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Meds, cognitive problems and EEG test

Tue, 04/05/2005 - 14:36
Over the past three months I have noticed my ability to pronounce words , recall words I know, make sentences so they make sense and my memory going rapidly down hill. All affecting my everyday communication and making me feel uncomfortable with it. Also I have always prided myself in remembering things and this is not now happening. Leaving me feel more and more unsure of myself and about my ability to do things out in the world. While at the same time my seizures are not medically controlled. All making my quality of life feel like it is going down hill. I am not 60 but mid 40's. Making this even harder.Up until last Febuary 2004 I was on Tegretol and Dilatin and had been for over28 years. When it was noted that the tegrtol was not working for me in that it was below theraputic levels even at a high dose. Also I had been on Dilatin since 8 years old (35 years). Therefore it was felt I needed to be on new drugs.Having said all this I have been on Keppra Since July'04 not at full theraputic levels due to side affects at higher levels. I am also on trileptol since last July ansince January my mind, cognitive, memory and all I described above is bad. I feel upset about this and want to find out if people have had this with these drugs?Now I have to have an EEG test sleep deprived to find out what is going on. I feel scared and concerned.Have others experienced this? If so please say more. Also how does an EEg test tell what cognitive areas are going down hill? I am trying to learn all I can as I may be asking to be taken off it . The hard part is that many drugs do not work for me. I am in need of feedback and personal experiences aroundall this . Thanks everyone!!

Comments

RE: Meds, cognitive problems and EEG test

Submitted by Faecanuck on Tue, 2005-04-05 - 13:57
Hey Cedar,sorry to hear that you are losing your memory and having trouble finding words and everything that goes along with it. I don't think it's the medication causing it, I've had the same problem for a few years now (getting worse) and no meds. They don't work for me at all so there's a good reason why. I hope that you can find a way to stop the problem, or perhaps even regain what you've already lost. Good luck.

RE: Meds, cognitive problems and EEG test

Submitted by roisin on Tue, 2005-04-05 - 14:36
 

My cousin has been diagniosed with MS about 2 yrs ago.  Following this she had a massive seizure - possibly caused by a lesion on the brain from the effects of the MS.  A few months later she had another seizure.  She was clear for 5 months and then she became pregnant. From that she began having seizures every 4/6 weeks during her pregnancy.  At the end of the pregnancy she had a massive seizure again and the baby had to be born by caesarian section.  From the birth of her baby she hasn't had a period but continues to have 1 seizure every 24-41 days.  Everytime she has a seizure she needs to go to hospital as they last from 30mins-75mins.  She is on anti-convulsion medication but todate nothing has controlled the seizures(May 2003 - January 2005).  The doctors are introducing a new drug which she will take for 7 days, starting 21 days after her last seizure as they are now considering the possibility of hormonal influences on her seizures.

Unfortunately according to her MRI scan last august it is believed she has suffered permenant brain damage (the part that controlls memory and language) and has difficulty communicating.  She is very aware of her surroundings but sometimes she becomes confused eg she will recognise me but cant say my name although she will eventually.  Her automatic responses are all normal in that she can go to the toilet, take a shower, clean her teeth.  But she cant be left on her own for long periods of time as she is very forgetful.

Is there anyone else out there in a similar situation? Can anyone recommend doctors, drugs, or diet to enable her to have a better quality of life.

My cousin has been diagniosed with MS about 2 yrs ago.  Following this she had a massive seizure - possibly caused by a lesion on the brain from the effects of the MS.  A few months later she had another seizure.  She was clear for 5 months and then she became pregnant. From that she began having seizures every 4/6 weeks during her pregnancy.  At the end of the pregnancy she had a massive seizure again and the baby had to be born by caesarian section.  From the birth of her baby she hasn't had a period but continues to have 1 seizure every 24-41 days.  Everytime she has a seizure she needs to go to hospital as they last from 30mins-75mins.  She is on anti-convulsion medication but todate nothing has controlled the seizures(May 2003 - January 2005).  The doctors are introducing a new drug which she will take for 7 days, starting 21 days after her last seizure as they are now considering the possibility of hormonal influences on her seizures.

Unfortunately according to her MRI scan last august it is believed she has suffered permenant brain damage (the part that controlls memory and language) and has difficulty communicating.  She is very aware of her surroundings but sometimes she becomes confused eg she will recognise me but cant say my name although she will eventually.  Her automatic responses are all normal in that she can go to the toilet, take a shower, clean her teeth.  But she cant be left on her own for long periods of time as she is very forgetful.

Is there anyone else out there in a similar situation? Can anyone recommend doctors, drugs, or diet to enable her to have a better quality of life.

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