I’ve been a T1 diabetic for 28 years. I have no complications from the disease, I’m happy to say, except I feel rather certain my memory has paid the price from the multiple seizures I’ve had over the years (I’m going to guess at least 20, no more than 30) and none since going on the pump 5 years ago. I read recently about how your hippocampus “pays” the cost during a hypoxic event, which got me wondering… hmmmm… Husband has mentioned blue lips during some seizures, no sugar, probably little oxygen to the brain (hippocampus being a major hub for memory in the brain)? Of course, anyone who has had a seizure from an extreme low knows your short term memory pays the cost immediately, so I don’t know…I just know my memory is horrible and I really feel the past seizures and lows I’ve had have worsened my memory. I’d love to know how others feel about this.
Wow Tiffany I had a seizure 5 years ago and was out (not awake) for a good 3 weeks. I’m still paying the price due to the seizure I had. My short term memory is still bad. Now I can’t work due to my memory problems. Thank God I’m on disability. Do you know if we will ever get back to normal? I somehow don’t feel like I use to before this happened.
Connie
Wow, that is unlike any seizure I’ve had before! 3 weeks?? Was anyone with you when it happened, or did you wake up on your own? I’ve been extremely fortunate to have never been alone when one has happened and it has never taken more than 1-2 days to get over it (mostly just exhausted and hurting all over). I’m afraid I don’t understand what happened to you that kept you unconscious for so long, do you? But from what you say, that tells me that yes, seizures and memory problems can go hand in hand. The 20+ I’ve had were spread over 23 years, so maybe I just don’t realize what they’ve done quite to the extent that you’ve experienced with one seriously bad one. I just know when old, old friends (on Facebook, of course) find me and talk about old times, I remember very little, if any, of what they remember… Short term is essentially fine, but old memories… lots have gone missing…
So Connie, you didn’t use the word “coma” but is that what actually happened to you?
Yes Tiffany my live with me mom. 5 yeas ago on that paticular morning she realized I did’nt get up for work. She freaked out when this happened and called the paramedics. Unfortunately the M.D. that treated found out I was uninsured and treated me horribly. So I was told because I was unaware of everything going on. I have no memory at all of waking up when they told me I did. But now unfortunately I hear from mom that he spoke horrible rude to me. He was trying to get me to talk and I would’nt. I guess it’s kind of good I don’t have no memory of this. I wish I could sue him for treating me unethically. Can you beleive he was Cheif of Staff.
Connie
I think I am having memory problems as well although it doesn’t adversely affect my day to day life it may be something I am taking to help with mental illness but it could also be the diabetes involved my short term memory seems to be not good when trying to remember things like people’s names or times and dates and events and day to day scheduling form kevkel45suporman
I have another 12 years on your experiences with this dragon we share.
Seizures had my share, I am sure. As for memory how do we seperate normal aging, normal memory issues from a deeper problem caused solely and exclusively by our diabetes? What kinds of memory things are causing trouble?
Stuart
Hello Connie:
Just because they wear a “white coat” does NOT mean they are either NICE or good people! The greater the title, the less I trust as easily…
Stuart
Funny you should write now. I had a seizure this weekend and it’s been 6+ years since the last one (since I went on the pump). After my husband got some OJ into me and I came back around, it was very obvious what it had done to my memory. I couldn’t recall what I had done the night before and “fresh” memories were extremely faint/vague. I had just gotten back in touch with an old friend within the last week and those memories were very hard for me to bring back to mind. Old memories were not a problem, just the newer ones. And it’s now been four days since the seizure and my brain is still a bit foggy, not running on all cylinders, so to speak. I think you just fry your brain during a seizure and you never completely and totally get back to where you were before. I’m curious to see how long it takes me to feel totally “normal” again, but I’m not quite there yet. I’ll continue to point a finger at these seizures as a source of the memory problems though and it sounds like you’re with me on that. Funny though, you’d be hard pressed to find any research/literature on this subject… Thanks for writing!
I feel like my memory has been most certainly been effected! I have had diabetes 36 years and have no other complications either. I have been concerned enough about my memory that I had tests by neurologist a few years ago and it was his opinion that the memory loss or problems had to do with ADHD and not seizures. I have had many seizures over the years. I am getting older (51) but my memory is embarrassing! I say yes, insulin shock effects memory.....
Can relate! I can't think of words to say and my short term memory is horrible. T1 for 36 years and countless lows enough to blackout. I am 51 but have been having extreme memory problems for 15-20 years. So I don't think mine is due to normal aging. Had several tests by neurologist and he believed that it was due to ADHD and not seizures or extreme lows. I don't agree and just deal using other people's memory as a huge help.