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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 T.T. on June 8, 2001, at 9:34:01
I started taking Effexor about 2+ months ago. I was aware of the side effects but felt they were similar to those I'd experienced with other antidepressants I'd trialed. Unfortunately, I did not know that the last two episodes of memory loss, one for one day and the other for two days, could be attributed to the Effexor until I did some research on the Internet, including this site. During my two-day loss of memory that occurred over Memorial Day weekend, I got into two car wrecks within an hour, got a wreckless driving ticket, DUI, speeding ticket, went to jail, and MORE. I have no memory of even driving......what memories I have, I thought I was dreaming them.
Now, I'm titrating off this medication. Am down from 225 mg daily to 75 mg daily, experiencing terrible night sweats and dreams. I wake myself up talking in the dreams. I am so scared and feel so alone. I just want off this medication once and for all.
I'm posting this note out of shear desperation, hoping that if there are others out there who might have experienced these same side effects, we could share information. I feel very alone in this ordeal and very scared. Hope to hear from you. TT
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 8, 2001, at 9:39:17
In reply to Anyone had serious memory losses!, posted by T.T. on June 8, 2001, at 9:34:01
Sorry about all that tragedy that happened.
http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Vivid-antidepressant-dream.html
Posted by T.T. on June 8, 2001, at 9:50:29
In reply to Re: Anyone had serious memory losses! » T.T., posted by SalArmy4me on June 8, 2001, at 9:39:17
Thanks! At least no one was killed or injured, including my daughter who was with me in the car. I am a mess and wonder if I can make it. I have faith, though. Thanks for your thoughts and response. T.T.
> Sorry about all that tragedy that happened.
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/split/Vivid-antidepressant-dream.html
Posted by yo-wazzzup on June 10, 2001, at 10:45:37
In reply to Re: Anyone had serious memory losses! » T.T., posted by SalArmy4me on June 8, 2001, at 9:39:17
I'm having legal problems myself with memory loss. Please see my thread...PAXIL : loss of memory/time/consious actions I thought I was going nuts until I started researching all the affects of anti depressants. If you've come across any sites or info I could use ,please forward. My empathy to you & your situation. I realize all too well how scary this can be. :)
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 10, 2001, at 17:17:49
In reply to Re: Anyone had serious memory losses! » SalArmy4me, posted by yo-wazzzup on June 10, 2001, at 10:45:37
I do not believe that SSRI antidepressants cause memory loss. ECT does cause memory loss.
> I'm having legal problems myself with memory loss. Please see my thread...PAXIL : loss of memory/time/consious actions I thought I was going nuts until I started researching all the affects of anti depressants. If you've come across any sites or info I could use ,please forward. My empathy to you & your situation. I realize all too well how scary this can be. :)
Posted by yo-wazzzup on June 10, 2001, at 21:39:10
In reply to Re: Anyone had serious memory losses! » yo-wazzzup, posted by SalArmy4me on June 10, 2001, at 17:17:49
> I do not believe that SSRI antidepressants cause memory loss. ECT does cause memory loss.
>
With all due respect,could it be that u personally have not experienced loss of memory? People react differently to different chemicals.True? I have had difficulty with short term memory. I stuggle to find words to express myself, names,etc. I forget what I'm doing or why I'm doing it. Before paxil, had no difficulty with these matters. I do have P.T.S.D.(diagnosed in'95)
Posted by Willow on June 10, 2001, at 22:41:38
In reply to Re: Anyone had serious memory losses! » SalArmy4me, posted by yo-wazzzup on June 10, 2001, at 21:39:10
I do have P.T.S.D.(diagnosed in'95)
I too have had memory blackouts, and they seemed to be more severe when I started the effexor. Though I can't say that the effexor caused them since I had them prior to taking this medication, though they can make it worse. It does say on the medication not to drive or operate machinery until you know how it will affect you.
Memory problems and the other things you have described are a very common symptom of these disorders, so if the medications cause them or make them worse we would have a very difficult time proving it.
Willow
Posted by SalArmy4me on June 11, 2001, at 6:30:22
In reply to Re: Anyone had serious memory losses! » SalArmy4me, posted by yo-wazzzup on June 10, 2001, at 21:39:10
I just haven't heard enough evidence to support the claim that SSRI's cause memory loss. And I have access to every medical journal on the planet.
> > I do not believe that SSRI antidepressants cause memory loss. ECT does cause memory loss.
> >
> With all due respect,could it be that u personally have not experienced loss of memory? People react differently to different chemicals.True? I have had difficulty with short term memory. I stuggle to find words to express myself, names,etc. I forget what I'm doing or why I'm doing it. Before paxil, had no difficulty with these matters. I do have P.T.S.D.(diagnosed in'95)
Posted by yo-wazzzup on June 11, 2001, at 18:40:51
In reply to Re: Anyone had serious memory losses! » yo-wazzzup, posted by SalArmy4me on June 11, 2001, at 6:30:22
Are you a pharmacist? Or a physician? I have a friend who is a pharmacy technician. She tells me that in 7 years of medical schooling, doctors ONLY receive 40 hours of pharmacology. They rely on the reps. from the drug companies to keep them posted, (and let's face it...they are only glorified sales people). I'm not sure what medical books you've leafed through...PDR?,The Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs? and the Graedon's Dangerous Drug Interactions are excellant references I'm told. I've found a site for you to peek @ & it states that PAXIL can cause amnesia umong other things...
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-02.html#head_5
(look in the nervous system affects-there are 2 sections on the page that are interesting)
I've also been told 2 look into these sites but haven't had time yet...
www.fda.gov.
www.healthcentral.com
www.webmd.com
Hope this helps you to consider the possibility that SSRI's may contribute to memory loss in SOME people.
Posted by Christina on June 12, 2001, at 15:52:06
In reply to Anyone had serious memory losses!, posted by T.T. on June 8, 2001, at 9:34:01
> I started taking Effexor about 2+ months ago. I was aware of the side effects but felt they were similar to those I'd experienced with other antidepressants I'd trialed. Unfortunately, I did not know that the last two episodes of memory loss, one for one day and the other for two days, could be attributed to the Effexor until I did some research on the Internet, including this site. During my two-day loss of memory that occurred over Memorial Day weekend, I got into two car wrecks within an hour, got a wreckless driving ticket, DUI, speeding ticket, went to jail, and MORE. I have no memory of even driving......what memories I have, I thought I was dreaming them.
>
> Now, I'm titrating off this medication. Am down from 225 mg daily to 75 mg daily, experiencing terrible night sweats and dreams. I wake myself up talking in the dreams. I am so scared and feel so alone. I just want off this medication once and for all.
>
> I'm posting this note out of shear desperation, hoping that if there are others out there who might have experienced these same side effects, we could share information. I feel very alone in this ordeal and very scared. Hope to hear from you. TT
This is the end of the thread.
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