I'm 45 and have taken 30mg of amitriptyline before bed for 3 years. Have noticed big decline in memory skills.

Question

I use this medication because it helps me sleep through the night. My doctor wont give me any other type of sleeping pills. Since taking this drug my memory has been very sluggish or I get total blockage of things and people that I should easily be able to recall. The decline in my memory skills started when I began this medication. 30 mg for 3 years and sluggish poor memory. Has anyone else noticed this side effect? This is very trouble some for me. I'm introducing a friend to someone and I've forgotten the friends name. Meal preparation is slower because it takes me longer to remember what is the next step. I have to constantly retrace my steps trying to figure out what was it that I needed in this room. I'm frustrated and want to quit this drug but I dont know what to substitute in its place because without it I cant sleep through the night. Can anyone offer me their suggestion.
Thankyou I'm very grateful.

Answer 1

Amytriptyline can affect concentration but to my knowledge it's not associated with memory loss. It's possible that your memory loss is due to another cause. Whatever the case, it needs to be addressed. Report this to your prescribing doctor at your first opportunity but DO NOT stop taking the drug until advised by your doctor.

FYI: This med is a tricyclic antidepressant and can be used long-term.

Answer 2

I honestly don't know anything about very many pills, especially "prescription" pills. But if you go back and read what you've just written here, It looks like you already have the solution to your, "sluggish, blockage, poor memory" problem. I'm not being sarcastic either. I don't take anything, If I don't "have" to. But when I can't sleep, I take an Excedrin PM, and it works just fine. I "do" know that when a person takes "anything" for any length of time, their bodies tell them they have to have whatever it is they take, to function, or sleep, whatever the case may be.
If you're truly concerned, perhaps you should try weening yourself off of these pills slowly or at least, slow down. Either way, good luck.

Answer 3

Amitryptyline is meant to be for brief time period use best!!!! You have got to uncover a nap professional, like a neurologist or perhaps a psychiatrist, have them aid you TAPER off the amitriptyline, there are lots of new medicines that may support sleep that aren't dependancy forming and feature few aspect results, however the amitriptyline taken through the years, as you've gotten found out, motives a few beautiful critical intellectual disorders. Might keep in mind discovering a brand new document, person who is aware of extra approximately medicines.

Answer 4

Amitriptylline is only for short term use!!!!! Mostly because what you are experiencing is what happens over long term use, your doctor should have known this.
You should find a neurologist, a psychiatrist is even better, to help you safely Taper off this drug. There are many new sleep aids available on the market now that are not habit forming and don't do to you what Amitriptylline is doing and will continue to do until the damage done is irreversible.

Answer 5

you really should research medications like this before taking them, or if you have been taking them for a long time. the web has plenty of answers. as far as medications like this go... yes it can screw up your memory. I used to work in the mental health field, our policy was as little as possible, as few as possible. Often, with some patients, none is best. talk to your doctor... and I mean REALLY talk to him/her, find out what you are taking, what it will do to you, how long it is safe to take it, interactions with other medicatins, make sure Why you are taking it is valid too.

Answer 6

Get a new doctor....he's obviously terrible..get off the drugs..wether you believe it or not, you don't need them..the drug company nowadays is trying to get everyone on drugs to support their business..think about it, there is a drug for everything nowadays..it's a colossal business that continues to take advantage of the people b/c we are left in the gutter to REAL knowledge...there is a book out called,"Natural Cures." i'm bout to buy it later today...

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780975599518&itm=2

Answer 7

Yes, amitryptiline can do this. There are always trade offs when seeking treatment. Its not permanent damage it just makes people sluggish. You can go off of it or take to your doc.

Answer 8

I'd recommend that you beg your doctor to put you on Zyprexa. I take it and it helps you sleep at night too. However, if you don't watch what you eat you can gain a considerable amount of weight.

Answer 9

smoke some weed