High Dose Fluoxetine (140) / Prozac / SSRI - Memory Issues Related?

[SusanZYX]

Hello,

This is my first time posting.

I'm seeing a new psychiatrist who is treating me for depression and OCD and ADHD. I'm 50+

She has me on 140 mg of Fluooxetine. The highest recommended dosage on the info sheet is 80 mg for OCD.

I've had minor memory issues on a tricyclic anti-depressant over the years, but nothing compared to the memory issues since I went from 20 to 140 mg of Fluoxetine.

I'm still on a small dose of the tricyclic anti-depressant, but much less than I was on 2 years ago. She insists the memory issues are most likely caused by the tricyclic, even though the memory issues have greatly increased with the addition of Fluoxetine and decrease of the tricyclic. But I am feeling less depressed overall.

I'm on a total of 5 psychiatric/ADHD drugs total, that when taken together have potential for "major interactions" including Serotonin syndrome. The pharamcy wouldn't initially fill the prescriptions until she intervened.

What is the max dose of Fluoxetine you've known someome to be on?

Have you had memory issues or mild cognitive impairment with Fluoxetine?

Is Fluoxetine possibly damaging to memory?

If you're over 50, did your psychiatrist seek to avoid Fluoxetine / Prozac due to conerns about memory/cognitive impairment?

Thank you for any insight.

Susan

[Stippler]

I have never heard of that high a dose of Prozac. I believe I used to take 20 mg but, due to other mental health diagnosis, I cannot take Prozac. You might consider a second opinion? Best of luck to you.

[SusanZYX in reply to Stippler]

Thank you for your getting back to me; I've never heard of that hight of a dose, either. Yes, hoping to get a second opinion, soon.

[Frankie24]

I took Prozac for about five years. I was on a dose of 60 mg. It never caused cognitive or memory problems but pushed me into severe mania with my mind racing out of control. This can happen if you are Bipolar and are not placed on a mood stabilizer as well. It caused me to be constantly in motion, unable to sleep. I worked 24/7. It was of great help for my depression. Honestly 140 mg. seems like a lot but you need to check with your psychiatrist as to why she chose such a high dose and what your concerns are with it.

[SusanZYX in reply to Frankie24]

She said the high dose is for the OCD, but I thought my OCD was relatively stable on the other medication. Thank you for your reply.

[bethelbee]

I have never heard of that high of a dose! They don't recommend anyone going above 80mg, which is the maximum dose. I think the most I ever took when I was on it(many years ago) was 40mg. Please get a 2nd opinion. I know I just reiterated what Stippler wrote, but am trying to emphasize the same thing. It doesn't sound right at all!

[SusanZYX in reply to bethelbee]

Thank you all who have replied so far. I'm planning on getting a second opinion.

[punkster]

Ditto. Please get a second opinion.

[SusanZYX in reply to punkster]

Thank you for confirming that a second opinion is a good idea.

[Sailingtoabetterday]

I had treatment resistant depression. I tried everything- I don’t know if Prozac caused any short term memory loss, I wasn’t in a place where it mattered. eventually Lamictal saved my life, almost instantly. Everyone is different. Ssri’s did not work for me.

[SusanZYX]

Thank you for your reply. Other people have praised Lamictal, too. I'll read up on it.

[Trakra1971]

The highest does my Dr said was 60 mg. I’ve been having memory, cognitive, and balance and speech issues. No one can seem to tell me what it’s from. It’s very scary to have all that at 52.