Effexor XR and Memory Loss
Tuesday June 6, 2006
"I need to know if anyone has suffered from memory loss and attention problems while on or after starting Effexor XR. My Pharmacist (who is a close friend of mine) tells me there is no way the two can be related as far as he knows and my doctor tells me the same. I don't believe it. In the last four years of being on this med (I think its been that long, I dont remember when I started it) my memory has been going down hill and I'm not over the hill yet I'm only 33!"--nomemory
Comments
My memory is going out the window. I am having trouble remembering things from yesterday, granted I haven’t always been the best to remember things. I have noticed that I am forgetting tasks at work, this has never happened. I find myself using an entire pad of sticky notes, and forgetting to complete the notes written.
Hello, yes, I’ve been taking Effexor as well, since last November, and I’ve been having memory problems. Even yesterday I can barely remember. It’s so difficult. But I am also glad that someone else is experiecing this. Usually, I had a good memory but now it has gone down hill.
yesssss! i’ve been on it for about 9 months, and the SAME thing is happening to me. i forget things daily, lose things often, and my attention span is like a 3 year old boy. my doctor also told me theyre not connected, but i KNOW they are, which is the main reason i’m coming off the drug now. i wishi would have been informed of all this before i got hooked on the stinking drug.
I have been experiencing memory loss for awhie also. I started taking Effexor spring 2005. Before that I had been taking Zoloft, which was not working for my anxiety and depression. I notice about 3-6 months into taking Effexor that my short term memory was playing tricks on me and the more I think about it the more I realize this drug has something to do with that. What should we do now? Does anyone else think we should be contacting the company and find out the truth about this being a side effect???
I have been on Effexor for about 2 years now. It has worked better for me than Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro. The drawbacks for me is the profuse sweating and the memory loss/confusion. I can get the medicine out, take it, and within a few minutes I can’t remember if I ever actually took it. I use one of the daily medicine organizers now. It helps although I can carry the medicine into another room in a napkin and if I don’t take it right then, I have been known to throw the medicine(in the napkin) into the trash. Memory disturbances and profuse sweating are the worst on Effexor, but it has been the best to control anxiety/depression for me. So for right now, I am just dealing with the side effects.
I have taken Effexor XR for quite a few years; the exact number of years I cannot remember. Every time I have complained about the memory loss; the inability to concentrate; and the instances of not being able to remember how to complete tasks at home and at work (that I have done hundreds of times), my doctor tells me the depression is to blame. I don’t know what to believe. I take three different medications for depression; have completed intensive therapy; I do not feel depressed; and I do not exhibit any other symptoms of depression. I know the Effexor has killed my energy level and the higher the doses I take, the less energy I have. This is another way I do not feel like my “old self.” Before taking any antidepressants, I was like the Energizer Bunny. I could go and go and go. The doctor’s “fix” was to add another antidepressant, Wellbutrin, to try to counter act the anti energy effect of the Effexor. I suffer from fibromyalgia which can mess with a person’s thought process, and I am going through “the change” which can also cause memory loss and confusion. I do know the fibromyalgia, the extreme hot flashes and profuse sweating, and the switch from Paxil to Effexor all happened at about the same time. The posts on this subject now have me wondering how much of what I experience is because of the Effexor. A few months ago I saw an attorney’s commercial about Effexor. I can’t remember the attorney’s name, but I do remember the commercial saying something about people who take Effexor should contact that attorney. I wasn’t paying much attention until I heard the voiceover say Effexor, and I’ve only seen the commercial once so I haven’t been able to write any of the info down. Maybe the memory loss and confusion has something to do with the attorney’s commercial.
I have only been on Effexor Xr for about 2 months and have been experiencing the same symptoms. I know I dont have the greatest memory in the world but have noticed a significant decrease since I have been on this medication. I can’t remember words I want to say when I am conversating and when doing tasks or about to do tasks I often have to stop and think about what I am doing or what I was about to do because I dont remember. I would also like to say that this medication has greatly helped with my depression. So much better then Paxil or Prozac. But I am also concerned about when I will have to stop taking it. I recently went away for a weekend and forgot to take the medicine for a few days. That Monday afternoon I was crying non-stop about everything. And then, later that evening I was contemplating suicide when for the time I have been on this medicine I had been doing great and was generally ALL the time up-beat. So, that was kind of scarey. I have remembered every day since to take it and am scared to forget to take it.
Thank you all so much for leaving your comments. I have been on Effexor XR for a number of years and have always made excuses for my memory loss, but of late the memory loss is more severe than ever before. I too have been thinking it is from the Effexor. Sometimes the things I forget are so out of character that I am stunned by the reality.
I have been in psychotherapy 2xs a week for over a year to get to the bottom of why I was depressed. We are at the point now of looking at decreasing the medication with the cooperation of the psychiatrist overseeing the process.
To those of you thinking of going of anti-depressants either cold turkey or outside of therapy, take it from my past mistakes at doing such a thing — it became a worse depression than ever because I hadn’t dealt with the deep underlying issues that caused me to be depressed.
Thanks again for your comments.
I have taken Effexor for several years and until recently it completely eliminated the depression. However, recently, the memory lapses and the attention deficiency has become a great concern to me. I have an extremely successful, though high-pressure, career that I have begun to feel could be threatened if I don’t resolve this problem. I’ve given up the medication a few times with disastrous results, but I sure wish I could find a happy medium. Were it not for the effect of my symptoms on my family, I would almost prefer the depression to the side effects.
What puzzles me is that I took Effexor for years without this side effect.
i came across this posting with a search for ‘effexor memory’ because i wanted to see if others have had the short term memory problems i have been coping with. i’m curious to know what dosages you folks are taking to see if there is a correlation. i’m currently taking 225mg of XR. it has really been a tremendous drug in terms of my depression so i would be hesitant to switch to something else, but man is the memory issue frustrating.
I have been on effexor for 4 months. My memory loss is getting worse by the week. I have trouble thinking and concentrating. When in conversations with others I often can’t think of the right words. I used to be an energizer bunny as well but know find myself tired and my mind dull. I noticed after 2 weeks how stupid I seemed and now its worse. I can’t remember what I am sopposed to be doing and look blankly into air all the time.
yes I have been on the med for about 2 years, and my memory is really getting bad and I wondered if it might be the effexor
I am 56 and just joked that I have early-onset Alzheimer’s. But I found a website that has a petition on it of people complaining about the withdrawal symptoms, and I saw that others have had memory loss and fogginess, as well. It’s http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?effexor&1
I told my doctor that I couldn’t understand because I used to make straight A’s in HS and college and now I feel lucky to be able to figure out things that would have been simple before.
This is very scary for me. I am 26 and experiencing almost every side-effect! i can barely make a sentence without forgetting the point of it.I am on 75mg of xr a day.Whats even worse is that i am going threw this and my mom just got put on the medication this week and she is already experiencing memory and energy problems> I am paralized w/fear!!
absolutely!! I took
effexor XR for several years; 350mg daily dose-have lost complete chunks of memory. Along with serious sweating and elevated blood pressure. Finally made the switch to Cymbalta 60 mg dose. Memory is better, sweating much less and blood pressure normal.
It seems to have the same effect but without side effects of
Effexor.
ive been on effexor about 2 months and am forgetting things like to take my keys, and i keep forgetting doctor’s appointments etc. Ive always been excellent at remembering these kinds of things. I think my memory is mush
I have been on 300 mg effexor for about 3 years now. I have noticed that my memory has gone to the dogs. I can’t remember simple recipes that I knew at the top of my head and have trouble putting things together. I have gained a lot of weight since on this drug (I was a small person once). I am now trying to get off this med (replacing with wellbutrin) but the withdrawls are hell. I have been on other antidepressants in the past but the withdrawls were never like this. I am constantly crying, my mind is racing, I have vertigo, I hear swooshing noices in my head when I turn my head or move my eyes, I could go on and on but this could take all day. I don’t know what is in this stuff but I want off really badly…..the way I am feeling right now with these withdrawls though, I don’t know if I can. Would not recommend this to anyone.
Reading everyone else’s comments have really helped me to undrestand where my memory loss problem has come from. I was on effexor xr for maybe six months a couple of years ago, and started having memory problems. I went off the medication and just recently decided to try it again, but now I definitely will not be trying it again. I don’t believe the memory loss is temporary, as I’ve been off the medicine two years and I am still having major problems with memory loss over simple things. I also experienced consistent headaches, disconnected feeling, and vision problems.
I have been on effexor for almost 1 year and I have experienced a lot of memory loss to the point it is interfering with my job and family. My doctor also told me that there has been no evidence to say they are related but after reading all these comments I believe they are.
I took a large range of anti-depressants, for varying periods of time, including Effexor, which is one of the ones I took for a longer period. And I certainly have had memory problems since the depression started.
But I am not at all sure it is due to the meds, and not somehow the result of a whole range of processors going on in the brain - i.e., a symptom of the depression and its aftermath, rather than of the treatment.
In any case, I would bet that while you will find lots of reports of memory problems by people on Effexor, you would also find such reports from people on other anti-depressants - so switching from Effexor would not seem to be the answer.
Yes- I too have had what seems like memory loss– but may be the ability “to let go” a bit more instead of trying to be responsible for remembering a gazzillion more items that one really needs to. I take a very small does of Effexor, and have noticed this with other medications as well.
