Memory issues

[janet11]

Hi

Hope everyone had a seizure free weekend. Does anyone else have memory issues with epilepsy? It might be the Dilantin too though just wondering

 

[Dolores]

Hi Janet, I've been on Dilantin 40+ years. I believe my lack of short term memory has to do with both the epilepsy and the medication. I know if I stress out because I can't remember something it just makes it harder. Once I'm calm the answer will pop into my mind from "out of the blue". So there is something interesting going on in my brain I've learned not to worry about things I can't remember. If it's real short term (like someone asking me to remember to do something LOL) I write it down on a sticky note I then stick to the palm of my hand. If it's about remembering names/faces I either don't use their name or readily admit I'm bad at names (luckily many people are bad at this so it's not thought odd). And I do know that my short-term memory loss (as well as a foggy headedness) get much worse if my Dilantin blood levels go into the toxic range.

For long term memory - especially important stuff I really want to remember like how to "dance with my horses" - I've come to realize that I haven't lost the memory (in this case "what my trainer taught me") as much as I have lost the links to the memory. My beloved horse Mozart provided me with the opportunity to recognize this when I calmed down during our work and then, as we were approaching a jump, suddenly heard my trainer's voice in my head as to what to do. I find it interesting that if I want to retrieve a memory, I can't but if I am in the position to use that memory and I'm not stressing about it (or focusiing on it) that's when I remember!

We each find different ways to cope. The important thing is to not stress about or feel embarrassed since many people without epilepsy have this problem (I even do know a girl with epilepsy who has never had memory problems - she even knows exactly when it is time to take her pills without any alarms, she just knows it is 6pm.)
I had a great weekend - hope you did too!

 

[MAB]

Hi

Hope everyone had a seizure free weekend. Does anyone else have memory issues with epilepsy? It might be the Dilantin too though just wondering

I'm not on dilantin and I have horrible memory issues. I especially mess up numbers. I'm only 58 so I don't think my memory problems should be caused by my age.

 

[arnie]

I think that most of us have some degree of memory problems. That's one of that pretty much goes along with both epilepsy and epilepsy meds. I have had short-term memory issues for over 20 years now, and probably longer, but I don't remember.
I had a neuropsychological eval recently and the evaluator said there was nothing wrong with my short or long-term memory, but that is really a limitation of the test, and not a test of my memory. For instance, for the short-term memory test she had me remember a series of numbers, a picture, a series of words and the details of a story. I did fine on the first three, and thought I did really bad on the story, but it turned out I hadn't done so bad. However, remembering something I have been told I am going to need to remember is not the same as not being able to remember a conversation I had with a customer the previous day, or even that I had had a conversation with him or seen him at all! For the long-term memory she asked me questions that don't really have to do with memory but with things that many people know. I've always known I would do well on Jeopardy, but knowing how long it takes the light from the sun to get to earth is not the same as not having any recall at all, no matter how much prompting I get, of when my son broke his arm when he was five. Of course, they really can't test for that.
What Dolores said about finding ways to cope is true. In addition to my memory problems I have "face-blindness" which makes it really difficult to recognize people that I know, unless I know them really well. One way I deal with that is just to be friendly to anyone who seems to recognize me and who I think I should recognize.
Anyway, I guess that might have been more of an answer then you needed, but memory and those memory tests have been on my mind a lot lately.

Onward and upward!

 

[Cint]

Does anyone else have memory issues with epilepsy?

Hi Janet,

Unfortunately, memory issues go hand in hand with epilepsy and AEDs. Like Arnie, I've had the memory testing done and my memory is bad. I have a difficult time remembering names of people I see every day, important dates, like birthdays, names etc. I have to keep things in a specified place so I can remember where to find it. To remember a name I tell myself,"it sounds like" or say their last name is Campbell, I try to envision a can of Campbell's soup every time I see that person. That makes it easier to remember. Doesn't always work, but is worth a try.

