Newcomer

[TruthIsReality]

As of last year I was diagnosed with epilepsy after having several seizures and since then I have had two seizure. After about a half a year After I was diagnosed I had one of two I think and have had signs of memory loss and short term memory, and after the second one it became harder to "absorb" or learn new things without forgetting. The only things I can really grasp to keep memories are what happens everyday day after day. People might think I "fake" the short term memory but hurts worse knowing that people think that of me which is why I don't have many friends to this day and I can't find it within my grasp to really have a good small or even longer conversation so it's hard to make friends. I have been to two colleges I think and I always don't list the fact that I failed out of both because I couldn't simply learn the the information, my mother has almost given up on me so I thought that it might be easier for me to do something online dealing with art and design but this is my last chance and I hope to succeed because this is my last chance. I mention my schooling because I need some further push or say motivation.

I just want to thank my girlfriend and what I have put her through with all of this pressure I put on her but she has stuck with me for over three years and I just want to thank her so very much and she means a lot to me. With out her I wouldn't be as happy as I am now.

[Nakamova]

Hi TruthIsReality, welcome to CWE!

I'm sorry you're dealing with memory issues; unfortunately they're not uncommon with seizure disorders, either due to where in the brain the seizures occur, or to the meds used to treat them, or both. Are you currently on meds? If so, they may in part be responsible for your difficulties with short term memory, and it could make sense to talk to your neurologist to see if this might be the case. You might also ask your doc about scheduling a neuropsych exam -- it essentially tests memory and recall using a wide variety of exercises. The exam can help set a baseline as to where you are now, and also point to specific kinds of memory issues you may be having. Based on the results, the doc can make recommendations about ways to improve or supplement your memory.

Some schools will accommodate students with memory issues or learning disabilities. If you try school again, be sure to ask the administrators about what your options might be. And art/design career is a good place to start -- web design is still an expanding field for instance. I wish you luck with that.

Best,
Nakamova

[Elsie]

Hello and welcome TruthisReality. I'm sorry for your difficulties in college. I couldn't remember much in school either, barely made it through 2 years and got out with a not so great school average. It took me years and years to understand I am not stupid, that there was a reason I went from all A's to how I ended up. If I had it to do all over I would have tried one class at a time. Maybe something like that would work for you? I wish you good luck with the process.

[huskymom]

Hello and welcome I know that you find what you need here!

[neil129]

Hi Truthisreality
Just would like to say hi,i am quite new here myself and have found it great,i know how you feel about memory loss,its a right old pain in the butt,i hope you find some of the answers you need,im sure you will,take it easy or go mad in the padded room!!! good luck
Neil

[TruthIsReality]

Hi Truthisreality
im sure you will,take it easy or go mad in the padded room!!! good luck
Neil

Lol, well thank you everyone I hope to enjoy my experience here and to find all the information I need to help me further understand what has happened.

[JacobsMom]

Truth you need to get with the counselors at the school. They are required by law to assist you. My son had the exact same thing happen, he failed because he could not retain the information. The college is the one who informed him that they had to accomadate him and were willing to do so.

[valeriedl]

I've had epilepsy for about 8 years now. When I was first diagnosed my memory loss was horrible, like you said I could barely remember things that happened from day to day.

The memory loss has gotten better, now things that happened maybe a month or more ago slip away. It took me almost a year to remember that Ronald Regan had died. My husband thought I was making jokes about it when something would come up on tv about him and say that he was dead and I didn't know he was. It did stick up there but it took a good while for it to do so.

I keep a pocket calander book and just write in little things that happened that day so I can look back and see what I've done and hopefully remember it, this has helped me alot with the memory problems. I've learned to write everything down that's imprtant.

[TruthIsReality]

I've had epilepsy for about 8 years now. When I was first diagnosed my memory loss was horrible, like you said I could barely remember things that happened from day to day.

The memory loss has gotten better, now things that happened maybe a month or more ago slip away. It took me almost a year to remember that Ronald Regan had died. My husband thought I was making jokes about it when something would come up on tv about him and say that he was dead and I didn't know he was. It did stick up there but it took a good while for it to do so.

I keep a pocket calander book and just write in little things that happened that day so I can look back and see what I've done and hopefully remember it, this has helped me alot with the memory problems. I've learned to write everything down that's imprtant.

What sort of scares me is it has gotten so bad that I had forgotten my birthday and when I was born, I remember it now though and my memory still is a little shaky.


I also am always tired, probably the way I eat but is there any good way to provide my body with the needed energy?

[Nakamova]

What sort of things do you tend to eat? If you think your diet may be lacking, you might want to talk to a nutritionist, or get tested for any deficiencies. In general, a well-balanced diet should provide a good start. Stay away from lots of sugary food as that can set you up for crashing later. If you can handle it, moderate caffeine might help. You might benefit from a B-Complex vitamin -- anti-epileptic drugs can lead to "tired blood", and B vitamins can help.

[valeriedl]

I know some of the meds I was on I hardly didn't eat at all. I lost a ton of weight and stayed in bed all the time and slept. The dr changed some of my meds around and all I did was eat. My husband told me I needed to watch what I was eating cause I was gaining a lot of weight. So I'd just wait for him to go to bed then eat a half gallon of ice cream (no lie) then hide the box in the bottom of the garbage can.

The neurologist has gotten the meds pretty good now. I'm still tired alot and I have to take a nap in the after noon.

For my memory inorder to remember things I have a Palm Pilot, it's pretty old and I know that they make things that are similar, and probably even better than it now.

I keep track of everything in it, even if it's just as simple as going to the store. I put little details about what went on too so it might help me remember that day. It aslo has a little sort of alarm on it that I set when there are important things going on, birthdays, holidays and things like that to make sure I don't forget them.

If you want some help trying to work on your memory let me know and I'll see if I can help.

[TruthIsReality]

I know some of the meds I was on I hardly didn't eat at all. I lost a ton of weight and stayed in bed all the time and slept. The dr changed some of my meds around and all I did was eat. My husband told me I needed to watch what I was eating cause I was gaining a lot of weight. So I'd just wait for him to go to bed then eat a half gallon of ice cream (no lie) then hide the box in the bottom of the garbage can.

The neurologist has gotten the meds pretty good now. I'm still tired alot and I have to take a nap in the after noon.

For my memory inorder to remember things I have a Palm Pilot, it's pretty old and I know that they make things that are similar, and probably even better than it now.

I keep track of everything in it, even if it's just as simple as going to the store. I put little details about what went on too so it might help me remember that day. It aslo has a little sort of alarm on it that I set when there are important things going on, birthdays, holidays and things like that to make sure I don't forget them.

If you want some help trying to work on your memory let me know and I'll see if I can help.

Thank you very much, and if I do need help I will ask you. It feels nice being welcomed with great interest from others. It looks like I found a great forum.

So far I only have an alarm set to go off everyday to remind me to take my meds. I eat mainly breaded type stuff such as pop tarts or toaster strudels I need to eat more meat but I just am never in the mood for it. I like what I eat regularly, people say I am too skinny and all I want to do is eat, but I try my best to restrain myself from eating too much. I do eat meat when I go out to eat though but it may not be as good for me as home cooked. I also love icecream it makes me calm I guess you could say. I sometimes wake up at night to eat a cone or two