I had a more or less photographic memory before I started this medication. For a long time I thought that the memory loss and concentration problems were the result of the depression and anxiety (as the expensive psychiatrist told me!). The reasons for both are gone and they themselves are much better, which makes the memory loss and lack of concentration much more noticeable. I’ve had to stop work because of them. I am now certain they are caused by the drugs. Thanks to everyone for responding to this post - why are all of the doctors so resistant to the idea that the drugs may be causing the problem?
I am in the long, nasty process of withdrawing from Effexor after about three years of up to 300 mg. Now at 75 mg, I have been gleefully remembering things that I would not have remembered when on my full dose. Like others commenting here, when I complained to my shrink that my memory and concentration impairment were amounting to an intellectual disability affecting my work and other functioning, he told me it was the depression, not the Effexor. Interestingly, I wasn’t feeling depressed. Now that the haze is clearing, I strongly suspect he was wrong.
Reading everyone’s comments makes me feel both relieved and scared. It is clear that there is a connection between memory loss and Effexor. I have to say that I have done great being on the drug with the exception of memory loss. It is feaking me out. I’m forgetting so many things at work that I normally would not have forgotten in the past. I guess my big question is…once you get off Effexor, does the memory come back or get better?
Thank the Universe for the internet!!! I was beginning to think I was crazy! This Effexor has damaged my memory as well. It stopped the racing thoughts and ruined my memory! I’d rather race.
Thanks to everyone who posted here. My dose was only 37.5mg a day, A non-theraputic dose according to the doctor. Thanks again,
I’ve been doing some research concerning the side
effects of effexor xr: memory loss. The good news, because there’s always good news, is that it may NOT be memory loss but rather CONFUSION CAUSED BY LOW SODIUM LEVELS IN THE BLOOD!!!
My next step is to tell the Dr. to order a blood test to check the sodium level in my blood. I’ll let you know what happens. After checking the side effects listed by the manufacturer (low sodium levels and confusion are just two of the side effects) and looking up the medical definition of “confusion”,
it makes sense to me to have the sodium level checked. I am determined to get off this drug and get my normal OCD-self back! Ain’t no drug out there gonna get the best of me! Don’t let it get the best of you either. Jessica
Gosh, that’s how I found this site. I feel like a moron…I have/had a successful career, but since starting Effexor, my memory has really caused my problems. I have taken many other meds, but this has never happened. I am only taking 75mg…was taking 150, but had too much anxiety. I have been taking it for nearly a year. I thought maybe it was just aging, but I”m only 36. I don;t like feeling like this! Please repost about the sodium!
My memory, concentration, etc is also much worse than it used to be. 300mg/day for maybe 3 (or 4?) years - less than the first year was spent ramping up to the full dose. While we wait on the sodium results, here’s another thought:
Our brains are constantly sorting through all the information that comes in and deciding what to discard and what should go to your memory. There is an anti-anxiety part of Effexor that helps us all care a little less about everything (for better or worse). What if this effect extends to that mental sorting process? As the mind sorts the information, it disregards much more of it than it used to which leaves much less to be stored in memory. This would explain why others on anti-anxiety meds would see the same thing, but it doesn’t quite explain why the effects would last after going off the drug. Unless…
Argh - my mind’s starting to race - must be time to go to bed :\
Anyone else have have muscle twitching in their neck? But not actually twitching - it’s more like what happens if you have something stuck in your throat, and you’re trying to unstick it. Only I don’t have control of the muscle contractions like I would if there was actually something stuck there (which, of course, there isn’t).
Good luck to all, and happy dreams
My mother was on Effexor XR for who-knows-how-long. Years. Her memory and ability to process thoughts is severely impaired. She often gets hung up thinking of words to say mid-sentence. And she seems incapable of learning new things.
For example, she likes watching movies on the VCR. She can’t remember how to turn on the TV, how to play a tape. She asks me for help. So I patiently show her what to do. The next night, she’s back to square one, not remembering how to do it. Actually, often I’ll after showing her how to turn on the TV (a one button exercise) and wait 5 minutes, she won’t remember how to do it. Pretty scary stuff.
Anyway, with the assistance of a doc, she tapered off Effexor, and hasn’t been on it for about 2-3 months. In some regard her cognitive skills are improving, and in fact her interest in life is improving (so much for effexor being effective), but her memory is still not, and her cognitive skills still have a long way to go.
My questions are these: Does anyone have experience with how long it will take to regain what she’s lost, and what can we do to help it along?
The situation is pretty desperate. She’s fairly unanble to take care of herself. Also, since coming off Effexor, she has at least gained the self-awareness to notice that she must ask how to use the VCR everyday (just one example of what she’s having problems doing in life), which makes her feel stupid, and scares her
Also, in the thread, Chris said “My doctor also told me that there has been no evidence to say (Effexor and memory loss) are related.” Aside from these posts and simlar posts on the internet, I’d ask the doctor, “what evidence do you have that they are not related?”
Also, you all may want to read the book America Fooled. Here’s a link…
http://www.americafooled.com/
On effexor two years for cyclothymia. Worked like magic from day 1. Bad withdrawal headaches if I even miss a few hours taking medication. Memory issues started in first month. First visual imagery (minds eye, imagination) shut down. For example I was unable to visualize a face and have the name pop up. This effectively restricted the way I access my one-time encyclopaedic memory which was effectively indexed visually. (Subnote- this is probably why effexor is rated the highest antidepressant for causing sexual dysfunction because without the imagery/fantasy it’s just friction.)
Short term memory slowly deteriorated over the last two years to the point it is affecting my work and family. I was seriously thinking alzheimers till I read this page. Thanks
I’m sure there’s a connection. I am making uncharacteriscally stupid mistakes at work over and over and can’t stay on top of tracking thinga. I’ve taken Zoloft, Serzone and Wellbutrin before and never had this problem, only stopped the Zoloft and Serzone because they lost effectiveness at treating my symptoms after taking them for a long time. Effexor XR was added to my Rx for Welbutrin, so it’s not from coming off Wellbutrin - has to be the Effexor. I’ve been wondering if it isn’t some kind of drug interaction between the two. It’s a relief to find out that I’m not the only person experiencing these symptoms. I can’t continue to take this drug - I’m going to lose my job if I do.
Thank you all for making me feel normal again!
The other day I was talking to one person when it was, in fact, another person…but I didnt realise until it was pointed out.
When i write my letters are all over the place. sometimes i cannot spell simple words. I forget to go to work and University. I forget yesterday, the day before, my childhood. This is madness.
I need to get off it.
I’m reporting it to the Pharmacist. We must all do it!
Im So Glad I Came Accross this important info about EFFEXOR XR. I’VE been taking 300mg for 3yrs. I’ve Had Forgetfullness Eversince! I Too Asked My Docter If It Was Aside Affect, And He Too Blamed It On Depression.well I Believe Its The Drug Thats Responceable For My Forgetfullness And Thanx Too This Website I Realy No For Sure That Its Not All Phsycologicle.
I’ve been taking Effexor for about 6 years and have noticed a gradual but significant decline in my ability to learn and remember, and not age related. Long term memory is fine, but since returning to university full-time I’ve had nothing but low marks and frustrated instructors who can’t understand why I performed so fabulously in my undergrad but fail so miserably in my graduate studies. I’ve found interesting data to support the fact that serotonin directly affects the hippocampus (where many memories are stored) along with areas of the brain involved in thinking and personality. However, no one REALLY knows for sure the effects of these anti-depressants because they influence SO many areas of the brain and because the research isn’t easy. The only thing we can do is try to use non-medicinal strategies to cope as best as we can and use as little medication as possible. AND, let’s pray that someone doesn’t discover that those who take effexor or similar meds. are more likely to have dementia in their old age!
hey everybody, after reading all this I realise that my memory problem and the difficulty i have to learn new things (im taking the Bar exam right now and its really a big problem)is definitly due to Effexor. i was on effexor and wellbutrin for about 1 year in 2001, i havent taken any medication since! and yet i still have a hard time remembering trivial things! i need to get my memory and concentration level up and running again a.s.a.p. so that i can complete my studies, what should i do?? any suggestions?
Hi all - I am 69 and have been on Effexor for about 6 months. Lately I am starting to forget what I was going to say - if that makes any sense. I am glad I have read this site and will now look into going off Effexor. I was very worried it could have been alzeimers.
Jo
Jo
I did suspect it was the effexor but this just confirms it! As my dose has increased so has the confusion and memory loss. Surfing the web has to be one of the most frustrating things as no sooner than i’ve thought of somthing I want to look at, i’ve forgotton it again and just end up staring at the google homepage wondering what to type! Also I was doing an online memory card game with my 2 year old son. He whizzed through it while I was still trying to get the cogs to start turning! On the plus side I have realised that I have actually forgotton to worry about things i normally would have. So it’s not all bad, as frustrating as it is! Another embarrasing problem is paying for stuff in shops using coins. I just can’t seem to get my head around counting them out so they add up to the right amount. Now I either use notes or stick to plastic!
I am sorry to see these messages. It’s permanent. I’m sorry that it was my choice to use effexor many years ago. Vision and memory probs.
