Medication & Memory Loss??

Hi Sally Yes i find I have some problems with memory and was bad when I first started the pred even trying to remember words was difficult and still having problems I certainly find I have to work the brain harder so to speak to remember like names of flowers and stuff almost like having to find a different way to connect to the line of thought process if that makes any sense. Hoping it is not interferring with your work too much. I guess it is something to put up with .Just glad things that come automatically like eating and stuff aren't bad although with all the weight I gained from pred' it wouldn't hurt if I did a few times. Are you finding it hard to deal with ? lol gail

Well I have fibromyalgia along with Crohns (lucky me) and I think alot of my shortterm memory problems are related to what they call "Fibro Fog". Sometimes I wonder though if some of it isn't from the Crohns too.

Satins meds for cholesterol are now know to cause memory loss are you taking them?

Hi Just a suggestion but you could tell your co workers your on meds and sometimes they do that to you. The mind is not always concentrating on what it is doing but you know at least this site gives us a chance to work it a little. They say reading keeps the mind sharp .lol gail

When I was on mulitple medications I had a much harder time with cognitive abilities. I discussed it with my doctor and we were able to reduce some of the meds and that helped for a while. I still have extended periods of times, sometimes weeks, where little tasks such as typing out a simple sentence or remembering how to spell words is difficult. I am always calling people by the wrong name, can't remember my phone number without a lot of thought and it can get so frustrating. Especially since I'm a writer and sort of need to show some ability with the English language.
I used to really stress about it but I have found that stressing made it worse, now I just relax, accept that this is how I am going to function today, slow down and do what I can.
Also, I have found that drinking lots and lots of water helps. Not sure if it flushes the system and prevents build up of the medications or what but I've talked to a few other people who have said the same thing. Especially if you are on things like phenergan which has a serious drowsiness side effect.

I'm not even on RX meds, nor have I been on them for a very long period of time, pred was the only med over my 16 yrs that I was on and off and my memory and retention of info and such are TERRIBLE.

I'm only 40, but I've noticed it getting much worse over the last few yrs, I think it's the stress of the disease, it literally takes over your mind with worry of having to poop more then I used to (before getting sick).

Maybe I should get my hemoglobin levels checked....hope I remember to do that, LOL!


:)

SallyB I agree, maybe it is some of our meds doing it too. Never thought of that. I take 1/2 Percoset as needed for pain, as well as Phenergan daily, so its possible some of my forgetfulness is meds. Plus you use Fentanyl and that stuff makes even High Drug Tolerance me loopy, so that could be part of the problem. Oh well, I will take forgetfulness over pain anyday. God Bless!

Sallyb said...
No, currently I am taking Humira, Immuran, Menest, Folic Acid, multi vitamin, Calcium, B-12 injections, Lexapro, Prilosec, Pentasa, Vicoden, Fentanyl patch - 50mg, Wellbutrin. Entecort, Levsinex, Trimethobenamid, and an antibiotic for UTI that I just started.
I guess I need to go through each one on webMD and take a good long look at all the side effects. It has been a while since I have read through them. I get used to taking them and don't even think about it sometimes.

Holy cow that is a lot of meds you need to get a medic -alert bracelet so there is a data base doctors can refer to should you need medical assistance. Please look into that. I have one since 1996 a great service I have the stainless bracelet.


http://www.medicalert.org/home/Homegradient.aspx

Thanks for the advice Sugarmarie - I never thought about getting a braclet for all of my meds. That would be so helpful! I will definetly look into it! :)

That sounds great! I think I am going to get one - it would be so worth having all of my info in one area for those who may need it.

HA!
Dave D - you Rock!!

That does give me hope!! Maybe someday I won't be on so many meds. I do know how you felt - sometimes I get so frustrated because I know that I used to know the answers or it embarrasses me when someone tells me I asked the same question two days ago.

Thanks for the response!!