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Original poster

Sertraline and memory loss

33 replies

flatcapandpearls · 12/08/2009 22:27

Does nayone else experience this, I have always been a bit dippy but over the last few years my short term memory loss has got awful. It is so bad now that I do something and then seconds later forget I have done it, it makes me quite anxious and panicky as I am always losing things and then get frustrated with myself.

I had assumed it was just me but was talking to a friend who said she also had really bad short term memory loss and it seemed to get better when she stopped taking the sertraline.

I will of course see my doctor about this at my next review but was wondering if anyone else had this. I have seen it listed as a rare side effect.

OP posts:
Original poster
flatcapandpearls · 12/08/2009 22:28

Sorry that was worded really badly.

OP posts:
weegiemum · 12/08/2009 22:30

I have been on Sertraline on and off since it was invented, and then on from dd1's birth (Feb 2000 ) to a bad reaction taking me off it (June 2005).

Then on again for the last 7 months.

Never had any memory issues - in fact, sometimes I think dh wishes I did! (joke).
Hope you can find out what is going on.

Original poster
flatcapandpearls · 12/08/2009 22:32

I may just have a really bad short term memory and it is not linked to the medication, but it has just got me thinking.

It frustrated people around me as well, I am always loosing my keys, phone, purse etc... just seconds after putting them down. Or I just have no memory of doing things at all.

OP posts:
Alibabaandthe40nappies · 13/08/2009 16:41

Flatcap - I'm on Sertraline and haven't noticed a problem.
The days when I'm having a bad day I forget things, it's very much stress linked for me.

BaronConker · 17/08/2009 10:01

Not on sertraline, but on citalopram and I think it makes me VERY dippy. I'm not normally forgetful at all (although I am when pregnant) but since I've been taking this I forget things constantly and just feel like a right dozy twonk. It's a tough one, as I started taking my ADs because of PND quite soon after the birth of DS3, so it may just be that the third pregnancy made me lose so many brain cells that I've become stupid! Or the fact that having 3 kids and working from home is just so much to think about that my brain doesn't have room for anything else. Guess I'll have to wait and see if my brain power improves when I come off them.

wissyssis · 21/08/2009 18:28

I've found that my ability to concentrate and multi task has got worse since being on sertraline, but then that might be the depression.....?
It says on the packet about might cause probs with driving/operating machinary so I think it can affect concentartion, memory etc.
I've found I've put on weight recently too

draktripathi · 24/04/2011 03:33

yes, i am on sertraline for last 9 months .I do notice loss of short term memory & prolong reaction time .I am thinking of stopping it & see if these side effects disappear.

FriedEggyAndSlippery · 24/04/2011 06:53

Interesting because I've just started back on sertraline after a couple of months off. I've noticed myself getting really clumsy.

draktripathi · 24/04/2011 11:02

I have been taking Sertraline for 9 months.I do have noticed short term memory loss & prolong reaction time. I am thinking of stopping it to see if these side effects disappear or not.

Orangeflower7 · 29/04/2011 20:50

Hi I have been taking sertraline the past couple of weeks, am just starting out with it so maybe it will change but I have found my memory has been terrible, strangely I can kind of remember stuff I need to do next but not that has happened! Someone asked me the other day what I'd done at the weekend and I was flummoxed. Bit embarrassing.

UpsyDaisyDo · 30/04/2011 09:27

Same here. I've been taking it for about 3 weeks now and do seem far more ditsy than usual. Have also had other side effects which seem to be going a bit now. Starting on sertraline hasn't been a great experience for me at all!

Pixielovescake · 01/05/2011 19:06

I was on prozac and was exactly the way you described ! i did mention it on here but no one else had felt the same. Nice to know im not alone. I was always ditzy but i got so so much worse. Doing things , forgetting id done them all that sort of stuff. Im a bit better now a couple of months in if that helps anyone ?

WorzselMaamage · 01/05/2011 19:15

Oh wow! I'm on a small dose of sertraline for anxiety and I too have noticed my memory has got worse recently.

Interesting to see it's a known problem.