For more info on the subject, check out this website:
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/impact/thinking-and-memory/types-memory-problems

And for ways to help with memory, check this out:
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/impact/thinking-and-memory/memory-techniques

 

[janet11]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Belinda5000]

Hi Janet,

Unfortunately, memory issues go hand in hand with epilepsy and AEDs. Like Arnie, I've had the memory testing done and my memory is bad. I have a difficult time remembering names of people I see every day, important dates, like birthdays, names etc. I have to keep things in a specified place so I can remember where to find it. To remember a name I tell myself,"it sounds like" or say their last name is Campbell, I try to envision a can of Campbell's soup every time I see that person. That makes it easier to remember. Doesn't always work, but is worth a try.

For more info on the subject, check out this website:
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/impact/thinking-and-memory/types-memory-problems

And for ways to help with memory, check this out:
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/impact/thinking-and-memory/memory-techniques

Cint,
memory issues don't go hand in hand with epilepsy.Dilantin is a dreaded drug to take that I can tell you after taking it 30 odd years.It wiped out my memory but my memory returned.
I've been on Tegretol since 1975 when it came out. I got my neuro to take me off Dilantin.

 

[Cint]

Cint,
memory issues don't go hand in hand with epilepsy.Dilantin is a dreaded drug to take that I can tell you after taking it 30 odd years.It wiped out my memory but my memory returned.

Maybe the memory issue isn't a big deal for you Belinda, but for many folks with E, memory problems DO go with E. It depends on where in the brain the seizures start and what meds they may be taking. Plus, I took Dilantin many years ago and it didn't wipe out my memories back then. I took it when my seizures first started and I can remember things that happened back then much better than things that happened yesterday and last week. Seizures/meds are what wiped out my memories.

Read here about memory and E:

http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/impact/thinking-and-memory
People with epilepsy commonly report having problems with their thinking and memory. Here's a few examples of the problems people may report:
-Trouble remembering names that they once knew
-Forgeting appointments or having trouble remembering when to take their medicines.
-Can recall things from the distant past, but can't recall events that happened in the past week.
-Forgetting things more easily as time goes by. Some people say they feel like the've 'missed part of their life'.
-Difficulty paying attention or concentrating.
-Feel that their thinking is slowed down.

Any of these problems could be affected by how seizures, medications or the underlying brain problems affect a person's memory. And memory involves more than just one brain area or brain function- many functions and skills need to work together to help a person remember. There are different types of memory too that may be involed.

Memory difficulties can have such a tremendous impact on people living with epilepsy that it may hinder their functioning at work, in school and at home.

 

[Belinda5000]

I never said memory issues wasn't a big deal for ppl with epilepsy because I did take Dilantin and I know what that can do to you.

I'm just lucky I don't have memory issues.The seizures I don't always remember.
It's the drugs that don't affect my memory.

 

[Cint]

I never said memory issues wasn't a big deal for ppl with epilepsy because I did take Dilantin and I know what that can do to you.

And I never quoted you as saying that .^ But you did say that E and memory problems DON'T go hand in hand.

I'm just lucky I don't have memory issues.The seizures I don't always remember.
It's the drugs that don't affect my memory.

And yes, YOU are very lucky to not have any memory problems. But, I question whether the drugs don't effect your cognition onder:

 

[bighealey]

I don't remember how bad my memory is.

 

[Belinda5000]

I'm 52 and can remember things my family family would forget.
my cognition hasn't been affected and I had a long talk with my neuro about that by my medications.

 

[gigi]

memories

It is almost comical how bad my memory is, even more amusing is the lack of memory my family has as to WHY my recall is bad! Cognition is an issue, trying to get the order of things right or sequence. Names, eh mercy...if I can get first names its a good day! My obstacle now is trying to make a living at almost 57...

 

[nightowl47]

I myself, have been on Depakote ER in large quantities since I was 18 then added other meds for a second seizure med & my Epilepsy happens 24/7 continual seizure activity in my brain, so I could have a Grand-mal at any time without warning due to the fact that I have no aura, but the worst thing about it is that alot of my memory is effected all the time.
Really does make it hard to try to deal with your family members who get so frustrated with you for having to repeat things to you!
Plus, I get tired of it myself, even though I know there isn't a cure!
Terri