Posted by Rick on July 16, 2001, at 2:05:14
In reply to Re: Klonopin memory probs? Or ADs? Or...???, posted by Willow on July 15, 2001, at 20:30:54
> I had a sleep test done several months ago and go see the doctor in a couple weeks regarding the results, moderate periodic limb movements resulting in some arousal from sleep. The first line of treatment for this I believe is Klonopin, hence my reason for following this thread.
>
> Rick raised some concerns which I have. Definitely when I'm more tired I'm more easily confused, but the effexor has helped with this. Has anyone else had an AD help with memory problems and thinking problems? And taking a drug such as Klonopin, will it worsen the memory process? Recently I took one dose of lorazepam, .5mg, and the fatigue was severe for several days, had to fight to stay awake. Later I tried a second dose out of curiosity, the same thing. Is Klonopin similar to lorazepam?
>
> WillowWillow -
I don't know how much Effexor you're taking, but if the dose is high enough it is often has stimulating qualities driven by norepinephrine reuptake inhibition, which could enhance alertness. This is based on what I've read and seen posted, not what I've personally experienced. I'm interested in hear more first-hand AD cogniton-enhancing experiences, too.
As for your Ativan (lorazepam) reaction, I don't think it's typical for fatigue from one dose of a benzo to last for days, even in the early stages of use. Ativan, in particular, should have about the quickest on/off effect of all of them because of its short half life. There might be some "crashing" fatigue afterward, but a good nap -- or at least a night's rest --should take care of that. I'll be interested in what others have to say on personal experiences re this situation, too. I assume you'll be discussing this with your doctor. If you are, say, a poor metabolizer of lorazepam, she may may want you to take a tiny dose or avoid it completely -- especially if you start using Klonopin.
As for Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, the same friend whose GAD responded to Serzone was diagnosed with PLMD after a sleep study over five years ago. They gave her what was then a "new anticonvulsant drug" called Neurontin, 300 mg before bedtime, which was promptly successful in treating the PLMD with no side effects.
Actually, while Klonopin is indeed often used for PLMD, the favored treatments these days seem to be dopamine agonists that are indicated primarily for Parkinson's, with Mirapex being the "hottest" at the moment. Before that it was pergolide (Permax) and bromocriptine. Of course, many still use these. My friend was seeing some return of PLMD syptoms early last year, and based on net research she tried pergolide. There was no improvement, and there were some mildly unpleasant side effects. So she went back to Neurontin, but this time 400 mg (I gave her a big supply of monster 800 mg pills from my failed trial of Neurontin for Social Phobia, and she cut them in half). This, plus avoiding booze too soon before bedtime, did the trick.
Isn't it interesting that all of the PLMD drugs I mentioned are used successfully in mood disorders, as well? (Tough evidence for psychotropic or psychotropic-augmentation benfits from bromocriptine and especially pergolide is spotty.)
Good Luck,
Rick
poster:Rick
thread:68599
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010714/msgs/70287.html