Memory difficulties

First, I want to introduce myself, as I am new to this board.

I have had seizures since early childhood (undiagnosed - my family thought I was just "weird" since I never lost conciousness). My simple partials turned into complex partials at age 25 (I am 33 now). This is when I was diagnosed, and found out about the childhood seizures.

I still deal with daily seizures, but meds have definately reduced the number of seizures I have in a day. I am on 200 mg Lamictal x2 daily, 500 mg. Keppra x2 daily.

On to the memory problems. I noticed that many people deal with memory dificulties. I'm not sure if the meds have affected my memory. My memory has been worsening for several years now. The neuro said this is due to the seizures themselves.

My main memory problem is my language skills. My spelling ability has gone down the tubes, thank goodness for spell check! I also have trouble recalling words, even the simplist ones. My family (even my 9 yr old) finish my sentences for me and give me the word I am looking for frequently.

To combat my memory problem, I decided to really exercise the language center. I chose to learn a new language. I picked Latin, as I felt it would challenge me. I take 30 minutes to an hour a week to work on it. I am just self teaching it at home. This has really helped me. It has not completely fixed my memory problems, but I noticed a definate improvement.

Just thought that I would share this with others. It might help someone.

I can totally relate. My short term memory has slowly been going down hill for some time now (I'm 24yrs-old). It drives me and everyone nuts because my boss or my boyfriend will tell me something then and if I don't write it down, I forget. I recently went back to school, I thought that by taking a few classes would help with my memory and to keep my mind sharp. My basic chem teacher is a god sent!!! He is totally understanding and helps me with my work and even lets me bring in a recording device, so that I can tape his lectures. My Math teacher has shown me techquies(sp?) for remembering formulas and algebraic equations and stuff. I have a friend at work that helps me with some of my stuff, so that I don't get in trouble. The biggest thing that I have to remember is that I have to write everything down. I make to-do-lists and have alerts on my calendars to let me know when appointments are and other important stuff is. Its tough, But Hang in there!!!

Your never boring Ranman!

Memeory sucks. I have 3 spiral notebooks and a loose leaf binder in my room. It's to remember when to talk to my kids and get online with them. I would never find a webpage if I didn't have them. I do algebra in an attemt to recover something. I've had epilepsy for 15 or 20 years now so the memory problems I have are here to stay. I forget my nephews names. after seizures I forget my kids names. I've had them for at least 18 years. I take 3 meds, dilantin 300mg zonegran 400mg and lamictal 350mg. It might have something to do with them too. I hope a Latin helps. My prayers are with you and all. Jeff

Graffix_sk,

First off, WOW, I don't know where you're from but I'm from Canada and as per the Human Rights Code of Canada, It is illegal to fire or not hire an employee with a disability. This is a form of descrimination and is not tolerated. Especially if you have already been working there for over a year with no problems.

The law states that the employer must provide "adequate" accomodations for the employee even if it includes making necessary adjustments to the work area or furniture/equipment, even if this means sending the employee for neuro/psyc testing to determine what you can/can't do.

That way it is documented and the employer can determine what modifications are required for your job, or necessary modifications to your job description.

This only proves again that there are so many people out there from the "old school" who still think that if you have epilepsy or a seizure condition, you are a bad person or possessed by the devil.

The only way the employer can get arount this is if they can PROVE that the disabled employee is a danger to themselfs or others like a heavy equipment operator or airline pilot etc OR if they can PROVE that the job has become redundant.

Up here in Canada, an employer can face stiff fines for discriminating or even jail time.

I would not however recommend taking them to court because they will get a good lawer and find a loop hole to get out of the charge BUT they shoud be reported to the Department of Labour and then let the cards fall where they may.

I talk from experience as my employer of over 29 years descriminated against me but since I work for the Canadian Government, I knew the proper chanels to go through and after a 4 year fight, I won the battle, they terminated my job and put me on termination with full pay until Feb/05 and then DISABILITY insurance after that for 2 years at 75% of my full pay and then medical retirement 'til age 65 and then my pension. So they're paying me to stay home.

I could go on for hours but if you want to know more you can e-mail me   [email protected]

Randy (Ontario, Canada)

Post Edited (RanMan) : 9/25/2004 7:57:00 PM (GMT-6)

PS~
Welcome ASHNAN!! :)

I'm new here and I've just been going through some older posts, and this one really hit home!
I had my first and only grand mal seizure in January which led to my diagnosis following two abnormal EEGs. I guess its pretty common to have pretty intense memory loss surrounding a grand mal seizure - I have no memory of the event itself, and my memory of the week leading up to it as well as the week after is full of holes and complete (I mean COMPLETE) blank spots. Scary!
But I've also noticed my short term memory is just flat out faulty now! I bought a planner/notebook to write things in, but the trouble is that half the time I don't remember to bring it, write in it or read it hehe. What I do most of the time now is just keep repeating things over and over to myself. One of the hardest tasks for me is looking up a phone number in the phone book. I'll find it, say it to myself, turn to grab the phone and then its gone already.. I often have to do this about 3 times to finally get it. I know for some thats not too weird, but I used to remember EVERYTHING. I'm only 24, and I can fully relate the the memory problems my parents are encountering with age!

-Em

I am 43 and have almost no short-term memory.  Just now I was trying to remember the drug I am on.  It's Carbatrol.  I e-mailed a friend tonight, in reply to her e-mail.  But I might have already replied, I just can't remember.  I call is CRS Disease.  (Can't Remember Sh**)  I hope that's allowed.  Anyway, it's getting pretty bad and I don't even have epilepsy.  I've just had seizures, 3 of them.  They were grand-mal seizures.

I had my seizure because of being over-medicated on Ultram/Tramadol. The last time landed me in the hospital.  I hope my memory gets better with time.  This is ridiculous.  At least I can still remember who my husband is, at least I think I can remember.......oh screw it!

Wow...I am sooo sorry to hear about your sister's sistuation Randy. Really good example of why to be careful though. It is a shame your mother can't properly accept things. Its all fine to want her to not have the label of disabled, but if she actually IS disabled, its another story! She needs proper treatment.

Thankfully, my neuro is closely monitoring my medication dosage and regularly ordering bloodwork from me.

-Em

the memory part can real suck.I try to right things in a journal- appt., who I called what I said, what I did that day .etc The thing is I forget to right it down. When I do it really helps.
Also on working believe me emplyers can get around having you work for them.even when they know you have E have a seizure at work and they want a DR. note saying it wont happen again.I lost a job and was sent a letter telling me when I no longer had epilepsy they would be glad to hire me back. I lost 2 part time jobs after that. I am waiting to get on S.S.D.You have to have a lawyer for that (they get paid once you start receivingS.S.D.) Your always turned down the first time you apply then you get a lawyer. I will say my seizures are poorly controlled by medications.On an average I have 3-4 a week. But that has only been the past two and ahalf years.The other past6 years it was hard to work but my seizures were only once a month sometimes twice. Epilepsy is still a very frightening thing to those who are uneducated about it.I guess I wrote enough.

WOW! This thread really confirms that I'm not losing my mind, I just may have lost my short term memory :D

My short term memory has been shotty, since my worst seizure ever on Friday night. But My short term memory has been flawful, ever since all my lil seizures. DH seemed to be bothered with it, but now at least some can relate, and I can tell him, that the seizures could cause it.

Thanks Jennifer for sending me to this thread :)