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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Short Term Memory Loss
        
(Message started by: alleyoop49 on Jun 28^th, 2004, 12:37am)

Title: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by alleyoop49 on Jun 28^th, 2004, 12:37am

Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm just experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia. God, I hope not! I'm betting it's the side effects of some or all of the drugs I'm taking or have taken.

Whatever it is, it's more than just an annoyance. It has interfered with my life style- big time! It has caused me problems at work and at home. It's gotten to the point where I have to write down practically everything. Sometimes it's all I can do to remember what I had for dinner the night before! This couldn't be a bonus perk - Nah! - of CH.

As far as I can tell, the memory loss started about the time my neuro started me on lithium- about 3 yrs ago. I really can't remember. About 2 yrs ago, I added verapamil to my diet. These are the only 2 preventatives that I take now although I have tried others including Topamax. Although I have used others, trex is currently the only abortive I am using now.

I just wanted to know if I'm the only one experiencing short term memory loss. If anyone else is having this problem, I'd love to hear from you.

THANKS!

ANYONE SEEN ME LATELY? I THINK I'M LOST!

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by forgetfulnot on Jun 28^th, 2004, 12:43am

What is your name again. :o

Lee, fuwstm

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jun 28^th, 2004, 1:32am

There are plenty of meds which can cause short term memory loss. Topo is one of them but the side effects from that should go away fairly quickly.
I do not believe that Trex will cause this.
I asked my neuro about memory loss and CH and he says that CH will not cause it. Maybe the stress from having CH attacks in general might .. but only due to anxiety or depression. ??
I took a drug called Keppra that I felt actually gave me photographic memory. I started it a few weeks before a big "C++" programming final exam and I could just 'see' the answers in my head. It was like an open-book test for me. Needless to say, I aced it. Too bad that drug had it's intolerable side effects ! (Nightmares constantly) If it weren't for the bad side effects, I'd still be taking it today, regardless of if it helped my CH or not.

If the memory loss seems to be severe ... plz consult your neuro !

Best wishes,
Unsolved

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by alleyoop49 on Jun 28^th, 2004, 11:34am

Thanks UN_SOLVED,

I've got an appt. with my neuro 7/28. I'll definitely ask him then. How about the lithium or verapamil? Could one of them be the culprit? Since I have yet to see any other posts about this, it's really starting to worry me. My mother-in-law whom lives with us has Alzheimer's. After seeing first hand what that disease is about, I hope and pray that I'm not headed down that road. I sure hope I'm just dealing with drug side effects. Even though I may be on some type of maintenance therapy for the rest of my life, I could deal with that much better than THAT INSIDIOUS DISEASE!

BTW, Keppra sounds interesting. I've never heard of it. Were you taking it for CH or just as a memory aid for the final?

Alley

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by UN_SOLVED on Jun 28^th, 2004, 2:01pm

I took Keppra for CH. It is yet another anti-seizure med that didn't help me. I've not heard of anyone complaining of memory loss due to Verapamil. Lithium has it's side effects ... but all I remember experiencing was some trembling in my hands and being a little uncoordinated (judgment of distances).
Some common Lithium side effects (http://bipolar.about.com/cs/sfx/a/sfx_lithium.htm)

Hope it helps
Unsolved

PS. I still suggest you talk to your doc about this.

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by alleyoop49 on Jun 28^th, 2004, 4:27pm

Thanks U_S,

Not only was that link informative, but it had some other good links as well. Didn't find anything about memory loss though. Doesn't bode well. Afraid of what I may hear and the door I'll be opening when I talk to the neuro. Oh well, nothing to do but face the music. Better to catch it earlier than later, I suppose.

Thanks again for taking the time to research and respond.

Alley :(

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by BobG on Jun 29^th, 2004, 1:14pm

Can I tell a story about drugs and memory loss? OK thanks, I will.

Here in Nevada there is a group that is/was trying to get pot legal. It has to be on the ballot and passed and then on the ballet again 2 years later. This group collected the 6,000 signatures required by law. The signatures had to be turned in to the county recorder last week. Guess what.

These dopers FORGOT to turn them in! :o

I think the signatures were collected on Zig-Zag papers.
[smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jun 29^th, 2004, 8:50pm

Don't start worrying about Alzheimers just yet Alley - talk about stress on top of stress!

Talk with your neuro. I've heard of Verapamil causing people to feel kind of "dumb" - like their words have trouble coming out of their mouths right. Maybe you're just having a different type of side effect. Keep a positive thought.

Sending positive thoughts your way.

Kris

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by Racer1_NC on Jun 30^th, 2004, 12:54am

on 06/29/04 at 20:50:38, Kris_in_SJ wrote:

I've heard of Verapamil causing people to feel kind of "dumb" - like their words have trouble coming out of their mouths right.
Kris

I'm living proof that Verapamil can have that side effect.

Bill

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by chris on Jun 30^th, 2004, 5:37am

Have been taking both medications for a few years now. Short term memory is effected bigtime. Just switched to neurontin. And have noticed a little improvement. It also seemed to help if I took my med on a full stomach. I didn't seem so ditzy. Chris

Title: Re: Short Term Memory Loss
Post by kissmyglass on Jun 30^th, 2004, 8:14am

I'm on Verap, Lithium, Trex, O2, Xanax, Zoloft....Oh shit what was the question?? [smiley=huh.gif]