I am on Lithium, Lamictal, and Cymbalta and have had 5 ECTs-2005 and 2006. Could any of the medicine or ECT cause memory, cognitive problems? Or can depression alone takes its toll on thinking problems, concentration, and confusion? I have been diagnosed with BP II and am a 44 yo female.
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8/27/08 10:03am
In my case: my cognitive functioning stunk leading up to, during, and after crisis this past winter. My short-term memory was horrible, I kept saying the wrong words (replacing with similar sounding ones but totally different meanings), more trouble with names, and I had trouble prioritizing even the simplest tasks. I feared that my brain was gone and would stay gone!
Once starting treatment all of this started improving. However, different meds or even different dosages have had an effect. i.e., I was doing much better mood-wise and cognitively through April and May. In June my mood started spiking and I had trouble sleeping again. Upped the mood stabilizer and started taking something for sleep. This worked.
Then last week I realized that I'd felt down and detached for several weeks, just couldn't snap out of it, and cognitively was feeling unfocused again. Reduced the mood stabilizer again (with pdoc's approval) and I definitely feel better. Memory! Focus! I can think!
I'll take it while it lasts.
8/23/08 10:52pm
I'm not an expert, but I do know ECT alone causes memory problems, but that should only be short term. I just read something recently that all mental or brain problems cause cognitive issues, don't recall where I read it though. Medications definately can cause problems but Lamictal is not very likely to cause any problems at all. I have been taking Trileptal which causes me to forget the names of things.
8/26/08 4:27am
yes all of the above could cause memory and cognitive problems as well asthe fact there always could be associated neurocognitive disorders associated and independent such as ADD. Get tested!!!!
8/26/08 6:15pm
I have had 33 ECT treatments 1994-1996 and have been on lithium since that time. I have also been on all the usual combinations: Valproic acid; Depacote; Xanax; Prozac; Zoloft; Diazipam; Librium; Sinequan; Seroquel; etc. In crisis, I have felt severly debilitated. Long term, I feel completely rehabilitated. Conclusion: short term is no fun, but my experience gives me hope. I hope this helps you.
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By alice— Last Modified: 10/26/11, First Published: 08/23/08
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