1. < Depression & Anxiety
Profile picture for robertpierre89

Zoloft and memory issues

Posted by robertpierre89 @robertpierre89, Jul 14, 2024

Hey i was on Zoloft 25mg for 2months and my memory and critical thinking have deteriorated i stop taking it and my memory is not the same does anybody know what i can do to help bring it back im only 35 and this is ruining my life.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Profile picture for happyquilter
happyquilter | @happyquilter | May 14 10:28am
In reply to @pamelaz "Zoloft is another bad medicine for me. It caused memory problems and neuropathy. It has made..." + (show)
Profile picture for pamelaz @pamelaz

Zoloft is another bad medicine for me. It caused memory problems and neuropathy. It has made me sick and my muscles hurts everywhere like fire, pins and needles, dizziness, vertigo and headaches almost every day. I can’t sleep anymore because of the pain throughout my body. My psychiatrist, pcp and neurologist said the anxiety and depression medicines cannot cause these problems but I know better but it’s too late for me. The doctors just up my medicines.

Jump to this post

@pamelaz I had severe reactions to Sertraline. Wound up in ER. Personally, I feel it's your body and you need to be proactive. If you aren't comfortable with a Med, you MUST voice this to your prescribing doctor. If you have bad reaction of any kind, don't be forced to just tough it out. My reactions to Sertraline were severe and I stopped it immediately. The reactions were life threatening in my opinion. I even wound up in the ER. Be proactive and make your doctor listen.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for happyquilter
happyquilter | @happyquilter | May 14 10:32am
In reply to @karenmaria56 "I have been on Zoloft for more than 30 years. I always wondered why my memory..." + (show)
Profile picture for karenmaria56 @karenmaria56

I have been on Zoloft for more than 30 years. I always wondered why my memory was so poor and now I finally know why! Do you think it possible that I could titrate off 50 mg and eventually go off it after all these years? I do still get anxious occasionally even on Zoloft. My brain is probably used to it after all this time but I would love my memory to improve if possible.

Jump to this post

@karenmaria56
Personally, I would go off that Med if possible. Memory is critical. There may be a different antidepressant that will work better for you. The one you are taking has been around forever and newer ones may work better for you.

REPLY
Profile picture for GetWellSoon26
GetWellSoon26 | @vijay26 | May 15 8:25pm

What other medications do you take along w Zoloft?
I take 50mg of Zoloft for my depression and it is okay. You may need lower dosage or dose adjustment.
Talk to your dr. Do not stop it, w/o telling your dr.
VJ

REPLY
Profile picture for healthysenior
healthysenior | @healthysenior | May 16 8:25am
In reply to @lisalucier "@karenmaria56 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to let you know I moved your..." + (show)
Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

@karenmaria56 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to let you know I moved your post here to where others were discussing issues with sertraline (Zoloft) similar to what you mentioned about it affecting your memory:

- Zoloft and memory issues https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/zoloft-and-memory-issues/

Glad to see you got some input from @healthysenior on this medication and whether you might go off due to the memory side effects you've experienced. Hoping others in this discussion such as @klh1979 @lakesofdelray @dycana and others will chime in on this, as well.

karenmaria56 - have you gotten the chance to ask your doctor about what they think about you going off of this medication? If so, what did they say, and would they have a tapering plan for you?

Jump to this post

@lisalucier My doctor gave me advice to take every other day, then every two days, etc. As I have found reading here, it seems to be much more involved than that. As I said, just continuing to take (at least for me and in my own mind) seems to be the best plan for me. Now, if I were a bit younger, I might feel differently.

REPLY
Profile picture for hraka13
hraka13 | @hraka13 | May 17 8:06pm

This is a good article on the side effects and possible side effects of Sertraline.
https://nootropicsplanet.com/understanding-zolofts-impact-on-memory/
Especially: Serotonin’s Role in Cognition

Serotonin influences various aspects of cognition, including mood, perception, and memory. It’s believed to affect neural plasticity, which is critical for learning and memory. Changes in serotonin levels can alter synaptic strength and connectivity, impacting memory formation and recall. While SSRIs aim to stabilize mood, their impact on serotonin might inadvertently affect cognitive processes.

