Long term memory loss

Photo courtesy of Mercuryvapour

The jury’s out on whether Epilepsy or anti-seizure medication (or neither) causes memory loss.

This Timesonline article reports on one person’s experience and the views of 3 leading neurologists who believe that Epilepsy may be linked to long term memory loss.

This may be particularly true for those of us with temporal lobe seizures, as this is the part of the brain where memories are stored. They do believe that it’s not modern drugs that are causing the problem (although older, barbiturate-based ones might).

In cases of severe memory loss, to cope with the effects it helps that the sufferer is believed by both the Doctor and by friends/family. Help should also be sought for associated anxiety or depression.

Are grapefruits dangerous?

Photo courtesy of qousqous

Recent news items, following research from the University of Western Ontario, warn of taking medication with grapefruit juice as this could substantially impair the absorption and therefore the effectiveness of the drug.  Other fruit juices may have a similar effect.

This echoes an earlier warning in 2002 from the New South Wales Department of Health that grapefruits and grapefruit drinks could interact with Carbamazepine (Tegretol) used to treat Epilepsy. To repeat the advice in their factsheet:

“People should carefully read the Consumer Medicine Information sheet that accompanies most prescription-only products obtainable from the pharmacist. Anyone with concerns should consult their pharmacist or doctor.”