SSI - Memory Problems

SSI - Memory Problems - Epilepsy

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justme - 01 Sep 2004 21:43 GMT

I am trying to get disability thru SSI. I have had three documented
Grand Mau Seizures within the past two years, lost my job, and am still
having smaller seizures. I am taking topamirate and dilantin for medication.

I have been awarded non service related VA benefits for it and was
wondering if "Mary", "Dave", or any other news readers in this group
could help me in this respect.

I have been turned down on the first attempt and have retained a lawyer
for the second attempt. Is there anything that I should know that will
help me in this situation?

And also, please, I keep reading that after seizures, people return to
normal lives. Well I have seemed to have lost parts of my memory. I
can't remember what happened yesterday in a lot of aspects! I mean I can
still type (as of now!)so I haven't forgotten everything (maybe how to
spell)so it is strange to say I lost my memory but I just have.

My daughter or friends ask me stuff and say "You remember yesterday" or
"How about last week when we bla bla bla.." and I just am blank. I can't
even remember stuff from this morning. I can watch a movie and tomorrow,
it is almost like watching a new movie. It is hard to explain to a
person. I know some can be attributed to my age (57 this month) but it
shouldn't happen so quick like this should it?

Is this something a seizure can do or will do. Any help in this matter
will be appreciated....

(See Mary, ya aren't the only one that can write a
book!).......................... :) )

I'm new to the group, please be gentle...........................

owlvee james

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gaross - 01 Sep 2004 23:52 GMT

I'm not in the U.S. so I can't speak to your questions below, except that
someone here last year said it was common to have to Re Apply 2, 3, 4? times
sometimes before SSI and other benefits get approved, even though the Dr.
might put the same information most times on the forms.

If you have access to this groups 'history' posts, about a week ago I
posted a subject similar to 'Epilepsy Support News Sites' or something like
that that listed the http://efa.org website, Howdy Dave's site, Julie's
Idaho website, etc. that I had found over the years. (***IF you can't find
that, just reply on group to this briefly and I'll pick the older post up
and Re-post it for you.)

Several of the Seizure types can affect memory function. Mine affects
short to medium term memory because my seizure (damage) is in the Right
Temporal Lobe (either the Left or Right one can affect memory). I think
other parts of the brain can also affect memory. Those types of articles
would be under the efa site, but also under e.g. Julie's Idaho First Aid
for Seizure chart, that describes the symptoms. G./ (I left your note
below in case I find anything else I forgot to tell you about !! :-< )

> I am trying to get disability thru SSI. I have had three documented
> Grand Mau Seizures within the past two years, lost my job, and am still
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> owlvee james

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turbinado - 02 Sep 2004 01:46 GMT

Anti-epilepsy drugs can also cause memory loss. Topiramate and carbamazepine
had that effect on me. I still remember lots of things, but for some things,
both short and long term, I just draw a blank - "file deleted" is what I
call it.

> I'm not in the U.S. so I can't speak to your questions below, except that
> someone here last year said it was common to have to Re Apply 2, 3, 4? times
[quoted text clipped - 51 lines]
> >
> > owlvee james

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Theo - 02 Sep 2004 21:58 GMT

> Anti-epilepsy drugs can also cause memory loss. Topiramate and
> carbamazepine had that effect on me. I still remember lots of things,
> but for some things, both short and long term, I just draw a blank -
> "file deleted" is what I call it.

Dilantin also, when I was on that. But now carbamazepine (sp? I can never
get it right) does it to varying degrees. To what degree I dont know
anymore because I have no idea what it would be like to be off this
stuff... except for the seizures coming back.

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gaross - 03 Sep 2004 14:30 GMT

> > Anti-epilepsy drugs can also cause memory loss. Topiramate and
> > carbamazepine had that effect on me. I still remember lots of things,
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> anymore because I have no idea what it would be like to be off this
> stuff... except for the seizures coming back.

Your spelling was fine. An easier name I think most 'users' of carba etc.
would recognize is just Tegretol. Often though Tegretol may be used to
treat seizures that start in one of the Temporal Lobes of the Brain,
although it might work for other areas too.
But the T.Lobes affect Memory (short term parts and learning), so
sometimes it may not just be the Pill but the Symptom of where the seizures
start (possible damage there or ? causing the szrs.).
I agree with you though, if it controls the seizures (mine does), I'm
not changing anything. G./

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Dave ???? - 02 Sep 2004 06:18 GMT

Howdy!

My lawyer took care of everything. All I had to do was show up at the
hearing when he told me to.

Signature

Dave ????

http://www.howdydave.com

> I am trying to get disability thru SSI. I have had three documented
> Grand Mau Seizures within the past two years, lost my job, and am still
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> owlvee james

Reply to this Message

David Ruether - 02 Sep 2004 20:54 GMT

This site has some very useful advice (you may need to copy the
pieces to get all the URL together):
http://www.thedisabilityexpert.com/Seizures%20and%20Social%20Security%20and%20Su
pplemental%20Security%20Income%20Disability%20Benefits.html
Go to the "Articles" section, and go to "Seizures" and "What Must
Your Doctor..." (and to others that seem appropriate) - and also to
the links within the articles. This is all written "from the inside", so it
is quite useful. I'm going through this process now, and it appears
the "bottom lines" are that your conditions meet the SS standards
(you can get these specifics from SS), and that your disability
prevents you from working in specific ways. Useful is a summary
cover letter from your doctor with specific things in it suggested
in the articles at the URL above. A good disability lawyer is
very useful on appeal, though a well-prepared and documented
original attempt may often save this step...
--
DR

> Howdy!
>
> My lawyer took care of everything. All I had to do was show up at the
> hearing when he told me to.

>> I am trying to get disability thru SSI. I have had three documented
>> Grand Mau Seizures within the past two years, lost my job, and am still
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>>
>> owlvee james

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Lewis - 02 Sep 2004 09:16 GMT

My memory loss became worse while I was on
Topamax. Finally go off it and back on Dilantin.

I was also approved for SSI. They even sent me
for psych testing and they reported that I have
major memory loss. Every one told me you have
to appeal becuase they turn down everyone but
I was lucky and it went through on the first attempt.

> I am trying to get disability thru SSI. I have had three documented
> Grand Mau Seizures within the past two years, lost my job, and am still
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> owlvee james

Reply to this Message

Mary Fisher - 02 Sep 2004 21:57 GMT

> I am trying to get disability thru SSI. I have had three documented
> Grand Mau Seizures within the past two years, lost my job, and am still
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> wondering if "Mary", "Dave", or any other news readers in this group
> could help me in this respect.

I'm Mary but I'm afraid I can't help you, I'm in UK and have no idea what
'non service related VA benefits' are.

> And also, please, I keep reading that after seizures, people return to
> normal lives. Well I have seemed to have lost parts of my memory. I
> can't remember what happened yesterday in a lot of aspects! I mean I can
> still type (as of now!)so I haven't forgotten everything (maybe how to
> spell)so it is strange to say I lost my memory but I just have.

My memory was certainly affected by the surgeon's knife - or it might have
been the effects of the tumour. I don't know. I don't mind having a bad
memory, it shows I'm alive.

In fact I always say that I have a perfect memory, everything is stored in
there.

The retrieval system is another matter ...

> (See Mary, ya aren't the only one that can write a
> book!).......................... :) )

I haven't written mine yet :-)

> I'm new to the group, please be gentle...........................

Nice to meet you. Stick around.

Mary

> owlvee james

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