![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maureen on February 23, 1999, at 22:33:38
I am taking paxil 15mg, neurotin 400mg and zyprexa 2.5mg
My doctor doesn't seem to think that the memory problem is severe but I don't remember xmas 98 or valentines 99 and things like that I can't remember the name of the Doctor who originally claimed I was bi-polar and put me on haldol
love to hear from anyone on this memory issue.
Also is there sex after anti-depressants?
Posted by Matt on February 24, 1999, at 1:38:44
In reply to memory loss, posted by Maureen on February 23, 1999, at 22:33:38
> I am taking paxil 15mg, neurotin 400mg and zyprexa 2.5mg
> My doctor doesn't seem to think that the memory problem is severe but I don't remember xmas 98 or valentines 99 and things like that I can't remember the name of the Doctor who originally claimed I was bi-polar and put me on haldol
> love to hear from anyone on this memory issue.
> Also is there sex after anti-depressants?SSRIs like Paxil can interfere with the storage of new information, though a) you're on a fairly low dose and b) what you're describing sounds much more severe than anything I've heard of SSRIs causing. I'd most definitely talk to your doc.
Matt
Posted by Molly on February 24, 1999, at 11:01:51
In reply to memory loss, posted by Maureen on February 23, 1999, at 22:33:38
> I am taking paxil 15mg, neurotin 400mg and zyprexa 2.5mg
> My doctor doesn't seem to think that the memory problem is severe but I don't remember xmas 98 or valentines 99 and things like that I can't rem Ican relate a year and a half ago I had ECT treatments my thoght prosses is awful I cant evon spell or tell you what Iate today .I forget in mid sentance what i am saying i am 40 in july please write back.
Posted by Matt on February 25, 1999, at 2:21:52
In reply to Re: memory loss, posted by Molly on February 24, 1999, at 11:01:51
> > I am taking paxil 15mg, neurotin 400mg and zyprexa 2.5mg
> > My doctor doesn't seem to think that the memory problem is severe but I don't remember xmas 98 or valentines 99 and things like that I can't rem Ican relate a year and a half ago I had ECT treatments my thoght prosses is awful I cant evon spell or tell you what Iate today .I forget in mid sentance what i am saying i am 40 in july please write back.Molly,
Can you tell us more about your situation?
Matt
Posted by suebee on September 12, 2000, at 18:54:27
In reply to Re: memory loss, posted by Matt on February 25, 1999, at 2:21:52
> > > I am taking paxil 15mg, neurotin 400mg and zyprexa 2.5mg
> > > My doctor doesn't seem to think that the memory problem is severe but I don't remember xmas 98 or valentines 99 and things like that I can't rem Ican relate a year and a half ago I had ECT treatments my thoght prosses is awful I cant evon spell or tell you what Iate today .I forget in mid sentance what i am saying i am 40 in july please write back.
>
> Molly,
>
> Can you tell us more about your situation?
>
> MattI have a good friend who is having horrible trouble with her memory. She too was diagnosed years ago as bi-polar. She's been on lithium years ago, then put on depokote, with anti-depressants such as prozac, paxil, zoloft, serizone, effexor. She is currently taking celaxa, wellbutrin, and of course synthroid due to the lithium. She feels like her brain is swiss cheese. She forgets everything, all the time. Does anyone have any suggestions for anything that might help? Please respond, Suebee
Posted by Chris A. on September 13, 2000, at 18:18:44
In reply to Re: memory loss, posted by suebee on September 12, 2000, at 18:54:27
Suebee,
My pDoc has me on Aricept (donzepil). A consultant thought it would help the memory loss and cognitive dysfunction regardless of the cause. It is typically used for Alzheimers. It is hard to tell whether it is helping or not, as I am still recovering from twenty ECT treatments. I find that increasing concentration (which means effectively stabilizing moods, thereby reducing depression) is crucial. Excercise, adequate rest, and avoiding meds that contribute to memory problems (primarily sleeping medications) are also helpful. My husband has been going through twenty-one years worth of photos and I got really tired of saying "I don't remember", feeling as if I had lost my children's childhood. Discussing those events together has helped and been encouraging. It helps to have significant others to help jog long term memory. As far as the short term... am still working on that. To-do lists and writing things down in an organized fashion are essential for me. Since I am starting to feel better, setting apart some time everyday to tackle projects that require me to think and learn new things is something I'm trying to do. Learning foreign languages is supposed to be good for generating neurons and improving cognitive function. Hence, I have the lofty idea of studying Latin with my high school aged daughters. When depressed, just making it through the day was a major challenge. Through my own experience and research, depression is probably the main cause of memory loss in the vast majority who experience it. It is important to rule out other causes, through EEGs, MRIs and other brain imaging if indicated. As a middle aged female it was also recommended that I add estrogen to my treatment regimen, as there are some studies that show it is neuroprotective. Choline and vitamin E are the supplements that have been recommended by professionals. Some people think Gingko is great, but it has some fairly universal adverse side effects that can be harmful over the long term, such as hypertension, which contributes to heart disease, which over 50% of American die of.
Forgetting things in mid sentence is definely something I can relate to. Did I or did I not take that pill? Did I put the baking soda in that recipe? Following ECT I felt as though I had to relearn everything - didn't know where the control for the emergency flashers was on my car and couldn't find places I'd been to many times before in my home town. English composition has gone out the window. No one would believe me if I said I edited my high school newspaper (yes, it has been just a few years ago). I don't even know how to spell now. Please don't mention names and faces.
It is getting better, and to reiterate - tackling the depression is the first issue. Concentration and memory go hand in hand and concentration goes out the window in depression and usually in hypomania and mania. It is so easy to try blame the loss all on the meds, but I think we do those around us a disservice by not considering the illness as a cause.
You must be a very caring person to hang in with your friend through these struggles. A good friend can bring hope which is an integral ingredient in getting better.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,Chris A.
Does anyone have any suggestions for anything that might help? Please respond, Suebee
Posted by Stranger on September 19, 2000, at 22:00:24
In reply to Re: memory loss » suebee, posted by Chris A. on September 13, 2000, at 18:18:44
Suebee,
I've been on Celexa (40 mg) for over a year now ... maybe two (don't remember!) ... but a few months ago my doc gave me Aricept (10 mg) to counteract my memory loss and general stupidity, and it's worked very well. I'm still not 100%, but I'm a lot better. I ran out of Aricept last week, and went a few days without, and the difference was dramatic. I saw someone at work on a Tuesday, and since I hadn't seen them the day before they asked "How was your weekend?" and I was stumped because I just couldn't remember ANYTHING AT ALL about the preceding days.
Anyway, I'd give the Aricept a try.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.