Pixielovescake · 02/05/2011 19:55

Yes im glad ive seen this. Im still not sure it it is the prozac but at least i know others have felt similar effects from the same sort of drug.

char1i3 · 22/08/2012 01:12

I thought the memory loss and differculty in multi tasking was me, but now I read all your comments I'm amazed at how man people too suffer.
I have just finished a degree,and now trying for a baby and it has gone through my mind how would I cope with the frustration of my 2 second memory. I'm now weaning off sertraline and hope to get my mind back. :-)

jennyb16 · 29/04/2015 20:13

I know this is an old post but i have been on sertraline for about 7 weeks and my memory has gotten worse and worse to the point its started affecting my life forgetting appointments meeting up with friends and where i just put something its so upsetting and frustrating going go back doctors and see what can be done Sad.

Zippidydoodah · 04/05/2015 07:38

This makes a lot of sense! I thought my complete lack of memory was down to the stress/depression.

TongueBiter · 04/05/2015 07:51

I've been blaming menopause for mine! Which it could be, but not helped by Sertraline. I wonder what the go-to replacement is?

Judehooley1 · 09/11/2016 09:13

I'm 53 years old and have been taking Sertraline for the last five years (and taking these and other antidepressants for the last 20 years). I have been told by my Dr that the new government health directive is that people who suffer from regular bouts of depression and anxiety should remain on anti-depressants for life! This is because we cannot sustain the right amount of endorphin's. Not great news I know and like many, I'd rather not be on them at all. But struggling along is worse and so I get help.

Recently I've noticed that my short-term memory has been getting worse and I've been too scared to either acknowledge it or go to my Dr. Reading the last post has just washed a huge wave of relief over me, because I was imagining the worst scenario and that is early stages Dementia! I'll now be brave and go and see my Dr!

Vickonomics101 · 18/01/2019 17:22

I’ve been on a 50mg dose of Sertraline for just under 2 yrs now and recently at work I’ve noticed myself becoming more forgetful. I’m normally sharp as a tack and don’t walk away from work area without bits of equipment, but the forgetfulness has made me leave stuff lying around. I thought it was down to the fact I was busier in my work but it’s nothing I can’t handle having been in the line of work for a decade; then I realised my medication - GP says to stop taking abruptly would be dangerous and not advise able to just stop taking them

Vickonomics101 · 18/01/2019 17:24

Sertraline is a SSRI medication, Idk if other SSRI’s would have this effect, does anyone know ...?

dahliaaa · 22/01/2019 21:28

I have been on low dose ads for nearly 20 yrs after several failed withdrawal attempts.

I’m having a real problem with word recall and short term memory (very busy job - never been an issue before) and had wondered if due to ads or possibly perimenopause. Have also been frightening myself about early dementia cause bumping term ad use !

pottering11 · 08/02/2020 04:05

I recently started a low dose of Sertraline and found the same thing. Concentration difficulties, feeling scrambled and difficulty with name recall in a way that I have not experienced before. Improved after a couple of weeks but still don't feel completely clear headed. Normally I'm pretty sharp and good with names. I don't think the benefits outweigh the limitations for me. I think I'll stick to exercise instead - obviously in consultation with my dr.

eliselola4 · 10/04/2020 01:48

Hi I’m 20, i’m not a mum nor do i want to be one anytime soon, but i saw some comments on the internet about sertraline and memory loss. My dad has really bad memory and just thought i inherited from him, i’m a bit forgetful but these past couple of weeks, i’ve become even worse. I’m forgetting what i’ve just done, forgetting names of things and the most frustrating, forgetting how to end a sentence. for example- i’ll be having a conversation with someone and just completely forget what to say next or even be distracted from the conversation. I’ve been on sertraline since Oct 2019, so i’ve past all the ‘getting used to it’ phases but recently i don’t know what’s going on.

Vicky12310 · 15/10/2020 00:33

I am very concerned about my memory even friends and family have been mentioning it to me which does make me a bit frustrated with them a bit and also im finding I'm struggling to spell words sometimes its like a mind blank. I have been on and off setroline for about 12 years and since being attacked walking home back in February my dosage is now up too 100mg and this is when I have noticed changes also I have gone up 3 nearly 4 dress sizes. I stopped taking them about 3 weeks ago and dont feel any different apart from having wierd dreams and feeling tierd all the time and having to have an afternoon nap if I can.

Has anyone else experienced any of this and been on them for as long as i have as I'm worried they have actually gave me some sort of brain damage :(