Can epilepsy medications make you lose concentration?

I presently take 2 kinds to medicine to control my seizures. They are indeed under control and I feel great and feel completely normal. However, I have noticed that with the medicine and the new job I have I am having problems concentrating and forget things very easily. My boss thinks that I am just "distracted an disorganized'. I am under a lot of scrutiny and I never hear a word of praise from her. Could there be anything I can do? I am trying to do a good job but I am unable to.

Hi,

Hope this helps...

People with epilepsy often have memory difficulties. This can be for many reasons:

Cause of epilepsy

Some people have a cause for their epilepsy. This can be due to damage to the brain from a head injury or infection. If part of the brain that deals with memory is damaged this could lead to some memory loss. People with temporal lobe epilepsy often have memory problems. This is because the temporal lobe is where we learn new memories.

Seizures

A person鈥檚 memory can be affected before, during and after a seizure. Changes in the brain before a seizure can mean information is not processed well enough to pass to our long term memory. Awareness can also be affected during a seizure. This means people have little or no recollection of what has happened.

Even between seizures a person鈥檚 memory may be affected. This is because brain activity may be disrupted even though it is not enough to lead to a seizure.

Epilepsy medication

Many people worry that the medication they take for their epilepsy causes poor memory. The side effects of some medication (eg poor concentration and drowsiness) can affect remembering. However, your memory will be improved if the drugs are stopping or lowering the number of seizures you have.

Mood

How we feel can affect our concentration and attention, which can then affect our memory. Research shows that people with epilepsy are more likely to be depressed or anxious. If our brains are overloaded by these feelings we can become distracted and unable to focus on information. In turn this will affect our memory.

Lack of sleep

People with epilepsy need to have enough sleep because lack of sleep can be a trigger for seizures. When you are well-rested your memory improves. This is because tiredness makes people less able to concentrate, learn and store new information.

Surgery

Some people with epilepsy have surgery to try and stop seizures. Sometimes people have memory problems as a result of the surgery.

Improving memory

Some people have general memory problems. Others have a particular difficulty such as remembering names or how to get somewhere. People with epilepsy will have extra information to remember, like taking tablets, noting seizure triggers and medical appointments.

If you know you are forgetful, there are many things you can do to help you remember. Your family and friends may also be able to remind you.

Try these tips to help your memory:

Focus on one thing at a time

It helps to do one thing at a time. Try to focus. If you are not paying close attention to a task or to new information you may not remember it later. Develop daily routines and where you can, try to be organised. This will help you to plan the things you want to do.

Don鈥檛 overload your memory

Mistakes are more likely if your memory has to deal with many things all at once. If there is too much information, your brain may become overloaded. You can then forget things.

Record information

It helps to write things down. Keep a diary and calendar of events. Write down any tasks that you need to do.

Staying active

Keep your mind active by doing things you enjoy. This could be anything from crosswords and sudoku to playing computer games. Physical exercise like walking can also help.

Cheers !!!

Absolutely yes! Your meds could be at fault here. I frequently call my Topmax "Dopamax" because of the forgetful moments I have because of it... I forget words most often, and it makes me look sooo dumb. :(