In reading all these comments, I am glad to know I have a great doctor. He DID tell me that Effexor could be the reason I can’t remember things. The problem is, I need the Effexor, it works for me, but at what cost? My 91 year old grandmother and I are on the same level when it comes to remembering names and what happened yesterday.
Geez, I’ve been on Effexor for a few years now - and even though it has helped my anxiety (started when my son went in the Marines) I seem to forget ALOT. At first I thought maybe it was due to the stress - but I’m so forgetful now - I realize there is a problem. Memory problems are showing up in every aspect of my life. I feel like the gal that was going to stay home and pay her bills and wound up starting a dozen different projects, never finishing one - and never got around to doing the bills either. I need a ‘to do’ list in just about everything I do now - mostly at work. I’ve always pride myself on the responsibilites I had at work and how others could count on me for the answers - well it’s mighty scarey for me when someone calls - and I can’t remember where I placed invoices, payroll forms, tracking schedules. Glad to find this blog - thought I was going crazy. I’ll see the Dr. the beginning of the year to get off this med. Just hope it’s not too late - and the effects are not permanent.
I’ve found a lot of people who are experiencing this problem, but few who know if it’s permanent, how long it lasts after discontinuation of drug, and how to help bring the memory up to normal levels…
Does anybody here have info along those lines?
I have been on Effexor XR for about 3 years now - 225 mg at the highest dose. My memory and attention got so bad that my dr. put me on Strattera, which didn’t help. I am now taking Ritalin 20 mg and am weaning myself off Effexor without my dr’s knowledge. I divide a 150 mg capsule into three parts, so I’m averaging 50 mg/day (not bothering to measure). I feel more alive than I have in a long time - I think my memory is a bit better, but I still forget stuff that should stick with me better. I’ve warned people not to let their drs put them on this drug! There’s other meds that will help with depression and anxiety, without all the problems later on.
thank you thank you thank you…I am a pharmacy tech and have been on effexor xr 75 for about 2 yrs, the other day my husband finally broke down and told me i’v become a ditz since being on this and he wanted me to see if it was the med…same results, i did research at work and talked to rph and md and all said probably age(30) or night shift work, but now i know for sure my husband is right, im scared to go off it because it works so well, but i have 2 kids who need me to be on the ball..paxil made me gain weight like carzy so im nervous about other meds, ive finally lost the weight and dont want it back…i think ill contact the mfr of it,too and let them know this is a real problem.again thank you for making me feel a little less nuts!
Thanks for posting your stories…I have been taking 75mg/day of Effexor XR for one year and just in the past three months have noticed that my memory is gone, one day to the next. Once I’m reminded it comes back to me but it has been affecting both my family and my work. Please tell your doctors and pharmacists. This is serious! Anyone recover after stopping the med? I stopped taking it for about four days over vacation and starting feeling really agitated and bummed out. How has anyone done withdrawing from this?
Yes! I too have been suffering memory loss. It is when I typed in “Effexor Memory Loss” that I found this site!
I will soon be weaning off this medication and I am anxious to see if my memory improves.
I’ve been on Effexor for about 8 months. It has alleviated my anxiety symptoms completely, which I love! However, now I have trouble paying bills on time, remembering to buy groceries/supplies for the house (even remembering to write down what I need), and most importantly, remembering where I put things! I’m so afraid of the anxiety returning that I don’t want to go off of Effexor, but maybe a lower dose would help?
Ohhhhh, another frantic soul who typed ‘effexor-memory loss’ into google. Of course it has to be these drugs, we get nothing for free in this life and it seems we have to make a bargain with the devil when it comes to anti depressents. I too do not suffer from depression as such any more but like many others of you have a really responsible job and kids and I am a single parent. Heck I want to play at super mum and I give it the best shot, believe, but I am becomming an embarrasment to myself. I keep buying DVD’s that my kids tell me we already have, i watch a film and see it brand new and then am told we went to the cinema to see it last year. People tell me really personal and profound information and I forget what it was almost straight away, there is a limit to how many times you can ask someone to remind you about something you were honoured to be told in the first place. So many people think its elective forgetfulness, this is so frustrating because it drives me to distraction. I go to meetings and have to give reports, the amount of times I say ‘I cant remember the name/ the amount of money/the place etc I feel like a numbskull. Even reading through these comments I have to reel myself back into focusing on what i am reading and why. I so relate to the person that says they type in google then cant remember what important thing they were going to look for! I also find a differnt manifestation of OCD in that because I cant remember things and it drives me bonkers I spend hours going through the alphabet to remember names etc. Bonkers before, bonkers now but in a different way! But would I trade it in and have the depression back…. nope.
I am going thru a very ruff time. I thought I was having a stroke. My doctor started weaning me off of Cymbalta and onto Effexor Xr. I lost my memeory, scared my adult children to death, they finnally hauled me off to the hospital. The nurse at the counter kept asking if I needed a wheel chair. I was confused, weak, had periods of shortness of breath, periods of heart palptations, dizzy to the maximum, the room was not spinning it was me, and is still a periodical event.
The hospital hooked me up for an EKG, CT scan of my head, xrays of my chest, tons of blood work and an extra vile just incase they needed it laying on the counter, started an IV, they were all hopping around like I was dying. Thankfully “all” my test came back normal, just great, the doc said. Right now I am shaking so bad I can’t concentrate. They only thing they can tell me is drug withdrawl from the Cymbalta to the Effexor and a drug reaction to the Effoexor. This will last 7 to 14 days. It debilitated me. I couldn’t work drive or function normally. I still have up to 7 days to go. I had to return to work to be able to pay for the doctor bills and the rent.
Memory loss! I couldn’t remember my childrens names, and at times had to look twice to see for sure if it was my child. Thank you for the info from all of you. I sometimes feel like people think I’m making things up. Thank you.
I took Effexor XR (300 mg daily) from beginning of 2002 until approximately September of 2004 for severe anxiety AND NOT depression. Effexor seemed to work great for the anxiety unless one factors in the severe jaw clenching resulting in 3 broken molars. There were many other issues but the ability to deal with social activities and less crippling panic attacks seemed to outweigh those side effects. That was until I had an “incident” and suffered from a complete blackout. That was in April of 2003 and the blackout and other issues that soon became evident were blamed on everything else but Effexor. I thought I had been slipped the date rape drug GHB. People seemed to be able to believe that as more probable than a sudden reaction to Effexor but my memory had gotten so bad that I, like others I’ve now read about, couldn’t function without a notepad in my hand to remind me what I was doing at any given time along with extensive use of email “drafts” and calendar items. Regardless, I came across similar complaints at RXList and decided to wean off of Effexor at the end of summer 2004 ( I had lost medical coverage so this was unsupervised and not recommended!). THAT is when the deep depression started, and remained for almost 2 years! I took nothing other than Xanax occasionally and just bit the bullet. I returned to my reclusive, but safe life, and within months I noticed my short term memory returning slowly. The depression was terrible and I was suicidal (without action) for much of that subsequent 2 year period and felt trapped. Through web research, I started on mega doses of concentrated fish oil, and for about a year, 5-HTP. I don’t know if 5-HTP helped but it certainly didn’t hurt. I have no doubt that the concentrated fish oils (Omega 3) saved my life. It wasn’t until after about a year of being off of Effexor that I realized that I had lost great big gobs of long term memory as well as that started to come back though the time I was on Effexor is still a fog. I still take lots of supplements but again, I attribute my recovered memory and escape from terrible depression to the fish oils and I will never stop those. I’m still a terribly anxious individual and socially phobic but I’ve decided that I’d rather live with those issues than to loose my memory again. Being technical minded in nature, the loss of my memory and focus were detrimental to my career and I’ve yet to recover from that loss. I stressed the lack of depression in the beginning of this reply to make it known that obviously, depression isn’t the only thing that contributes to memory loss since I wasn’t a depressed individual until I went through Effexor withdrawal. Maybe it is just my browser but why does this string seem to start May 2, 2006? The original post ID is #7358 posted June 14th, 2003. Maybe if others are only seeing posts from May 2nd 2006 through today, they should hit:
{http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?msg=7358.1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-depression&redirCnt=1} drop the proceeding and ending brackets! Good luck to all with your lost memory!
I was on effexor for aproximately 6 months and eventually weaned myself off of them. I started at 75 and went to 150. I had severe memory loss, I would have conversations and not remember what I myself said, which of course really messed up friendships & work, I would get in the car and not remember where I was going etc. I tried to stop taking it cold turkey but that was a mistake as the electric shock sensation in my head was unbearable. I took the 75 and reduced the meds in the capsule to be aproximately 25 or less. I did this for about 2 weeks and kept reducing the amount in the capsules. This was the only way for me to get off this medication without too much damage. Too bad my Dr. did not warn me about all the side effects, I think they should take it off the market, or they should change the name to soul stealer because I really did not care one bit what happend to me or anyone else around me when I was fully on it. This is a dangerous drug.
I took Effexor several years ago and it affected my memory terribly! If someone asked me what I had done 5 min. before hand, I could remember. Even though it’s been several years ago since I took it (I’m on Wellbutrin now) I still have memory loss and it’s not gotten any better. It has affected my ability to do my work and I’m only 36! I got on the internet today just to look for information regarding this issue!
CORRECTION FROM MY LAST STATEMENT: I meant to say I COULDN’T remember 5 mins. before hand!
