Has anyone experienced this before?

[momof3boys]

I heard back from the nurse today about the Vimpat I started taking five days ago, and she said the dr also said he thought it was ok for me to drive since being discharged from the hsopital for my VEEG.

So, tonight was the first time I got to get out on my own. I went to walmart to get somethings and when I was done checking out, I walked out to the parking lot and for the life of me, I had no clue as to where I parked or what vehicle I even took! Like my mind went completely blank! I kind of freaked out abit after I started going about the parking lot trying to remember where I even parked, yet alone what vehicle I took!

I had to stop for a minute to think of what car I took.... I finally looked up and saw our kia there. I have no clue as to why I didnt even take the keys out of my pocket to see what car it was I took! None of that even came to my mind to do that!

I got in the car after putting everything in, and called my mom from my cell. It just bothered me knowing that happened.

I dont know if this is related to seizures or epilepsy, or the medication. I just never had that happen before!

 

[huskymom]

I am so sorry that you had to go through that. I have had it happen to me before too. If I am going some where that I don't park close to the front, I will put a note into my phone. Of course that won't help if I forget to look at my phone When that happens, just try to calm down as best you can until you can think clearly again. You won't be trapped there. You can always call someone to help you.

 

[elizzza811]

I was doing that a lot, back when I could drive. And even now with my boyfriend and daughter driving me everywhere, I can never seem to 'identify' their car, even if I'm standing right next to it. I remember the color, but that's about it. Also, days my boyfriend drives me places, I often get confused because I'm still looking for my car in the parking lot, when he takes his.

 

[Cint]

I have never taken Vimpat, but I have had that happen to me in the past. Once, I came out of Target and forgot where I had parked. I wandered all over the parking lot and finally went back inside and told the assistant that someone had stolen my car. When we went back outside, I finally remembered where I had parked. Boy, did I feel foolish!! Now I try to park close to the front of a store and in or near the same location each time I go to the same store. I look around and make a mental note of the surroundings, which lane and parking lot #, things of this nature. IMO, most of the AEDs can cause temporary confusion at times.

 

[Endless]

I'm not on Vimpat, but that happens to me, too.

I have to say, the security "beep" on my car key/car comes in handy. I walk down the isles pressing the button, waiting for that "beep" In a really BIG parking lot, or on a day when I feel especially cruddy and not able to wander the isles, I park in the disabled parking up front. I know how some of you fele about that, but it's how I survive on those days.

 

[Cint]

I have to say, the security "beep" on my car key/car comes in handy. I walk down the isles pressing the button, waiting for that "beep" In a really BIG parking lot, or on a day when I feel especially cruddy and not able to wander the isles, I park in the disabled parking up front. I know how some of you fele about that, but it's how I survive on those days.

I sure hope you have a handicapped parking permit when you do park there. Think of folks like my father who has Alzheimer's and really doesn't remember much anymore.
I've never parked in the disabled parking.

 

[momof3boys]

Thanks everyone!

It was just the most awful experience ever! I got home and still was thinking about it! I just cant believe it didnt cross my mind to even take my keys out and see what car I took! Like my mind was blank! I couldnt think of anything at the time, I was so confused!

 

[Endless]

Yes, I have a disabled parking permit. And "cruddy" covers a lot of stuff.

I got a dirty look from a guy once when I parked in a disabled parking spot. I usually ignore people when they do that, but that time I stopped. I told him that he can't judge what someone's disability is and how they are feeling - that he really didn't know. I wanted to share some things with him. He just gave me another dirty look and moved on.

What he didn't know, in his judgmental mood, is that I suffer from IIH, a neurological disorder, and the pain is sometimes so bad that I literally want to die. Think of the worst headache you've ever had in your life. Now multiply that times 10. Due to the nature of the disease, no painkillers help. The doc just prescribes a narcotic that is strong enough to knock me out for awhile and while I'm sleeping there is relief. On those days my memory is so bad that I may or may not remember anything or everything. The exhaustion makes even walking to the bathroom hard.

On a day like that sometimes I still have to go out because I live alone and I need to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy, or there is no food in the house. Parking near the entrance, in order to minimize walking and minimize visual exposure to sunlight (even with sunglasses on) is what enables me to do that. (and no, I'm not driving on narcotics)

Epilepsy and IIH are a tough way to learn the lesson, but I know now that I really can't walk in another person's shoes. It's impossible for me to know or understand what they are experiencing, and what their disability may or may not be, what they are able to do, or how they feel. If they are using a disabled parking space, I assume they need it.