Does anyone have this happen to Them?

[epileric]

I've found recently that I have trouble saying what I want. I"m pretty articulate but often I'll say one thing & mean something else. One person is always careful with me to double check what I mean. I'm glad she does this but it makes me realize how badly I communicate sometimes.

Another time I see this is when I'm here on CWE & I'll respond to a post then halfway through get stuck for words or have trouble putting what I want to say into words so I just don't say anything for fear of saying the wrong thing. That seems to happen more when I'm typing than talking though. Even now I feel as though I"ll read this tomorrow & want to reword it more appropriately.

I've become more aware of this since I was put on Keppra. I've since been taken off but I sometimes feel as though this communication block is still there, especially when I'm stressed or tired. Does anyone else ever get this sort of thing with or without Keppra? I sometimes wonder if it's related to the seizures or the Tegretol I'm on.

[CQ:)]

Hi epileric

I can sometimes get my words mixed up, take a while to think of what I'm trying to say or just forget words or names. Alot of the time when I'm talking to people & I have a moment where I can't think of something or get words mixed up the person I'm talking to usualy works out what I'm talking about. I am sure its related to the epilepsy & I also think it happens more if I am tired or if I get busy.

My memory has got worse since February when I had the Topamax increased. I have been forgetting convesations I had more & forgetting simple things. I spoke to my neurologist about it & he mentioned bad memory or memory loss can be a side effect to Topamax so I am now gradualy being weaned of the Topamax. I was on 400mg of Topamax but at the moment I have to reduce the Topamax by 100mg every 4 weeks. I should be of the Topamax in about 3 or 4 months. I am also on Tegretol which I've been on for 6 years & Keppra which I started taking just after Easter. So far I don't seem to have had any side effects from the other 2 meds.

[CJR]

My daughter suddenly began stuttering and spitting when she spoke. We found that an adjustment on her Phenobarbital was required. When the levels in her system dropped slightly the speech side effects stopped. Maybe something you should discuss with your doctor.

[minnbikergirl]

hello epileric,

Your message sounded like I wrote it. I have a terrible time saying what I want to. I am in a support group and when it gets to my turn to talk, I have all these thoughts in my brain, but it doesnt come out at all. I hesitate alot.. and I say one thing and mean another. I have a friend who has a problem with it. I dont think he understands..in fact alot of people dont. My friend will say I am not thinking, and he tells me that its like talking to a young adult. I could go on and on...
I dont know if its the drug, or if its where the scar is on my brain. I was on phenobarbitol and dilantin for a decade or more when I was a teen, and I think that had an impact.
Its tough....

[speber]

I'm not sure if it's a result of a scant few MASSIVE t/c's over the years (as opposed to pretty mild t/c's) .... or the introduction of Trileptal (which I believe is related somehow to the formula for Tegretol?).

Either way, YES...I have that problem. I have come to laugh at myself...and think of it as the 'Yogi Berra effect'.

It's loads of fun at parties if you have the right attitude.

It's a huge weight on your shoulders if you let it be.

Good Luck!
Spencer

[RobinN]

Rebecca has always had a memory issue. Processing verbal language as well.
I was very concerned with what I read about some of the medicine that was given to her or that was considered.

However.... following Neurofeedback, I can say with all certainty, that her memory and recall is much better. Her grades are improving and she actually sees that her note taking is better.

We also are giving a good amount of vitamins and minerals that support brain function. I view this as brain fuel for a brain that is still in the process of growing.

[Mr. Pibb]

Somewhere there is a note too a group of peaple that starts off wit out a mistake in the entire massage butt as ewe reed farther and further into et the note two the peole becums moor and more missed ip end evrea one is abl too figur oot wht is ment buy tha wrighter. Sew if you can read tis you are whey ahead of the magority.
Jerry

[epileric]

I"m surprised how many other people can relate. I have to say I don't feel so alone re. this situation anymore.

Speber, you're right about taking a proper attitude. My problem is that often I won't realize there's been a miscommunication until later (if at all) so it's usually not that funny in the moment but I do accept it as part of who I am & so do my friends.

RobinN, hearing about Rebecca reminded me of how in high school I did very badly because I had trouble putting things down on paper no matter how well I knew them. For my last Final before leaving the school my mom convinced them to let me re-write the exam but do it orally into a tape recorder. I did 15 -20% better. Meanwhile I have been researching neurofeedback here in Canada to see if it helps.

[speber]

Somewhere there is a note too a group of peaple that starts off wit out a mistake in the entire massage butt as ewe reed farther and further into et the note two the peole becums moor and more missed ip end evrea one is abl too figur oot wht is ment buy tha wrighter. Sew if you can read tis you are whey ahead of the magority.
Jerry

Well put!

[epileric]

I had a nocturnal seizure last night. I usually only have them when something is up with my seizures. This morn I had a pretty bad one (by my standards). I had to sleep for over 4 hours.

I'm going to start marking down when I feel like I did last night & see if there's any correlation to my seizures.

[stringbean]

I can have trouble speaking correctly alot of times, I also have a hard time coming up with the right words to use in a sentence, I find myself saying alot of times to the person I am talking to "do you know what I mean?" When someone will ask me what does ???? mean I can't tell them, however, I know I just can't give the definition.

My short term memory hardly exists anymore, I think there is more than one reason why, between all the different seizure meds I have been on for the last many years and several others for other health problems.

[Necie]

Mr Pib,
I was totaly able to read what you wrote. I also have the problem of trying to talk and it comes out wrong. My family use to finish my sentences for me or put in the word I couldnt remember. I asked them not to do that cause I needed to do it on my own. Now it might take me a little longer to talk or answer a question but they are very patient with me and understand.
Necie

[brain]

I have the same issues too.

You might want to read up what is also as you've
already posted in the poll on the Epilepsy and
Handwriting here in CWE...

But take a look at the postings in the Epilepsy
Foundation's postings of what the people have
posted over there on the very same issue that
you are discussing about.

Epilepsy and Handwriting - Epilepsy Foundation

I have my answers posted there.