Its very common for people with epilepsy to have bad memory loss or appearing forgetful! This can be down to medication or even the damage done to the brain during seizures either through trauma or lack of oxygen whilst having seizures. It is the most frustrating element which there isnt a cure for and no drug will help it either. Its important to support them and whilst they forgot to do something is frustrating to you, imagine yourself in their shoes along with the embarrassment factor too and the fact they feel they have let you down. A lot of people ask, what can be put in place or what tricks do we use that help us remember things due to poor memory. From experience only, I use the following: - Epilepsy Society App for documenting seizures or something that needs making a note of. You can also photograph your meds and put reminders on so your phone alarms and tells you what you need to take. - A big white board! We have a big white board with pens on a string tied to it so you always have a pen and note down anything that you need to remember or apts due or school activities for the children or anything significant. - A diary is also good, a small pocket one or a larger one if your bag can fit it in. Just ensure a pen is available! - Post it Notes by the phone for any messages. I use post it notes daily and colour code them. For example, blue for my husband, pink for my daughter, yellow for me and green is urgent. Most packs come with those colours which is why we have that code. - Mobile phones. Ensure you set daily alarms for meds reminder and the setting is on audio so you can hear it. - When cooking, even if waiting for tea to cook, spend the time planning the following day or week or updating calender so you dont let things burn. Getting distracted is so easy when you have a poor memory. - If your off work, set a daily routine. There is nothing worse than long periods of time off work. But you need to keep your brain active or your current memory level will fade along with your concentration. Find a hobby to do at home, then when you feel more able you can continue your hobby in the community with others. Jeremy Kyle doesnt count as a hobby but Jerry Springer is always good for a laugh :0) - If you need to rest, then rest. Your brain is needing it. You need sleep and rest for your brain to recover. - Keep anxiety levels low, the slightest increase and you will forget more and more. - Explore ideas for improving your memory with your epilepsy nurse or Neurologist. Not all will refer you on to another service but some will. - If you need to go to the shops. Just stop, have a recheck of what you actually need, write it down then go. How many times do we forget milk, teabags, cigarettes (in some cases) or something we needed just because we left in a rush! - If you forget a drs apt, ring an apologise, theyll understand and wont mark you down as Did not attend. - Before a neuro apt you will have so many questions, once your there your mind is blank! Write a list well in advance and staple it to the letter you need to take with you. - Let your fridge door become your family friend with magnets and letters and apt cards and family photos! Just think of the amount of time you need milk out of it or food or anything stored in the fridge like washing up liquid when you had a memory lapse :0) Weve all done it!!!! Methods I no longer use: - Writing a job list! I used to make a list of things that needed doing to the tiniest of details. Thats great for some, but I got disheartened when I had a list full but only completed a few jobs. I found this counter-productive but others swear by it! I also use time out in which in my case is using a sensory room. In this time I sit and relax and its surprising what you forgot that day to do! Take 20 minutes out each day just for you. Before you say I have a family and a busy life how can I? Remember I do too! This time you need for you to improve your life, health and to support your family better by remembering things that need doing. I hope thats some help and any questions just ask xxxx
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 13:28:16 +0000