my meds or my mind?

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Sonny

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I'm having every-day memory/lapse issues and I am wondering if they are neurological or Topamax (aka Dopamax) related, and could use other members experiences.

I'm wondering if anyone here (especially who have TLE or psychomotor epilepsy) have memory/lapse problems like:
  • remembering taking their medications out of the bottle but not remember actually taking them (and then worry that they didn't take their medications)
  • remember opening the fridge to get milk, but not remembering GETTING the milk out (just HAVING a full glass of milk in your hand)
  • sitting on the couch and start walking to the kitchen, and don't remember why or how - you just are
  • you move things without remembering/noticing then become really confused and out of it and spend 10 minutes wondering how in the hell it got there
 
Hi Sonny, I'm sorry about your memory issues. There's a good reason why some folks call it dopamax.. i had problems with that medicine too. How long have you been taking it? I suggest talking to your dr and seeing if you can try a different medicine. I've been on Lamictal since 09 and tolerate it pretty well.

I'm sorry you're having to go through all that. ***hugs***.
 
Sonny said:
I'm having every-day memory/lapse issues and I am wondering if they are neurological or Topamax (aka Dopamax) related, and could use other members experiences.

I'm wondering if anyone here (especially who have TLE or psychomotor epilepsy) have memory/lapse problems like:
  • remembering taking their medications out of the bottle but not remember actually taking them (and then worry that they didn't take their medications)
  • remember opening the fridge to get milk, but not remembering GETTING the milk out (just HAVING a full glass of milk in your hand)
  • sitting on the couch and start walking to the kitchen, and don't remember why or how - you just are
  • you move things without remembering/noticing then become really confused and out of it and spend 10 minutes wondering how in the hell it got there
Click to expand...

It's both my good friend :)
 
MrE said:
It's both my good friend :)
Click to expand...

It's weird how a medication used to treat a Neurological disorder causes the same issues it's supposed to treat :p

And Jay1..

I could not understand those links much?

I just wonder if..
Topamax itself can cause Cognitive Defects (without having Epilepsy), or if these things are related to Epilepsy only (if you don't take AED's)?

Also..
Are you more susceptible to Cognitive Defects if you DO have Epilepsy when you take AED's? Versus if you take AED's for a different condition?

Is there any information out there on these things?

CathyAnn31 said:
Hi Sonny, I'm sorry about your memory issues. There's a good reason why some folks call it dopamax.. i had problems with that medicine too. How long have you been taking it? I suggest talking to your dr and seeing if you can try a different medicine. I've been on Lamictal since 09 and tolerate it pretty well.

I'm sorry you're having to go through all that. ***hugs***.
Click to expand...

I Thank you, I appreciate the kindness ***hugs***

I've been taking Topamax for over a year now. And other than the Dopamax issues, I like it (all of the other side-affects subsided). I also like the fact it helps my Migraines too.

The point is probably moot though, as my current Neurologist doesn't even think I have Epilepsy - I've never had a abnormal EEG including when I had a VEEG, and she says I have "Partial Seizure symptoms but it's rare in Epilepsy that the seizures never generalize into a Tonic-Clonic in their lifetime" (I'm 27) - so I'm going to ask to get off of my Topamax later this month because my husband and I want to try to have a baby and I'm not going to keep medicating something no one believes exists but me.

Needless to say, my Neurologist will be thrilled (one less patient to "deal with").
 
if I could ask...what is your current dosage of the Topamax? Ive been on it for 13 years...and im at 400 mg a day now...I have to say, other than thought process delay, and periodic memory lapses/loss...I really can't complain...it's the only drug Ive been put on that doesn't give me stomach cramps, make me tired, or flat out feel like a walking zombie....I do believe it's a little of both, your symptoms, and also, Topamax is also prescribed for migraines....I wish you the best of luck....I know you can't take that while pregnant....and I know everything changes after a baby! lol I sure didn't start having seizures until I had a baby! it's so weird how your body changes...
 
Sonny said:
I'm having every-day memory/lapse issues and I am wondering if they are neurological or Topamax (aka Dopamax) related, and could use other members experiences.

I'm wondering if anyone here (especially who have TLE or psychomotor epilepsy) have memory/lapse problems like:
  • remembering taking their medications out of the bottle but not remember actually taking them (and then worry that they didn't take their medications)
  • remember opening the fridge to get milk, but not remembering GETTING the milk out (just HAVING a full glass of milk in your hand)
  • sitting on the couch and start walking to the kitchen, and don't remember why or how - you just are
  • you move things without remembering/noticing then become really confused and out of it and spend 10 minutes wondering how in the hell it got there
Click to expand...

If you're having trouble remembering if you took your meds I'd suggest that you start keeping your pills in a pill case. This way you will know if you've taken them or not. I was having trouble knowing/remembering if I took them and that's why I stated doing this.

I'm not on Topamax but I've done things and don't remember dong them. I don't know if it has anything to do with the meds I'm on or if I've done it while I was having a seizure and that's why I don't remember.
 
Well, it may be the symptoms of initial stages of Alzheimer. It can take up to one or two decades before a person gets full blown Alzheimer.

Read this article written by a woman doctor detailing the struggles with her husband's Alzheimer and what actions did she take.

http://www.coconutketones.com/WhatIfCure.pdf
 
Sonny said:
I'm having every-day memory/lapse issues and I am wondering if they are neurological or Topamax (aka Dopamax) related, and could use other members experiences.

I'm wondering if anyone here (especially who have TLE or psychomotor epilepsy) have memory/lapse problems like:
  • remembering taking their medications out of the bottle but not remember actually taking them (and then worry that they didn't take their medications)
  • remember opening the fridge to get milk, but not remembering GETTING the milk out (just HAVING a full glass of milk in your hand)
  • sitting on the couch and start walking to the kitchen, and don't remember why or how - you just are
  • you move things without remembering/noticing then become really confused and out of it and spend 10 minutes wondering how in the hell it got there
Click to expand...
When I complain about memory issues, unless I my post ictial, she always says it is caused by depression. It really pisses me off, why can't she admit it could be caused by meds, seizures,hypothyroidism, or a different problem other than depression. I'm not saying it couldn't be depression but how does she know. It seems that is the first DX they throw out there. She put me on an anti-depressant for anxiety. I had to stop taking it after 3 weeks. It got rid of my anxiety, along with every feeling a person should experience. I felt dead inside.

I guess I am offended by that DX because I had a doctor ask me that question when I complained of back pain. It tuns out I had so much wrong with my back that it required 16 hours of surgery, 13 days in the hospital and a 3 month recovery.

Sorry for hijacking your thread, I just seems doctors can't or won't try to figure out what is wrong.
 
Topamax.... Ahh that one! [emoji37] I had horrible memory lapses and loss during my short stint on topamax and was taken off for that reason and many other horrific side effects. I have never had my memory back in the same way it was before but it is true that most Anti-Epileptic meds can effect memory over time. I was on Depakote from age 6-13 then Lamictal & Topamax and finally settled with Keppra & Zonisamide. I'm only 28 now but have the short term memory of a rat. [emoji12] I had a Deep Brain Stimulator implanted at University Hospital in Cleveland a year ago and it is my sincere hope that soon we will be able to rely on just the stimulator for my treatments so I can get away from meds. I'm hopeful that more of us can get stimulators so that we can get away from these awful side effects! I hope you can get off Topamax soon at the very least and get something easier that will still control your seizures.


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