I wish I could remember...

I have bipolar, PTSD, and borderline personality and have late on-set epilepsy. Currently I'm not on any medication. I've never had a GREAT memory, but it certainly has been better. I started a clutter of meds when I was 18 for depression....started having seizures when I was 19....more meds. Anybody else have memory issues after starting meds? Any advice? Maybe it was the seizures that started the memory lapses? :/
It makes me sad that I can't remember some things in the next second.

I have memory issues, but it could be related to perimenopause, the meds, my level of depression and anxiety, or the phase of the moon. The best way to find out if your symptoms are "normal" is by checking with a professional. Your pharmacist studied meds in college and should be able to give you some ideas. You also should share this with your PDoc, he knows why he chose to prescribe the medicine and knows if it should be replaced.

Good luck!

I also have problems with my memory and have for many many years. I have a thought one moment and then it's gone. I need to do something, I forget. It's very frustrating.
I have a few different tricks that will usually help. The first is writing it down - typical. The other is to put something in an open, but odd place so that when I see it it will remind me what I wanted to remember.
My pdoc recently added Adult Attention Deficit Disorder diagnosis to my list and I'm taking Adderall which is helping. But repetition helps, too.

Yes, I have memory loss every time I've been depressed for a long period, usually two months or more. I've been on various Psych meds for the last 35 years, though never over medicated in my opnion. Whilst I'm suicidal and depressed I do feel in the moment, yet when I look back and try to remember things I've done whilst depressed ~ I can't remember. I've been known to give away expensive items in this way. Such as an ipad, an AppleMac laptop, money etc. Then when I get better again, I don't remember these things until someone tells me, not good. For me it's not the meds, it's simply the depth of depression. Hope that helps you. XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Depending upon the type of seizures that you have, they can have a major impact upon your memory. Unfortunately, AED's can impact memory as well, BUT the positive aspect is that we can usually take some comfort in knowing that we're doing the best job that we can in preventing more seizures and hopefully preventing SUDEP as well!!

I had undiagnosed & untreated epilepsy for many, many years which led to significant damage in my hippocampus'. The size and ability is now in the low 5th percentile range. Not trying to scare you, really! I just want to share my experience to perhaps give you another perspective that you probably hadn't imagined being possible. E is nothing to leave untreated. There are many possible serious consequences.

Epilepsy Foundation

[QUOTE=manicmonday!;3671642]I have bipolar, PTSD, and borderline personality and have late on-set epilepsy. Currently I'm not on any medication. I've never had a GREAT memory, but it certainly has been better. I started a clutter of meds when I was 18 for depression....started having seizures when I was 19....more meds. Anybody else have memory issues after starting meds? Any advice? Maybe it was the seizures that started the memory lapses? :/
It makes me sad that I can't remember some things in the next second. [/QUOTE

Yes! I have fibromyalgia which causes brain fog, DID where I lose time or one person will do.something the other doesn't remember, and I'm on topomax. Topomax has nicknames like stupidmax and dopomax because it causes such cognitive issues.
I keep trying to wean off the topomax but then my migraines get so bad life isn't worth living. So I go through life looking really stupie. I even got arrested dor driving on drugs because the state patrol thought I was on something after my car slipped off the highway on some ice. I couldn't say my ABC's backwards without singing them and I "talked to slow." I was in jail for hours befors they dropped the charges.

Memory was gone before the meds for me. I forget (surprise) the exact term - but it was something retardation.....

Basically depression is causing my brain to react much slower than normal. MAYBE that is true for you too?

Thanks for your perspective, shezbut. It took a few years of tests for them to slap the 'epilepsy' label on me, but glad they figured it out. It's coming from my left side of the brain. I have grand mals, very hard on the body! I'm still not sure if it's more of the seizures or meds...they put me on topamax at first for seizures, and I know that's bad on memory as well. I'm just a mess!

[QUOTE=likewater;3674140]Oh lord...I was on that for a couple years when I first started having seizures. I started depression meds sept. 2009 and was on the Topamax after first seizure in March 2010. I literally don't remember from March-July that year....foggy on things even after that but not as bad. But man, before I could remember why I was going into the kitchen but now if I don't repeat what I want to do ten times in my head I forget. :/ Wow, in jail b/c of topamax? I'm so glad I got off of it now, haha, no telling what trouble I'd get into.

I am not sure what caused my memory loss for almost 5 months Severe depression, disassociation, stress, life events, and maybe too much medication! I am slowly beginning to remember now the life has calmed down a bit In your case, seizures should be checked out and get under control. Hope you feel better soon