Short term memory loss

Hi, I'm sorry if this thread is posted already, I'm new to the site so forgive me.

I just wanted to know if anyone else suffers memory loss at all? I think it can be a side effect of medications, but I had a bad memory before medication, then my focus and mental clarity got a lot better. Now I am back to how I was before. I don't reconise people's faces, forget regular customers order's at work, am absent minded at times and generally unfocussed. Is this apart of being bipolar? what can be done about it?

Hi Diane ,

I know exactly how you feel, yes many medications can cause memory loss, (including most of my own, Bupropion SR, Clonazepam, Oxcarbazepine and Trazodone) I swear if you read online about the sideffects of drugs used to treat Bipolar Disorder, they all look almost identical. My memory was never great before I started noticing my Bipolar symptoms, now it's pretty much non-existent. I'm glad cellphones are around I'd be lost without it reminding of everything. Bipolar Disorder causes most people to have periods of great mental clearness (usually between normal or mixed episodes through hypomania and periods of great mental dullness (usually in depressed or full manic episodes where you just can't concentrate, sometimes anywhere in-between. I sometimes feel really sharp one minute and brain dead the next, my memory and ability to concentrate varies day by day sometimes hour to hour. Sometimes getting your memory to improve is as simple as changing medications and sometimes it's not, it varies by individual. Another treatment option is therapy, Cognitive therapy is one example, Interpersonal therapy is another. I hope I answered you questions thoroughly and clearly. on inproving your memory.

I want to try cognitive behaviour therapy.... I eventually want to be able to control my moods with out any medication as sometimes I am foggy in the morning and then by afternoon I'm good... which makes me think its my medication. I just wish I could shake that foggy feeling when I'm at work. It's true my memory and even my inteligence was much sharper when I was manic, but not too manic. On the up and on the down.

Diane,

I've never tried Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, but other people at my doctors office say it's helped them. When I was first back on medication I had a zombie like, autopilot feeling for about two months, then it wore off. SSRI's are known to cause drowsiness. Goodluck on eventually becoming medication independent, people do accomplish it.

yes,

i suffer memory loss

anything from- what just happened in this movie/ programme i watched, to what did i do an hour ago, to... have i even eaten a proper meal today?. even sometimes lose entire blocks- it is embarrasing sometimes

My memory is shocking. It has been for years. I think it has to do with the huge amounts of meds I have been on. I cant remember a thing when I take seroquel now. Its extremely annoying. I have worked out some ways to cope with it but I still forget a lot. I have a whiteboard on my fridge with what I need to remember on it and I always set alarms in my phone for meds, appointments, phone calls etc. Im hoping one day when I can get off meds that my memory will come back, but I dont think my cognitive functions will be the same.

I was having memory loss while on paxil. I would be doing things and forget what I was doing.

My memory used to be remarkable. I mean literally remarkable. People would tell me I remembered everything I ever heard (not true, but still flattering). Now, after going on meds, my memory is shot to hell. I constantly lose words and lose my train of thought. Someone can tell me about things I said or did and I have absolutely no memory of it.

It sucks.

yes, yes, someone is saying this, I forget people, I meet them the first time or so, but if I really don't focus, they disappear, if people give me directions that r long, forget it, im lost after a few seconds, I write everything down, phone numbers nope, I cant hardly remember how to spell anymore. Its become horrible, unless I make a big deal out of something or my brain goes crazy, I am extremely forgetful.

I've had so much trouble with my memory that I had to semi-retire from nursing. It was never great to start with---been forgetful since my late 30s---and between my BP and the meds I take to manage it, I can't remember much of anything without sticky notes to remind me. And if the sticky notes get lost, POOF! whatever was written on them is gone too. It's a hell of a way to live.........but what other choice is there?

I work so hard to help myself with memory loss from an accident. I take oils, flaxseed, other omega 3, whatever, to help myself. Lubricating the synapses makes sense to me. Memory ability can be recovered. I think it works...?

I've only been on meds regularly for about two years. All I take is lithium and klonopin Before I was taking meds I was having memory problems. I really believe that the disease itself causes memory loss (at least in my case. I have bipolar I)

Beyond that, the meds seem to wreak havoc for sure.

Even when I'm driving I forget where going!! And I would be lost with out my phone! It has all my appointments and things to do in it. It's getting to the point of if it's not on my phone it won't get done. And yes, it's very embarrassing not recognising people I know and serve at my work. I am thinking the bipolar is causing it and the medication is exasperating it? I take Seroquel XR 400mg. It is very sedative. But it was the same on SSRI's too. It's to the point where I think I need to bring it up to my doctor.

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This all concerns the heck out of me because I've been on meds for a few years and have noticed this too. I really hope I'm not a zombie by the time I hit 30.

skittles56,

that kind of sounds like me

i went from having a really good memory- people used to be able to give me a random set of numbers, and then like a week later i'd remember what the numbers were. but now, it's really bad.... ugg...

Lithium made me borderline retarded. No working memory, diminished vocabulary, lost words, and I suddenly needed spellcheck at age 27
Sometimes I felt as if I had regressed to a 10y.o intelligence wise

In the 2 yrs since I quit my meds, my stellar memory has returned (save for longterm gaps that were erased) and my spelling has improved greatly. Still rebuilding my former extensive vocabulary though.

I'm sorry my intelligence was just too high a price to pay for "stability"...