Memory Loss and Medication

Hey guys,

Does anyone have any advice for memory loss and medication? I have found the Lamotrigine to be very effective for moods and what not. It is the only mood stabilizer that I have tried so far but the other side effects on it have been minuscule. The dose I am on is quite high, at 450mg. I don't know if lowering it would be helpful. My depression gets quite bad. The memory loss scares me especially because I have a toddler and am raising her pretty much on my own, so focus is very important to me. I will be in the midst of a conversation and can't even remember what I was saying. It scares me so much that I feel like stopping it (under the approval of my Pdoc). This is something I will be discussing with her at the end of the month. I was hoping to hear some input from others. I actually had to read this over and edit it a fair bit to make sure it made sense.

If memory loss is a concern with that med, you can always try a different mood stabilizer like lithium. Benzos are the only thing that help me sleep but they also cause memory loss and it's making studying for school difficult.

I took lithium and as a known side effect, it can also have memory loss. It's a side effect that doesn't have to happen to you, but it can. I took both lamictal and lithium at the same time and one or both of them gave me memory loss. I think both because I'm still on lamictal and I still have memory loss. Not too bad though. Good luck!

Hi seekinghelpforbpd,

I take Lamotrigine too and also struggle with memory loss.

It was so bad at one stage that I was hunting for my keys, turning the place upside down, only to find them hanging in the door where I left them.

One morning I left for work and left my entire bunch of keys for my gates, house, safe and remote to disarm the alarm hanging in the lock of my gate. In full view of anyone walking by.

A month or so ago I couldn't remember the word 'fireplace'. I looked like such a tool when I said, "you know that place where you make a fire". I was so embarrassed during the entire conversation.

I've been having seizures since the beginning of the year so ended up in hospital in July. I asked the woman across from me 6 times where she works. Yup, memory like a sieve!

What I've started doing is being very deliberate during conversations and trying to slow things down so I can keep track of what's happening and what I'm saying.

I've also started putting things like my keys, purse, phone and other important items in a designated spot on my kitchen table.

I'm trying to find more ways to structure my life so that I'm less likely to forget stuff.

I feel your pain though, it's tough. But I'm sure you're a super mom, despite the memory loss.

Hang in there!

If the memory loss is a problem, you should try a different stabilizer.
There are quite a lot of them, and they all work differently.
If you don't find another one you like, you can always come back to this one.

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input. My pdoc seemed quite hesitant to lower my dose, but we are in the process of doing so. I asked about getting to a relatively low dose and adding on an antidepressant so we shall see. So far I am feeling a bit crummy (angry/hostile and depressed in and out, but not like before. Quite tired as well). I am hoping I will be able to find a way to make it work without having it interfere with my memory too much. I realize many meds have side effects. And if it comes down to it, I will look into another mood stabilizer.

You guys are awesome and I hope you are all doing well!

How are you doing right now?