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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SHARA on February 11, 2001, at 14:32:12
I have been experiencing short term memory problems and other cognitive difficulties since being on SSRI meds for about nine years (can't think of words I commonly use in my vocabulary, lose track of what I am trying to say from moment to moment, forget names, etc.) I have experienced this phenomenon on each of the SSRI s I have been rxd after about six months to a year of use. I am currently on Luvox. Have been on effexor,zoloft,prozac... Initially, these drugs work for me but eventually I end up worse off then before. When I've tried to discuss my memory problems with doctors or psychiatrists, I get a blank stare. Surely, there must be something in the literature about this? Am I the only one experiencing memory loss and cognitive disfunction. Only way I can describe it is a "dumbing down" of my cognitive abilities. Additionally, it's an on again off again experience. Sometimes I'm clear with normal memory funciton and then it's gone and I am foggy again. Would like to get off SSRIs altogether but I'd like to discuss this with a professional who is knowledgeble about alternatives and side effects.
Posted by Joy on February 11, 2001, at 14:40:43
In reply to SSRI SIDE EFFECTS MEMORY PROBS COGNITIVE FUNCTION, posted by SHARA on February 11, 2001, at 14:32:12
Hi Shara. Are you sure it's totally from the SSRIs? I have read that this happens. I don't know your age, but I can tell you myself and my girlfriends have this problem and I am only on ADs less than 2 years. Most of them are not on any meds, just over 45 years old. We always talk about it, that's it harder to learn anything new on our jobs, etc and that we are so forgetful. I always was that way, but more so now. All I'm saying is that you might have the problem now without the medication, and your depression and other symptoms may come back in a couple of months if you go off medication after 9 years. Just something to think about. I came off Paxil but my symptoms came back and the Paxil did not work the 2nd time I took it. I tried most of the ADs. I am now on Prozac and just had a dose increase. I hope things work out well for you.
Joy
> I have been experiencing short term memory problems and other cognitive difficulties since being on SSRI meds for about nine years (can't think of words I commonly use in my vocabulary, lose track of what I am trying to say from moment to moment, forget names, etc.) I have experienced this phenomenon on each of the SSRI s I have been rxd after about six months to a year of use. I am currently on Luvox. Have been on effexor,zoloft,prozac... Initially, these drugs work for me but eventually I end up worse off then before. When I've tried to discuss my memory problems with doctors or psychiatrists, I get a blank stare. Surely, there must be something in the literature about this? Am I the only one experiencing memory loss and cognitive disfunction. Only way I can describe it is a "dumbing down" of my cognitive abilities. Additionally, it's an on again off again experience. Sometimes I'm clear with normal memory funciton and then it's gone and I am foggy again. Would like to get off SSRIs altogether but I'd like to discuss this with a professional who is knowledgeble about alternatives and side effects.
Posted by quilter on February 11, 2001, at 22:02:27
In reply to SSRI SIDE EFFECTS MEMORY PROBS COGNITIVE FUNCTION, posted by SHARA on February 11, 2001, at 14:32:12
It's a really frustrating side effect. I, too, have been told it's age related, but my 19 year old daughter has it. I really hate feeling so dumb.
Quilter
Posted by Jen B on February 20, 2001, at 10:55:43
In reply to SSRI SIDE EFFECTS MEMORY PROBS COGNITIVE FUNCTION, posted by SHARA on February 11, 2001, at 14:32:12
I have also been having memory problems on 20 mg/day of Paxil. I completely relate to the "dumbing down" scenario; I've been feeling like I'm losing my intelligence (unfortunately, I'm in academia. :-( ) Although I was also warned about age-related memory loss (at only 37), my pdoc told me that this is an issue with SSRI's. She told me that it is dose-related, and that Paxil is known to have more memory side effects than other SSRI's. I am currently switching over to Luvox. Since it is dose related, you might try cutting down slightly-- you may get just as good results and less memory issues. I did find that when I cut down Paxil, my cognitive function improved. (Nevertheless, I'm switching because of weight problems with Paxil).
> I have been experiencing short term memory problems and other cognitive difficulties since being on SSRI meds for about nine years (can't think of words I commonly use in my vocabulary, lose track of what I am trying to say from moment to moment, forget names, etc.) I have experienced this phenomenon on each of the SSRI s I have been rxd after about six months to a year of use. I am currently on Luvox. Have been on effexor,zoloft,prozac... Initially, these drugs work for me but eventually I end up worse off then before. When I've tried to discuss my memory problems with doctors or psychiatrists, I get a blank stare. Surely, there must be something in the literature about this? Am I the only one experiencing memory loss and cognitive disfunction. Only way I can describe it is a "dumbing down" of my cognitive abilities. Additionally, it's an on again off again experience. Sometimes I'm clear with normal memory funciton and then it's gone and I am foggy again. Would like to get off SSRIs altogether but I'd like to discuss this with a professional who is knowledgeble about alternatives and side effects.
This is the end of the thread.
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