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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BUCKEYE FANATIC on November 14, 2006, at 14:32:21
Hi to all,
I have a question.
I am stuck at 4.0mg of xanax and 100 mgs of Zoloft. I was taking 6mgs of X until I tapered abut 2 months ago.I am studying for a State Exam to enter into a new career field in addittion to pastoring...but I am finding it all but impossible to concentrate or focus. I cannot seem to retain information I read..nor memorize ( I used to be sooooooo good at memorization pre-drug) now..it is a struggle to even sit still and study.
The words on the page become blurry...my mind constantly wanders, and I cannot seem to retain or remember things I just read.
I have a very quiet study enviroment, no outside noise distractions...it is just internal distractions!!!!!!!!
Any advice, a guess, or diagnosis,
...my wife keeps telling me she believes in me and offers all the support in the world...but she just doesnt understand what this feels like. ( she has taken a small dose of Zoloft before, but never been on xanax for 13 years like I have.)If I take extra xanax to relax...it not only makes my comprehension worse..I fall asleep.
I cannot seem to find a way to get through this...and there is ALOT riding on this Exam. My future...my family..and lots of other "stuff" I dont need to bore you with.
Is it the xanax??? Zoloft ????? Or is this just me???
BF
Posted by fca on November 14, 2006, at 15:08:42
In reply to Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by BUCKEYE FANATIC on November 14, 2006, at 14:32:21
From "Crazy Meds" my favorite site re: medication;
"Xanax (alprazolam). Xanax is the most potent and known as being the most addictive of all the benzos, so use with caution if there's any chance you need to take this med daily or have the slightest hint of substance abuse. With all other benzos you can withdrawal using another benzo. Not Xanax. With Xanax you can discontinue only with Xanax, no other benzo will do. Xanax also has the worst side effect profile of the benzos, it could mess with your sleep, mess with your hormones, mess with your weight and just mess with you in general like a regular anticonvulsant and not side effect-free benzo"I do not know if this answers any of your question but memory and concentration problems are associated with benzodiazepines. This probably is not a time to taper and switch to another medication. If this is the problem I do not know what to suggest except to see a good psychopharmacologist who can walk and medicate you through the exams. I feel anxious after reading how important the exam is to your life--you might want to visit this as an issue in itself. Finally, the mere fact you are a Buckeye Fanatic is a significant liability in itself. Hope you make it through the weekend
Posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2006, at 15:20:22
In reply to Re: Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by fca on November 14, 2006, at 15:08:42
I took xanax for years at a dose of about 3mg. When I went off it I switched to valium long acting. And I had no trouble changing from one to the other. But you must be older like me and now still on valium I have trouble concentrating too. Is it better in the morning or night? As if it's the night you may be more depressed. Just a guess. I will think and pray for you. Love Phillipa
Posted by bassman on November 14, 2006, at 17:49:50
In reply to Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by BUCKEYE FANATIC on November 14, 2006, at 14:32:21
This might seem really hokey, but maybe trying to meditate for a few minutes before studying. I find my retention goes down drastically when I'm anxious...hence the start with meditating. If you aren't experienced in that, just sit with you eyes closed and see how much you mind is buzzing. Try to keep the "my God! I have to do well on this!!" thoughts out of your head-so, so much easier said than done. Best of luck. :>}
bassman
Posted by stargazer on November 15, 2006, at 1:34:03
In reply to Re: Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by bassman on November 14, 2006, at 17:49:50
DITTO, same complaint here....
Posted by saturn on November 15, 2006, at 16:33:42
In reply to Re: Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by fca on November 14, 2006, at 15:08:42
> From "Crazy Meds" my favorite site re: medication;
> With all other benzos you can withdrawal using another benzo. Not Xanax. With Xanax you can discontinue only with Xanax, no other benzo will do.I respectfully question this statement. Why could one not taper down/off Xanax with a longer acting benzo?
Posted by bassman on November 15, 2006, at 17:31:07
In reply to Re: Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!! » fca, posted by saturn on November 15, 2006, at 16:33:42
I think you can-at least I can. If I take Klonopin at the same time as the Xanax, the withdrawal is just about symptom-free. I just did it several days ago (decreased Xanax)...and it is lots easier than just decreasing the Xanax. There was another post on this board where someone describes withdrawing from Xanax with Klonopin in a very short time, without symptoms, after trying other approaches. That might be worth reading as well.
Posted by Phillipa on November 15, 2006, at 18:57:32
In reply to Re: Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by bassman on November 15, 2006, at 17:31:07
Valium too they start with high doses and with the long halflife keep reducing it in leaps and bounds daily. Love Phillipa
Posted by fca on November 15, 2006, at 19:37:08
In reply to Re: Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!! » fca, posted by saturn on November 15, 2006, at 16:33:42
I think you are right--I could not find other verification of this statement and in fact found a withdrawl schedule that uses diazepam beginning midpoint in a 14 week schedule--Thanks for pointing this out fca
Posted by Quintal on November 16, 2006, at 20:16:07
In reply to Re: Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by Phillipa on November 14, 2006, at 15:20:22
I had problems with concentration and learning while on benzos (a shame as I was taking benzos to help with socializing all through college). I wasn't aware quite how much Klonopin was affecting my memory until I came off it. Now that I've withdrawn my mind is so much clearer and my learning capacity has returned to at least pre-benzo level, so I know it is possible to make a complete recovery from the cognitive difficulties benzos cause.
Q
Posted by erik98225 on November 18, 2006, at 13:35:42
In reply to Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by BUCKEYE FANATIC on November 14, 2006, at 14:32:21
> I am studying for a State Exam to enter into a new career field in addittion to pastoring...but I am finding it all but impossible to concentrate or focus. I cannot seem to retain information I read..nor memorize ( I used to be sooooooo good at memorization pre-drug) now..it is a struggle to even sit still and study.
Try some Ritalin, probably 30 milligrams as 10mg 3x daily. It's coffee in a pill and it's non-addictive (well, you'll feel tired if yuu quit, but it lasts about a day).
I have no idea why this stuff is a Schedule 2 substance. Probably due to kids selling and abusing it.
Erik
Posted by Quintal on November 18, 2006, at 14:56:16
In reply to Re: Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by erik98225 on November 18, 2006, at 13:35:42
Erik, I once 'acquired' some of this stuff myself at considerable expense only to discover, as you say, I would have been better off with some of those over-the-counter caffeine tabs. Ephedrine or that pseudoephedrine in decongestant preparations is a more powerful stimulant for me.
Q
Posted by rosa63 on November 18, 2006, at 16:29:18
In reply to Re: Cannot Concentrate, Focus, or Comprehend!!!!!, posted by bassman on November 14, 2006, at 17:49:50
Based on my own experience, I would say you are still depressed and it is affecting your cognitive functioning.
The symtoms you described VERBATIM occured with me too. I even thought I was developing schitzophrenia because my memory/retention was so bad. I would even avoid people because I couldn't even speak in complete sentences and I was embarrassed. As it turned out, I just needed to make a change with my meds, and as the depression lifted...so did my cognitive functioning.
I hope this helps some!
This is the end of the thread.
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