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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tepiaca on December 27, 2003, at 17:30:42
Im losing my memory !! I cant even remember what I did the last 2 hours . All the medicines I have taken during all these years are affecting me and destroying my memory.
Im losing all my reminds , that is very sad :(Do you think is possible that all the memories of my childhood return again?
is it possible that once you forget something you can remember it again?what do you suggest for memory?
Posted by tenshen on December 27, 2003, at 23:28:34
In reply to Memory question, posted by Tepiaca on December 27, 2003, at 17:30:42
Hi Tepiaca,
I had the same problem during my SSRI ride. Over time I couldn't remember hardly anything, I had to think REALLY hard and everything seemed blurred together.
I quit the SSRIs and started adderall recently and thoughts and memorys are just popping back into my head out of nowhere that I had TOTALY forgotten about, like childhood events and movies ect. So, don't worry, your memories are still there they are just being blocked from the meds you are taking.
Posted by Siraris on December 28, 2003, at 4:41:16
In reply to Re: Memory question, posted by tenshen on December 27, 2003, at 23:28:34
I am having the same problems on Paxil/Klonopin. I don't know whether it's anxiety/depression or my meds. Tenshen, can you point anywhere to show that what you are saying about SSRI's are true? I have read the PDR, and there is nothing about SSRI's effecting memory. My psych states this as well, as does my sister who is a doctor. I'd love to see any hard proof that SSRI's can do this to a person, and if this is true, what do you do to get off them and get your mind back?
My memories are there, but I just have a problem with recall. I actually can remember a good amount, but there is a lot I can't. I feel like I'm 50 but I'm only 22. I cannot pinpoint what it is with my memory, as right now I could tell you all about my childhood and other things, but there are many things I cannot remember.
Let me just pose this to the both of you. Tepiaca, if you are over 30-40 years old, it could be related to your age, and other medical issues. Also, it could be related to untreated depression/anxiety or sleep issues as well. I am heading on this path, as my memory is not perfect like it used to be, but it is still very good. I think there is something going on in my life that is blocking things, and I can't get off my meds as I would start having a lot of panic again (I tried getting of klonopin recently and I felt like hell).
And a side note, I talked to my sister about all this, and she mentioned a patient she had. He noticed his scholastic abilities declining rapidly, he also had bad memory issues, including driving places and forgetting where he was going/why he was going there. She suggested he do neural cognitive testing. By the time he was supposed to do the testing, he was all better, it was just something going on in his life at the time.
So I wouldn't be so quick to say it's the meds, as I don't see any real hard evidence of SSRI's interfering with memory.
But if anyone has any answers, or hard evidence I'd LOVE to see, as I'd love to solve my problems as well, and if it is really SSRI's I'd like to have some good hard info to get off.
Posted by Tenshen on December 28, 2003, at 5:42:53
In reply to Re: Memory question, posted by Siraris on December 28, 2003, at 4:41:16
Sirarsis,
No, I don't have any proof or anything, just based on personal experience. I am only 17, so it can't be my age and it was never that bad before I started the meds. Adderall did lift my depression though, so maybe that is why. But you're right, I shouldn't have blamed her meds without proof, I just believed that to be the reason due to my own experience. My bad..
> I am having the same problems on Paxil/Klonopin. I don't know whether it's anxiety/depression or my meds. Tenshen, can you point anywhere to show that what you are saying about SSRI's are true? I have read the PDR, and there is nothing about SSRI's effecting memory. My psych states this as well, as does my sister who is a doctor. I'd love to see any hard proof that SSRI's can do this to a person, and if this is true, what do you do to get off them and get your mind back?
>
> My memories are there, but I just have a problem with recall. I actually can remember a good amount, but there is a lot I can't. I feel like I'm 50 but I'm only 22. I cannot pinpoint what it is with my memory, as right now I could tell you all about my childhood and other things, but there are many things I cannot remember.
>
> Let me just pose this to the both of you. Tepiaca, if you are over 30-40 years old, it could be related to your age, and other medical issues. Also, it could be related to untreated depression/anxiety or sleep issues as well. I am heading on this path, as my memory is not perfect like it used to be, but it is still very good. I think there is something going on in my life that is blocking things, and I can't get off my meds as I would start having a lot of panic again (I tried getting of klonopin recently and I felt like hell).
>
> And a side note, I talked to my sister about all this, and she mentioned a patient she had. He noticed his scholastic abilities declining rapidly, he also had bad memory issues, including driving places and forgetting where he was going/why he was going there. She suggested he do neural cognitive testing. By the time he was supposed to do the testing, he was all better, it was just something going on in his life at the time.
>
> So I wouldn't be so quick to say it's the meds, as I don't see any real hard evidence of SSRI's interfering with memory.
