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Neurology (Expert Forum)
short memory loss seizures
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short memory loss seizures
by rednelos, Nov 11, 2002 12:00AM
I have had approxmately 6 seizures each one less than the other. Originally they were thought to be mini-strokes but that was ruled out. I have had all kinds of tests including an MRI of my brain, 2 eeg's, one 24 hour eeg where I had to stay awake and was monitored for 24 hours, ekg's, etc. Nothing was found. At first they put me on dilantin but I couldn't take it without profound side effects. I was put on plavix and lamictal but the seizures keep coming, however, each one is less than the other. With each seizure, I suffer short term memory loss. My memory eventually comes back but a little still remains lost. Also it seems that every time I've had one of these so-called seizures it comes early in the morning and after a night of stressful sleep and I feel a headache pain in my left temple. My MRI of all the blood vessels in my head show no signs of an anurism(spelling?) or a mini-stroke. My neurologist and another neurologist have diagnosed what I am having as a type of seizure. Any answers would be appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Nov 11, 2002 12:00AM
First of all, it's important to determine exactly what these spells are. If they are not truly seizures (abnormal stimulation or excitement of the brain), then management of the episodes with antiseizure medications may not be the best course of treatment as the meds themselves carry side effects (as you have experienced first hand). Glad that the MRI is normal. But further testing may be necessary such as admission to an epilepsy monitoring unit where you're continuously hooked up to an EEG and video monitor for a few days to catch one of these episodes. If there is no EEG change with the episode, then it's very unlikely to be a seizure. Atypical migraines may also present with similar symptoms, which may be a consideration for you as you've had headaches with some of the episodes. TIA or mini stroke is also a possibility if you have cardiac or stroke risk factors. However, if it turns out that it is truly a seizure in which you maintain complete awareness throughout, it may be a complex partial seizure which would respond better to meds such as Keppra or Trileptal. Talk to your docs and consider an epilepsy monitoring unit at a major academic hospital for a more definitive workup. Good luck.
Surrounding events I have auditory aphasia, very sensitive to noises, speech difficulties, mobility difficulties, etc. In other words, when I have one I basically shut down and it takes about 3 days to get back to normal. Everybody is different though, but I wanted you to know that these things can be normal for the kind of seizures that you have depending on where they are. I hope things get better for you. Chad
Gary,
I have had hundreds of partial complex seizures over the past four years. In most cases I can hear people talking but cannot move or respond. In some cases I can utter a few short words like, don't touch me. Or I'll be alright in a while. I also have had these turn to grand mal where I don't remember anything and did not even realize I had a seizure until someone told me.
They usually come in a series of two or three and last anywhere from 2-15 minutes each. I am totally incoherent afterwards and speak a language that sounds like Native American Indian. I know it fluently now, although it took six months or more to develop after each seizure. During post ictal I'll babble in Indian and will not respond in English at all.
The seizures began from alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens, DT'S. I was detoxed with 12 mg's of Klonopin and now take about 8 mg's a day to sustain stability. I have bad side effects from the other anti-convulsant drugs. I have not had a seizure, that I remember in two months. My Neuro said Klonopin is best for Temporal Lobe Seizures.
It is interesting that you speak another language too. When I tell my Doc's they don't seem interested. It's like, whatever!
My seizures are mostly tonic-clonic, meaning all my muscles go stiff like isometrics and I cannot move and then I start shaking violently. Usually I am only half conscious but often can hear things around me but cannot respond. They are very painful and I feel like garbage for several days as you mentioned due to the muscle spasms for the long duration of time and spaciness afterwards.
If you would like to talk about it further, please give an email or I'll give you mine and I would like to hear more about your experiences. Take care and good luck.
Chatahan......wildcat
"Complex partial seizures affect a larger area of the brain and they also affect consciousness.
During a complex partial seizure, a person cannot interact normally with other people, is not in control of his movements, speech