I’ve been taking 300mg a day for 7 years and 150mg a day for 2 years before that. I lived a full year with extremely painful depression before realizing I could get chemical help.Counseling for emotional trauma simply was not enough for me.During my depressed year I was in a constant stupor,exhausted,and could not remember things short term. After a year of this a doctor put me on Welbuteran which gave no change. Then we tried Effexor XR, gradually increasing to 150mg a day after 4 months.I began feeling myself again except for being tired a lot and having poor memory. .After taking 150mg a day for a full year my energy and memory returned.For me depression wreeked havoc on my mind and body which took time to return to normal. I was feeling so normal that I stopped taking effexor and relapsed into depression for 3 month’s. I had to go on 300mg a day to return to a good state again and I’ve fine ever since Every body is different. There may be thousands on effexor who have no memory problems.Metabolism is so different in people.Hang in there and go easy.
I am 19 years old and have been taking Effexor XR for 7 years. I was on 35.7 mg a very low dosage until this year. I also take 400mg of Lamictal a day for Bipolar disorder. however this year I increased my Effexor dosage to 75mg a day because i experienced a family crisis. I had extreme symptoms when i first increased my dosage. I did not eat for two whole weeks and had insomnia for 3 months. Nothing could put me to sleep. which stopped when I had an anaphalitic reaction to antibiotics and then a very bad flu with in a week of each other.
since my increase in Effexor I’ve noticed how out of it I have been. Frequently I forget something I’m saying in the middle of a sentence. If I don’t write something down I will not remember it. I cannot remember names and frequently confuse people. It is getting embaressing.
Everyone keeps telling me I have ADD because I can’t focus on anythin.
I feel like I am living in my own world. My friends continually comment on how I’m such a space cadet. One of my friends parents even asked if I have taken lots of drugs and that is why I’m so spacey.
It is deffinatly affecting my academic life as well. I have difficulty remembering anything I read or discuss in class, and it has made it very difficult to write papers and take tests.
I also have difficulty remembering the right words. I previously had an extensive vocabulary and now I find myself using simple words over and over again because I just can not remember more complicated words.
I had a severe concussion a year ago and thought maybe this was due that, but then I realized that I had recovered from that probably 6 to 8 months ago. and that this memory loss and confusion has been a recent development.
I am relieved that I am not the only person experiencing these symptoms!!
I will deffinately be contacting my psychiatrist ASAP
I had been taking Zoloft since 8th grade when I attempted suicide my junior year of high school (2003). I was then switched to Effexor, and immediately I went from an A and B student to a C student, then I got my first F my senior year, and then I failed completely out of college. My memory has gotten worse and worse, and I stopped taking Effexor when I found out I was pregnant in September of 06. My memory seems to have continued its decline…I have problems thinking of the words I want to use, I hugged my brother the other day then hugged him again because I forgot I had just hugged him. It’s inconvenient and embarrassing and has had a severe impact on my life in the most negative way possible. If anyone hears of a lawsuit against Effexor for this, please let me know!
I have permanent memory loss from this medication. I took it for approximately two years. When I went off of it, I was like an Alzheimer’s patient. Now I have memory problems that are fairly severe. If I didn’t know someone before I started taking the medication, I probably won’t remember them unless I see them on a regular basis (at least weekly). I just had ankle surgery and bus drivers will pick me up to take me places and remember me, but I don’t remember them unless they mention a specific event or conversation topic. It’s never gone away and I’ve been off the medication now for approximately 5 years. It’s not getting any better either. I credit this medication for destroying my brain. I wish there was a way that I could sue because this has done permanent damage. I have forgotten many of the tasks and knots I used to know on the boat (since I haven’t been doing them regularly). I hate my life now.
I have been reading so much about this drug that im taking and saying YES!!! that happens to me too!!! I have also read lots of message boards regarding the phenomenal side effects of trying to STOP taking Effexor, sounds scary. Why do doctors all treat us like we have no idea???
Oh, thank all of your people. I have been on Effexor XR for nine months and the memory loss started within a few weeks. Again, my therapist thought this was a sign of depression and stress but I have lived with depression and stress all my life and never had this problem before. I have had severe, migraine-like headaches and the buzzing in my head when I have forgotten to take a dose (not surprising!). Also, my ability to reason has gone way downhill. I used to be able to do a difficult crossword puzzle in a couple of hours and now I can’t complete it in a couple of weeks. Vision problems, too. Yikes! I’m getting off it now.
Ditto, ditto and ditto.
Concerned as my 28-year-old son is just starting Effexor XR as well. Guess I’ll try to intercede there!
Can someone elaborate on the ‘vision problems’ that several of you have mentioned?
I have been on effexor for five years and my memory has become increasinly worse. I can’t remember if I have washed my face in the mornings when I’m showering, whether I have put on deoderant (I have to smell my armpits to see if I have!). I’m a journalist and have an excellent vocabulary, yet can’t remember certain words I want to use in mid conversation, and cannot remember stories that I have worked on throughout the day. I definitely believe effexor is linked to memory loss and even though doctors say it isn’t, I think it is sometimes just better to trust out instincts. Effexor certainly helped me get out of bed, build a career and basically not kill myself, but after five years, I’ve decided that I’m going to get off it and see how I fare. Not looking forward to the symptoms of withdrawal but definitelty won’t miss the terrible nightmares (being raped, having AIDS, terrible things happening to my brothers, sisters, parents) and night sweats.
i was making a joke on the url question. hey !! i came to this site because i too have memory problems. i am 62 and when i decide to go to the other room from my living room to get a pen or something like that, i forget immediately why i went there. i have to go back to the living room and think for a minute to remember what it was i went to my bedroom for! We may have enough for class action law suit. But it would be hard to prove. effexor has done some good things for me and yet the “brain shivers”, and the memory loss is significant. i will say that i drink A LOT OF COFFEE. that may be one major factor too! who knows? Thanks!
I also will agree that since ive been taking effexor i have been having problems with my memory aswell….im finding it hard to remeber the easiest things…ill think about maybe gettin something to drink…get up and go to the kitchen while somewhat thinking of something else that was on my mind and suddenly i cant remeber what i went to the kitchen for and i take a minute till i remeber then i cant rmemeber what i was thinking about before i got to the kitchen….also i would like to add my hearing is alot worse also …when i listen to my walkman now i have it on full blast just to hear it comfortly.
I forgot to leave this little bit as i left….effexor has also effected my eye site aswell….blurred vision at times other times focus problems…seeing things move…..minor halusinations etc…i cant get off the effexor yet as it is helping me cope with my life issues but i would like to stress these symptoms im having are all in common with everything others are sayin about the drug. We need to let our doctors know because if they dont think memory loss eyesite are not effected they are just being ignorant it does indeffinetly…also the not so rare no sex drive which everyone knows about…im 28 and have zero sex drive now…been on effexor for only 6 months…..and i know i need to get off ..
Hi. Im 29 and I have been on Effexor for 5 months. I have suffered my whole life from anxiety and Effexor transformed my life since it worked from day 1 basically. Yet, about 3 months ago, I started noticing that I couldnt remember things, facts, vocabulary, movie titles, etc. I am the kind of person that always had a quick memory when it came to remembering facts (think … the gameshow Jeopardy). Now I have a tough time when I try to remember the name of a song, or an artist or vocabulary. This is the extent of my memory loss. I havent wanted to freak out, but the memory loss was immediate and noticeable about 2 months of taking Effexor and I cant isolate any other possible factor that influenced this problem. I have been getting off of it now, but I will admit, that I do fear that I will return to my serious anxiety and irritability problem!
I took effexor for 2 1/2 years, and had severe memory problems into the second year. Much memory recovered after discontinuation. My body couldn’t tolerate that drug any longer.
I did have permanent problems, but have found 250mg magnesium morning and night gives noticeable memory and thinking improvement. Phosphatidylserine complex with ginko helped too.
I am so relieved to have found this webpage. Effexor has greatly improved my anxiety like nothing else ever has but the memory loss and lack of concentration are not an acceptable trade off. I’m taking adderall to counterat this whenever I have a test - but that isn’t a long term solution. I can’t believe these side effects aren’t listed by the company that produces it. Nausea I could handle, but I need my mind.
Unbelievable!!! I found this site - thank God - after googling effexor memory. I NEVER had memory issues before Effexor XR. In addition, complete apathy is a newer symptom - not present before Effexor. I googled “effexor apathy” also, and I’m certainly not the first to go through hell because of Effexor. This drug has been around loooong enough for these bastards to know about the MANY negative aspects to this drug are. And all these SOB’s making antidepressants claim they aren’t sure how it works. Please. I understand proprietary information and all that, but I believe there is something more sinister. Thank you everyone for helping me understand that yes, I am losing my mind, but it’s because of Effexor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m glad that others are posting about their experiences with Effexor while being treated for anxiety related issues. I’m tired of hearing that it is depression that affected our memory and not Effexor when we weren’t being treated for depression. As I posted above, I was not a depressed person until I got off of Effexor and suffered terrible depression for the first year while the second year after abstinence from Effexor saw a decline in the depression.
