epilepsy and memory loss

[Ochi]

I had my first gran mall seizure approx. 6 years ago.  My family physician sent me immediately to a neurologist and I am taking 500 mg of Keppra twice per day.  This controls my seizures and I am very fortunate to only have mild episodes of disorientation once in a while.

I have always had a great memory.  Recently, I was thinking about my children and could not remember what grades they are in.  At the time I just shrugged it off.  My son's birthday is tomorrow and I simply can't remember what year he was born in.  I have no memory of some conversations, even after I am told about the specific conversation.

I've spoken to my family and asked if they thought I was having memory problems.  Surprise!  Most gave a definitive YES.  I'm just not sure if this could be seizure related or not.  I've used up my allotted office visits covered by insurance for the year but definitely plan on making an appt. with my neurologist first thing in 2009.

Until then...any ideas?

[woolyinoregon]

Your observation is kinda bold,....I've been having problems like this myself and I have to tell you, "it's embarassing"...I can recall conversations from years ago or a year back but I cant tell anyone wehat I did yesterday or who I spoke to, where I went or what I did. I have to make notes to myself but then when I read them, I dont recall writing them and so I dont really react to them much. My gal tells me everything I've done, where I've been, who I spoke to and things I said and sometimes I can recall parts or most of it but never everything. I began having my siezures in November on Thanksgiving day of 2005, I just turned 50 this past october 7th,...  I went to a therpaist about a week ago and she asked me if I was suicidal anbd I had to tell her "no" and she asked me if I ever think about it and I had to tell her "yes, all the time" and yet my faith wont allow me to do something like that just yet...she asked me if I thought I was depressed and I had to tell her "no"....and she asked me "why I dont think so?".....I had to tell her "because there's probably 100 million people who feel just like I do but for different reasons"....She agreed with me but told me she thought I was depressed.  Ok well maybe I am but doesnt it count if you have a good reason?........So ochi,....perhaps your memory lapses arent such a bad thing, maybe a memory lapse can help a person "not be so depressed that they wanna die" for some specific reason!.....does this help or give you any possible outlet for making a great excuse?.....you seem intelligent enough to me and....and....you did find a break in un-sanity long enough to type your entry.........much luck to you my firend.

[RobinN]

This is a common complaint.
My daughter had a seizure two years ago, and completely lost all memory. She knew how to do certain things, but forgot how she learned them. She did not know family members either.

It lasted for two months. She then regained her memory,
We no longer have her on medication.
She is doing neurofeedback, made nutritional changes, and vitamins and minerals that support brain function.

[loveslight57]

What meds are you taking?  and have you had the levels checked recently

[Ochi]

Thank you, I am appreciate your input.

[adamcanuck]

No coincidence.  I too had a great memory but find the worst affected is my short term.  I find something as little as going upstairs to get a phone, getting up there, and honestly having no idea why I'm up there until my wife asks me why I don't have the phone with me!  I'm on Dilantin and the mild episodes you have don't seem to help either, especially for the first hour or so after you have them.  Summed up, my neurologist says that yes, seizures can cause memory problems as you are saying.