Memory Loss and Paxil

[rml22]

Dear Doctor,  I stopped taking Paxil a little less than 4 years ago, shortly after I started college.  I suffered some pretty bad side effects from it, and it wasn't working to curb my panic attacks or depression problems.  It gave me random fainting spells, so my doctor had me wean myself off of it.  Around the same time, I don't recall exactly when, I started having seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy.  I have suffered from what I consider serious short-term memory loss.  I have actually lost chunks of time.  I cannot remember my senior year of high school, or major things I have done for friends, (apparently I gave a microwave to a good friend when he moved into his first apartment,) I don't remember the first date with my now boyfriend, and the list continues.  Now, I have trouble in school because I cannot remember my readings or lectures from class.  I take notes, I make study cards, nothing works.  I am completely convinced it is Paxil that has destroyed my short term memory, and in turn has turned my life upside down.  Is this a real possibility?  Can Paxil be the culprit?  If so, is there anything I can do to better my life, and become more normal again?

[rml22]

I don't know if it's Paxil or the seizures.  I didn't start having seizures until I was on Paxil for a little while, and I didn't have short term memory loss until after I started taking Paxil.  It all correlates to the same time.  I'm concerned because I have read other people having the same complaint about it.  I am seeing a doctor this coming Monday, though, to find out for sure.  I shouldn't have to be 22 years old with a worse memory than my grandmother.

[Jikan]

I agree with remar in that I don't think Paxil is the culprit, especially since you stopped taking it almost 4 years ago.

There's something else going on and I would schedule and appointment with my doctor to discuss the issue in an attempt to determine the cause.

Michael

[remar]

in my opinion it's not he paxil. i took it for a year, went of it and went on another antidepressant, i am now taking it again, for the past 4 years. have you asked your dr. about the possibility of it being the epilepsy causing this? all people are different but i really have never heard of paxil doing this. take care. remar