[mugwort2]

My man told me he's worried about his short term memory getting worse. He is on Clozapine for bipolar. I don't know all the meds he's on. I realize there could be other reasons for memory loss. He is 64. He publishes a community paper where he lives. Princeton NJ so he's very concerned. The paper is not connected to Princeton U. I'm sorry if I upset anyone taking this med.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I have some short term memory loss with clozaril, mostly things people say to me. I honestly don't know how much but it's enough it comes up pretty frequently that I don't remember conversations. My psychiatrist says that this is a side effect of clozaril. However, your friend should be checked by his own doctor as there are lots of reasons that this could be happening besides clozaril or maybe he needs a dose adjustment or something.

[downandlonely]

I haven't taken that med and am also hesitant to talk about side effects. Side effects vary so widely between different people. Some people can't handle meds at all, and others do well on them. And if you're allergic to aspirin, taking some will kill you. But if you're not, it helps you. So you have to weigh the pros and cons.

I'm saying this because I used to freak myself out about possible side effects and go down on or not take my meds and make myself worse. The best thing would be to talk to a doctor about it.

[mugwort2]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I have some short term memory loss with clozaril, mostly things people say to me. I honestly don't know how much but it's enough it comes up pretty frequently that I don't remember conversations. My psychiatrist says that this is a side effect of clozaril. However, your friend should be checked by his own doctor as there are lots of reasons that this could be happening besides clozaril or maybe he needs a dose adjustment or something.

Thank you for your reply, I see it can be an SE. OTOH as you wrote there could be other causes for his short term memory loss. I agree he should be check out by his doctor. He made plans to see a neuro 9/25. I wish him well.

[mugwort2]

Originally Posted by downandlonely

I haven't taken that med and am also hesitant to talk about side effects. Side effects vary so widely between different people. Some people can't handle meds at all, and others do well on them. And if you're allergic to aspirin, taking some will kill you. But if you're not, it helps you. So you have to weigh the pros and cons.

I'm saying this because I used to freak myself out about possible side effects and go down on or not take my meds and make myself worse. The best thing would be to talk to a doctor about it.

I agree talking to a doctor is the best solution. He told me he plans to see a neuro 9/25.

[Bird Feeder]

I take clozapine and do ECT. I have found that I am very lucky that I don’t experience any short term memory loss but experience some long term thoughts. For example I ordered tickets for a musical that I thought my husband would like to find out that we had seen it a year ago. Something I do not remember. It’s crazy what I remember and what I don’t.

[still_crazy]

hi. i take a tranquilizer (not clozapine) and sometimes have similar stuff. mine isn't sedating, but..people on long term tranquilizers often report this sort of thing.

could be sedation. back in the day, shrinks would use ritalin with some people on tranquilizers, i don't think they do that much these days.

I looked up over Wikipedia and I found out there's no official documentation for memory loss. However, since it's such a strong drug, I think it does cause memory loss. Yes, going to to the doctor would be a great idea.

[mugwort2]

Thank you for your helpful responses. Update Today 9/23 my man told me he's prescribed Topamax for migraines. He read in his professional drug handbook the med can cause memory loss. He's not a med professional. He bought the book at his local Barnes and Noble. To be sure he's seeing a neurologist mon. 9/24. I wish him well.