Complex partial seizures contribute to making me slower and memory loss?

[k1_]

Hey everyone,

Im currently on 1500mg epilim, 50mg lamictal in the morning and the same dosages for the two medications at night. I have noticed that I have become SLOWER and have MEMORY problems!!! I work at a call center and I'm told by the customer specific details and after discussing other issues I ask the same details I was told or asked for forgetting that I asked or was given. It also takes time for me to process things! When told to do things like a specific team challenge at sports etc I find it hard to process on how to do the challenge! Anyone experience problems like this?

Thanks

 

[Nakamova]

Both seizures AND meds can potentially have a cognitive side effects. The trick for you and your neuro is figuring if either one (or both) are the cause. If your memory problems started at the same time as the medications were added, then the meds would be the most likely candidate. If your seizures are completely controlled by the meds then you might ask your neuro about the option of slightly reducing the dosage to see if it lessens the side effects. The ultimate goal for you and your neaurois a treatment or medication that controls your seizures with zero to minimal side effects.

If your seizures are still uncontrolled, then they might be having a cumulative effect on your memory, especially if they are generated in the temporal lobe areas of the brain.

You might want to ask your neuro abut having a neuropsych evaluation done. It's a set of cognitive tests (verbalization, memory pattern recognition, etc.) that take a snapshot of where your brain is right now. The evaluator can get a sense of specific areas where you might be having trouble. Sometimes this can point to a particular cause (i.e. meds vs. seizures). At the very least, it provides a benchmark for measuring any future changes in your cognitive skills.

 

[SlimBlue]

If your side effects from Epilim are anything like mine were- I was a total zombie on it, and I was only on 2000 a day instead of 3000 like you.

It was so bad I had to stop it and change meds.

 

[skyfire322]

If your memory problems started at the same time as the medications were added, then the meds would be the most likely candidate.

I agree with Nakamova. I was placed on Depakote a little while back, and my memory loss kicked in big time. Before the new medication, I did have just a bit of memory loss, but nothing serious. However after taking it for two weeks, it's hard to do simple day tasks.