Posted by Doug in PA on August 9, 2003, at 22:25:33
In reply to Re: Lex and memory » Doug in PA, posted by jrbecker on August 9, 2003, at 22:04:10
I have been on antidepressants for so many years I have forgotten what a good memory is like. "The older I get, the better I was." I just dont know any more. Though I dont have anything to die for, I also have nothing to live for. I just live day to miserable day. I honestly believe that it sucks to be me. When I get up in the morning I am already looking forward to going to bed at night. Antidepressant can do just so much. If your life is a bore than pills wont help the negative things that are in your life. This is how I feel even after two months on Lexapro 10mg.
Doug in PA
==========================================> you've never noticed any short-term memory loss when taking antidepressants? This is a minor complaint of some, including myself. But it's hard to distinguish the underlying depression memory-deficits from the short-term memory loss that may be caused by antidepressants. So what I'm saying is that I'm not sure that your memory issues are worsened by the Lexapro. The best person to surmise that is you.
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> If you do a google search of past threads (remember to have dr-bob.org contained in the search), you'll probably run across some posts about lexapro and memory to get some more background. I don't know what else to tell you besides that perhaps this warrants a discussion with your doc. You have lots of other choices in ADs if you feel that Lexapro is actually causing some issues.
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> > What do you mean by "antidepressants themselves cause their own memory issues." ????? Can they cause worse memory loss?? I have a technical job that requires that I remember technical "stuff" and my boss has already commented that he is disappointed in my knowledge base. At my age I cant afford to be out of a job.
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> > Doug in PA
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> > Doug,
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> > > to answer your question directly, I have not noticed that the B12 has improved my memory. As I mentioned, I take it mostly for energy. But perhaps it does to a small degree, just by boosting my energy level itself. OK, yes, it probably gives me a small benefit memory-wise. Of course, so does caffeine, when I answer it that way.
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> > > I know what you mean about memory problems though. Even at 26, my memory seems to be sub-par. Of course, this is definitely one of the calling-cards of depression. If you're familiar with the etiology behind the condition, it implicates the hippocampus in the brain, which is also the seat of memory. Fortunately, antidepressants have been found to help regenerate functioning of the hippocampus, and by result, hopefully restore some of our memory capacity.
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> > > http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/249195.html
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> > > The catch-22 of course is that antidepressants themselves cause their own memory issues. And I just thought I'd mention that, personally, Lexapro was the worst offender in this arena out of all the SSRIs. But if it's working, then isn't it worth it?
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> > > If you want to try the B12, I would definitely suggest the "brain-form," the methylcobalamin version. And yes, you would probably need to see that written on the bottle. Is it worth a trip to the store? I don't know. We're all different in terms of seeing benefits from supplements. All's I can say is it's working for me in terms of increased energy.
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> > > Good luck.
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> > > > I just came across your B12 post and I have a question after this bit of history. About a year ago I went to a doctor for noticable and measurable memory loss. Blood tests showed that I had a marginally low B12 level. I do not have alzheimers and am also taking Lexapro for depression. I am currently taking 1000mcg of B12 daily. I am 62 years old but seriously look in the mid fourties. As the old saying goes..."Of all the things that I have lost, I miss my mind the most". Do you think that B12 really helps memory??? It is affecting my job. I am disappointed that I have not seen any improvement in the past year. Does this "methylcobalamin" appear on the lable??? It is not on mine. Do you think a trip to a GNC store would be in order and what do I look for??? Any feed back on memory and B12 will be appreciated.
> > > > Doug in PA
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> > > > > By the way, I just thought I'd let you know that I recently doubled the dosage of B12 to a total of 10,000 mcg by taking another pill at lunchtime. Just wanted to let you know that I definitely feel an enhanced effect energy-wise, and perhaps slightly in terms of mood. To note though, it is the methylcobalamin form of B12, which is the form most known to cross the blood-brain barrier. You probably can't find this at every drug store, so you might have to go to a specialty health food store.
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> > > > > > I take 5,000 mcg of methylcobalamin B12 in the form of a sublingual lozenge (dissolves within a minute under the tongue) at breakfast. I'd recommend trying 2,000 mcg to see if it has any benefit. The reason I take 5,000 is only because the tablet comes in that dosage. I have thought of experimenting with a second dose at lunch, but have not gotten around to it yet. It's not stimulating at all, so you shouldn't have any concern with taking too much, your body will just get rid of the excess anyways (since it's water-soluble).
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poster:Doug in PA
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/249689.html