Has anyone else experienced some memory loss since being diagnosed with epilepsy and starting AED's?
Do you feel the seizures or medication are responsible for the memory loss?
I personally feel, for me, it's my seizures that have affected my memory.
My memory loss mostly relates to word and name recall. It can be very frustrating and embarrasing.
Also, before starting my medication, I had experienced Jamias Vu when driving. Nothing looked familiar to me. I could have been driving in a foreign country as that is how confused I was for several seconds. Quite scary.
Hi Nicole
I was diagnosed with epilepsy (JME) in 1999 and so far it's not controlled so I'm on quite a lot of medication and having seizures regularly since then. I've never had Jamais Vu but I noticed last year that I was having problems with my memory, mainly word and name recall (I usually remember these after some time) but I also don't remember a lot of things that have happened (mainly recently, like certain conversations, or going to places) even though other people describe these things in detail. Even after a lot of thinking I usually can't get these memories back. It feels quite scary as I'm fairly young and I wonder what will happen as I get older. I don't know whether it's the seizures, the meds or neither. However, whatever the cause, it's happening so I'm just trying to adapt. My husband bought me a camera because I can remember things I have pictures of. I've started keeping a diary so I actually turn up for things and writing a journal because I don't want to forget the details or my feelings at special occasions, or indeed from everyday life. I've started telling people about it so I don't get so embarrassed when I forget things. I often look through reminders of my past such as pictures, essays from when I was a university, and more recently my journal, just to keep things as fresh as possible in my mind. I hope you can find your own ways deal with it.
Eilidh x
Hi Nicole
I was diagnosed with epilepsy (JME) in 1999 and so far it's not controlled so I'm on quite a lot of medication and having seizures regularly since then. I've never had Jamais Vu but I noticed last year that I was having problems with my memory, mainly word and name recall (I usually remember these after some time) but I also don't remember a lot of things that have happened (mainly recently, like certain conversations, or going to places) even though other people describe these things in detail. Even after a lot of thinking I usually can't get these memories back. It feels quite scary as I'm fairly young and I wonder what will happen as I get older. I don't know whether it's the seizures, the meds or neither. However, whatever the cause, it's happening so I'm just trying to adapt. My husband bought me a camera because I can remember things I have pictures of. I've started keeping a diary so I actually turn up for things and writing a journal because I don't want to forget the details or my feelings at special occasions, or indeed from everyday life. I've started telling people about it so I don't get so embarrassed when I forget things. I often look through reminders of my past such as pictures, essays from when I was a university, and more recently my journal, just to keep things as fresh as possible in my mind. I hope you can find your own ways deal with it.
Eilidh x
Thank you Eilidh.
Great suggestions with the journal keeping, camera, and being upfront with people regarding your epilepsy and memory.
I write myself lots of little notes daily to keep track of things and have a big calendar on my fridge to remind me of upcoming events with the kids, projects, etc,
I do find my memory better lately and my word recall better as well...let's hope it keeps getting better.
Good luck to you...
__________________
Find time to spend with your kids now ; what you will always find time for later, is regret."
Has anyone else experienced some memory loss since being diagnosed with epilepsy and starting AED's?
Do you feel the seizures or medication are responsible for the memory loss?
I personally feel, for me, it's my seizures that have affected my memory.
My memory loss mostly relates to word and name recall. It can be very frustrating and embarrasing.
Also, before starting my medication, I had experienced Jamias Vu when driving. Nothing looked familiar to me. I could have been driving in a foreign country as that is how confused I was for several seconds. Quite scary.
Hi,
I have Primary Reading epilepsy and have had it for quite some time now have been on medication (Sodium Valporate) for around 6 years now. I do find that my memory does suffer quite a lot, can't remember a lot of things. I have found my self not taking my medication due to a number of factors, my memory seems to be coming back. I will be going back on my medicine soon as I feel like a fit is always on the surface, but I'm sure that the medication does have a detrimental effect on my memory. It does help me with work and every day life but parts of me feel better when I have not been on medication.
I have Primary Reading epilepsy and have had it for quite some time now have been on medication (Sodium Valporate) for around 6 years now. I do find that my memory does suffer quite a lot, can't remember a lot of things. I have found my self not taking my medication due to a number of factors, my memory seems to be coming back. I will be going back on my medicine soon as I feel like a fit is always on the surface, but I'm sure that the medication does have a detrimental effect on my memory. It does help me with work and every day life but parts of me feel better when I have not been on medication.
Thanks.
I would never stop taking my medication, unless under the supervision of my Neuro. I have been seizure free for 3 yrs so I don't want to mess with that.
Also, my siezures were nocturnal and once I had two consecutive seizures with only seconds of consciousness between them, so that is quite scary to hear.
A friend died of SUDEP in his sleep so it is always a worry for me and always in the back of my mind.
I suffered memory loss once I started having seizures...mine affect my whole brain and my first Neuro. said my seizures could affect my memory, so that is what I believe. I feel for me personally, the Keppra does not affect my memory at all.
I take an Omega 3 supplement with a high DHA content, and I personally feel this has helped my memory somewhat.
__________________
Find time to spend with your kids now ; what you will always find time for later, is regret."
I was diagnosed with Epilepsy when I was 13 - have since been through a variety of different medications and medication mixes etc.
My memory loss has become severe over the years, at first I took no notice and family always just made fun of the fact that I could never remember things. By now I keep a journal too, take loads of pictures too, have arrived at places where I've been before but that feel completely foreign to me (Jamias vu) and have felt your frustration as well. Stay in touch with what's important to you - I wish I knew where to find my lost memories...
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Has anyone else experienced some memory loss since being diagnosed with epilepsy and starting AED's?
Do you feel the seizures or medication are responsible for the memory loss?
I personally feel, for me, it's my seizures that have affected my memory.
My memory loss mostly relates to word and name recall. It can be very frustrating and embarrasing.
Also, before starting my medication, I had experienced Jamias Vu when driving. Nothing looked familiar to me. I could have been driving in a foreign country as that is how confused I was for several seconds. Quite scary.
I was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child and have been on meds for control of them and I find they have made me lethargic at times and over the years, some memory problems creeped in but not significantly enough to preclude me from an active life.
I do have some memory lapses and forget what I was doing from one minute to the next. I think the meds will cause a slight memory loss. Nothing significant
Let me add that I have an aura before I get a seizure that feels like nausea
Has anyone else experienced some memory loss since being diagnosed with epilepsy and starting AED's?
Do you feel the seizures or medication are responsible for the memory loss?
I personally feel, for me, it's my seizures that have affected my memory.
My memory loss mostly relates to word and name recall. It can be very frustrating and embarrasing.
Also, before starting my medication, I had experienced Jamias Vu when driving. Nothing looked familiar to me. I could have been driving in a foreign country as that is how confused I was for several seconds. Quite scary.
I was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child and have been on meds for control of them and I find they have made me lethargic at times and over the years, some memory problems crept in but not significantly enough to preclude me from an active life.
I do have some memory lapses and forget what I was doing from one minute to the next. I think the meds will cause a slight memory loss. Nothing significant
Let me add that I have an aura before I get a seizure that feels like nausea
