[Curiosity77]

My cognition seems to be getting worse. I repeat myself to people, with no memory of the conversation, and my sense of direction is getting worse. It was never good, but i was traveling in June, and it was really disorienting. It was never this bad in the past. Otherwise i'm fine cognitively, it's not interfering with work. I'm too young for dementia (38). My pdoc thinks it's caused by bipolar, because of so much time untreated. She said I can go for cognitive testing if i want, but it's expensive, and not totally necessary. Still it would be good to know where things stand. So they only take referrals from primary care, so i saw my GP, actually her partner because she was away. The GP said i don't need it, and just to focus on sleep and anxiety for 3 months. Thing is I always focus on sleep and anxiety, and those symptoms are pretty under control right now. I want to know if I'm ok and over reacting/scaring myself, if this is caused by bipolar, or a med side effect. She said to come back if i need to. I see my pdoc in November, so I'll talk to her about it then. But idk in the meantime. Anyone else have symptoms like this?

Out of curiosity, what meds are you on?

[Curiosity77]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

Out of curiosity, what meds are you on?

Now I'm taking lamotrigine and wellbutrin, and a tiny bit of seroquel for sleep. I was on a lot of different antipsychotics for a few years, but have been off for one year, aside from the tiny seroquel dose.

[~Christina]

I went through a horrible time when I was on all kinds of meds and it being switched and upped and moved all around..

Since I have gone med free it has greatly improved. So for me , I found that the meds did cause me alot of problems.

I do often have Cognitive issues but if I combine Bipolar racing mind, insomnia and pain , well it's bound to happen.

Your an educated medical provider if you want the testing have it done regardless of whether he/she agrees or not. If nothing else it will put your mind at ease.

[BipolaRNurse]

Part of the reason I got disability is my cognitive issues. I have a great deal of trouble learning new things and my memory is like Swiss cheese. It is SO frustrating to repeat myself, to be unable to remember conversations I had only two hours ago...I hate it! And I don't know if it's bipolar or the meds I take to treat it that's causing the problems. Probably both.

You are not alone. There are a bunch of us in the same boat with you. (((HUGS)))

Lotramogine can cause rather significant memory and cognitive issues for some people. My husband was having a terrible time when I suggested to his pdoc the lotramogine might be the issue. We started reducing it, and with every decrease we saw his memory and cognitive function improve. He's now down to 100 mg and most of the problems have been drastically reduced. We had a thread about this just a week or so ago.

[Curiosity77]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

Lotramogine can cause rather significant memory and cognitive issues for some people. My husband was having a terrible time when I suggested to his pdoc the lotramogine might be the issue. We started reducing it, and with every decrease we saw his memory and cognitive function improve. He's now down to 100 mg and most of the problems have been drastically reduced. We had a thread about this just a week or so ago.

I asked my pdoc about the lamotrigine, and she strongly didn't think so, but i still wonder. Her point was that another episode would damage cognition even more, so not to take the risk. I need to give it more thought, but I really might push for the testing. If I'm willing to pay, and my pdoc thinks it could be useful I really don't think GP should say no. Idk

[raspberrytorte]

I have some cognitive issues, but right now I blame it on being on benzos for so long (and now tapering, which seems to be making it worse, but I'm hoping once I'm off it will get better.)

I don't blame it on the lamictal because the problems didn't start until my benzo dosage was increased.

[Disorder7]

I have it, too. I was untreated for many years, so maybe that has something to do with it. Or maybe it's the Xanax.

I forget conversations I've had. Probably the most frustrating part is forgetting words for everyday things. Expressing myself verbally can be daunting.

[wildflowerchild25]

I definitely feel like I'm less able to retain things. I've always been forgetful but it feels worse. And I feel less creative, less able to do lesson plans, etc. but I believe mine is due to ect.