Cellcept
 

I've been taking Cellcept for two years now and have noticed a slow and gradual loss of memory and not able to concentrate or problem solve ever since. Does anyone know if this is a side effect from Cellcept or Myasthenia Gravis? I've been to the doctor about it many times and they say it's Adult ADD, but I was never diagnosed as a child and didn't show signs of having this until the last few years. I can't think at all anymore. It's hard to pay bills, clean the house, get groceries, or just finding the right word to say in a sentence. It's very frustrating! I've tried different drugs for ADD but the side effects are making it impossible. My mind is blank all the time and I find myself wandering around the house trying to figure out what I'm doing. Any thoughts or similar reactions to Cellcept?

Hi! I can't give you any concrete evidence, but I have heard before that MG can affect memory a bit. I've noticed my spelling has worsened significiantly since diagnosis and I also occasionally have struggled to use the correct word when speaking (there is an actual name for this but funnily enough - I can't think of it right now)! I can't figure out WHY MG would affect memory - as far as I know the neuromuscular junction doesn't have anything to do with memory but my neuroscience knowledge doesn't go far enough to comment. I'm not on CellCept, so I can't attriubute my bad memory to that. As far as attributing it to age I'm only 29! Sorry I couldn't be of more help. I hope someone else has more info for you!
~Kathy

My spelling (and typing) have also gotten significantly worse since being diagnosed with MG. I am also having difficulty finding the right words sometimes. I am glad to see I am not the only one with these symptoms. I am usually very articulate, but now between the memory issues and the speech issues from the disease, I am very conscious of what I am saying.

CellCept
 

I have also taken Cellcept for a much shorter time, 4 months. I was having severe side effects, but my doctor told me that some strong warnings came out from the FDA about the drug. Please talk to your doctor about this. However as far as memory loss and not being able to concentrate and sometimes not even being able to finish a sentence, I do experience these with MG. Hang in there and try to find out about Cellcept. I was just started on Imuran, which is suppose to have less side effects. Good luck!

Thank you!

cellcept and memory
 

I was diagnosed with MG in 2002. I have been on several different treatments. I used Immuran for a few years, I had alot of side effects with Immuran. I have been on Cellcept for a few years now and its been the best meds yet for me. I have seen any side effects. I would say my life is back to normal. Its been alot more expensive but worth every dime.I highly recommend Cellcept. I have had no memory loss from its use, but I have had memory problems from the MG.

Pepe & Shihan
 

Hi Pepe, I had been told that Cellcept had fewer side effects than any of the others, including Immuran....my neuro said the only pblm with cellcept was "its toxic to the wallet", so I haven't yet considered it...was afraid of Immuran's side effects, but I hope it works for you.....I'll try to find the warnings your Dr told you 'bout....

Shihan, glad to read that you are so much improved & Cellcept works for you.....

Dottie

I have been taking Cellcept since January of this year and see no memory loss yet....not to say it won't happen...just not yet. The other side effects though are that I'm getting infections really easy now compared to when I was on Immuran. I had bad side effects from the Immuran, but the Cellcept has given me renewed strength.....just sick from infections all the time though. Hope your memory loss gets better!
Simon

Pepe, I was on cellcept for awhile, had good results from it, much better than methotrexate ! I did the imuran with both of them to. I am sorry to hear your not doing well with it, there are a lot of other immune suppresents they can try instead.
Mary

Central Cholinergic deficits in Myasthenia Gravis
 

If you google 'cholinergic deficits in Myasthenia Gravis,' you will find a study on this...There is definately evidence of an 'attack' on cerebral acetylcholine receptors the way there is on muscle ones...I tried to post the link, but it says that I need to have at least 10-posts to post it...Whoops! lol

I also have anxiety and serious memory issues since developing my MG symptoms...I thought it was old age, but then I remembered that I am 26 :S lol

Nicky

I have only taken mestinon since my thymectomy in 02 and it is good to hear I am not the only one with memory issues. I am going to be 57, so maybe it isn't just old age!:rolleyes: Hope you are all having a good day!

