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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tina on March 15, 2001, at 7:39:41
I've been taking Elavil, a tricyclic for about 2.5 months and I've been noticing some memory loss. I can't remember how to do simple tasks that I've done thousands of times before. I'm forgetting people's names and sometimes even forgetting where I am. It's scary when I look around and wonder how I got somewhere knowing I drove and don't remember being in the car at all. I look at the kettle in the morning and stare at the cup trying to remember how to make a cup of coffee. I forget my own phone number.
I'm getting scared. Is this normal with a tricyclic? or am I really losing my mind?
Help
thanks
Tina
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 15, 2001, at 9:53:58
In reply to Memory Loss---Really Scared!!, posted by tina on March 15, 2001, at 7:39:41
Tina,
I've been finding this recently, but I'm on an SSRI thingy... it's strange, and yes,m scary... today I've got very stuck into work though, but I'm doing stupid things like leaving bags on trains etc (I lost all this months work on tuesday!!)
can you email me please.. I've lost your addy and *really* want to chat with you hun....
Nikki xxxxxxx
Posted by Ted on March 15, 2001, at 12:04:09
In reply to Re: Memory Loss---Really Scared!! » tina, posted by NikkiT2 on March 15, 2001, at 9:53:58
Nikki & Tina,
I am on zoloft (ssri) and wellbutrin and depakote (antimanic). I have the loss of memory too, and I also sometimes feel lost, like I don't know what I am doing or how to start a simple and mundane task. I mentioned it to my pdoc and he wrote it down in my records but offered no suggestions or explanation. I find it less scary than annoying.
Ted
> Tina,
>
> I've been finding this recently, but I'm on an SSRI thingy... it's strange, and yes,m scary... today I've got very stuck into work though, but I'm doing stupid things like leaving bags on trains etc (I lost all this months work on tuesday!!)
>
> can you email me please.. I've lost your addy and *really* want to chat with you hun....
>
> Nikki xxxxxxx
Posted by Marie1 on March 15, 2001, at 13:12:37
In reply to Re: Memory Loss---Really Scared!!, posted by Ted on March 15, 2001, at 12:04:09
> I'm on Prozac and Buspar, but definitely can relate to the memory loss. The other day at work I stared at the credit card thing (can't remember the name) for about 60 seconds trying to remember what to do with the card...finally I swiped it through. I can't remember clients from one day to the next. I routinely forget my phone number and ATM number too, and that's really embarassing at the check-out counter! I'm especially concerned because my grandmother had Altzheimer's. I told my pdoc and he really didn't have anything to say about it either.
Posted by tina on March 15, 2001, at 15:32:03
In reply to Re: Memory Loss---Really Scared!!, posted by Marie1 on March 15, 2001, at 13:12:37
Told my pdoc about it today and she said it's fairly common. Geez, don't tell me I'm becoming average or god forbid, normal.........Pdoc put me on Paxil today. So, now it's Paxil, Elavil, and Klonopin. I feel like a damn medicine cabinet.
Thanks for all the responses though. I don't feel quite so freaked about the memory thing knowing that some others feel the same way.
Peace
Tina> > I'm on Prozac and Buspar, but definitely can relate to the memory loss. The other day at work I stared at the credit card thing (can't remember the name) for about 60 seconds trying to remember what to do with the card...finally I swiped it through. I can't remember clients from one day to the next. I routinely forget my phone number and ATM number too, and that's really embarassing at the check-out counter! I'm especially concerned because my grandmother had Altzheimer's. I told my pdoc and he really didn't have anything to say about it either.
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 15, 2001, at 17:33:34
In reply to Re: Memory Loss---Really Scared!!, posted by Ted on March 15, 2001, at 12:04:09
I've been having a terrible time startin g anything - the simplest task seems like a mountain.. even deciding whats for dinner, I just can't out how ya know... Today i was totaly opposite and got tons and tons produced.. totally manic (but loving every moment!!).. Too scared to sleep in case this feeling wears off...
Nikki
> I am on zoloft (ssri) and wellbutrin and depakote (antimanic). I have the loss of memory too, and I also sometimes feel lost, like I don't know what I am doing or how to start a simple and mundane task. I mentioned it to my pdoc and he wrote it down in my records but offered no suggestions or explanation. I find it less scary than annoying.
>
> Ted
>
>
>
> > Tina,
> >
> > I've been finding this recently, but I'm on an SSRI thingy... it's strange, and yes,m scary... today I've got very stuck into work though, but I'm doing stupid things like leaving bags on trains etc (I lost all this months work on tuesday!!)
> >
> > can you email me please.. I've lost your addy and *really* want to chat with you hun....
