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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ed_uk on January 14, 2005, at 16:49:34
Hello,
Has anyone found a successful treatment for the memory/cognitive impairment produced by benzodiazepines?
I am interested in hearing about supplements/herbs as well as other drugs.
Has anyone tried...
Aricept?
Galantamine?
Rivastigmine?
DMAE?
Ginkgo?
Centrophenoxine?
Nootropics?
... or anything else.
Posted by linkadge on January 14, 2005, at 17:31:15
In reply to Benzos and memory/cognitive issues..., posted by ed_uk on January 14, 2005, at 16:49:34
Folic acid has been used with some sucess to treat the cognitive impairment associated with benzodiazapines and other anticonvuslants.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on January 14, 2005, at 17:53:29
In reply to Re: Benzos and memory/cognitive issues..., posted by linkadge on January 14, 2005, at 17:31:15
Hi Link,
>Folic acid has been used with some sucess to treat the cognitive impairment associated with benzodiazapines and other anticonvuslants.
Have any studies been done to demonstrate the efficacy of folic acid?
Thanks,
Ed.
Posted by johnnystats on January 16, 2005, at 9:32:09
In reply to Benzos and memory/cognitive issues..., posted by ed_uk on January 14, 2005, at 16:49:34
I've read doctors prescribe aricept for the mental foginess caused by anticonvulsants, but i haven't heard of it being used for benzos. I experience pronounced sedation on my benzo, and i've found that drinking coffee immediately after the dose helps a lot.
Posted by zeugma on January 16, 2005, at 10:54:21
In reply to Re: Benzos and memory/cognitive issues... » linkadge, posted by ed_uk on January 14, 2005, at 17:53:29
Ed,
Have you actually experienced cognitive/memory impairment on a benzo? I won't deny that some experience impairment on these drugs, but reactions are very individual and it is also a marketing issue, as makers of AD's can use this supposed point to sell doctors on their own products.
I would avid the so-called 'nootropics', except for Provigil, if you have mostly unipolar depression. Cholinergic agonists can exacerbate depression for many. (I'm referring now to Aricept and galantamine- I don't know about the others.) What is interesting is that Provigil is sometimes classed as a 'nootropic', but produces a phenomenon known as the 'Provigil stupids' on this forum, and people on narcolepsy forums have also complained about a 'slowing' effect on the mental process. I did notice this effect, although I would not describe it as being related to 'stupidity.' It did slow down my reaction time (which was painfully slow anyway, so you'd think I would have found Provigil a 'dumb drug'- but quite the opposite!). Ritalin has had the opposite effect. I would say there are benefits and drawbacks to each effect, and that in either case for the drug to be of benefit one must adapt to it.
Posted by ed_uk on January 17, 2005, at 6:25:59
In reply to Re: Benzos and memory/cognitive issues..., posted by zeugma on January 16, 2005, at 10:54:21
Hi!
Thank you all for your responses :-)
>Ed, Have you actually experienced cognitive/memory impairment on a benzo?
Yes, I'm afraid so. Benzos do make me pretty dumb- much more so than ADs.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by darkhorse on January 17, 2005, at 9:14:21
In reply to Re: Benzos and memory/cognitive issues... » zeugma, posted by ed_uk on January 17, 2005, at 6:25:59
> Hi!
Benzos do make me pretty dumb- much more so than ADs.
Me too! they make concentration difficult,and let me forget a lot of things. However,I can live with that instead of the weight gain,sexual inhibition and host of other neurological effects of SSRIs.
Unfortunatly there is price to pay for using any psychotropic medication.
D.H.
Posted by johnnystats on January 20, 2005, at 8:14:27
In reply to Re: Benzos and memory/cognitive issues... » ed_uk, posted by darkhorse on January 17, 2005, at 9:14:21
I wonder if the drug companies are working on pills to combat these side effects. When i'm on a benzo i can barely drive, and i constantly bump into everything around the house.
This is the end of the thread.
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