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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 11:10:34
Hi, I think this subject comes up alot. I am finding it difficult to remember the names of objects although I can picture them in my mind. Today it was peach. I pictured a peach and kept trying to remember it's name for my grocery list. Meds: effexor, wellbutrin, lithium, klonopin,and inderal. Age 53 senility? terrics
Posted by femlite1 on February 15, 2004, at 11:40:03
In reply to memory and meds, posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 11:10:34
Im on 3000 mg. Neurontin and 900 mg. Lithium. I can see in my mind what I want to say, just like you!!! BUT I CANT SAY IT...uhggggg
> Hi, I think this subject comes up alot. I am finding it difficult to remember the names of objects although I can picture them in my mind. Today it was peach. I pictured a peach and kept trying to remember it's name for my grocery list. Meds: effexor, wellbutrin, lithium, klonopin,and inderal. Age 53 senility? terrics
>
Posted by noa on February 15, 2004, at 12:11:02
In reply to memory and meds, posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 11:10:34
I've posted about this numerous times, but I don't mind one more... : )
As always, this is just on person's experience, and of course, ymmv.....
I have had word retrieval problems on Effexor and Effexor XR but they are very dose dependent for me. I am fine at a dose below 300. At or above, I have the word retrieval problems. Both for the names of things I can visualize, as well as for more abstract words that I might normally use.
It is indeed frustrating and I found it interrupted the flow of conversation for me.
But I worked with my pdoc to find a way to lower the dose in combination with raising the dose of another med in my cocktail (in my case it was the Serzone).
Talk to your pdoc about this--maybe you can tweak your coctails so that the offending med can be lowered enough to eliminate the word retrieval problems.
Posted by platinumbride on February 15, 2004, at 12:47:15
In reply to Re: word retrieval probs-mine are dose dependent, posted by noa on February 15, 2004, at 12:11:02
I don't know how true this is but my shrink says that the drug keppra (anticonvulsant/mood stablizer) is a cognitive enhancer. My use of it has been sporadic do I can't vouch for that. I just kinda feel that it isn't doing *&^* for mood stablization for me, so I kinda give up and then start again.
At any rate, it might be something you want to mention to your doc.
I, too, have the dreaded word block thingie, but it is so contingent on what I need to get through a particular day. If I need to use neurontin or klonopin or seroquel or use all three for anxiety or sleep, I can count on sounding like I was just tranquilized by force in the hospital!!
Maybe for the sake of this phenomenon, other people suffering with this crap here and for myself, I will REALLY do Keppra as it should be done for a few months and sort of report back.
Good ummmmm whaddayacallit? ummmmm...LUCK!
Diane
Posted by bookgurl99 on February 15, 2004, at 15:57:24
In reply to memory and meds, posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 11:10:34
It's probably all of the meds -- so many combined, with some contributing to the potency and side effects of others. Anything that 'slows down' the mind, i.e., mood stabilizers, relaxers, and even SSRI's can do this.
Unless you are absolutely nuts without them, I'd ditch some of these meds.
Posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 16:10:26
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by bookgurl99 on February 15, 2004, at 15:57:24
Yes, nuts without them. I am afraid to stop or lower any. I may have to. It would be useful to know if the keppra really helps memory. Thanks for replies. terrics
Posted by HenryO on February 15, 2004, at 17:20:40
In reply to memory and meds, posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 11:10:34
It is the Wellbutrin.
Posted by platinumbride on February 15, 2004, at 22:58:06
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by HenryO on February 15, 2004, at 17:20:40
> It is the Wellbutrin.
I am inclined to disagree. I was dealing with this long before I tried Wellbutrin.
As a survival tactic for the forgetting of words, I usually make a joke of it. Some people probably buy it while other probably talk about me behind my back LOL
Posted by femlite1 on February 16, 2004, at 6:27:53
In reply to memory and meds, posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 11:10:34
I agree with Diane, it seems unlikely to me that Wellbutrin would cause this. I was on it for a while and would have stayed on it if it had not tanked on me. I found my alertness enhanced and of course my motivation increased.
I dont think I can cut back my levels either. But talking to the pdoc is sound advice.
It could be that its a case of differing strokes...
I have a friend who swears by the cognitive enhancing abilities of lithium, I havent seen it. But Ive only been on it for a few months.
Thanks all> Hi, I think this subject comes up alot. I am finding it difficult to remember the names of objects although I can picture them in my mind. Today it was peach. I pictured a peach and kept trying to remember it's name for my grocery list. Meds: effexor, wellbutrin, lithium, klonopin,and inderal. Age 53 senility? terrics
>
Posted by catachrest on February 16, 2004, at 9:30:53
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by femlite1 on February 16, 2004, at 6:27:53
I have memory problems too, but it's more a problem of lack of concentration than word problems (though I get that too) - I'll go somewhere and then forget why I'm there, start a sentence and forget what I'm saying, go to tell my boss someone called and on the way forget who called or why (and wind up looking like an idiot). I can't concentrate at work at all, but it's hard for me to say if that's the depression or the medication....
