I am normally a pretty together person. Since being on the Lyrica I find that I have to keep my calendar updated and I have to make lists or I will more than likely forget things. Which isn't to big of a deal. But the following has really freaked me out...
Sat. my oldest daughter had a soccer game. She was with her dad (my ex husband) so we just met her there. My husband and our other 2 kids were sitting in the stands when I saw Morgan walk in. I said, "Oh, there's Morgan", and I started doing the crazy wave that moms do to get their kids attention. My husband said, "Ya, you knew she was here". I said, "What are you talking about? They just got here." He said, "Mary, she came in while you were getting popcorn for Kennedy and she smacked you on the back, you said hey, and then you gave her a kiss." I had absolutely no recollection of this. My husband just laughed it off and we watched the game. This bothered me the rest of the weekend. I am only on 300mg of lyrica a day. Not much really. Certainly not enough to take the pain away. So, after Morgan got home Sunday evening I asked her if I did in fact see her at the concession stand and she said I did. That I said hey and gave her a kiss. This has really bothered me. How could I forget something that happened 5 minutes ago? The medicine does make me feel a little different...somewhat forgetful. Usually it's just about silly things. Mostly it's just words...sometimes I stutter or can't seem to find the word I am looking for. So, anyone had similar experiences? Is this a normal thing or a reason to be concerned? Aside from antibiotics or pain meds for dental work I have never been on medicine long term. I don't know if I should bring this up to my neurologist at my next appt. on the 30th or if I should just let it slide. I just feel...so not like myself anymore. Not trying to have a pity party for myself. I just have so many crazy emotions about all of this. Trying to take it one day at a time and enjoy life, but these stupid pains. One minute I am fine and playing with the kids, the next my eye feels like it might pop out of my head or my teeth hurt so bad I just want to yank them all out, or I feel like someone is shoving a knife in my ear. It's all so confusing and I have so many questions. I find that all I do anymore is research TN, but still I find that I have lots of unanswered questions...Ugh.
If you took the time to read this I thank you. I do believe (at least I hope) that with some time I will have a better handle on all of this. I hope all of you are having a pain free day!
I have had the same problem on tegretol for a long time now. It is one of the reasons I opted for the MVD surgery. Exactly like you. Looking for words...forgeting I've done stuff. So no you are not going crazy, it is the meds. I would mention it to your neuro for sure.
Thanks for your response, Linda. While I hate that you have also had to deal with it, at least I know I am not alone. I will certainly mention it my neuro. I find that when I am going places with the kids I am constantly checking to make sure they are all in the car with me. haha!
Linda said:
I have had the same problem on tegretol for a long time now. It is one of the reasons I opted for the MVD surgery. Exactly like you. Looking for words...forgeting I've done stuff. So no you are not going crazy, it is the meds. I would mention it to your neuro for sure.
In my experience it's the "auto-pilot" stuff that gets lost - it doesn't make it to the short-term, and then to the long-term memory files. And yes, scarily, that sometimes includes relating to those that we love, I've found. You're not alone. Not at all. I think that as you get to know your medications better you will learn how to cope with them better. Also, do not underestimate pain's ability to interrupt one's ability to think and remember - I find that it hinders me in that respect just as much as the medications.
more than 75% of us have been on these type meds and it doesn't sound like this one is killing the pain. Lyrica made me feel drunk - and at the time I was a state CPS worker driving foster kids around -- not good. See about lidocaine patches for your face for topical relief. Most other drugs for us have the same side effect....could not remember dogs name, drove my husband and kiddo batty. I asked my neuro for Ritalin. I saw somebody on here used it as needed for focus and concentration. I used it for a couple of months before I opted for surgery - now pain free and I can spell again! Keep researching / asking / learning and your treatments will be dictated by you and what is best for YOU : )
Unfortunately TN has a way of taking on a life of it's own whether we choose to allow it to or not. I still try to come to grips with the fact that there is so much in my life that is controlled by TN. Educating those around me is one that if they choose to learn or assume they know all because they "read" that it's all in my head, etc. It is exhausting. It is overwhelming. It is unexplainable at times. There is so much I forget, have trouble with saying, and my emotions are not always in control. Just take each day minute by minute or second by second if you need to. You are not alone. May your day be pain free and many blessings~~
Tegretol affects my memory, at first i was afraid cos i thought, omg..only ppl with alzheimers or severe brain injuries forget things that literally just happened. Add carbamazepine users to the list. My boy friend makes little light hearted jokes about it but he normally asks me things repeatedly to make sure i remember then. I have asked 5 times in 5 minutes before what was for dinner and when he laughed i was so angry and told him to answer my question XD long term memory is fine but remebring things that just happened or..losing words half way through a sentence, or thinking something then not even remebr what it was to say it..very annoying, I too have said at times that i feel like a shadow of myself because these kind of medicinal side affects can be so regular that they affect how you feel in your life generally, particularly when you take them long term. I am normally a complete chatter box who can juggle many thoughts at once but now it takes real concentration and effort for me to hold regular conversations let alone other things. While very frustrating..trying to reduce my tegretol the pain reminds me why it is so important for me to take them. Im sorry your going through the frustration of it all love. I would not panic too much but sure you can tell your doctor on your next visit..it does them no harm to take note of your reactions to your meds :) stay strong x
Thanks so much for all of your responses. I am so sorry that I didn't respond sooner...I have had a raging migraine for 2 days now and finally bit the bullet and took my neurologist up on his offer of migraine medicine. Over the last several days I have found myself just beating myself up over all of this...for forgetting things, for not feeling good, for needing medicine to function... I need to remember that this is just another chapter in the book of my life. I need to learn to like me again. Most people don't understand... Thankfully my husband is amazing and took great care of me and the kids today. TN makes me feel week and out of control. I'm not good with that, but I will get over it. It's almost like the grieving process...grieving for our old pain free life, learning to live in our new life. I will continue to research my options, try to educate those around me, and learn to accept my many moments of forgetfulness. Love to you all...I sincerely appreciate all of you!