Long term memory loss

@sunshine45
Hi there,
Sounds like your a very lucky young man. I can relate to your memory loss. I lost all my memories from age 15 back from being in a coma from seizures. That was 51 years ago. None of those memories ever came back. I suffered from Retrograde amnesia which is the loss of current and previous memories. Although I believe in miracles at this point I doubt any of your memories will return.
My first thought is Anoxia or lack of oxygen which can cause memory loss. I’d assume your oxygen loss was severe or your memory probably would have returned by now. In mild hypoxia memory loss is usually temporary.
Another possibility may be Anterograde amnesia if your hippocampus was damaged in both hemispheres of your brain.
Anterograde amnesia is an inability to form new memories whereas Retrograde is loss of existing and previously made memories.
Have you seen a Neurologist and had an MRI or other imaging of your brain?
What do your doctors say about your memory loss?
Health and happiness,
Jake

Hello @sunshine45

While members of Mayo Connect are not generally medical professionals and can't give medical advice, I can imagine your concern about memory loss at such a young age. Have you recently been evaluated at a good neurological center? I'm thinking of a specialty center that deals with neurological problems. Perhaps a research and/or university medical school or a Mayo facility? If not, I would certainly try to make an appointment for a thorough work-up.

What type of recent neurological work-ups have you had? What has been gained from the medical opinions of doctors that you have seen? Have you been tested by a neuropsychologist? Have you had any cognitive therapy?

My best friend who had a fascinating early childhood as her parents were missionaries overseas has no memories until about the age of 11 when they returned to the US. I met her at age 18 in college and at that time she knew she had no early childhood memories. Her first memories are of middle school in the US. She is a brilliant woman, a VP for a major international technical company and has a brilliant math mind. She had no trauma that her parents ever told her about as a young child. She spoke Portuguese as a child, with the locals and has no memory of that language. Yet at age 65 decided to learn Italian and now at 69 is proficient and lives in Italy 3 months a year and speaks Italian fluently. Maybe her early years speaking a romance language helped her learn it so easily.

He said I only lost access to it! And he actually seemed serious,like what’s the difference,either way it’s gone !

You might find some information on the forum https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/ they have an amazing group of people. They have a sub forum for ‘benzo’. HTH

Thanks and I am a member of this and several other benzo sites and NOT ONE person on any of the withdrawal sites lost all long term memory! Short term memory is the one mentioned! In my case it was not an issue until year 4 off the lorazapam,totally unexpected and my neurologist says I lost access to it ,not that that is any different,but it’s really terrible,living 82 years and having no past,no family memory’s ,no work memory‘s( must have been exciting as I worked on the moon landing and the space shuttle) and no memory of even my brother‘s or family.

I can't remember what drug I was on but when I had to be allergy tested they said I had to stop the medications. The second medication I was taking was clonazepam. So I stopped and was sick for five days, and have had brain zaps since and it never went away.

God. I remember brain zaps. Many, many years ago I was on Effexor for a couple of months. It made me feel horrible - worse than the depression it was supposed to treat. I weaned myself off - likely too slowly. The brain zaps went on for months afterward. I felt like I had some sort of scifi electrical storm happening in my head...

Other than telling me I only lost access to it,he said nothing even after I asked if it could be due to a mini stroke,plus he has done 4 MRI’s and said they showed the same brain damage,nothing changed!( I had a skul fracture in 2011 and 3 concussions from blacking out while on the 8 mg daily lorazapam.).

6 months ago I had no memories to share, however it was my short-term memory that was more acutely affected. I forgot my social security number, etc I will tell you after starting a taper, I feel my mind and my strength coming back. It hasn't been as long as you have described, but healing does take time. I have read horror stories about people coming off benzodiazepines and being bedridden. I tried to remain grateful for what I do have, because it could be me in bed completely dependent on others to care for me. If I were you, I would definitely ask for some testing or a CAT scan to see if there is a stroke undetected. (I also had a stroke at the age of 42). You are in my prayers.