Thanks to James for his post on June 19 regarding his use of magnesium and attributing it to helping get his memory back. My post from March 6 of 2007 focused on concentrated fish oils as having been a life saver for me and memory but I take lots of supplements including magnesium. I was actually taking the concentrated fish oil for the Omega 3 as I had read numerous articles about its effectiveness with treating depression (again, I was severely depressed AFTER I got off of Effexor) though most of the studies were how Omega 3 improves the effectiveness of depression medicines, specifically when individuals had a low tolerance level for such medications and were unable to benefit by such low doses but supplementation of Omega 3 helped compensate. Of course, the pharmaceuticals paid for these studies as there is no money in just proving Omega 3’s benefits. Other studies worth note are regarding those northern European countries that have short days to no days during winter while their primary diet consists of fish which of course is high in Omega 3. These same cultures have lower than average depression rates and most interestingly, extremely low SAD occurrences. I will now postulate that perhaps magnesium had as much to do with my memory improvement as the concentrated fish oils did and that the concentrated fish oils helped me with my depression. Brain food for thought!
Regarding Tracy’s post on May 10th and the vision question – I can only speculate that at least part of the problem has to do with Effexor causing pupil dilation or at least it did for me. I got a doctor’s note when I was on the stuff because it made my eye color look black (they are bluish-green) while being fair haired and skinned. I could be very freaky looking and had a few jokes thrown my way about being on cocaine because of the enlarged pupils and Effexor did make me terribly hyper. I noticed a decrease in the blurry vision very early on when I was weaning off of Effexor but again, I had only taken it for just over 2 years before quitting. If one reads up on presbyopia at Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presbyopia
There is the comment that “Presbyopia, like other focus defects, becomes much less noticeable in bright sunlight. This is not the result of any mysterious ‘healing effect’ but just the consequence of the iris closing to a pinhole, so that depth of focus, regardless of actual ability to focus, is greatly enhanced”
Just my own speculation but I had very large pupils while on Effexor and very blurry vision. My pupils are now normal at all times and conditions and my vision has returned to normal as well. Additionally, a new Effexor overdose warning (Q4-2006) mentions pupil dilation as a symptom:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/129/117271
I’ve been on Effexor now since 1997–I think that’s the earliest that anyone on this blog has reported. That’s 10 years now.
I am not a stupid person. But daily, hourly I act like I am. Daily I forget dozens of things. Sometimes at night I can’t even remember what I did during the day. What I had for breakfast.
I am not a stupid person. But my memory loss is getting worse and worse. And I can’t stop it even though I try everything I can possibly think of to be responsible.
So here I am, desperately looking for a reason that I appear to be getting Alzheimer’s at age 29.
Is it the Effexor?
What do I have but anecdotal evidence? I can say this:
At 29, there isn’t much chance that my mind is deteriorating from old age. But there has to be a cause for this memory loss–things don’t break down without cause.
My family has no history of memory loss. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs.
I don’t do drugs–except Effexor.
From 150 mg a day for 6 years, to 1/4 of a 75mg pill for 4 years.
That’s all I know. Or at least all I can prove.
—
Guys (and gals), I sound very sensible to myself when I reread what I said–but the truth is that I am very scared that I will never be able to be a dependable person again. That I will always have this memory loss that makes me almost as reliable as a 5 year old.
Our evidence may be anecdotal, but when I understand personally what 66 out of 68 people are anecdotally saying about Effexor and memory loss–well, that’s enough to convince me to get off this drug.
And work desperately to try and recover what I can of my memory and brain function.
Good luck to all.
I found this site after googling “Effexor, memory loss” and I must say I’m relieved to see I’m not alone with this side effect. I find myself in the car driving down the street and have to think very very hard to remember where I’m going. Or I’ll go down to the basement to get something and find I can’t remember what I was after. That is scary. It also affects my work. I’m an archivist - and what is that about but memory. Yikes! I also have been experiencing profuse sweating. I thought it was hot flashes, but I’ve had those before and they are different from this. What I really hate though is the feeling of not really caring. I write plays and am having some success, but I have barely written a thing - and nothing new - since I started on 75 mg of Effexor about a year ago. I’m finally having readings of a play at important theatres, but I can’t work up the interest to keep writing. My creativity has just drained away. I think the sodium levels side-effect might be involved with all of this. Thanks for posting your comments everyone. I certainly appreciate it…and I hope to get off this drug soon. (But watch for those withdrawal side-effects.)
Well I have been on Effexor XR for about 4 months now and I am taking 150 mg daily or should I say nightly. This is after I told my Dr. that I was getting very sleepy at work, can’t have that, and the excessive yawning, so she suggested I take it in the evening.
The first 2 nights were hard but I wasn’t tired at work at all. The coffee helps!! After my last visit my Dr. said that after I have been on the Medication for 6 months then I will be SLoWly weened off. so I Don’t understand why anyone has been taking this med for so long. I do get tired during the day, but as long as I am busy, I don’t feel the need for a nap, once there is a lull, then I feel it.
Hope this helps someone. Pls check w/your Dr. it couldn’t hurt!
_M
PS
I almost forgot to say that if I don’t take at my regular time, I start to feel it, I get grumpy and moody. And yes I too have some loss of memory but that does come with age, so I write things down alot! Thanks for your patience!
-M
I can’t believe what I’m reading…this is me! I’ve been on Effexor in the past and never had the memory loss I am currently experiencing. Altho I’m also forgetting if I just took my vitamins or if I already fetched my book from the other room, but I’m also confusing words, substituting “like” words (lake when I meant park, Gloria Swanson when I meant Gloria Vanderbilt). Recently I had difficulty typing my login or password on the computer…the same one I’ve had for years. I was ready to go to a neurologist but now I think a trip back to the psychiatrist would have better results. Thank you all for sharing your experiences.
wow, I thought it was just me! When I came accross this I was actually relieved to know others have memory problems too with Effexor XR. I thought I was just loosing it! It would make sense that a mind altering drug could cause such a side effect. Doctors should be open to all things a patient experiences, since new things are found out all of the time.
I have something very interesting to add to yesterday’s comments. I found a site this morning while searching the web that looks promising. If you go to www.theroadback.org/weight-loss.htm it talks about anti-depressents and their side-effects. Effexor is listed and while reading through I saw, at another site they recommended to go to: Global DNA Solutions, something on what they called “brain fog”. I am going to try and eat the foods they recommend and avoid what they recommend to avoid. It’s worth a try, since I’ve already tried everything else! What they say seems to make a lot of sense to me and since Effexor has caused me to gain weight too I have a double reason to try it. My best to everyone.
I stop taking Effexor, 2 years ago, becouse of the memory loss side efect, hopeing that it will came back in time.Now I am afraid to say, but seems like slowly is getting worse. Can anybody tell me , if that is right, are we going to lose, whatever is left?
Correction on the road back web site:
The correct address is:www.theroadback.org/weight_loss.htm
Sorry about that guys.
PS - I’ve been following the program for 5 days now and I do feel better! Today is actually the first day I noticed it, but I definitly feel better.
Will follow up if it proves true.
I am so thankful that I am not crazy! Well, maybe I am, but at least I can attribute my severe memory loss to Effexor! I have been taking 75mg Effexor for my anxiety disorder for about 8 months now. I finally went to the doctor and asked to switch to another medication since my memory loss was starting to affect my job (I’m in the medical field, which should make everyone feel at ease!). Since I have been decreasing my dosage of Effexor, my memory loss has become even worse. From my research, I have found a connection between norepinephrine and memory. Effexor is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, so there is logically going to be an effect on memory. Unfortunately, I did not realize this until now. I encourage everyone to research this angle of the drug. I am NOT a physician, so I do not have all the answers. I just wanted to let everyone know of this connection. I empathize with all of you as I have also had such negative effects on my memory. I encourage everyone to not lose hope and not to worry that you are crazy. We will all make it through this!
I was prety desperate abut losig my memory, I have seen myself in a situation where I could not operate the TV remote (like someone said before). Never thought that the life can be affected so badly, I am a design engineer and the quality of my job was really affected. A month ago I start to take vitamin E and Ginkgo Biloba, for me works very good so far. Incredibly I gain most of my memory back.
i also have been on effexor for years,and sometimes i watch a movie,and have no recall what i watched,also i forget conversations i have with others.i have to struggle with what i did the day befor as i cant remember.its really quite embarressing,as i forget who people are,and how i know them.
I thought it was a long shot when I googled Wellbutrin and memory loss. And there this link was! I can’t believe it. I have done the craziest things. In the past three weeks I’ve taken other people’s grocery carts and can’t remember what I did yesterday! My question do you think this is permanent damage to your memory? If I go off the medicine will it come back? I think I’d rather be depressed then to lose my memory. That is very scary. I would hate to have alzteimers at age 44. Is the memory loss a symptom or permanent - damaging that part the of brain? I have heard that antidepressants do havic to your body but memory loss is to me one of the worst! Any thoughts? Thanks!
