Short Term Memory Loss - Epilepsy Message Board

Utahmom · 10-18-2002, 07:22 PM

My son (15 years old, born with Hydrocephalus) had a very long seizure a month ago. He was given what I believe was an overdose of medication in the hospital to stop the seizure. We took him home after a week in the hospital and he was like a stroke victim (side-effects from the Dilantin), but as the Dilantin wore off, he was finally able to walk, stay awake and back to his normal self. However, there is one lingering effect that I'm not sure may be a long-term damage from the seizure. He still has short-term memory loss. He goes to school, but can't remember what he did in his classes, or what his homework is. And yet, sometimes, he will remember something later about school that he didn't remember before. Or, he will just do his homework and then try to do it again, because he can't remember that he just finished it.

Has anyone ever had this happen? The neurologist says it's too soon to tell if it is damage caused by the seizure. If so, did your memory come back?

The reason he had his seizure was because we took him off his medication (with consultation from his neurologist - since he had not had a seizure for 6 years - was talking Depakote). I now realize this was a big mistake and that I should have done more research before making this decision. Hindsight it 20/20. Jared forgot to take his medicine so much that we thought he must not need it. Big mistake.

------------------

Rebecca's Mom · 10-20-2002, 05:20 PM

Wow - how difficult is that? Its so hard to figure everything out....My 17 year old had stroke like symptoms for @1 month, but not the result of taking her off meds? It seemed to be the result of too many seizures. All her functions came back, but she is developmentally delayed so cognitive abilities aren't easy to measure. We have, however, taken her off all her meds, many times without negative results - who knows. It is always a gamble.......wishing you progress and patience.........Paula (Rebecca's Mom)

JSP · 11-04-2002, 01:27 PM

It seems that as time goes on, my memory gets worse... I never had the best memory to begin with, but it's pretty bad now. It's one of the most annoying and aggrevating things to deal with, for me and my friends and family. I'm not sure if it's the epilepsy itself that causes it or the medication. I'm on 800mg of Dilantin a day, if that helps... I try to keep an organizer or notepad on me at all times... but I generally forget to bring it with me. hehe

It's the best way, but I need to train myself to keep it with me and jot things down. It's tough to pick up a habit when you want to.

-John

Utahmom · 11-04-2002, 04:19 PM

Thanks for the info - I've found that if I help Jared put sticky notes on his assignments with notes like 'English - hand in' and then a list of things he might need to ask like 'Ask your math teacher the due date for your assignment', he is able to remember better.

So, I guess we'll deal with it - come what may.

------------------
Mother of 15 year old son, Jared, born with Hydrocephalus and takes Depakote for seizures.

Lemons · 12-19-2002, 11:14 AM

Hi. I am a new user to this site. I am a caretaker for my father who is 73 and had a silent stroke about 6 years ago. The resulting siezures were treated with Dilantin. In June of this year, they diagnosed him with "brain damage" as a result of dilantin toxicity. They have switched his med to Lamectol however, the damage is done. He has polio as well, and now has increased difficulty with his balance and severe short term memory loss. I have taken him to a new neurologist and am considering having him evaluated to determine the extent of the damage. His "brain damage" was revealed through an MRI. Has your son had one of these? I am looking for some support/information from others who have had or are having these problems. Many thanks. I welcome e mails.