Posted by Rick on September 8, 2002, at 1:13:37
In reply to Re: Benzos and cognition, posted by bark23 on September 7, 2002, at 14:33:49
A couple thoughts re your question as well as some of the responses thus far:
-- Most importantly: I wonder if she can taper down and get by on a lower dose. It took me awhile to realize that I actually did better, with fewer side effects, on a lower dose of Klonopin than the 3 mg/day I started on three years ago. I'm now down to 1 mg a day, and it controls my anxiety very well.
-- I believe Klonopin does casue me some short-term memory impairment. But...I'm in a job that requires a lot of heavy-duty thinking, and my performance has greatly *improved* since I've been on Klonopin. On balance, when it comes to cognitive ability, the benefits that come from freeing my mind from anxiety greatly outweigh the detriment of intermittent memory lapses.
-- Gradual cognitive decline actually begins when one is in their 20's, but commonly becomes noticeable in middle age (e.g., forgetfulness and mental slowness -- both actual and perceived). Why do you think Ginkgo sales are so huge? I know this is a factor for me, too.
-- I often hear the comment one poster said about Klonopin increasing risk of depression while Xanax doesn't, and I ofetn wonder if this is overstated or even completely untrue. I know I was much more prone to low feelings on Xanax. I've never been clinically depressed, though. I've seen at least two Medline studies pointing to ANTI-depressive properties for Klonopin (let me know if you'd like to see the abstracts).
I found it interesting that a recent study debunks the longtime "conventional wisdom" that use of the beta blocker Propranolol can lead to depression.
It may not happen right away, but I'm sure you'll hit on the optimal treatment for your mother. She's fortunate to have a loving daughter/son who is helping her out like this.
Rick
poster:Rick
thread:119082
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020906/msgs/119261.html