Information About Memory Loss - Causes, Symptoms and Supplementation

What medications interfere with memory loss?

There are many medications that can interfere with memory. Some over-the-counter pain medications, sleeping pills, antihistamines, anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications interfere with memory as does things like sleep deprivation, stress, and severe nutritional deficiencies.

I have been on Zyprexa and Effexor for a year and a half, and I have noticed that I cannot remember any thing short term. And I have trouble spelling words. I have been to my GP but haven't got any advice because of my other symptoms on medication. Could you give me advice?

I have been on Thyroxine and calcium supplements such as Osteo or calcium tablets since June 1, 2006 and lately I noticed that I can't remember things that I have done in the past 15-20 minutes such as, I can't even recall whose file I was working on the past 15-20 minutes. Could you give some advice please.

Dear Bartholomew D, Both drugs Zyprexa and Effexor list mental impairment as an adverse reaction under the "less frequent" heading. It may be possible that these drugs are interfering with your memory. You might want to seek out a second opinion from a psychotropic drug specialist or another GP who will listen to you or consider changing the dosing of your current drugs. Good luck.

Dear Lina S, You might want to have your thyroid hormone levels checked and closely monitored. Too little thyroid or hypothyroidism can affect your memory and concentration. Ask your doctor to do a thyroid panel blood test to check for TSH, T4, and Free T3 levels. Thyroxine is T4 and does not contain T3, another important thyroid hormone. It may be that your T3 level is low even if your T4 level is normal, and you may need to supplement with T3 hormone also. Please consult with your doctor.

Are there any websites like hghtruths.com to review the dietary supplements for memory loss.

I've suffered anxiety attacks for over 16 years, but since been made redundant 3 weeks ago, and worrying about and missing my young son who has moved down South. I have had 2 really bad memory loss episodes. One was when an ex colleague called round to see me and during our conversation about how things were at work I asked him when I was back in work. He had to convince me I'd been made redundant. Frightening, I thought I was losing my mind. The second episode the day after was wondering why a television was sitting on my living room carpet...it took about an hour to realize it was being thrown out. I'm quite frightened because I'm just 60 and you hear about these illnesses that affect the mind, but I'm really hopeful it's just the recent job loss, worrying desperately about my son and worrying that I may be too old to obtain employment, plus the anxiety attacks I've suffered over the years. Please give me some positive advice.

I have a very short attention span. I read the news paper and one minute later I forgot what I read. Also I have a hard time remembering things on the computer, driving directions are also a problem if I don't write them down I forget them.

About three months ago my left side went numb from my toe to my hip. I awoke one morning went to get up and fell right to the floor. I have had a bad back for years and I have had a lot of stress on me the past year. I went to the doctor for the numbness and got an MRI and my 3rd and 4th vertebrae was bad, but they said that would not cause the numbness. I did not notice the memory loss, not that I remember, I could not lift my leg for a month, but slowly the feeling is back, but I can't remember the past or this morning very well. I am 37 years of age and scared. I am not taking any medications, but I used to take Xanax, and I quit taking it because I know it causes short term memory and now it only seems worse, but now I am more stressed without the Xanax. Could have had a stroke?

Jennifer, it is important that you share all information with your own physician that is able to see you in person and examine you first hand and then come to some conclusion as to what is happening. You should share your concern with him or her.

Hi, I've noticed over the past few years that my memory has gotten worse and worse. I play a professional sport and have noticed sometimes in an interview or in daily conversations my mind will go blank, or I'm just slow to react. My personality has changed a lot because I used to be a lot more outgoing and sharp and was a social butterfly until a few years ago. I've drank a lot over the past two years and have been mildly depressed. Any advice on whether I should see a therapist, or any supplements I can take to get back to where I was before this stage set in?

I was involved in a motor vehicle accident in 2002. I broke my knee and after surgery i was diagnosed with a condition known as complex regional pain syndrome. I was on many medications and eventually they put me on methadone three years ago. I am on a very high dose it was 360mls per day. I have been decreasing over time and am now at 225mls per day. Over time I have noticed a severe short term memory loss problem. It never use to be like this so I guess my question is can methadone cause short term memory loss and if so what can I do to regain some of it back?

Over the past year I have noticed that I can't remember things short term and it is now becoming a problem as I am forgetting important things. I also am beginning to stumble over words when I speak. It is probably nothing, but is there anything that can be done to stop this and improve my memory?

My sister and I have complained to each over the past 5 or more years of how bad our memory is. We are in our late 40's. There are so many people and events in our past that we can't remember. It seems like the only things in our past that we can remember are significant events and even those can be clouded. Is this normal?

Hi Clarie, the herb Ginkgo Biloba is often used to help with memory. Also the importance of a regular sleep schedule can never be over emphasized. In addition it would be wise to check with your doctor to rule out any other major problems as speech problems and memory problems together can be indicators of a more serious problem.

Can a strong hit to forehead may be a reason for memory loss?

Hi Prem, yes a hit to the head can cause memory loss. Please see a doctor and get it checked out.

I am a 42 year old army wife who, in the past 9 years, has moved quite a bit. The older I get, the more stressful it becomes. New job, buying or selling homes, kids etc. I began having sleeping problems about 3 years ago. My Dr. put me on Lunesta, and I've been taking it ever since. I can't sleep without it. Now, in the past year I have noticed my short term memory is terrible. I stumble over words, struggling to get through a sentence at times. I have been tested and was said to be going through early menopause. My question to you is, do you believe it is the Lunesta that has triggered this memory loss, or maybe the menopause and stress? If it's a combination of all three, then will a simple supplement such as Ginko or Lecithin be enough to help me?

Hi Lori, memory problems from stress and menopause are not uncommon. Taking another supplement may not be the best answer to the problem. I would seek out the advice of a naturopathic doctor and have my hormone levels checked and see about a natural approach to the problem. There are new ways to approach the problem.

Do people with early onset start with early stage symptoms? How does one know if the symptoms are not Alzheimer symptoms but rather short term memory loss? Do people with early stage symptoms remain on their jobs? At what point do people in the early stages need to worry about wandering?

Hello, I want to know if having surgery or many medical procedures can cause memory loss? I have been feeling like I run in circles all day long. I am not able to remember what I am working on a simple task.

I just turn 58 and I can't remember reading item, one thing to another I am taking ginkgo but that doesn't seem to work. I am taking a multivitamin but that doesn't seem to work. Tell me what can I do? I am very scared of my short term memory.

Hi, ever since my second pregnancy I've experienced sporadic memory loss that I contributed to my being pregnant. But now eight months later I'm getting worse. Still breastfeeding, but taking my prenatal. Sometimes I forget, and I have been trying to work on the nutrition end, since I forget to eat. But I still blank out! My friends will say something and it's like I never heard it. Plus the other common stuff like remembering where something is, multi- tasking is getting harder. Besides what I'm doing already is there something specific you know of I can take or do?

In 2004 I started dropping things on my hands, feeling tired, and always feeling drowsy. As the time went by I noticed that my brain could not multitask. And now I cannot keep things that happen around me in a period of twenty minutes. Also I lose concentration and word spelling which I used to be good at. What can I do?

I am very forgetful of dates and times and remembering to buy certain things on the way home from work when being asked to do so eight hours previous. I find myself asking people over and over again of certain dates and times things are happening until it actually sinks in. I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to improve my memory because it does cause a few arguments when I forget to buy milk for the kids on the way home, many thanks.

Hi Craig, you may enjoy reading the book,"A Better Brain at Any Age " written by Sondra Kornblatt. It is put out by Conari Press. It is based on a Holistic way to improve memory.