Afraid my memory is going.

[Walking Circles]

I've been struggling with a fear of dementia for a while now. On and off for years really. Here lately it has been very bad. I went to the doctor roughly 6 weeks ago and changed my meds, higher dose of Lexapro and added Buspar twice a day. It does seem to help. However the past few days have been rough.

Honestly at the moment I just need some reassurance that what I'm experiencing can be normal.

I was sitting my chair earlier and writing, wife and kids were watching a movie. I had my phone in my hand to reference old notes. Twice within 10 minutes I looked up from my lap desk to watch the movie for a second, when I looked down both times I was looking for my phone for about 3 seconds before it clicked that it was in my hand!

Then I walked past my stepdad (he and mother were visiting) who was watching something else on his phone in the kitchen, I asked him what it was and he told me. I went back to my chair then about 5 to 7 minutes later I went back in there, saw his movie and kind of felt a bit confused like I should have known what it was and couldn't recall if I had asked him or not. So I asked again and he told me, again. Of course once he told me my memory of asking earlier came right back.

Sometimes I will get up and be doing something, then when I switch to the next task I'll have to really think to recall the original thing I got up for.

Does this sort of thing happen to any of you? Could my meds be making this worse? Some people seem to report some memory issues on Lexapro.

 

[Jonathan123]

I've been struggling with a fear of dementia for a while now. On and off for years really. Here lately it has been very bad. I went to the doctor roughly 6 weeks ago and changed my meds, higher dose of Lexapro and added Buspar twice a day. It does seem to help. However the past few days have been rough.

Honestly at the moment I just need some reassurance that what I'm experiencing can be normal.

I was sitting my chair earlier and writing, wife and kids were watching a movie. I had my phone in my hand to reference old notes. Twice within 10 minutes I looked up from my lap desk to watch the movie for a second, when I looked down both times I was looking for my phone for about 3 seconds before it clicked that it was in my hand!

Then I walked past my stepdad (he and mother were visiting) who was watching something else on his phone in the kitchen, I asked him what it was and he told me. I went back to my chair then about 5 to 7 minutes later I went back in there, saw his movie and kind of felt a bit confused like I should have known what it was and couldn't recall if I had asked him or not. So I asked again and he told me, again. Of course once he told me my memory of asking earlier came right back.

Sometimes I will get up and be doing something, then when I switch to the next task I'll have to really think to recall the original thing I got up for.

Does this sort of thing happen to any of you? Could my meds be making this worse? Some people seem to report some memory issues on Lexapro.

This is not at all uncommon in anxiety. The mind gets tired and a tired mind can conjure up all sorts of worries. If I had a pound for every time I have gone into a room and forgot why I went there I would be a very rich man! Even when I was younger and an engineer I would often go to my van for a part and forget what part I wanted. We do fasten on to any little aberration in anxiety, when all it is is forgetfulness usually brought about by distractions. Stop analysing your movements and what happens. Accept it all as part of your anxiety.
Yes, medication can sometimes affect our cognitive process, and only your doctor can help there.