Take care,
Pat

9 years for me!
 

I've been on Cellcept (2500 mg/day) for 9 years and I haven't noticed any side affects (Yea!)

I do have some memory loss, but I think being 59 has something to do with that. I just started having problems a couple of years ago.

Have memory issues - think it has more to do with my MG
 

I've been on Imuran first and am now on Cellcept. I had memory loss early on before cellcept, not sure why. It was a bit scary because I could look at something, know what it was, but not remember what it was called, I now just don't worry about it as it makes it worse!!

Kind of like aphasia......
 

I think it's kind of like aphasia. My dad suffered a massive stroke 6 years ago on July 17th and has suffered from that since then. He KNOWS what he wants to say, but just can't get the words out. I have the same problem (to a much lesser degree)......

I do believe it is the MG, not the meds, especially since we all seem to have it to some degree......oh (!) and talk about spelling! I wrote better when I was in the 3rd grade! Darn MG!

Hope this helps a bit~Erin:D

My husband felt better when I told him about this post. Over the last few months I have been frequently using the wrong words. It drives my family crazy. I often catch myself. I am a math teacher, so kind of scary to think I may be telling them false things. I have explained this symptom to my students and have told them to not be afraid to question things that I say if they feel it does not seem like I am making sense. :)

I'm not on cellcept, and i have memory loss. My mom is 63 and i'm 40...and she can remember more than me.....lol!!

I have also noticed some significant changes in my memory and trying to think of the right word to use in a sentence. It's the most embarrassing when I'm in the middle of a board meeting. I thought it was just me!!

I've been on CellCept for one year and haven't noticed any side effects. It has helped me, although not so much right now as I have overworked and not been balanced like I should.

I didn't want to go on CellCept and even went to Duke to consult with doctors there specializing in MG. He said the first thing I needed to do was go on CellCept, so I did.

On another note, when I went to Duke I had just had my IVIG treatment and was on Mestinon. The well known research doctor there did testing on me and said I didn't have MG - this was after he agreed with the other 2 neurologists in TN and GA who had diagnosed me (based on his clinical exam). But...because his test was negative, he said I didn't have it. When I gave my neurologist this doctor's notes, he actually laughed. My doctor said the test wouldn't show up anyway because of my meds and IVIG. He thought this doctor's findings were ludicrous. I'm saying this for those not diagnosed - don't let yourself be intimidated. I would have been if not for my neurologist and other doctors in TN.

Help for memory and Brain Fog
 

:DHi Everyone!

I have a wonder pill for the brain fog and memory issue. It's Acetyl L-Carnitine with ALA (alpha lipoic acid). It isn't contraindicated with any of our meds, or anything else for that matter. It's fantastic at clearing the brain fog!

It is a naturally occuring element, generally the body get's from eating meat, but the body gets less efficient with age (and MG and some other conditions) at the conversion. It helps the brain regrow nerve connections and the response during brain fog is QUICK!

I have done accounting for years, and when I can't seem to figure out the easy entries, it's pretty bad! I should be able to do them in my sleep!
They are even doing studies and using it to treat early Alzheimer's with success.

You can get it from a vitamin shop or online. Just make sure it's the Acetyl form because it crosses the blood brain barrier. Also, I have taken the formula with ALA and without it. The ALA is a very powerful anti-oxidant, but really seems to boost the carnitine.

Any of you that try this, let me know your results, ok? It's helped me, my mother, my cousin (I don't know why she has such trouble with brain fog, but her reaction was also quick and very dramatic - she won't be caught without the supplement now!).

:hug: to all.

Becky

cellcept cost
 

the price of cellcep generic has come down quite a bit

Memory loss, inability to concentrate and/or retrieve words are known potential side effects of CellCept or Mycophenolate. Ask your doctor and read the labels and look up CellCept on the net. Good Luck