>
> But if anyone has any answers, or hard evidence I'd LOVE to see, as I'd love to solve my problems as well, and if it is really SSRI's I'd like to have some good hard info to get off.
Posted by sb417 on December 28, 2003, at 7:17:39
In reply to Re: Memory question, posted by Siraris on December 28, 2003, at 4:41:16
You mentioned that you take Klonopin. Do you take a high dose? Klonopin is in a class of drugs called benzodiazapines, which are known to have an adverse effect on memory.
I haven't heard anything about ssri's impairing memory, but I know that some of the older antidepressants, such as the tricyclics (Elavil, Imipramine, desipramine, etc.) impair memory.
Posted by Siraris on December 28, 2003, at 15:50:52
In reply to Re: Memory question » Siraris, posted by sb417 on December 28, 2003, at 7:17:39
I take 1 miligram of Klonopin at night, and I have been taking that same dose for 7 years. I have not seen real memory problems until about 6 months to a year ago, so I highly doubt that it is the Klonpin. I would point the finger more at Paxil if I was to say it was the meds, since I have been taking it only for about 3 years now (I was actually on Imipramine before that and noticed no side effects related to memory) but I would point the finger more at untreated anxiety and depression or perhaps something else, before I point the finger at meds. People are too quick to point fingers at medication.
Posted by Tepiaca on December 29, 2003, at 1:01:53
In reply to Re: Memory question, posted by Siraris on December 28, 2003, at 15:50:52
I really dont know wich medicines have caused
this . Its not my age . Im only 23 ,but Ive been taking medicine since I was 15
All kinds of medicines , SSRIS , Tryciclics ,
benzos , betablockers , antipsychotics atipics and convencionals , shintroid ,litium ,etc etc
now Im on a MAOI.My brain is totally affected , and its for sure
due to all the medicines .
Now I wonder what am I going to do to recover my past and memories ???
Im very worried about this
Posted by Siraris on December 29, 2003, at 3:51:56
In reply to Re: Memory question, posted by Tepiaca on December 29, 2003, at 1:01:53
Tepiaca -
Do not worry. I am 22, near your age, and I had about 2 or 3 weeks of bad memory problems, and about 6 months of slight memory problems. You say you are very worried, what is probably happening is you are hyper-focusing on your memory issue. If you do that, you will not be able to recall your memories because you are trying too hard, and this will cause anxiety. Your memories are there, they don't just dissapear (unless you have brain damage). Try talking to your therapist and focus on getting rid of the anxiety, and stop hyper-focusing. That's what I did, and my memory is coming back. You also should look into whether or not you have some sort of attention issue.
But if you are having long term memory issues, your memories are there, you are just making yourself not be able to access them. Don't worry they are still there, and you will remember them soon. Just try not to focus too hard.
Posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 21:04:12
In reply to Re: Memory question, posted by Siraris on December 29, 2003, at 3:51:56
Hmm... Interesting note... Not to say this has anything to do with you, but a similar situation. I too have severe memory problems. I'm 24 (and have a hard time remembering my age and birth date). I can't remember anything about my childhhod. I can't remember what my house looked like, and I lived there for 19 years. And now, I can't recall basic information I learn in classes. I don't recall lectures or even being in class. I have a very hard time with names and conversations. But, my memory loss stems from childhood trauma. According to my therapist, I've dissociated from childhood trauma to the point that I've even begun to not create solid memories to this day. As I work in therapy, my memory is starting to improve. And I even remember things from the past. My only problem is that now I'm not so sure I want to.
Posted by Siraris on December 31, 2003, at 1:51:46
In reply to Re: Memory question, posted by Karen_kay on December 30, 2003, at 21:04:12
Karen - That's an incredible story and I really sympathize with you. I think my memory issues are related to anxiety as well as inattentive add. I used to take meds (ritalin and then Adderall) and I think they helped, but I honestly don't really remember becuase at that time in my life I did not think I needed them and I also was not using my brain very much. I do remmeber I had no problems remembering things like simpson quotes and whatnot.
My memory issues are very strange. I can remember the most random things from my childhood and from years and years ago, as well as more recent things. I'll be sitting and watching a show though, or a movie, and I will forget the names of characters. I was watching a series of shows tonight, one after another (in a box set) and I was forggeting what the episode we had just watched was about. It's very strange.
I honestly think it's just my brain is not awake enough to remember stuff. I find that when I am really interested (IE My brain is awake) I remember things. When I was younger, I probably didn't have any attention issues, and I just paid attention to everything.
Anyways enough about me. I'm glad you're resolving your issues through therapy, and I hope as I continue through therapy I will reap the same results.
Always great to hear positive news :)
This is the end of the thread.
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