Darn, I wish I had found this page a year ago. I’ve been on Effexor for about 5 yrs. (Luvox 10 yrs. before that), to control the depression side of bipolar. As if the memory loss weren’t terrible enough, the multitude of “helpful” people telling me that it was stress, aging, my high expectations, etc. etc., has been enough to drive me to the depths of sorrow and frustration. But now that I’ve begun to decrease my dosage (from 300 mg. daily to 150 mg.), I have actually experienced the return of a functioning brain!!! And I am not experiencing a decline into serious depression. I can sympathize with every writer here; and I’m not ever going to let someone else tell me that I don’t know when something is wrong with my own brain. Would they do that if it were a broken leg?! I’m going to make sure my doctor and my family see these comments. If at my age (just turned 60), I can experience clarity of thought, return of organizational skills, reliable recall of general info., and a sense of well-being, then many others can expect to “get better” after Effexor also. I look forward to what I might experience when I’m at 75 mg. daily. With any imbalance of brain chemistry, or emotional stress, it’s real easy to not notice when the side-effects of medication are worse than the original complaint. This forum has made me determined not to lose sight of my goal, stick with it, and get back some semblance of ‘a life’. I’m going to check in often to see what else I can learn. Tks., C.
P.S. Just noticed that I didn’t clarify the time frame for decreasing the Effexor. I’ve had lots of experience with missing a dose and getting the dreadful electrical flashes. So I’m careful to avoid that. But it was due to complications getting my prescription renewed, and moving to another city, that lead me to take fewer pills each day. The change was noticeable within the first week! But I waited another two weeks to be sure. My system responded right away to the decrease in the drug! Believing I would require an anti-depressant for “the rest of my life”, I might have gone on like a zombie forever. Be sensible, but don’t be afraid to try it. If I eventually need a mood stabilizer, you can be sure it won’t be Effexor!
OMG I’m sooo glad to have found this site. I am the biggest idiot walking the earth on this stuff. I forget everything…My daughters girlfriends names, where they live, people I grew up with, whether or not I put deodorant on, did I brush my teeth?, every day things and work is a disaster!!! I spend lots of $ on continuing education and forget it all! The one BIG problem is it controls my severe panic and I don’t know what other drug to go on!!! My Dr. is patient and will let me try anything and I’ve tried them all with no success…Help someone!!!! Anyone ever use Paxil??? That is one I haven’t tried… Good luck to everyone reading this, hopefully we’ll all be “normal” one day.
Wow I thought that I was losing it! I used to be a really valuable employee because I had a great memory for procedure and was quick. Now I am having trouble following simple instructions (confusion). I used to be able to find the fastest and most economical means of doing things but now I’m lucky to get by without missing things that are “common-sense”. My memory goes to hell if I lose focus for a second and I have to work back from the beginning to remember what I was doing. I’m glad I found your comments I’m going to talk to my Dr. if I don’t remember to forget or forget to remember.
I have a 5 month old that I tried to stop taking Effexor XR for during my pregnancy. I was able to reduce my intake from 300mg a day to 75mg a day. I did not notice the withdrawal symptoms during the pregnancy that I noticed other times when I tried to wean myself off. I was so excited that I was so “well balanced” through my pregnancy, but about 6 weeks post-partum I became very unstable. I increased my dosage to 125mg, which worked for about 2 weeks, then quickly needed to double that. I have now been on 300mg for two months and my job is taking a nosedive. I may not be telling people my mind, but I also can’t seem to function. I type slower; I can hardly dial a phone number correctly the first time. I take my medicine and forget if I’ve taken it. I have conversations, and immediately forget what I just talked about. I have taken showers and forgotten to wash my hair, and even more serious consequences if caught, only to luck out so far. My doctors, more than 3 have said there is no connection. Even had an MRI. I too have had migraines, and they could see the anomaly in the scan, but nothing serious enough to cause concern. This medication has been the best thing for me over the past 3 years as it relates to managing my Bi-polar, but I’m thinking a change needs to take place if I intend to keep my job. Worst of all, I have no sexual drive that hurts the intimacy of my marriage. I feel trapped because overall I’m a better person on the drug, I just hate looking like an idiot, and I miss the closeness with my husband. HELP!!!!
Well…same here, as many of you. Been taking E for 10plus year…I am 41..my memory and concentration are terrible. My wife (sweet thing) is worried about me… I have tried to titrate off the drug, but second day can’t move my head without my brain staying still…Has anyone discovered a ‘cure’ for the memory loss? I am American, but live in another country…the language translation is killing me! The other side affects I can handle…the loss of short term memory, I can’t.
I have taken Effexor XR since May ( I think) and i have had severe memory issues. I stopped finally the end of September, and am still having issues with my memory. I’ll be glad when this medication is completely out of my system. A lot of doctors and pharmacists aren’t aware of a lot of the side effects from this drug. I think alot of the problem is doctor and pharmacist denial…meaning when someone comes in with these issues, they are blown off or given a different reason for their issue. I had a doctor try to suggest that my memory issues come with age…but i’m only 28. I had to explain to her, so she could understand, that I had no problems with memory and expressing myself before this drug and it’s not just some coincidence that right after i started this drug i had memory issues. This is not easy at all…because of these doctors dishonesty and misinformation i have decided to not take any drugs and learn to cope with my anxiety on my own with the help of a really good therapist.
Me too. I ‘ve been taking Effexor RX 75 for the last 4 years. I’ve developed memory loss I never had before. I forget my thoughts in the middle of a sentence. This is very embaressing especially when I’m at work and in meetings. Now I know I should get of this medicine.Thanks
I suffered SEVERE effects from this EVIL POISON.
People, I do not know which is worse - having taken Effexor XR or coming off of it.
I had extremely bizzare, TERRIFYING, frightening experiences as a result of taking this POISON, with devastating consequences. And yes, I suffered memory loss, too.
People feel BUZZING and ZAPPING in their heads!?
That is NOT okay!
It is NOT NORMAL!
IT IS NOT A “SIDE EFFECT”!
IT IS YOUR BODY LETTING YOU KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG!
This is an extremely dangerous drug and we don’t need a “doctor” to say so in order to validate our claim. WE ARE NOT STUPID OR CRAZY. You don’t need to convince a doctor that the pill is bad, just ask them a safe way to stop taking it - COMING OFF OF IT IS AS DANGEROUS AS TAKING IT. Will a doctor tell you that? NOOOOO. Of course not. Will hundreds of people who have lived the experience tell you? YOU BET. Who will you believe?
Doctors think you don’t know what’s best for you, but that only THEY do.
No, they don’t!
They don’t take the shit, how the **** could they know???
And do you think a doctor will admit he or she has prescribed something so horrible and dangerous? Imagine how responsible they DON’T WANT TO FEEL.
Imagine all the money so many people WILL NOT MAKE from admitting this POISON can’t be manufactured and prescribed anymore (don’t worry, they’ll be out with the next horror show of a pill in no time).
You know what my problem is? I piss off a lot of people because I tell the truth. Then, they call me crazy and force me to take pills. Yeah, depression… bi-polar… panic and anxiety… who WOULDN’T be those things when you watch a news report of yet *another* shooting with the word ALERT flashing in red across the screen!!! How about walking past a news stand and seeing “SHOOTING. ONE DEAD” in bold black on white. How about hearing constant sirens! How about so many people walking around calling each other the most vile names? How about being treated like you’re less than human when all you wanted to do was make a payment arrangement with the electric company, which takes three calls (and you’re expected to be as happy as sunshine about that)… and you have to make a payment arrangement because WHO CAN AFFORD TO LIVE ANYMORE!!! Well, the manufacturers of the CRAP you put in your body are living just fine, I’m quite sure (Didn’t you see the pics of Aruba? Amsterdam was lovely…).
Oh, and don’t you dare express any anger to anyone about this… or you’ll be mis-labeled accordingly and end up prescribed!
You know, all I wanted was to
HEAL FROM ABUSE
Oh, stupid me, got that wrong… again.
I meant…
“recover from “depression”".
My memory loss is problematic enough for me to get off of Effexor. But that is not the only major side-effect I have experienced. After not taken the drug as liitle as 2 days causes what I call ‘brain zaps’. My psychiatrist basically laughed at me when I described this effect to her. But when I read about this side-effect on www.wikipedia.org I realized that others have complained of similar symptoms. I hope there will be no long term permanent effects as a result of this medication!
I have observed rapid onset of memory problems in my 86-year old friend after she started taking Effexor. The problem is once a person has cognitive problems it can be hard to recognize the precipitous loss of memory. I am trying to persuade her to at least consider the medication connection but it’s hard going.
Thanks to all who posted here.
ellen
I am 24 and have been taking Effexor XR for a few years. I think it saved my life because I had suicidal thoughts before. I have experienced memory problems, but I always thought it was due to taking Xanax. Does anyone know if the memory loss increases over time? I’m really young and don’t see myself going off medication because the withdrawal symptoms are so awful!
I was just looking around to try to figure out why I have sudden and frequent memory loss for about 6-8 months now. I have been on Effexor for a couple of years have tried to stop taking it or change to another anti-depressant several times but could not tolerate the side effect of tapering.
The first time I mentioned the feeling I can only describe as a brain shock when I missed a dose, the practitioner who prescribed it all but laughed at me. Understandable since I am, of course, mentally ill.
As each subsequent side effect appeared many of them, especially fatigue and confusion, where attributed to depression and my dose was increased until I was taking 375mg per day. I was still depressed so went to see a mental health professional. I did not know what was wrong with me but I knew I was not imagining it!
