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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ted Brosnan on October 9, 2004, at 11:29:32
Hello. I am starting soon to take 1 to 1.5mg of Klonopin (Clonazepam) a day to help my social anxiety. However, I am concerned about the cognitive side effects of Klonopin such as memory loss, concentration problems and decreased mental sharpness. Is it true that 1mg or 1.5mg a day can lead to these problems?
If it so, what can I take to counteract these effects?! I have some Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Reboxetine (Edronax/Vestra) which is similar to Strattera and Selegiline. All of these act on the catecholamnies (dopamine and noradrenaline) and can be thought of as mild stimulants.
Do you think any of these can help ?! What worked for you as cognitive enhancer while you been on a benzodiazepine ?!
Thanks a lot!
Posted by utopizen on October 9, 2004, at 11:41:24
In reply to Treating the cognitive effects of Klonopin ?!, posted by Ted Brosnan on October 9, 2004, at 11:29:32
> Hello. I am starting soon to take 1 to 1.5mg of Klonopin (Clonazepam) a day to help my social anxiety. However, I am concerned about the cognitive side effects of Klonopin such as memory loss, concentration problems and decreased mental sharpness. Is it true that 1mg or 1.5mg a day can lead to these problems?
>Um, but you haven't experienced these side effects yet? Why are you worrying over them already? I'm confused.
Take one thing at a time! I took 3mg of Klonopin, and never experienced mental dulling or memory loss!! That's typically seen in cases where someone overdoses a few hundred mg's or takes it with alcohol and other sedatatives or cannabis. Believe me, it's not to the extent you appear to make it! I took what you're about to take over an entire day in just one dose! Some extreme cases are reported by some on this board, but don't assume one example is the rule.
I actually felt SMARTER on Klonopin, because the anxiety that was controlling my thoughts dulled me so much I was freed from them, and became much more eloquent in my classes when I expressed my ideas. I really impressed my professors a great deal!!
Posted by woolav on October 9, 2004, at 15:46:26
In reply to Re: Treating the cognitive effects of Klonopin ?!, posted by utopizen on October 9, 2004, at 11:41:24
Hey Ted, I really havent noticed much cognitive impairment on klonopin. When I first took it, it was sleepy for a few weeks. But now I take 2mg daily. (i split them up) but my pdoc allows me to take as much as 3mg a day and the only thing I noticed was slight short term memory loss. Like, someone will say "what are u thinking" and I'll be "i dont know"...but its minor..I swear when i was on paxil I had more cognitive problems then on any benzo....
Sandy
Posted by Daniel Woodfield on October 9, 2004, at 16:58:39
In reply to Re: Treating the cognitive effects of Klonopin ?!, posted by woolav on October 9, 2004, at 15:46:26
> Hey Ted, I really havent noticed much cognitive impairment on klonopin. When I first took it, it was sleepy for a few weeks. But now I take 2mg daily. (i split them up) but my pdoc allows me to take as much as 3mg a day and the only thing I noticed was slight short term memory loss. Like, someone will say "what are u thinking" and I'll be "i dont know"...but its minor..I swear when i was on paxil I had more cognitive problems then on any benzo....
> SandyI 100% agree with this.
I lost count the amount of times i heard grumbles in the background when i had to repeatedly ask my tutor to repeat what he/she had just tried to explain in a lecture while i was on Paxil.
I have been on a few benzos albeit very short term as of ye and have never had any of those sort of problems.
Posted by mattw84 on October 9, 2004, at 19:22:35
In reply to Re: Treating the cognitive effects of Klonopin ?!, posted by Daniel Woodfield on October 9, 2004, at 16:58:39
I just started taking clonazepam 0.5mg 2 to 3x daily. I have noticed some cognitive abilities beginning to fail me, namely short-term ones. For example, a customer came into the store today, and this was the dialogue:
Me: "How are you today Mrs. Meurr?" (No long term mem problems..)
