical data to support that the electrical misfirings in the brain associated with epilepsy cause any long term brain damage.

* Falling, brain contusions, concussions, skull fractures etc. associated with Grand Mal, or generallized seizures have been known to form scar tissue on the brain known to cause some kind of brain damage.

* AED's (Anti-Epileptic Drugs) - there is medical fact supporting that some drugs (phenobarbital is the biggest offender) is known to cause long term 'effects', if brain damage is one of those is not known - becuase many of the people who are on large amounts of AED's also have many GM's which includes many falls and concussions leaving them open to brain damage in other ways than the drugs themselves.

I wanted to clear this up for anyone else who was frightened that seizures alone may/may not cause brain damage. There is not medical data to support that seizures themselves cause brain damage - it is usually the falls associated with GM that causes brain damage.

Jennifer


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Long QT Syndrome Survivor
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Hi there just to add that maily brain damage is like mai_ling said due to falls it is also likely to occur with lack of oxygen maybe if in status too long etc!! Also to add my husband had his first epileptic siezure at the age of 17 he lost his licence etc and he said at that point he wanted to take his life!! He had Grand Mals most of these were status but the good news it took 3 years but he is now under control with epilum he takes 1300 mgs per day and has been siezure free for 11 years. He now has his own business courier can you believe it and although he is forgetfulland does have mood swings at time his life is now good!!

PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP HOPE

Praying you all get you happy ending

Take Care
Hugs
Tracey

I believe that brain damage can occur from both the physical injuries inflicted during GM seizures, injuries due to head traumas, sometimes surguries themselves can cause further damage, and I also believe that continuous status epilepticus seizures ccan cause damage.
I have gone into status 4-5 times over the past 16 yrs., and do have some short-term memory loss.
My MRIs' have shown some signs of atrophy (dead spot).
I do know that most medications cause some memory loss also. In my case, memory loss is not serious, mostly aggravating! I only fear going into status, as it's always life-threatening.


[This message has been edited by coconut (edited 04-11-2001).]

Thank you Mai_Lin for your very informative answer to the question about brain damage. I have had E since I was three. I am now 49 and have had periods of over 12 years seizure free, without meds. Over the past three years they have started again whenever I am physically hurt or sick. On Christmas night I had three seizures, which has never happened to me before. I am back on the Dilantin and feeling fine, except for some short term memory loss. I've wondered about the cause. I really feel for those who are diagnosed later in life...it must be devastating. I am quite used to it but it must be very frightening for the newly diagnosed. Good Luck all in your quest for a seizure free life. I've enjoyed all of the input on this site. CAT