JME: Lack of Concentration/ Memory Problems

PaulinaM · 06-23-2006, 11:12 AM

Hi,
I am a 21 yr old student who was diagnosed with JME at 17. I have been taking lamictal for the past 3 years, but I'm not sure if that is related to the following problem. I have problems concentrating and I always seem to be forgetting things. Is anyone experiencing the same problems? I guess it is possible that this is just my personality, but it is big enough of a problem for people to remark on a lot. I have heard that it is possible for lamictal to decrease concentration, but the memory part is just as, if not more, upsetting to me. The funny thing is that when I study for exams, I can remember things clearly, but my long term memory is just terrible (and my short term one is just as bad when it comes to things other than short term studying). I can't remember things that I have been tought over and over again and it can make me feel really stupid at times. It is also making me nervous about my future job. I want to get my PhD in history, but how can I teach if I forget everything after a month?! I can laugh it off when I do something silly and "ditzy" sometimes, but when it starts to effect my school job it gets frustrating. People get annoyed with me messing up all the time and forgetting about details related to things I do on a very regular basis. I thought that maybe it was stress, but now that I'm taking off a year after graduation, and Im not too stressed. Does anyone else have this problem?Do you think that it could be caused by JME or epilepsy?
Thanks

PINKY1 · 08-03-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulinaM

Hi,
I am a 21 yr old student who was diagnosed with JME at 17. I have been taking lamictal for the past 3 years, but I'm not sure if that is related to the following problem. I have problems concentrating and I always seem to be forgetting things. Is anyone experiencing the same problems? I guess it is possible that this is just my personality, but it is big enough of a problem for people to remark on a lot. I have heard that it is possible for lamictal to decrease concentration, but the memory part is just as, if not more, upsetting to me. The funny thing is that when I study for exams, I can remember things clearly, but my long term memory is just terrible (and my short term one is just as bad when it comes to things other than short term studying). I can't remember things that I have been tought over and over again and it can make me feel really stupid at times. It is also making me nervous about my future job. I want to get my PhD in history, but how can I teach if I forget everything after a month?! I can laugh it off when I do something silly and "ditzy" sometimes, but when it starts to effect my school job it gets frustrating. People get annoyed with me messing up all the time and forgetting about details related to things I do on a very regular basis. I thought that maybe it was stress, but now that I'm taking off a year after graduation, and Im not too stressed. Does anyone else have this problem?Do you think that it could be caused by JME or epilepsy?
Thanks

HI I HAVE JME PLUS OTHER EPILEPSIES. I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY MEMORY AND CONSENTRATION TOO. BIG ENOUGH FOR IT TO BE A STANDING JOKE AND MY GP ACTUALLYPHONE ME AN HOUR BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT TO REMIND ME BECAUSE IVE MISSED SO MANY. IF YOU TRY THIS I PROMISE IT WILL HELP AND YOU HAVE PROBABLY HERD IT BEFORE...THERE IS A MINERAL SUPLEMENT CALLED MAGNISIUM OK ...ITS BRILLIANT. I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY MEMORY EVEN WORSE AFTER A GM, I HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING OF FINISHING SOME WORDS,BUT I KNOW WHAT IT IS I NEED TO SAY I JUST CANT FIND THE WORD?? 3 DAYS AFTER STARTING MAGNISIUM THE DIFFERENCE FOR ME WAS UNREAL. TRY IT YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOOSE AS US EPILEPTICS SEEM TO BE A LITTLE LOW IN MAGNISIUM ANYWAY..

BEST OF LUCK
PINKY1

Sherri5186 · 08-03-2006, 09:54 PM

Hi Pinky,

What is the recommended dosage of Magnesium we should
take? Very interesting, I will try anything for my memory to
be like it use to be.Thanks

valeriedl · 08-03-2006, 11:41 PM

I've had epilepsy for about four years now. After my first sez I lost about 10 years of memory. I remembered somethings but most were gone. I didn't even know who my boyfriend was at the time (needless to say we are no longer together).

My short term memory is alright, but longterm is awful. I will forget things that have happened a few weeks or longer. People will tell me things that we have done, places we have gone, etc and I have no memory of this what so ever. I also find myself telling people the same stories over and over again.

Family and friends have learned to deal with this. They realize that they will have to tell me things over and over. I even think they like the reactment that I have to some of the crazy things that I have done and you would think that I would have remembered them. They even finish the stories that I have told them.

It's not only you. I'm going to ask my doc at my next visit about the Magnesium and see what she says about it. I'd love to have anything that would help my mind!

PINKY1 · 08-09-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherri5186

Hi Pinky,

What is the recommended dosage of Magnesium we should
take? Very interesting, I will try anything for my memory to
be like it use to be.Thanks

HI, I USE MAGNISIUM OK WHICH IS A MINERAL THAT YOU CAN GET OVER THE COUNTER THAT ALSO HELPS WITH PMT. IT ALSO INCLUDES ALL THE OTHER LITTLE ADD ONS THAT MAKE IT EASIER TO ABSORB MAGNISIUM. LIKE YOUR B VITAMINS. I'M FROM THE UK BUT HOPE YOU CAN GET THE SAME THING WHERE EVER YOU ARE. I KNOW ITS NOT A HUGE DOSE ,BUT ITS A START..XX