have been taking combo Gabapentin (300mg) + Tramadol (50mg) to reduce/manage my TN pain. From Aug to late Oct, was taking 8-9 dosages. Following a gylcerol injection in late Oct, I have been taking 4-5 doses. The neurotin has made me less than sharp since Day 1, but in the past few weeks I have begun to have some memory issues. For example, we left for a week long vacation on Christmas day, upon returning on New Years I struggled remember the opening of the presents that I had opened myself. Suppose I was stressed about the travel, but memory loss is extreme.
Any comments on this? Has anyone had memory issues caused by the long-term use of the TN maintenance meds?
Many patients have disturbances to short and long term memory, cognitive function, and word-finding ability, while under treatment with anti-convulsant meds. Some also find a tendency to fall asleep when dose levels are high. For specific information on particular medication side effects, I'd recommend http://www.rxlist.com or http://drugs.com
Albee, I have short term memory issues and have to make lists for everything. My biggest issue is remembering if I took my medication! I had to get a pill organizer. ARG. As you can imagine, I worry about going back to work work as I am a lawyer by trade and do trial work. You HAVE to have a good memory when doing trial work. Scares me very much. However, on Tegretol I was an absolute ZOMBIE, so this was so much better in at least I can function.
I also have short term memory issues, I can forget things going from one room to another. Lisa I also forgot to take meds until I set my alarm on my cell phone for the meds time. I take them three time a day and fortunately my phone has three alarm times. It has been a great help!
I also have short term memory issues, I can forget things going from one room to another. Lisa I also forgot to take meds until I set my alarm on my cell phone for the meds time. I take them three time a day and fortunately my phone has three alarm times. It has been a great help!
Scott, I have an app for my phone. My real issue, not stated well here, was not remember if I took the last dose. So I use the pill organizer and the cell phone app... lol. Double check for me.
I take Oxicarbazapine and struggle with my memory every day. I am an Optician and math is a major part of my job. I can't add 0.25 plus 0.50. The answer is 0.75. But the algebra gets more intense. I worry every day!!!
For me the most annoying thing is when you know you _know_ the word or answer but just can't vocalize it correctly, its indescribably frustrating.
As for long term issues, a few years ago I was on Topamax for about a year (didn't help at all) and had the memory issues while on it, it took a little bit after getting off of it to get back to normal but I eventually did. Until starting in on Trileptal and Tegretol that is.
So, for me at least, the effects of memory loss and forgetfullness went away as the medicine left my body.
Great discussion you guys! I am 30 days into my first episode. I also have not driven since. Did anyone go thru giving up your keys temporairly? When did you start driving again if so? I would live to know. Kimburlee
jeffk said:
For me the most annoying thing is when you know you _know_ the word or answer but just can't vocalize it correctly, its indescribably frustrating.
As for long term issues, a few years ago I was on Topamax for about a year (didn't help at all) and had the memory issues while on it, it took a little bit after getting off of it to get back to normal but I eventually did. Until starting in on Trileptal and Tegretol that is.
So, for me at least, the effects of memory loss and forgetfullness went away as the medicine left my body.
Occasionally, while on Tegretol I will have, what can best be described as, an "out of body experience" where it will feel like I am controlling my arms and legs with video games controllers and things which were subconscious movements (like moving my arms) required me to think about how to move my arm before they would move. Very weird, but definitely when that happens (not often, only 3 times or so in the past 2 months) I definitely let my wife take the wheel.
Also when I was on some of the stronger opiates I wouldn't drive while taking them.
Basically my rule of thumb is, if I don't feel like my reaction time is 100% I don't drive, because even if you don't need quick reactions 99% of the time, that 1% of the time that you do, its critical that its available.
General memory is not an issue for me, or I am unaware of it!! I do struggle with retrieving the correct words. I have to talk to many people in the course of a days work and it can be somewhat embarrassing! But not as much as clutching my face and groaning, what are we to do????????? I am not as sharp as normal but not too bad. I take Teg and I am changing back to Neurontin, although I have a fairground effect with it I have to say my well being improves drastically when I take it. Teg makes me subdued!
uggg...I am a culinary teacher and have not one, but THREE levels of classes I teach on a daily basis...this has INDEED made a HUGE IMPACT on how I retrieve information and words to relate my thoughts to the classes / individual students. I think it is a blessing not to be the chef in charge of a restaurant these days! ...praying this will level off and I'll be able to respond like NORMAL soon! You are soo not alone!
I just noticed this question... to answer it, I did not drive on Tegretol at ALL. When I switched completely over to the Gabapentin, the things that were effecting balance, grogginess and such went away. I have a friend that is a police officer that gave me two field sobriety tests on different days and said I passed. Also, my doctor checked my reflexes and I was good.
kimburlee said:
Great discussion you guys! I am 30 days into my first episode. I also have not driven since. Did anyone go thru giving up your keys temporairly? When did you start driving again if so? I would live to know. Kimburlee
jeffk said:
For me the most annoying thing is when you know you _know_ the word or answer but just can't vocalize it correctly, its indescribably frustrating.
As for long term issues, a few years ago I was on Topamax for about a year (didn't help at all) and had the memory issues while on it, it took a little bit after getting off of it to get back to normal but I eventually did. Until starting in on Trileptal and Tegretol that is.
So, for me at least, the effects of memory loss and forgetfullness went away as the medicine left my body.
uggg...I am a culinary teacher and have not one, but THREE levels of classes I teach on a daily basis...this has INDEED made a HUGE IMPACT on how I retrieve information and words to relate my thoughts to the classes / individual students. I think it is a blessing not to be the chef in charge of a restaurant these days! ...praying this will level off and I'll be able to respond like NORMAL soon! You are soo not alone!
uggg...I am a culinary teacher and have not one, but THREE levels of classes I teach on a daily basis...this has INDEED made a HUGE IMPACT on how I retrieve information and words to relate my thoughts to the classes / individual students. I think it is a blessing not to be the chef in charge of a restaurant these days! ...praying this will level off and I'll be able to respond like NORMAL soon! You are soo not alone!
so now that I am nearly recovered from the Gamma Knife procedure, I have actual had memory improvements - my dosages (neurotin and tramadol) remain the same 4-5xday each. Starting to think all the stress + anxiety leading up to the Gamma Knife procedure plus all the TN pain episodes (attacks) that I just had no more capacity to create memories...
Although that said when I get 'stuck' and cannot recall something it now sends me off into a dizzy spell (note this dizziness is that last after effect from the Gamma Knife)
Oh shoot, I can’t remember squat. I can read something, and 20 seconds later I have forgotten what I just read. I was chalking it up to the aging process, which I think is a TINY bit responsible, but now that most of you have it too, it has to be primarily the 2400 mg of Trilepal. Ugh !!! Checking the garage door over and over again is very annoying !!!
Oh shoot, I can't remember squat. I can read something, and 20 seconds later I have forgotten what I just read. I was chalking it up to the aging process, which I think is a TINY bit responsible, but now that most of you have it too, it has to be primarily the 2400 mg of Trilepal. Ugh !!!! Checking the garage door over and over again is very annoying !!!
Holy cow, this grabbing at words is driving me crazy. Reminds me of the scene in Young Frankenstein where the monster is with the little girl, just grabbing at butterflies. I can't formulate words correctly, forget the word I want to say, and have a hard time putting sentences together (even pronouncing words sometimes!. It's like part of my brain has dropped out. I'm on Lyrica 300 mg/day. But to not have the excruciating eye pain, its worth it. Fortunately I'm retired, or by now I would have been fired as incompetent!