[lettersfromjuliet]

I am currently taking 100mg Lamictal (soon to be upped). I am a college student. I have found that my first semester back in school, the capacity of my memory has decreased drastically. I was wondering if anyone has had similar symptoms with this drug, any suggestions of other bipolar drugs that may have less harsh side effects on memory, or maybe willing to share your experience on the drug. It is the first bipolar medicine I have taken.

Thank You!

[Moreta]

That's why after every semester, you just execute a complete brain wipe, so you will have space for the new semester's materials. The whole point of college is to learn the fundamentals of the profession that you are going in to, to learn how to work with other people, and to learn how to take tests successfully, which is basically how I got through college.

Because unfortunately, everything they really went into details about, would never apply in the actual real world. I would advise getting an internship if at all possible, to make sure you actually like the profession you're going into. For example, I started out college as a middle grades edu major, then I attempted to teach the lower end of 8th grade math. That's when I changed majors, since I realized that only teachers who have been around for 20 years get to teach honors classes.

But yeah, Lamictal-Memory loss, I think is pretty accurate. I'm trying to remember when I took it, which is bad, because you would think I would remember since I had the rash.

[gravyyy]

I had trouble with recall and memory when I was diagnosed but I was on Lamictal along with other meds. I've been off of Lamictal for almost a year now and I still have memory and recall problems so I don't know that it's from the medicine. I don't know that this is helpful but it could just be a symptom of the illness rather than a side effect from the med... either are possible.

[Pughead]

I have trouble with short-term memory loss and keeping track of time. I don't remember, 2 seconds later, and say "did I take my pills or not?" I think sometimes I have taken them twice. Also things like, "Did I carpool to work today or am I driving back alone?" I carpool with my wife almost everyday, but I still have trouble remembering. i also forget where I park my car, even though I park it in the same area every day.

Yeah, but little stuff that happens, things that are a habit, like taking pills or washing hair, I can't remember them accurately. I don't know if it's lamictal or not. I'm on a high dose. Depakote has been added so I'm gradually coming down to 200mg. But for having depakote in the mix that's still a lot. I've been in a persistent low-end hypomanic state (meaning a little more elevated than normal, but not over the edge) for over 6 months. I think that (hypomania) is what causes the short term memory loss, because my mind is racing onward to the next thing. My mind is caught up in so much stuff, I can't remember the little things.

I've not had any more trouble (than usual!) with memory on Lamictal, but of course YMMV. I've been on it for 5 months now and aside from occasionally really being at a loss for a particular word, I've not noticed any significant difference. (Oh and pughead, I hear ya on the keeping track of time thing... but I can't blame that on any med.... 'Twas ever thus... )

[Moreta]

Originally Posted by Pughead

I have trouble with short-term memory loss and keeping track of time. I don't remember, 2 seconds later, and say "did I take my pills or not?" I think sometimes I have taken them twice. Also things like, "Did I carpool to work today or am I driving back alone?" I carpool with my wife almost everyday, but I still have trouble remembering. i also forget where I park my car, even though I park it in the same area every day.

Yeah, but little stuff that happens, things that are a habit, like taking pills or washing hair, I can't remember them accurately. I don't know if it's lamictal or not. I'm on a high dose. Depakote has been added so I'm gradually coming down to 200mg. But for having depakote in the mix that's still a lot. I've been in a persistent low-end hypomanic state (meaning a little more elevated than normal, but not over the edge) for over 6 months. I think that (hypomania) is what causes the short term memory loss, because my mind is racing onward to the next thing. My mind is caught up in so much stuff, I can't remember the little things.

Sometimes I get to work and I'm not quite sure how I got there. lol.

Watch the Depakote.....it made me feel slightly retarded. I would be giving a presentation or something at work, and I would completly forget what words I was trying to use, or what the subject was (even though I would be looking at a Power Point presentation, that I made).

I'm on Seroquel now, which isn't as bad as the Depakote, but I still have problems finding the right words.