> >
> > Nikki xxxxxxx
Posted by jb on March 16, 2001, at 8:50:17
In reply to Re: Memory Loss---Really Scared!! » Ted, posted by NikkiT2 on March 15, 2001, at 17:33:34
Hi. Short-term amnesia seems to be associated with a variety of the AD's and benzo's. I've had substantial problems with Klonopin, for example. Also, many of these side effects are not mentioned in studies, because the studies are quite short, such as 6 weeks. Many of the studies, for example, don't mention sexual dysfunction, but most of the AD's cause this to some degree.
In terms of antidotes and augmentation strategies, there are two meds that I am going to discuss with my psychdoc. The first is Modafinil, it's increases mental alertness/cognition. It was orginally used to treat narcolepsy, but has since been used in these other areas.
The second alternative I'm going to discuss is Selegiline. It seems to have neuroprotective effects and enhances memory in people with Parkinson's. At 10 to 15 mg/day, it achieves its full MAO-B inhibition. I also have found it to be sexually stimulating.
Lastly, I realize these two drugs are contraindicated for most, if not all, AD's. However, experienced psychopharmacologists seem to be willing to cautiously explore these in combination with other drugs.
Just some thoughts to explore with a good psychopharmacologist - that is, a pscyhdoc who has a really good handle on meds and "tips and tricks." Many psychodocs don't have this experience/passion, I've found.
John B
Posted by Lisa Simpson on March 16, 2001, at 10:52:10
In reply to Memory Loss---Really Scared!!, posted by tina on March 15, 2001, at 7:39:41
Hi Tina. I can really sympathise with you, because I have a very similar problem. And it *is* very scary. I also keep forgetting the proper words for things - and I repeat myself. It's embarrassing!
Does anyone here know of anything that might help a "slipping" memory? Herbal remedy maybe?
Lisa
Posted by Lorraine on March 16, 2001, at 11:49:20
In reply to Re: Memory Loss---Some possible antidotes, posted by jb on March 16, 2001, at 8:50:17
{ The second alternative I'm going to discuss is Selegiline. It seems to have neuroprotective effects and enhances memory in people with Parkinson's. At 10 to 15 mg/day, it achieves its full MAO-B inhibition. I also have found it to be sexually stimulating.}
John: I am on Selegiline (10 mg/day) and Neurontin (900 mg/day). I have been thinking of adding Mirapex to it (and cutting back on the Selegiline) and my pdoc said that I can add Dexidrine to it. Just want to let you know some combos with Selegiline being explored. My problem is that I have physical anxiety (shortness of breath and difficulty taking a deep breath) that none of these drugs are addressing. So, I've been thinking of asking my pdoc for a beta blocker. Any thoughts?
Posted by steve on March 16, 2001, at 19:25:00
In reply to Re: Memory Loss---Some possible antidotes, posted by jb on March 16, 2001, at 8:50:17
My understanding is that while some of Klonopin's amnesic effects are short-term and due to it's hindering brain function by blocking gaba receptors, long-term usage also seems to cause morphological changes which account for the sort of "loss of personality" some attribute to long-term bzd use.
While I won't dispute that there are reports of noradrenergics and dopaminergics helping in the short-term with cognition, it seems to me to be paradox that one would suggest that they, which in the long-term cause changes to the brain structure, could help memory, as changes to the brain structure invariably are a loss of entropy, and ipso facto memory.
S.
> Hi. Short-term amnesia seems to be associated with a variety of the AD's and benzo's. I've had substantial problems with Klonopin, for example. Also, many of these side effects are not mentioned in studies, because the studies are quite short, such as 6 weeks. Many of the studies, for example, don't mention sexual dysfunction, but most of the AD's cause this to some degree.
>
> In terms of antidotes and augmentation strategies, there are two meds that I am going to discuss with my psychdoc. The first is Modafinil, it's increases mental alertness/cognition. It was orginally used to treat narcolepsy, but has since been used in these other areas.
>
> The second alternative I'm going to discuss is Selegiline. It seems to have neuroprotective effects and enhances memory in people with Parkinson's. At 10 to 15 mg/day, it achieves its full MAO-B inhibition. I also have found it to be sexually stimulating.
>
> Lastly, I realize these two drugs are contraindicated for most, if not all, AD's. However, experienced psychopharmacologists seem to be willing to cautiously explore these in combination with other drugs.
>
> Just some thoughts to explore with a good psychopharmacologist - that is, a pscyhdoc who has a really good handle on meds and "tips and tricks." Many psychodocs don't have this experience/passion, I've found.
>
> John B
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