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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janice1 on November 24, 2000, at 17:08:01
Please tell me the truth, I can hack it. In fact, I'll really appreciate it. Okay, so we all (probably) believe we have lousy memories right? But 2 times this month, I have completely forgotten having conversations with people, and then called one person up 1 1/2 hours later to have the same discussion, and the other person I called the next day to have the same conversation. After being reminded by both of them that I had already talked to them, I did remember one conversation but still don't recall the other one.
Both took place at my job, where i'm trying to 'pass' as normal :+) These types of gaps in my memory are new! My short term memory is also very poor (the 2 minute one). I have a strong, strong feeling it is my medications that cause these problems with my memories, but at the same time make me feel great!
So are these fairly large gaps in my memory unusual?
thanks for your opinions!!Janice
Posted by dj on November 24, 2000, at 19:45:21
In reply to How Bad is MY Memory?, posted by Janice1 on November 24, 2000, at 17:08:01
> So are these fairly large gaps in my memory unusual?
> thanks for your opinions!!I imagine they are unusual, Janice. Were you under a great deal of stress when these occurred or were you discussing a stressful issue, or bored or distracted or...???
Posted by coral on November 25, 2000, at 8:15:57
In reply to How Bad is MY Memory?, posted by Janice1 on November 24, 2000, at 17:08:01
Dear Janice,
What meds are you on? Some meds are notorious for memory wiping, both short term and long term.
On the other hand, I once heard a neurologist say "If you can't remember where you put your car keys, that's normal. If you can't remember what to do with your car keys when you find them, that's a problem."
Coral
Posted by pullmarine on November 25, 2000, at 17:39:30
In reply to How Bad is MY Memory?, posted by Janice1 on November 24, 2000, at 17:08:01
Ginko/Viagra: it helps me remember what the F-ck i'm doing !
John
Posted by Ted on November 26, 2000, at 20:18:41
In reply to How Bad is MY Memory?, posted by Janice1 on November 24, 2000, at 17:08:01
Hi Janice,
I think your bad memory might be a little extreme, but it is not unusual. Before meds, I had a nearly photographic memory. An old girlfriend called it "spooky" because I could recall conversations word-for-word weeks later. Now, however, I might as well not even have a memory instead of faking it. :-) I can't remember crap. I go to work without my lunch half the time. I *often* forget why I walked into a room or why I openend a kitchen cupboard. They laugh at me at work because I will walk into the lab and forget why. :-)
You are not alone. I know of no solution which is medically proven to help.
Ted.
> Please tell me the truth, I can hack it. In fact, I'll really appreciate it. Okay, so we all (probably) believe we have lousy memories right? But 2 times this month, I have completely forgotten having conversations with people, and then called one person up 1 1/2 hours later to have the same discussion, and the other person I called the next day to have the same conversation. After being reminded by both of them that I had already talked to them, I did remember one conversation but still don't recall the other one.
>
> Both took place at my job, where i'm trying to 'pass' as normal :+) These types of gaps in my memory are new! My short term memory is also very poor (the 2 minute one). I have a strong, strong feeling it is my medications that cause these problems with my memories, but at the same time make me feel great!
>
> So are these fairly large gaps in my memory unusual?
> thanks for your opinions!!
>
> Janice
Posted by Janice1 on November 27, 2000, at 20:44:21
In reply to Re: How Bad is MY Memory?, posted by Ted on November 26, 2000, at 20:18:41
hi everyone,
to answer your questions (and I have to use my memory to do this :~)
dj - no stress, no boredom. the one conversation that I completely forgot happened about an hour before I left to see some live Jazz music. Being excited about the music would have helped me forget the conversation (I guess).
coral - I'm on lithium, topamax and .5 mg of Rivotril. They all play havoc with my memory and the first 2 cognitively slow my brain.
John - I actually read your responses on Saturday, but didn't have time to respond, then went to a Natural healing fair on Sunday and bought some ginko. Isn't viagra the sex drug? I'm going to start taking the ginko.
Ted - i remember having a brain like that. What you're describing is your short-term memory (what you've done in the past 2 minutes). I hate to think there is nothing I can do about it. I'm going to try ginko...
thanks for all your help. Some things are so easy for me to remember, some insane, crazy little details I'll remember for years. Janice
Posted by Noa on November 28, 2000, at 8:43:31
In reply to thanks everyone..., posted by Janice1 on November 27, 2000, at 20:44:21
Janice--how frustrating, hope things get better.
Posted by dove on November 29, 2000, at 8:57:51
In reply to Re: thanks everyone..., posted by Noa on November 28, 2000, at 8:43:31
I'm also having a significant increase in forgetfulness, and it is very frustrating! I'm under some substantial stress right now anyway, but it has definitely gotten worse since the last increase of Neurontin and the addition of Klonopin. Long term and short term are both being affected. So, I know where you're at and send my best memory-increasing vibes your way (or maybe I should be pulling your weak-memory vibes my way :-)
Good to hear that you're still feeling great though!!!
dove
Posted by Janice1 on November 29, 2000, at 22:10:58
In reply to Re: thanks everyone..., posted by dove on November 29, 2000, at 8:57:51
*Klonopin is Rivotril in Canada (I'm pretty sure)
*& it's those damn mood stabilizers that just happen to make us sane (if we're lucky)that rob us of our memory (and cognitive abilities)oh well, I'll pick happy and forgetful over manically depressive and (I used to think when manic) brillant (ha!).
Good luck on your medical journey dove and keep us posted. Janice
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