[Psyched]

I locked myself out of my car 3 times ( I have a habit of automatically locking the door before I close it). One of those times was during the funeral of my best friend's mother, & a line of cars were beihind me! I almost started a few fires b/c I forgot to add water to the coffee maker. So, yes, Lamictal really messed with my memory & word recall. I stopped taking it last year & I still have those problems to some to some extent- interesting to read that another poster was effected in the same way.
But I discontinued it b/c it was causing hypomania. The benefits may be worth the side effects for you. Please don't stop any medication without consulting with your Pdoc first.

[Pughead]

Originally Posted by QueenAccountant

Sometimes I get to work and I'm not quite sure how I got there. lol.

Watch the Depakote.....it made me feel slightly retarded. I would be giving a presentation or something at work, and I would completly forget what words I was trying to use, or what the subject was (even though I would be looking at a Power Point presentation, that I made).

I'm on Seroquel now, which isn't as bad as the Depakote, but I still have problems finding the right words.

I used to be on 3,000mg of depakote. i hated it. I tried seroquel, but it messed up my heart and I ended up in the hospital.

[needing support]

Lamictal gave me "cognitive decline" big time! I had to get off of it. Was was always in a daze with an "I don't care attitude"
Depakote is working much better for me.
Seraquel made me aggitated.
Lithium worked manly for the depression, but then stoppped.

[dj586858]

I am on 300 mg of Lamictal along with other stuff and I have problems with my memory like not knowing if something actually happened or I just thought of it or if I dreamed it. I also have a big problem coming up with the words I am looking for. I can explain the word but can't think of it. But one of my doctors told me my memory loss was also due to my thyroid disease - or now lack of a thyroid. I don't know. I figure I am just getting older (I am 48) and it is to be expected.

[lettersfromjuliet]

See I am also experiencing thyroid problems. I have a hypoactive thyroid, It came about a few months after I started taking lamictal. I'm having memory problems and my hair is falling out, thats why I was wondering if anyone else had problems with memory on lamictal, Im trying to figure out what symptoms are from where so I can get everything taken care of so it wont effect my college career so greatly.

[rcsweep]

Originally Posted by lettersfromjuliet

I am currently taking 100mg Lamictal (soon to be upped). I am a college student. I have found that my first semester back in school, the capacity of my memory has decreased drastically. I was wondering if anyone has had similar symptoms with this drug, any suggestions of other bipolar drugs that may have less harsh side effects on memory, or maybe willing to share your experience on the drug. It is the first bipolar medicine I have taken.

Thank You!

memory problems could also be part of bipolar it self. I've have gaps from past episodes, and subsequently can remember some things with great detail. but if i had to guess you might be more focused on bipolar and treatment so other things are taking a back seat.
i'm up to 200mg lamictal and had that fussy sluggish brain feeling while titrating up. i didn't feel clearer until i was on lamictal for awhile to give time to adjust.
so far lamictal has had the least side affects and worked the best. i wish i started with it, would have saved me a few years in hell. stick with it and give it time.

[yutzman]

I take Lamictal 200mg along with buspar and abilify. I don't know about my memory, but my concentration has increased. I can now read a book without having to read the same paragraph over and over three times. Maybe you do need to go up a little to see if it will actually help your memory to recover.

[stuckhere972]

Originally Posted by Pughead

I have trouble with short-term memory loss and keeping track of time. I don't remember, 2 seconds later, and say "did I take my pills or no?" I think sometimes I have taken them twice. Also things like, "Did I carpool to work today or am I driving back alone?" I carpool with my wife almost everyday, but I still have trouble remembering. i also forget where I park my car, even though I park it in the same area every day.

Yeah, but little stuff that happens, things that are a habit, like taking pills or washing hair, I can't remember them accurately. I don't know if it's lamictal or not. I'm on a high dose. Depakote has been added so I'm gradually coming down to 200mg. But for having depakote in the mix that's still a lot. I've been in a persistent low-end hypomanic state (meaning a little more elevated than normal, but not over the edge) for over 6 months. I think that (hypomania) is what causes the short term memory loss, because my mind is racing onward to the next thing. My mind is caught up in so much stuff, I can't remember the little things.

This is how I've become and now sense I've been off of it for a few months its add me just being stuck in this state of constate confusion. If I only knew then what I know now!
Only drug I would say might be worse is Topamax but at least with that one you're confused right away and it doesn't just slowly mess up your memory over time. That one you know within the first couple of hours to days.