![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jackflash2 on October 22, 2000, at 17:13:47
I believe I may have experienced brain damage as a result of using some psychiatric drugs, Zyprexa, Depakote, and possibly lithium, Risperdal, and Ativan.
Is there any way to check this out fully? Any testing that can be done?
I can no longer think as clearly as I once did, and I can't feel as clearly as I once did, and I can't seem to be social the way I once could. Also, I don't feel like myself.
I don't believe that it's depression, and I've only been like this since the medications. I was prescribed the above for Bipolar I.
Also, if there is brain damage, can anything be done?
Thanks in advance,
Jack
Posted by pullmarine on October 22, 2000, at 17:54:56
In reply to Brain damage, posted by jackflash2 on October 22, 2000, at 17:13:47
> I believe I may have experienced brain damage as a result of using some psychiatric drugs, Zyprexa, Depakote, and possibly lithium, Risperdal, and Ativan.
Probably the result of risperdal. All this sounds too familiar to me.
>
> Is there any way to check this out fully? Any testing that can be done?
>
I doubt it, since these are things that can not be meeasured scientifically. But there is plenty of data on anti-psychotics (haldol), and brain changes (ie, damage). Risperdal (also an anti psychotic) is new, so there isn't much data out there on it.> I can no longer think as clearly as I once did, and I can't feel as clearly as I once did, and I can't seem to be social the way I once could. Also, I don't feel like myself.
YUp, I relate. >
> I don't believe that it's depression, and I've only been like this since the medications. I was prescribed the above for Bipolar I.
>
> Also, if there is brain damage, can anything be done?Yup. give yourself time. play chess and scrabble.
>
> Thanks in advance,de nada
john >
Posted by R.Anne on October 22, 2000, at 19:24:59
In reply to Brain damage, posted by jackflash2 on October 22, 2000, at 17:13:47
Jack,
I know what you mean about feeling like you have brain damage. The way you feel can be a manifestation of depression for one thing. To make another point I have felt like I had a huge cotton ball inside my head and nothing else. I believe it was partly from a reaction to stress for me at that time. I think many things may explain why you feel how you feel and side effects of medicines can be another answer. But to answer your question of how to get tested for brain damage you would need to see a Psychoneurologist-I think that is what they are called. To find out the exact specialist to see ask your psyciatrist. I was going to pursue the same thing at one time but just forgot about it. Good luck.^^^^^^^^
> I believe I may have experienced brain damage as a result of using some psychiatric drugs, Zyprexa, Depakote, and possibly lithium, Risperdal, and Ativan.
>
> Is there any way to check this out fully? Any testing that can be done?
>
> I can no longer think as clearly as I once did, and I can't feel as clearly as I once did, and I can't seem to be social the way I once could. Also, I don't feel like myself.
>
> I don't believe that it's depression, and I've only been like this since the medications. I was prescribed the above for Bipolar I.
>
> Also, if there is brain damage, can anything be done?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Jack
Posted by stjames on October 22, 2000, at 19:34:53
In reply to Brain damage, posted by jackflash2 on October 22, 2000, at 17:13:47
Sounds more like blunting of affect, often caused by
antipsychotics. This is not damage, but the effects
of AP's. The drugs also halt mania and hypomania, this
could account for you feeling that thinking is not clear.
Lithum and atavin have been used for over 20 yrs
and show no brain damage.james
Posted by Cindy W on October 22, 2000, at 21:13:11
In reply to Re: Brain damage, posted by stjames on October 22, 2000, at 19:34:53
> Sounds more like blunting of affect, often caused by
> antipsychotics. This is not damage, but the effects
> of AP's. The drugs also halt mania and hypomania, this
> could account for you feeling that thinking is not clear.
> Lithum and atavin have been used for over 20 yrs
> and show no brain damage.
>
> jamesjackflash2, I agree with the above posts (except that you would want to see a neuropsychologist, not a "psycho" neurologist! ;)
Posted by S. Howard on October 22, 2000, at 21:57:20
In reply to Brain damage, posted by jackflash2 on October 22, 2000, at 17:13:47
I am not a doctor but I have some experience with Depakote and Ativan. I believe Depakote is used as an alternative to Lithium and I've never had a problem with it. On the other hand, I've actually had blackouts while taking Ativan (with other drugs and possibly alcohol), once for three days.
Apparently I was awake and functioning somewhat, but I don't remember. It scared the hell out of me, and I took it as a serious warning. Be very careful with that stuff. Take it only as prescribed and report any side effects to your doctor immediately. You probably just need to cut down on your medication and if you've already stopped taking it, I'm sure you just need time for the toxins (which I would call any medication that affects you adversely)to work their way out of your system. I've also read that if you suddenly stop taking some drugs instead of cutting back on them slowly (including Depakote), it may result in physical or psychological symtoms, so that might also be your problem. I seriously doubt if you are permanently brain-damaged, but you should consult your doctor for your own peace of mind. -SGH
Posted by rogdog on October 23, 2000, at 14:38:57
In reply to Brain damage, posted by jackflash2 on October 22, 2000, at 17:13:47
Hi jackfash, I actually had the same concerns about antipsychotics and I asked my neighbor who just happens to be one of the leading neuropsychologists in the world, and he said that they are actually relatively safe,there is the chance of developing tardive "disko?something"; where you have involantary muscle movements. are you still on the ativan, because I am taking xanax and it feals like my i.q. has been cut in half. I think the benzo's tend to do that.( fix one problem , start another!) anyways, hope this was helpfull, take care. Rog
Posted by donna j on October 27, 2000, at 19:32:42
In reply to Re: Brain damage, posted by Cindy W on October 22, 2000, at 21:13:11
> what is antidepressant drug brain damage?
Posted by stjames on October 28, 2000, at 2:57:10
In reply to Re: Brain damage, posted by donna j on October 27, 2000, at 19:32:42
> > what is antidepressant drug brain damage?
James here....
It means nothing because AD's do not cause brain damage.
StJ
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.