Lexapro and Memory Problems?

[scarlettearz666]

I've been on Lexapro (20 MG) for a little over a year now. It quickly fixed my depression/anxiety problems, and I feel okay mood-wise. Although for the first few months, the libido change (MUCH lower) and anorgasmia had been hard to deal with in the begining, but seems to be better.
The only thing is that I've noticed over the last several months an effect that is rather disturbing and I don't know if it's due to lexapro? Kind of an inability to think straight sometimes, or loss of short term memory. Just an overall feeling of almost a blank mind. (IE I used to write a lot, but since taking lexapro, if I pick up a notebook, i've got nothing).
Is it feasible that my brain-dead feelings are attributed to Lexapro?
I'm afraid to go off of it because of my previous moods before Lexapro (suicidal ideation, etc).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Karenea]

I was on lexapro for 18 months in 2008/2009. It really helped my depression but my memory started to go down hill. It's been over five years since I've been off of lexapro and have not taken any other antidepressant and me memory continues to frustrate and baffle me with my poor word recall and inability to retain information. I used to pick up new things really fast. Now I have to be told something multiple times before I can remember it. I spoke with my doctor about it and she said memory loss is just part of getting older and not related to the lexapro. I'm frustrated with memory games as is my boyfriend. What are the vitamins I can take to help boost my memory?

[gidi4321]

I know this is a super old comment, however. . .  The people on this thread may well have memory loss due to their SSRI, but even all told, their numbers are statistically insignificant.  They may be rarer than rare side effects and would not be available to doctors.  However, that doesn't mean it isn't happening anecdotally.  One would have to stop taking the SSRI and see if the memory returns to really know, and if it is so, then weigh the negatives of depression as compared to memory loss.

[Cleopatra09]

I have been on lexapro for about 12months for anxiety and depression. I started with 10 mg and then went to 20mg. I too am noticing memory loss especially forgetting words, but I did get a good side effect which was no migraines.i have suffered with migraines most of my life and to be free of them is unbelievable. So I will put up with the memory loss as there is no way I am going off lexapro for that very reason

[subduedjoy]

Lexapro helps me not dwell on negative thoughts, but that's because it makes it so I can't hold the thought. It takes me longer to memorize things. Experiences are not getting put into long-term memory. I've been on 10 mgs five days a week. My doctor wanted me to go back up to 10 mgs every day. I did. My memory went down the toilet, and my anxieties didn't improve. My doctor's solution was to double my medication. I'm going back down to 10 mgs five days a week. And then I'll be very slowly tapering from there until I'm off this stuff. Lexapro was a life-saver for me, but it's not giving me the benefits that it once was. It's time I live my life without medication.  

[erialcs]

i feel the same my head is in bits trying to concentrate ...its a horrible horrible feeling im on 5mg a day came down from 10mg and definitely feel my memory has disimproved

[bjmcwilliams1]

This is in respone to lexapro but this may be an issue only when its combined with stimulants as I also take amphetamines and have been since I was around 6yrs old. Anyway I was put onto lexapro and I forgot to get the script, within a week I noticed a sudden change... I tried to read things like books and billboards and it was like I could see every letter but my mind didn't want to give it meaning in a word.

Before the medication I had no reading problems at all, but after I simply couldn't read.

After a few weeks I was able to read but with great difficulty and now, almost 2 years later I can read but not even remotely like pre meds. I can understand the words but my attention skips and it feels like my mind has blanked out and skipped most of the sentace.

Has anyone had the same extreme reaction?
Note, I am 26 and don't take any ilicid substances and only drink lightly so this is isolated from any external influences besides these two meds.