When I started to see the mental health practitioner last year, she slowly reduced the dose to what I am on now, 225mg. She would like me to go down below 200mg but anything lower and I am so nauseous, dizzy and of course what ever that thing is that happened when I move my head it goes on for days and days. I lasted 8 days on 187.5mg last time but could not stand it any more as I have kids to take care of and winter break was coming up. The ironic thing is that Effexor is not nearly as effective as other antidepressants I have taken in the past! Now the memory loss is getting so bad that I have started to get lost driving around town.
Like the other symptoms the memory loss gets more severe if I am even a hour late on a dose. Sometimes when I am active it starts in even less than 24 hours. I am certian that the Effexor is the cause as when I take it, some symptoms stop in a hour or so and most of them are diminished in a few hours. I can not remember the last time I went through a day without being dizzy or had at least one headache. I have had all sorts of test due to the symptoms and there does not appear to be anything physical to cause them. The symptom without physical cause do seem to confirm at I am at least a chronic complainer at worse that I am hysterical and manifesting physical symptoms due to depression.
I really do feel that this drug has destroyed my life. I am not being dramatic or fatalistic about this either I am on a medication that barely controls depression, it make me fell sick and dead inside but I can’t stop taking it because that makes me feel even sicker. Now, in the past week I have gotten lost driving home from a friends (less than 3/4 miles from my house), driving to Safeway (I got there almost everyday) and today I got lost taking my kids to Karate (we have gone three times a week for 4 years). I also feel that the manufacturer sort of has people taking antidepressants in a tight spot, because I am sure they and their high priced lawyers can make it seem that the symptoms are “all in our heads” and at this point I do not think there is anything I can do.
Today when I was reading up on the net, I am seeing other people who experience many of the same symptoms. Since this is the first I have heard of anyone but me saying these things I am 100% sure no one “planted” these symptoms and ideas into my crazy and so naturally highly susceptible mind. So I am glad to know that at least I am not alone.
Oh my, Effexor xr was the only anti that had an effect on me and kept me out of the black. On it for 12 years about and many of those years 350mg/day. My memory is pretty great but my vision seems to be heading downhill at an alarming rate and I need a lot of light to see. Can’t do sh__ after the sun goes down. Anyone else?
I’m 22 years old and have a been a suffering from social anxiety since end of middle school. Was on paxil for a while, stopped that, then took wellbuturan no success then started taking effexor. Effexor works amazingly for my anxiety. However it makes me sweat more and my memory is very messed up right now. I used to have such a great memory. However, I’m having the hardest time remembering things short-term and difficulty with my studies at school.
Constantly re-reading things because I forgot them.
Is there any solution? ANYTHING!! I’m so lost. I don’t know what to do. I’m currently on 125 mg a day dose. Was on 225 mg but i lowered myself due to feeling like a zombie. Plus i’m out of energy all the time and i could sleep all day if i wanted to.
I took this in 2004 for depression for 3-4 months. My doctor said that memory issues were not on the list of alternative symptoms that the medication causes. It took about a year for me to fully regain my short term memory. The memory issues hugely interrupted my life. It was my senior year of high school and I don’t remember prom, much of graduation or classes. It caused me to not go away to the colleges I had been accepted to etc. It was so bad that my parents and I had sticky notes all over the house of simple reminders for daily activities. It was embarrassing. My friends and family would laugh it off and try to work around it but it was frustrating for them and me. I would NEVER go back on that medication again.
Anyways, I saw an ad for Effexor on ABC Family tonight and I was very disgusted.
Katrina. A year you say. What medicine did you switch to if any? Because I know I would start to get bad anxiety If I was not on anything and would barely be able to come outside the house. I cannot let that happen. My doctors are glorified drug pushers that really don’t know much, except how my co-payment is. It so tough everything. Ugh. Well least I’m not alone.
While I’m so sorry you all have also been experiencing memory problems, I feel a great sense of relief. I’ve been having real trouble with my short-term and working memories. I experienced a brain compression injury ten years ago, and so I have been afraid in the last several years that my problems with recall (and finding the right word — or what is was I was in the middle of saying) were due to that and thus I was just stuck with it. And not being 40, I have been scared to death — my work as a project manager demands being able to keep scads of different and changing bits of info in my mind [ACK! I lost my train of thought for a minute just typing that last sentence!]
I have been on Efexor XL 75mg for the past 9 months and I found it worked very well for me. My doctor has advised me to wean off and now I am on 75mg every other day. It’s only since I began to cut my dose that I am having memory problems. This is especially true when I need instant recall, if someone asks me about a very specific thing that took place a few days ago - I can’t remember it. It’s a very spooky feeling - but I am not worried about it as I think it will fade away after I have stoped taking the meds. I never experienced this effect which I was taking the medication normally, its only since I drastically cut my dose. I am having very vivid & colourful dreams also - but I quite enjoy that part.
I was really releaved to find this list of postings when I did a search for ‘effexor and attention span’. I’ve only taken 37.5mg for one week and then 75mg for one week, but the effects on my memory and attention span are noticable, to the point that they were sacring me (and I’m not on the drug for depression, but to see if it helps a pain condition I have). I have a job that is really high pressure and I have to often be a public face and speak to groups. I was speaking on a topic I’ve spoken on hundreds of times and there were two basic facts (like names of Senators and what state they are from) that I simply blanked on, and then guessed wrong on, having to then laugh at myself with the group, because they were really really really basic things to my job that I know like the back of my hand. I also have found that in meetings I will suddenly discover that I haven’t been listening at all for the last few sentences, and I have no idea what the person is saying, in really important meetings where I am trying hard to catch every detail. I’ve never had that problem, when I want to be ‘on’ and great at catching every detail and responding accurately I’ve never had a problem before. I’m done and will never take another pill of effexor (or any other drug that messes with the mind). Scary stuff!!!
My god, this is so scary. I am 38, and I took Effexor for a few months 2.5 years ago……and now I am having memory loss. LIke the other people who posted, I have trouble recalling BASIC WORDS, like “squirrel”… I end up saying something like ‘BROWN RAT-LIKE THING” because I know the word (squirrel), but it just doesn’t come out. Now add to this that I am a scientist and work in a highly challenging, technical field, I am scared to death. I forget things in the middle of sentences. What I don’t understand is, why did the memory loss occur now, over a year after I stopped the meds? I am terrified that my memory may not return.Thanks to the people who suggested magnesium and fish oil to help. I will definitely try it.
i am so glad i found this website i have been on effexor xr for almost 8 years from 75mg’s and now taking 37.5 mg’s.i tried going off or cutting back my doses and i feel better but it effects my sexual functions by having and orgasm in less than a minute.i don’t not have a big sex drive either.i went to the doctor and explained what was going on and he said they use effexor for sexual disfunction so now if i want to have a better sex life i have to stay on.i am only 39 years old and my sexual health is more important to me especially being a man.but i also find memory loss in not even remembering what i did yesterday.
I have to say I am soooooo relieved to read these postings. I have always had the scary memory in the family, remembering details from years ago, even what people were wearing and exact words. Now, I can’t remember ANYTHING. I too have a high pressure job and the other day it took 10 minutes for me to come up with the word ‘orientation’. I had been on Prozac for almost 2.5 years for panic attackes when it stopped working (which the doc says happens often, but no one every told me) and my panic got so bad I had to do something, so he put me on Effexor. I started 6 months ago and am on a hi-dose (300 mg) after 3.5 months it stopped the panic attacks and if I have one now, it is so mild, I can really get through it easily. HOWEVER, my memory absolutely sucks. I am tired all the time and if I don’t get at least 8 hours of sleep each night I am literally sick. I also notice that if I take the nightly dose too late at night, I am really out of it all the next day (try to put cereal in my coffee and such) I honestly was starting to think that I had had a mini-stroke (I am 36 so that was worrying), but now I am pretty sure that it is the effexor.I can’t believe how completely HORRENDOUS my memory has become (can’t remember yesteday or things my husband told me) I also have the vivid dreams but DO NOT like them because they are so real that they seem like memories when I wake up or the next day if I think about them. I guess weaning off the medicine slowly is the only solution.I will have to go back to the doc and get a program going to do it.
I have been on Effexor XR for about 4 years. No memory loss, but if I miss a dose you will know in almost exactly 24hrs. I start to feel extremely tired, medicated, dizzy, irritable, spacy, and hard to keep my eyes focused and open. But once I take it, in about 2hrs all okay. Has anyone experienced this?
Now the comments about memory loss~ Are you guys taking any other prescription medications with the Effexor XR??
Now that I think about it, I have no attention span, its like my head feels tight and I just cant focus on single thing. It effects my home and work! My doctor put me on Adderall for my attention and it works great as ever.
Now that I think about it, I have no attention span, its like my head feels tight and I just cant focus on single thing. It effects my home and work! My doctor put me on Adderall for my attention and it works great as ever. Oh my gosh though~ I for sure get the head zaps, and its like my mind suddenly blacks out if I miss a 24hr dose.
Hi,
I have been on Effexor for 4 years and it controlled my anxiety very well, the side effects sweating and a huge memory loss. Anybody had asked the Pharmaceutical company if they know about this issue? To me it is very serious, and my relationship is effected badly, I am tired of being ashamed in front of my girl friend because I forget things.
I took Effexor for over 6 years, then on the advice of my new dr, started to wean off of it. I’d also been dealing with skin problems, and found out by accident that I may be allergic to the Effexor, because the skin started to improve as I decreased my dosage. As for memory problems, I haven’t had any. I wonder if that might not be part of the depression they are taking the Effexor for.