I'm on Effexor (150) and am planning to try to get off of it soon because I think I can manage without it now and it's expensive. I've never had a super memory, but it's definitely worse since I started. But again, I'm not sure if that's a direct effect of the medicine - my life's been awfully jumbled lately. Could be a case of post hoc ergo propter hoc for me (why can I remember Latin phrases but not words like "spoon"???).
:)
Susan
Posted by terrics on February 16, 2004, at 19:59:58
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by catachrest on February 16, 2004, at 9:30:53
Guess I'll talk to pdoc. thank you all terrics
Posted by Aussie on February 17, 2004, at 0:36:06
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by catachrest on February 16, 2004, at 9:30:53
I have had this problem since I have been taking Effexor. 300mg.
> I have memory problems too, but it's more a problem of lack of concentration than word problems (though I get that too) - I'll go somewhere and then forget why I'm there, start a sentence and forget what I'm saying, go to tell my boss someone called and on the way forget who called or why (and wind up looking like an idiot). I can't concentrate at work at all, but it's hard for me to say if that's the depression or the medication....
>
> I'm on Effexor (150) and am planning to try to get off of it soon because I think I can manage without it now and it's expensive. I've never had a super memory, but it's definitely worse since I started. But again, I'm not sure if that's a direct effect of the medicine - my life's been awfully jumbled lately. Could be a case of post hoc ergo propter hoc for me (why can I remember Latin phrases but not words like "spoon"???).
>
> :)
>
> Susan
>
Posted by Aussie on February 17, 2004, at 0:37:47
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by catachrest on February 16, 2004, at 9:30:53
I have had your problems ever since taking Effexor. 300mg.
> I have memory problems too, but it's more a problem of lack of concentration than word problems (though I get that too) - I'll go somewhere and then forget why I'm there, start a sentence and forget what I'm saying, go to tell my boss someone called and on the way forget who called or why (and wind up looking like an idiot). I can't concentrate at work at all, but it's hard for me to say if that's the depression or the medication....
>
> I'm on Effexor (150) and am planning to try to get off of it soon because I think I can manage without it now and it's expensive. I've never had a super memory, but it's definitely worse since I started. But again, I'm not sure if that's a direct effect of the medicine - my life's been awfully jumbled lately. Could be a case of post hoc ergo propter hoc for me (why can I remember Latin phrases but not words like "spoon"???).
>
> :)
>
> Susan
>
Posted by Nanter1 on February 17, 2004, at 10:56:29
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by catachrest on February 16, 2004, at 9:30:53
I have had all these problems people have relayed and I've been on numerous SSRIs over the year (but not Effexor). I've been med free for about 6 months now and am still experiencing these problems.
-L
Posted by KimberlyDi on February 17, 2004, at 13:03:53
In reply to memory and meds, posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 11:10:34
How's this... I had the object in my darn HAND and couldn't think of what it is called. It was a clipboard! I had to ask the secretary.
This is from 400mg Tegretol a day, 100mg Imipramine at night plus 100mg of Trazadone.
KDi in TX
> Hi, I think this subject comes up alot. I am finding it difficult to remember the names of objects although I can picture them in my mind. Today it was peach. I pictured a peach and kept trying to remember it's name for my grocery list. Meds: effexor, wellbutrin, lithium, klonopin,and inderal. Age 53 senility? terrics
>
Posted by terrics on February 17, 2004, at 21:21:38
In reply to Re: memory and meds » terrics, posted by KimberlyDi on February 17, 2004, at 13:03:53
Hi, Glad I am not the only one. This is darn frustrating; Isn't it. If you find a solution let me know. Thanks for the reply. terrics
Posted by terrics on February 17, 2004, at 21:23:30
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by Nanter1 on February 17, 2004, at 10:56:29
Oh NO! That's not very promising. Hope it improves for you. terrics
Posted by aPenName on February 18, 2004, at 21:45:36
In reply to memory and meds, posted by terrics on February 15, 2004, at 11:10:34
Had this with Effexor XR 275 mg. Had this without any medication. Had it while trying Celexa, and later Wellbutrin. All the times I also had high stress and was spending time concentrating on other things, and not necessarily good memory skills. Neurologist said it wasn't meds or anything, just high stress and working on a big project. Some family members have this memory thing with no meds and we consider it normal and joke that we just have too many smart ideas taking up the room.
> Hi, I think this subject comes up alot. I am finding it difficult to remember the names of objects although I can picture them in my mind. Today it was peach. I pictured a peach and kept trying to remember it's name for my grocery list. Meds: effexor, wellbutrin, lithium, klonopin,and inderal. Age 53 senility? terrics
>
Posted by platinumbride on February 19, 2004, at 21:58:25
In reply to Re: memory and meds, posted by aPenName on February 18, 2004, at 21:45:36
I've been doing keppra for a few days as an experiment to all of the memory chaallneged!!!
Not much difference, but I'm also sleep deprived. If it makes me a genius you will all know LOL
Diane
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