My memory has gotten terrible, I am wondering if it is my new medication.

[sandee1818]

I have noticed that lately I have had a problem with my memory. I seem to forget simple things like words I want to use when I am posting and have to look at my dictionary, thesaurus to find the word that is on the tip of my tongue.
It is very hard for me and it takes me twice as long to write and do my work at the office. I do not know when it started just that it has become worse.
I am wondering if my medication change has anything to do with it. I do not remember having this problem before I changed meds. I did a little research on hydromorphone and memory and pain medications in general and memory problems. Memory loss is something that seems to be common when taking any type of opiate and I knew this but as I said I did not notice it when I was taking the roxicodone.
Has anyone else had problems with memory loss. I have no problem with long term it is short term memory and I have always been very good at remembering things like all my children's SS numbers and everyone's DL numbers. I have no problems with things like this. It just seems to be when I am working I lose thought of what I am trying to say and write and have to refer to the dictionary as I said for words I know!

[toolmaker]

Post-its are my best friend.

[peekawho]

The Neurontin I'm on causes memory lapses and confusion.  I have a notebook on the kitchen counter.  Jot things down the very instant you think of it.  

I will forget things 30 seconds after I think of them.

Supposedly, this goes away after you stop taking the meds.  

[sandee1818]

I think the app is called memory matrix, it is for iPhone.
It is a series of games you play daily. There is also another one that exercises your brain that you do each day. I do not have that one but my Son does it is awesome. I will get the name of it too. It ask you your mood tat day and has different things you do each day and it keeps a graph for you to see the results.

[optimus22mac]

I do know my memory has been affected over the years of taking different medications, but I don't think I have more problems with the dilaudid and hydromorph contin I take now....I hope:)

[JadedSweetheart]

I read this and thought "I don't remember if I had memory problems with dilaudid", LOL.
That's so me, though.  I don't really think I had any worse problems than normal, but then, I honestly don't remember, so I am guessing it probably wasn't a big problem, because I'm pretty sure I would remember if I had a big problem with it.  
I was on a much lower dose, though, so that may have something to do with it.
I hope it gets better for you!  It's so annoying when I have a word on the tip of my tongue and just can't think of it.

[dontundertand]

That's awsome! Do you have an iphone? What's the app name? Let me know how it works! I wouldn't mind exercising my brain more :)

[sandee1818]

Thanks for your input. It is just really bothersome more than anything. I just do not like having to take the extra time to try and remember things I should already know.
I am hoping it will get better:)
My Son sent me an app for my phone to help increase memory so I am trying that out too.

[dontundertand]

I know what you mean. For me it's things like "don't you remember I told you last week", no, I don't. I kinda try to laugh it out. But for you it seems it's gotten to the point it's bothersome. Talk to your doc if, it's really bothering you and interfering with your work, maybe you can go back on the old med for a month and see if you notice a difference. But maybe at a higher dose, since I remember you saying your getting so much more pain relief! I'd hate to see that go away, but maybe even do a two week trial. I've had a hard time finding a med that doesn't cause too many side effects. I've requested two week appointments before, so I don't feel like I'm wasting anything and I don't have to wait a month if it's not working or something is wrong, and I don't have to feel bad about calling the doc for an early appointment. I'm sorry this has become bothersome. That's my two cents. Maybe a trial is in order to find out if it is the med.

Good luck!!!