Memory Loss and SSRIs

While the primary aim of SSRIs is to alleviate depressive symptoms, some users report experiencing memory issues. Terms like “memory loss SSRI” or “SSRI memory problems” are not uncommon in patient forums and medical inquiries. However, the question remains whether these experiences are widespread and whether they are directly attributable to medications like Zoloft.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for GetWellSoon26
GetWellSoon26 | @vijay26 | May 18 2:08am

If you are taking antibiotics for some reason, then do not take Zoloft at the same time. You have to give at least 2 hours of time between Antibiotics and Zoloft. Otherwise,
You get very strong reaction and end up in E.R.
VJ

REPLY
Profile picture for daveshaw
daveshaw | @daveshaw | May 18 2:28pm
In reply to @hraka13 "This is a good article on the side effects and possible side effects of Sertraline. https://nootropicsplanet.com/understanding-zolofts-impact-on-memory/..." + (show)
Profile picture for hraka13 @hraka13

This is a good article on the side effects and possible side effects of Sertraline.
https://nootropicsplanet.com/understanding-zolofts-impact-on-memory/
Especially: Serotonin’s Role in Cognition

Serotonin influences various aspects of cognition, including mood, perception, and memory. It’s believed to affect neural plasticity, which is critical for learning and memory. Changes in serotonin levels can alter synaptic strength and connectivity, impacting memory formation and recall. While SSRIs aim to stabilize mood, their impact on serotonin might inadvertently affect cognitive processes.

Memory Loss and SSRIs

While the primary aim of SSRIs is to alleviate depressive symptoms, some users report experiencing memory issues. Terms like “memory loss SSRI” or “SSRI memory problems” are not uncommon in patient forums and medical inquiries. However, the question remains whether these experiences are widespread and whether they are directly attributable to medications like Zoloft.

Jump to this post

@hraka13 I believe Zoloft/Sertraline is one of the most prescribed and well tolerated of all the SSRI’s on the market today.
I have been taking it for over 30 years and at age 75 I have had no memory and cognitive issues.
I appreciate you bringing to light this article but I find there are side effects for any medication you take and if you read the labels you probably wouldn’t take anything.
I have tried other antidepressants and experienced terrible side effects and have always come back to Zoloft/ Sertraline. For those that do take it I highly recommend adding Wellbutrin as it is a very complimentary drug that works well with Zoloft. Buspar is also another drug which works well in combination with Zoloft and Wellbutrin.
All SSRI’s affect people differently but the most important thing is that you treat your depression. Depression is not something you can cure but rather something you can control and you will be on whatever medication you choose for the rest of your life.
In my opinion those who say they have cured their depression never really had it.
Good luck to everyone on this site.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for margaretallen
margaretallen | @margaretallen | May 19 7:21am

I agree. I am 75 and on sertraline. I am 8 months into recovery from a brain injury as and suffer with depression and anxiety. Sertraline seems to help

REPLY
Profile picture for dyas
dyas | @dyas | May 21 8:30am
In reply to @happyquilter "@pamelaz I had severe reactions to Sertraline. Wound up in ER. Personally, I feel it's your..." + (show)
Profile picture for happyquilter @happyquilter

@pamelaz I had severe reactions to Sertraline. Wound up in ER. Personally, I feel it's your body and you need to be proactive. If you aren't comfortable with a Med, you MUST voice this to your prescribing doctor. If you have bad reaction of any kind, don't be forced to just tough it out. My reactions to Sertraline were severe and I stopped it immediately. The reactions were life threatening in my opinion. I even wound up in the ER. Be proactive and make your doctor listen.

Jump to this post

@happyquilter
I had a similar experience as you did. I read all the other comments. No matter how negative my experience was there are a few who sing the praise of Zoloft. I am 80. This new world we are seeing created makes me sick. A world filled by lawyers writing detailed no fault documents so there is no liability. I have 5 daughters and 22 grandchildren. All I can do is wish them the best.
Before I close I simply want to say thank you Mayo Clinic. You are one of the best.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for dyas
dyas | @dyas | May 21 11:13am
In reply to @dyas "@happyquilter I had a similar experience as you did. I read all the other comments. No..." + (show)
Profile picture for dyas @dyas

@happyquilter
I had a similar experience as you did. I read all the other comments. No matter how negative my experience was there are a few who sing the praise of Zoloft. I am 80. This new world we are seeing created makes me sick. A world filled by lawyers writing detailed no fault documents so there is no liability. I have 5 daughters and 22 grandchildren. All I can do is wish them the best.
Before I close I simply want to say thank you Mayo Clinic. You are one of the best.

Jump to this post

@dyas make it 12 grandchildren

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.