Long term memory gain?

[Adlon57]

I have JME for 49 years, since the age of fourteen when I 'bashed' my head. I am nearly 63. Since April 2018 I have been taking Vimpat 400 mg and Briviact 50mg I have not had any seizures, I started on Vimpat in Nov. 2017, but had about 10 seizures, between then, but it was from April 30 2018 that the real changes took place. I am having nightmares, and recollections of events going back MANY years. I am far more lucid, I have been writing a true crime book for ten years, but since April 2018 it has expanded about 20% and is now ready for proof reading! Embarrassing friends and relatives about long gone events? I am also on prinsopril 10mg for high blood pressure but I doubt if that has any influence? Can this be really possible?

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hi Adlon57

It sounds like you’re having some unusual feelings and symptoms.

To see if these feeling are related to your epilepsy medicine here is a link to where you can find out more about possible side-effects medicines.org.uk/emc/

If you have concerns, it would be best to keep a diary of what you experience and discuss it further with your doctor.

Also well done with the book writing. That’s such an achievement.

Regards

Diane

Epilepsy Action Helpline Team

[Adlon57 in reply to EpilepsyAction1]

Yes it is a bit weird? Small pieces of non associated pieces of recollection happening all the time, having nightmares sometimes of events that happened sometimes decades ago, waking up recollecting the dream and then realising an event I had previously taken for granted was different because of remembering a persons reaction of something I had said, previously not realising that it was important in the whole event? complicated? Previous small events I had completely forgotten but now remembered now seen in a new perspective! A criminal event that had happened in the late 1980's, during the 'troubles', I won't enlarge on that, but will have to get in touch with police eventually? Getting that book ready for proof reading after 10 years! Unfortunately a small stroke 11 years ago, means not all memories remembered will be crystal clear? I am on 10 mg Prinsinopril, 2 x 200 mg Vimpat and 50 mg [2 coated 25 mg] Briviact at the moment. Coming off Epilim and Lamictal, onto Vimpat especially helped although still had violent seizures, from April 2018 when on Briviact and Vimpat combination really best. Switched from due to lack of sleep, presumably from over active Briviact ; evening prinsinopril 10 mg, Briviact 50 mg, Vimpat 200 mg - morning; Vimpat 200 mg TO evening prinsinopril 10 mg, Vimpat 200 mg 25 briviact, - morning; Vimpat 200 mg Briviact 25 mg [this was not altogether successful as I had a couple of pre seizure aura's] {this was under supervision of my epilepsy specialist, so my present dosage, although could increase to 25 mg in evening, if aura's return?}

[Adlon57 in reply to EpilepsyAction1]

Dear Diane

I have been giving my ideas some serious thought in the last couple of days, I am in a bit of a quandary? I will explain since late 2016, my health situation has been particularly colourful? I was 'grilled' by various face to face interviews by 'Nicola' organisation, leading to mental breakdown, I do not know if recognised, but I have had epilepsy nearly fifty years and it is a major side effect of certainly myself, my system panics in a major fashion when under pressure! Quiz's over the years, having above average IQ, good at setting the questions, crap when under pressure answering questions! Anyway enough of that, at the end of 2016, I was on epilim and lamictal, and having severe Parkinson disease type effects [major shaking] I was scanned and found it was side effects of epilim. {Christmas 2016} I was put on Fycompa and lamictal, {February 8th 2017} I had a major seizure breaking at least five ribs, I have scoliosis since birth, this led to permanent breathing, heart and sleeping patterns, {March 2017} Confirmed diagnose of having Schwannamatosis [Guy's hospital London] {June 2017} a supposed 'specialist' put me on Pregabalin as well [this reacted badly with all my body joints, Schwannamatosis reaction? after ten days taken off them] (2017 this was probably the WORST year of my life!!) {November 2017} taken off Fycompa, but in the process, just on lamictal, which lead to 'electric shock' type seizures' which has been officially recognised by Epilepsy medical records! {December 2017} onto Vimpat, lucidity beginning to happen from then on, although having violent seizures all times of the day! {January 2018} double seizures, fractured skull, and ongoing effects of left eye { April 2018} Briviact and Vimpat combination, no seizures since April 18 2018, just before this medical combination {September 2018} Pancreatitis, a direct side effect of Briviact?

Now true crime book finished after 10 years, and proof reading time after 10 years, now needing my improved lucidity! My memory regaining could be because of vast improving of mental health, not necessarily because of medication although feel like an upgraded computer, hard drive improved, banged around a bit, but general body work needs a lot of t.l.c. letting the system down? I think you will agree the last 30 months have been very colourful?

all the best

Shaun