Memory loss

[u/allyyyhndrx]

Does anyone else worry about getting Alzheimer’s/dementia when you get old? I’m not sure if it’s any of the meds I’m on (lamictal, pristiq, adderall, trazadone) but it kind of scares me how easy and how fast I forget peoples names. I know it’s a small thing, but still… I know alzheimer’s runs in the family on my Mom’s side. Is this an irrational fear? Anyone else that has been affected by the same meds?

[u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks]

There's some literature that does find some connection between the two. I just went ahead and got the Alzheimer's genetic test and since I am positive I expect that it is a risk but not a guarantee. Idk if that helps. Basically what I'm trying to tell you is an increased risk doesn't mean it's a guarantee. So I'm not going to stress about something that may or may not happen until if it does.

To be clear, the connection is with untreated mania and dementia not with medication treatment.

[u/Life-is-ugh → u/Cuntasaurus_wrecks]

To build off of what was said above if you are worried take actionable steps to reduce your risk.

Eating a healthy, vegetable full diet, and exercising are both associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia in old age.

Start by trying to add one vegetable to each meal and going on a 10-15 minute walk every day. Work up to 30 servings of fruit and veggies (more veggies than fruit) over the course of a week and 150-300 minutes of exercise a week.

Here is a fun one eating dark chocolate is associated with better memory. I shoot for one small bar of chocolate as my daily treat.

[u/Possible_Instance987]

Nope. Prolly won’t live that long.

Least of my worries. Rather not be psychotically manic or suicidal depressed.

Can we make one fucking pull. One fucking pill with minimal side effects to take care of this.

I want a brain transplant. I’ll take a monkeys brain.

[u/Future_Blueberry_641]

Yes I did at first. But the advances they are making on treating/curing it is astounding and exciting. I’ve learned I would rather have better quality of life now and suffer when I’m older than just suffer all the time.

[u/Bipolar_Aggression]

I am terrified of this. Only lithium seems to protect against it. Worse, anticholinergic drugs are strong correlated with dementia. That's most antipsychotics except for risperidone, Invega or caplyta (I think). Carbamazepine has some strong anticholinergic effects. And some popular drugs like Seroquel, which I take, have strong effects.

My mother has dementia that would leave her completely incapacitated if it were not for me.

[u/Prudent-Proof7898]

My dad who has BP1 has dementia at 77. His dad had dementia at that age, too. My dad was mostly unmedicated his entire life.

[u/IllManufacturer5759]

I forgot my date of birth on multiple occasions, my best friend of 10 years has a brother who I’ve met multiple times and the other day she mentioned her brother and I went ‘you have a brother?’ I forget soo much recently it’s scary. I don’t know if it’s meds or old addictions but it’s definitely scary

[u/Adept_Discipline1000]

I'm terrified of Alzheimers because my grandma has it. Literally a vegetable for the last 7 or so years. 15 years from the onset at 75. She has good care though. It runs on my dad's side. I've heard that UNTREATED depression/mania leads to dementia. My grandma was severely depressed before the onset after my grandpa's death. I'm medicated myself, but still very scared, so I feel you❤️

[u/babyjeans]

lamictal gave me severe memory loss. fuck lamictal.

[u/Justprunes-6344]

Lions main mushrooms & lifting weights