What is making me forget? Lamictal, Zonegran, or Vimpat?

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Aubrey

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Does anybody on any of these 3 have gaps of time in their memory that are just like an erased spot an a page, even when you think you are totally focusing on something, and it is something you have a very positive attitude about. I don't think it is the Vimpat because I am on a low dose and I think it has been going on longer than I have been taking it. This is bad when you are in a situation where are you are required to have very good recall, and your brain tries to back to recall where a school assignment was given and that's where the empty is. I remember being told we would have the assignment, and my enthusiasm, but then there is a complete empty spot where the piece of paper was handed out. I found said assignment in my things, and now I can vaguely recall that the papers were passed out. In the distant past B comp and B-6 in particular have been a trigger for me. I don't think I realized the impact that everything that goes with E would have on going to school. I hate to think what is going to happen when I get called upon.
 
Hi Aubrey --

I was on Zonegran before, and am on Lamictal now. Zonegran was definitely more problematic for me in terms of cognitive issues. I didn't have the memory blanks that you refer to, but I did have recall issues, trying to remember certain words or names. I couldn't remember "post office" for instance (and came up with "mail house" instead).
 
Thanks. I might mention this to my doctor. I am scared of them reducing anything though because I am having a brief patch of control.
 
I have problems like you describe Aubrey. I totally forget something I did, like maybe seeing someone a short time ago, and then it's gone. Completely gone. It's very upsetting. For me, I think it was my nocturnal seizures, and now that I'm taking Lamictal and it seems to be controlling my seizures, I'm hoping that it doesn't happen anymore. So I know how you feel, I really do.
 
I don't

have that problem with the Lamictal, and didn't the last time I was on it, either..then again, I haven't been on either of the other 2 drugs......
 
Seems like you could run a combination of any of those and possibly come up with your answer. Doubt any pharmacist could tell you what the interaction of two meds would be let alone all three. Consider your own personal chemical makeup and you have a few more possibilites.

If you are having trouble with your B Vitamins, you might need another to help absorbtion. My daughter has had memory issues after her seizures. Lost whole chunks of her day. She even at one point early in our wild ride, where she had retrograde amnesia. Her whole history was wiped out in an instant. She did not know who her family was. She had difficulty for three months, and then it came back, with only the loss of the three month period.

I have read that this can occur with hypoglycemia. Seems there is some connection with the part of the brain that is affected. Not sure if that is your situation, but it sure makes sense for us.

Keep on digging to find out WHY and work on ways to improve it. If you are low in certain vitamins and minerals it could be causing it. Doctors Data does a great hair analysis that will tell you what essential and other elements you are low in. As well as potentially toxic elements that you need to be aware of.
 
I really appreciate it guys - the commiseration and the advice. I hope I have a chance to find out what nutrients I am deficient in - right now I hardly have time to breathe - :).
 
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