Forum: A Subtle Side-Effects of Antidepressants?
Tuesday November 25, 2003
"Have you experienced lack of motivation, a lower energy level, a 'Don't worry be happy' attitde, short term memory loss due to your antidepressants? I have been on Effexor XR for 5 years now and have experienced all of the above. These side effects are so subtle I can't say when they started but at least 2 or 3 years ago. I recall reporting my car as stolen because I didn't remember where I parked. :-) Funny but true! Other incidents have been of less importance; but, nevertheless, have created problems as a result. Not at all sure this should all be blamed on Effexor, maybe other ADs do the same. My motivation has dwindled big time and the 'Don't worry be happy' syndrome has had a huge impact on my business. This would have been so unlike me prior to Effexor."
Comments
I was on Effexor, and Topomax for about 3-5 years. I recently within the past year switched to Lexapro. I am currently in a personal injury trial that I had to recall information from the past. I have not been able to remember many things. I did some research online and found that many antidepressants cause memory loss and I am not alone. I was getting really scared, and thought it was just me.
I was on Lexapro for about 2 years and recently switched to Effexor. I find myself forgetting every day things. I thought I was alone, but I guess not. It always has to be something in return doesn’t it?
i had the exact experience, and i really appreciate your expressing it so well. i have been on wellbutrin for 3 yrs or so to counter the affects of nicotine withdrawal and the subsequent depression. i have hardly held a job since then, and at the end of my last project was told that maybe i “just wasn’t cut out for that type of work”, though the project was something that i had been able to do with both hands tied behind my back for years. after that i cut my dosage in half (medically supervised), and plan to do so again, until i am completely off, or without side affects, if possible.
There is no doubt in my mind that being on Effexor (for 2 years now) has caused me to experience some short-term memory loss. I just started noticing it about six months ago. Primarily, I forget little things, like whether I completed a task or not, where I left things, people’s names, etc. It is disconcerting though, because I always had a better than average memory, especially for names. I wish that there was more information available about memory loss with antidepressants….it would make those of us who are suffering with it feel less crazy!
I have been on Lexapro for 4 years now and I have found that over the past year or maybe more I’m having memory problems. I forget people’s names, etc etc and thought I was losing it. The doctor is telling me it’s anxiety but is the anxiety caused by me worrying about my memory? Doctors don’t say much especially when they don’t really know the answer …. it’s very annoying really. I have tried coming off Lexapro but ended up going back on 20mg a day as started getting anxiety attacks again. I want to get off these big time but not sure how. Don’t have much trust in doctor’s as they don’t listen when you tell them about withdrawal symptoms! Anyone out there who got off them reasonably symptom free???
I’m new here & I’ve been taking Effexor XR for about 6 yrs,maybe a little longer.I’m at the max dose of 375mg.
My memory is HORRIBLE! I’ve left the house with candles lit, & yesterday I forgot I had a lit cig in my ash tray!
I forget lot’s of things, even something someone has just told me. I hate this med & have tried a couple times in the past to get off of it, but I couldn’t handle the withdrawls.
I also got high blood pressure from Effexor.
Hi,
I am a 25 years old lady, in love wth life, so I have many hobbies: going out with my girlfriend,practice some sports (swimming), go our in the evening to a disco, so all the things that girls like me do always. I also have a great love for cannabis . It’ a recent passion but very strong.I like to stay home an
d smoke a lot. I hope that one day we will smoke all together. What do you think about it?
Kisses,
Lana
Has anyone else out there experienced a sudden rise in your bloodpressure? I took effexor 150m for 9 months and lately I have been experiencing high blood pressure. It is 168 over 108 on Sunday. The doctor said that I needed to come off the effexor and start a lower dose 75, for 4 days and 35 for 4 days. He also put me on Zolof while I’m coming off of the effexor. I have been having really bad headaches and monitoring my blood pressure. This stuff is awful and I can’t wait to get off of it and get my blood pressure under control. Has anyone else had this problem with their bloodpressure? Let me know.