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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kath on September 28, 2000, at 19:25:07
Hi All,
Has anyone experienced or heard of memory problems with Celexa?
I began having problems with my memory soon after an inappropriate sexual advance from a family member.
I know that the day after the advance, I completely forgot an entire conversation with my best friend the day before. I had no memory of the conversation when told of it, and still don't remember it. All I remember is standing beside her car.
Any comments are welcome.
Kath
Posted by danf on September 28, 2000, at 20:07:02
In reply to Celexa Memory problems - Cam? Anyone?, posted by Kath on September 28, 2000, at 19:25:07
I had some mild memory disturbance with zoloft. Have not had the same with celexa.
a very traumatic event can trigger memory loss at about the time of the event, as can very high anxiety levels.
benzos can also do this when used to treat anxiety.
Posted by dj on September 30, 2000, at 10:02:01
In reply to Re: Celexa Memory problems - Cam? Anyone?, posted by danf on September 28, 2000, at 20:07:02
> benzos can also do this when used to treat >anxiety.And stress and anxiety too can interefere with your memory... go figure...seems you can't win for losing sometimes...
Posted by Cam W. on September 30, 2000, at 18:54:03
In reply to Celexa Memory problems - Cam? Anyone?, posted by Kath on September 28, 2000, at 19:25:07
Kath - Outside of the start-up side effects where people sometimes get muddled at times, I have not heard of any longterm memory problems, yet. It may be that the incident triggered a kinda PTSD-like reaction (antergrade amnesia), but this is really just a guess. - Cam
Posted by danf on October 1, 2000, at 10:27:13
In reply to Re: Celexa Memory problems - Cam? Anyone? » Kath, posted by Cam W. on September 30, 2000, at 18:54:03
this is of course hard to say for any specific situation.
I had moderate memory gaps when on zoloft. they never cleared & it was one of the reasons that I stopped zoloft. They were not on the order that kath describes... I & the shrink could not determine if it was from the med, itself or from partial treatment of anxiety/depression...
however I did not have an event that was of the type she had... & I believe I read her description of the event, perhaps under another posting name elsewhere ???
My assumption is that she had a major spike in anxiety associated with this event... celexa may be a contributor, as may several other things.
It is also possible that depression is related & that "memory fuzz" is caused by partial treatment of the depression.
I don't know how one works this out other than by educated guesses by a well trained practitioner & by some trial & error adjustments of meds.
any other comments or thoughts about other ways to identify the culprit ?
Posted by Kath on October 5, 2000, at 11:08:45
In reply to Re: Celexa Memory problems - Cam? Anyone? » Cam W., posted by danf on October 1, 2000, at 10:27:13
Hi danf,
I had talked about the traumatic incident when it happened under "kath" - that's the only name I use. I received tons of support, which really helped me.
I'm finding that if I really "pay attention" to life - what I'm doing; what I'm saying; my memory is better, however I seem to have to put in extra effort to pay attention.
I'm still at the same dose of Celexa (20 mg) & both my docs tend to think the memory problems are to do with the "trauma".
Hope you're well, Kath
> this is of course hard to say for any specific situation.
>
> I had moderate memory gaps when on zoloft. they never cleared & it was one of the reasons that I stopped zoloft. They were not on the order that kath describes... I & the shrink could not determine if it was from the med, itself or from partial treatment of anxiety/depression...
>
> however I did not have an event that was of the type she had... & I believe I read her description of the event, perhaps under another posting name elsewhere ???
>
> My assumption is that she had a major spike in anxiety associated with this event... celexa may be a contributor, as may several other things.
>
> It is also possible that depression is related & that "memory fuzz" is caused by partial treatment of the depression.
>
> I don't know how one works this out other than by educated guesses by a well trained practitioner & by some trial & error adjustments of meds.
>
> any other comments or thoughts about other ways to identify the culprit ?
Posted by danf on October 7, 2000, at 8:37:16
In reply to Re: Celexa Memory problems - Update » danf, posted by Kath on October 5, 2000, at 11:08:45
Hey Kath
The zoloft memory 'fuzz' did not bother me so much at the time it was worst.
Guess, I could not remember that I could not remember.
Any way, it caused me to lose things like car keys, get lost in some cities driving for brief periods, stuff like that.
Also took some online IQ tests & had about a 15% or so drop from prior scores. After changing to celexa & pindolol ( beta blocker ), & stabilizing, memory went back more or less to normal & IQ scores went back up.
One thing to consider is upping the celexa dose by 10mg /day for a week or 2 & see if there is any effect on your memory. If memory is worse you can assume it is the celexa.
Then you have to consider what action to take. change to another med or perhaps add a booster.
as an after thought... The pindolol may play some role for me. I also had a tremor or shake that seemed to go in parallel to the fuzziness. The pindolol has pretty much taken care of the tremor.
Pindolol is one possible non-psychtropic med to consider as a supplement /booster. It has a benefit of working quickly so there is not a long loading time for a trial.
Best wishes.
hope things continue to improve for you.
This is the end of the thread.
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