Posted by bobbiedobbs on May 2, 2004, at 23:47:37
In reply to Re: ssri's effect on cognitive functioning???, posted by zefdie on April 1, 2004, at 13:26:37
To Zeftie, particularly, but also to some of the other posters - The articulateness that you've "lost" isn't evident from your post, which was quite articulate and compelling - I can relate because I am a writer myself and am struggling with balancing relief from social anxiety brought on by SSRIs with mental numbness and can't find-the-word syndrome.
That's the encouragement.
My question: for folks who've tried various anti-anxiety meds, is there one that stands out as helping anxiety yet not causing dehabiligating fatigue and loss of sexual prowess (sorry, but that's not only imprecise but kind of obnoxious).
Tried: Luvox, Proxzac, Lexapro - all caused sleepies (less so Lex; Nardil (the bomb) but problem with sides; Parnate (tolerable but eh)
Considering: Effexor (different chemical profile), Zoloft (probably no as I don't dig stupor) and Marplan (another MAOI).Suggestions?
> This problem is driving me crazy. I had it before I went on Wellbutrin and it has only worsened since then. Reading up about Wellbutrin scared me--there seemed to be a high incidence, at least of people on boards such as this, of people losing their language capacity while on buproprion. I've gone off Wellbutrin and am now only on Effexor. I don't feel much of a change in my vocabulary capacity and general slowness yet--Effexor has a history of the same effect, as do all SSRIs/SSNRIs. Everyone's different; I'm just hoping that Effexor, when it really kicks in (I've just started it) helps a little.
>
> I am a writer and this problem is especially troubling to me. It takes FOREVER for me to get the simplest ideas on paper. Complexity escapes me.
>
> What I'm interested in is this: is it possible to mitigate all this in some way by doing logic puzzles, vobaulary building exercises, any kind of "cognitive training"? I'll try anything. If there are supplements or foods I should be eating daily, I want to get on top of that because this is debilitating enough to wreck my career.
>
> I don't really have any advice except to share that these are the solutions I'm looking into. Each SSRI effects each individual differently--you're lucky that Paxil had that effect! Many people have the opposite. I remember when I was put on Zoloft in high school how much brighter and more articulate and more "myself" I felt. I'm hoping Effexor will have the same effect. Sadly, it's hard to tell whether that cognitive slump is the depression or something else--my molasses brain may just stem from bad circumstances, crappy friends, self doubt and an unchallenged mind.
>
> Good luck!
poster:bobbiedobbs
thread:331128
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040429/msgs/342636.html