Mrs. M: "I am doing great how about you?"
Me: "Not too shabby, how about you?"
... (Awkward pause) ...
Me: "Oh that's right, you're great!" (Whew good save!)
*Chuckles*Not to make you nervous about klonopin, it is a great med for my soc. anx. I have had stuff such as this happen frequently prior to starting this med. Just an example... GL
Matt
Posted by maddog on October 10, 2004, at 1:10:18
In reply to Treating the cognitive effects of Klonopin ?!, posted by Ted Brosnan on October 9, 2004, at 11:29:32
> Hello. I am starting soon to take 1 to 1.5mg of Klonopin (Clonazepam) a day to help my social anxiety. However, I am concerned about the cognitive side effects of Klonopin such as memory loss, concentration problems and decreased mental sharpness. Is it true that 1mg or 1.5mg a day can lead to these problems?
>
> If it so, what can I take to counteract these effects?! I have some Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Reboxetine (Edronax/Vestra) which is similar to Strattera and Selegiline. All of these act on the catecholamnies (dopamine and noradrenaline) and can be thought of as mild stimulants.
>
> Do you think any of these can help ?! What worked for you as cognitive enhancer while you been on a benzodiazepine ?!
>
> Thanks a lot!
I don't recall having any memory problems with Klonopin. :)Seriously, after large doses for myself (2mg+) I have cognitive impairment mainly due to the fact that I am almost asleep at this high a dose. At my more regular dose (0.5 mg) I only occassionally have dulling of my mental capabilities, such as they are.
maddog
Posted by alesta on October 10, 2004, at 9:18:39
In reply to Re: Treating the cognitive effects of Klonopin ?!, posted by maddog on October 10, 2004, at 1:10:18
hi there,
enjoyed reading everyone's input.
> I don't recall having any memory problems with Klonopin. :)
>
> Seriously, after large doses for myself (2mg+) I have cognitive impairment mainly due to the fact that I am almost asleep at this high a dose. At my more regular dose (0.5 mg) I only occassionally have dulling of my mental capabilities, such as they are.this is consistent with what i have heard concerning clonazepam..i have heard people report no cognitive/memory effects..getting the right dosage is key (not going too high).
take care,
amy :)
Posted by alesta on October 10, 2004, at 10:35:51
In reply to Re: Treating the cognitive effects of Klonopin ?! » maddog, posted by alesta on October 10, 2004, at 9:18:39
< i have heard people report no cognitive/memory effects..concerning my post above, it may have been better if i said *some* people (just to be very specific :))
amy :)
Posted by awatts on October 10, 2004, at 12:34:16
In reply to Re: Treating the cognitive effects of Klonopin ?!, posted by mattw84 on October 9, 2004, at 19:22:35
Klonopin at 0.5 mg twice a day works for me, but is too much for some people. I'd try 0.25 mg x 2. This is just right for some and side effects should be reduced.
Posted by jparsell82` on October 10, 2004, at 13:21:31
In reply to Treating the cognitive effects of Klonopin ?!, posted by Ted Brosnan on October 9, 2004, at 11:29:32
> Hello. I am starting soon to take 1 to 1.5mg of Klonopin (Clonazepam) a day to help my social anxiety. However, I am concerned about the cognitive side effects of Klonopin such as memory loss, concentration problems and decreased mental sharpness. Is it true that 1mg or 1.5mg a day can lead to these problems?
>
> If it so, what can I take to counteract these effects?! I have some Bupropion (Wellbutrin), Reboxetine (Edronax/Vestra) which is similar to Strattera and Selegiline. All of these act on the catecholamnies (dopamine and noradrenaline) and can be thought of as mild stimulants.
>
> Do you think any of these can help ?! What worked for you as cognitive enhancer while you been on a benzodiazepine ?!
>
> Thanks a lot!If you do develope cognitive side effects some suggestions would be Galantamine, Centrophenoxine, DMAE.
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