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.
poster:Jen B
thread:53754
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010212/msgs/54467.html