I googled “Effexor” and “memory” because I’ve been feeling that my memory is getting worse. It’s not listed as a possible side effect,and yet I read comments from so many people who are on Effexor. I had a series of job interviews recently, and I felt as though my mind was going blank trying to think of examples for the behavioral interviewing questions. I told them it was just because I was nervous, but I knew it was deeper. I had been a corporate recruiter for 10 years and have interviewed well over 3,000 people. So it’s not as though I didn’t know what to expect. I used to have strong verbal communication skills, too; but those have really gotten messed up, as well. I’m on 150mg Effexor (for 2+ years), plus Lexapro. At least I know it’s not just me.
As a footnote to my note above, I should mention that I was first diagnosed in 1980 (Bipolar Type II). I’ve been on two tricyclics, an MAOI, Prozac, lithium and Lexapro (which I’m still on, along with the Effexor). The Effexor was added a little over two years, after a complete breakdown.
I don’t recall having memory and verbal communication issues prior to the Effexor, but I can’t be sure. I know I definitely did not have them as a recruiter.
Every medication has some side effects. But I’d rather live with the side effects rather than die from the depression.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been taking Effexor for 4 years. I’m on a low dose. However, I cannot finish sentences, and I cannot remember names, among other symptoms already expressed by others. When I shared these problems with my doctor, he felt that the symptoms weren’t severe enough to consider other options. I have been on many other types of medication for severe depression and social anxiety. Is there anything new on the market?
I am so glad I am not the only one!! I have been taking this drug for over a year and my memory really isnt working. Its really scary!
My memory is definitely worse. However, I am on 6mg/day of Klonopin which definitely affects memory. However, I do have a set of Effexor circumstances that has not been listed. When I was on my anti-anxiety meds and just Effexor for depression, I would try to read a page of the web or in a book and within 15min to 30min, all the blood sugar (or whatever) drained from my brain and I would become really tired and would not be able to think or read or anything and it would always last for 5 hours. Nothing I ate or did would cause the blood sugar or whatever it was to get back into my brain so my brain would function.
This same situation could be duplicated by walking fast for 1/2 to 1 hr and then all the blood sugar or whatever would drain from my brain leaving me exhausted and unable to think for 5 hours. Once again nothing I did would help the blood sugar get back into my brain, I just had to wait the 5 hours.
If anyone has heard of this problem, I would really like to learn more about it and try to solve it, especially since Effexor seems like it will play a part, though limited, in my meds therapy.
I wrote this up in another forum and the person that wrote the Wikipedia articles on the blood brain barrier wrote saying that it might play a part in the problem which he was familiar with.
I know that adding a comment won’t help anything, but I just want to put out there that I am suffering from serious memory loss after about 4-5 years of Effexor. I’ve been off it for almost a year now, but that has only made things worse. My memory in general seems to be intact, but I can no longer recall things well. Whether that be words, names, or things to do… I just can’t ‘call them up’ anymore. It’s affecting both my work and personal lives. I find myself avoiding conversation, embarrassed that I’ll make a fool of myself when I can’t recall something. I pray that there is something I can do about this…
Wow, i read this and i’m glad it’s not just me. I’ve been taking 150mg of Effexor XR for about a month now and I just have this disconnected feeling. It seems as though I am just not able to pay attention to anything and I try to think about things that just happened and it seems like it happened forever ago. I especially have trouble driving b/c i feel like i just can’t focus. The doctor says these side effects will go away, but i doubt it from reading these postings. I just can’t function like this. What should I do?
I took Effexor for a couple of years and then my doctor took me off of it because my blood pressure skyrocketed. I have been off of it for a while now. I don’t remember the memory loss issue, but the bp was really scary. At one point my bp was so high that the dr. wouldn’t let me leave the office until I took something to get it to normal. After that I took bp medicine. When I went off the Effexor, the bp issue resolved itself. I took 3 different meds for a long time–Wellbutrin, Zoloft, and Zyprexa. I am now off all but the Wellbutrin. I have had days of recurring depression–the fogginess and feeling of being in a deep hole with no real way out, but it passes and I can be back to normal. Now that I am through menopause, I am hoping I can go off the antidepressants, but I don’t want to fool myself. And I don’t want to get into a deep clinical depression again
I’ve been on Effexor for a few months, can’t remember how long…but have found that I can’t get my thoughts together when speaking to others, trying to form the simplest thoughts is a daunting task at times. I can see in my mind’s eye the words I want to use,but can’t get them out. I also feel a little lazy…I look around the house and see things that need to be done and then think “nah” can’t be bothered…and that’s not me, and I feel I’ve gained weight, which I definately do NOT need to do. On the other hand, it’s helped greatly with the anxiety. I’ve tried others…was on Prozac for years, but it caused me to cough continually…only didn’t know that til last year. I don’t what’s next
I have been on Effexor XR for over 5 years but unsure when it started. I experience an internal tremor(TD?) on a consistent basis, vomitting, uneasy stomach, night sweats, irregular sleep patterns, irratibility and my memory seems to have gone out the window. I thought this was due to a major life event; however, a break down occurred after my perscription was cut in half on error and unnoticed several. I’m highly concerned due to various descriptions of, irreversible side effects!
I have been taking Effexor XR 250 MG and have no short term memory anymore. I have been getting used to writing everything down because the meds have been a life saver otherwise for my depression. Nothing could shake it before - no other meds, exercise (I just ran the LA Marathon), traveling, keeping myself busy. I am glad to be reading this because being only 34 years old - I knew it wasn’t old age. Thanks everyone for the comments.
I’ve taken Effexor XR for years, I honestly can’t remember how many, in both the 75 and 150 mg. doses. I have to say that also having taken several other depression/anxiety meds that Effexor has worked the best. I’ve done things I was never able to do and so on.
However, I have wondered for a couple of years now about some of the side effects - memory loss, concentration problems, sleep issues, weight gain, blurred vision, severe apathy, mini hallucinations, ridiculous sweating - and have had them brushed off by more than one doctor. Until the memory loss and concentration trouble along with some serious apathy issues started, I was fine with dealing with the side effects, it was worth it. But after having job problems due to being perpetually late and unorganized and forgetting things I tried discussing it with my doc to no avail. Told me to stop smoking…*eye roll*
So, I am calling tomorrow and telling, not asking him to wean me off the stuff. The zaps and brain killing headaches are about to commence, but
I can’t deal with what’s happening to me any longer.
at first, there were supposedly no adverse effects from stopping the medication, I know several people whose docs cold turkeyed them off of Effexor and they suffered some horrible reactions. Then years later, ta-da, Oooops, we were wrong…
I wonder what’s coming next?
I am shocked to see so many postings here! I have been taking Effexor XR 225-300mg/day for 10 years now, and the memory problems started to worry me about two years ago. I have always been extremely organized, and have had a good memory. What I noticed initially was that I seemed to be so scattered/unfocused mentally and disorganized in my job and personal life. I thought that I just need to get back into exercising (after an 8 month hiatus), as that has always provided such a boost in my overall quality of life. I also had my thyroid hormone levels checked to make sure my synthroid dose was doing its job. My endochronologist increased my synthroid slightly and I continued exercising, but here I sit today, and I find myself constantly mispelling very common words, consistantly forgetting where I parked my car, recalling very little of important meetings at work, as well as what I read for work and pleasure, forgetting where I’m going, why I’m going there in the first place, etc. I am only 34 years old and I can’t even imagine what I will be like if this continues to escalate over the next ten years. I have had MRIs and cat scans due to other weird neurological events (1. chronic headaches and fainting at age 8, 2. an episode of severe numbness in my face about 6 years ago, and 3. an episode of extremely sharp head pain that woke me out of a deep sleep, followed by dizziness). In each case, the docs found nothing abnormal, except for incident #3, where they found a pineal cyst, which is supposedly common and nothing to worry about. I can say two very positive things about Effexor, which is why I have been so hesitant to go off of the drug: 1. It dramatically helped my depression. I suffered since I was a child from severe, suicidal thought, and half-hearted attempts. 2. My chronic headaches greatly diminished. I suffered from chronic headaches, sometimes daily, since I was a child, and since I have been taking Effexor I rarely get them, except for the scary one I described in “weird neurological incident #3. It would be nice for an epidemiological study to be organized around this experience of memory problems associated with Effexor. I don’t know how scientists/doctors decide to embark on a study such as this, of a drug that has been on the market a while.
Well, heck. I don’t know if I’m relieved or alarmed to have found this site. I have been getting increasingly alarmed at the vast amount of things I’ve been forgetting. Things that others have noted - spelling simple words, going into another room and totally forgetting what I was there for, sitting in front of my computer in the middle of a project and absolutely not remembering what I just did, etc etc. I have even had difficulty simply saying words at times. I was flying back from a business trip last week. The flight attendant asked if I wanted anything to drink. I could not remember how to say ‘tomato juice.’ This freaked me out. I am a writer and public performer - the thought of my brain continuing to be full of holes really alarms me; the thought that it might continue to get worse terrifies the hell out of me.
I have one theory about why this might be happening. I was prescribed Effexor for depression as well as anxiety. My anxiety would manifest itself in not being able