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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bookgurl99 on May 25, 2002, at 10:19:24
So, as most know I've been having memory and cognition (can't think as much/fast as I used to) problems for 3 months. I'm 26 years old, so this cannot be age related.
Standard Western medicine has runa variety of tests and concludes that the problem is psychological.
Recently I visited a naturopathic physician (with a degree from a real naturopathic college, not one of the mail-in catalogues) who believes that my problem stems from drug toxicity . She believes that the antidepressant Serzone, which I was on for two years previous to these problems appearing, built up in my system to toxic levels.
Warning signs? In January (before problem started), I was having digestive troubles and extreme exhaustion. I was also becoming increasingly irritable. Then in late February, dasys before I noticed that my memory was blown, I was vomiting and having migraine for unknown reasons.
Does this sound like a reasonable/unreasonable explanation to anyone?
My memory/cognition problems showed up quite suddenly -- so suddenly that I find it hard to believe it's an anxiety problem. I think the anxiety stems from dealing with a physical problem that Western medicine can't solve.
Posted by Oracle on May 25, 2002, at 18:28:25
In reply to Drug toxicity -- memory problems?, posted by Bookgurl99 on May 25, 2002, at 10:19:24
> Recently I visited a naturopathic physician (with a degree from a real naturopathic college, not one of the mail-in catalogues) who believes that my problem stems from drug toxicity . She believes that the antidepressant Serzone, which I was on for two years previous to these problems appearing, built up in my system to toxic levels.
>Oracle here...
Once you stop an AD, your body clears it quickly.
Speaking of toxic issues at this point (months after you have stopped) has no point
as one has no AD in their body.> Warning signs? In January (before problem started), I was having digestive troubles and extreme exhaustion. I was also becoming increasingly irritable. Then in late February, dasys before I noticed that my memory was blown, I was vomiting and having migraine for unknown reasons.
>
> Does this sound like a reasonable/unreasonable explanation to anyone?
>
> My memory/cognition problems showed up quite suddenly -- so suddenly that I find it hard to believe it's an anxiety problem. I think the anxiety stems from dealing with a physical problem that Western medicine can't solve.Oracle here....
These are also the effects of depression.
Posted by katekite on May 25, 2002, at 19:40:26
In reply to Drug toxicity -- memory problems?, posted by Bookgurl99 on May 25, 2002, at 10:19:24
Yes at this point the cause is probably immaterial, as long as its not getting worse.
Take the quiz at mindfixers.com to see if you have an attentional problem. Answer the questions for how you have been recently, not your whole life (though it says to do it for your whole life). You will have to fib about answering the bit where it asks if this was a problem as a child. If you test out as ADD, then stimulants may help.
Personally, I most likely had mild ADD my whole life but it became a life-altering problem for me only in the last 5 years or so, possibly life changes, possibly related to all the serotonin drugs I had taken. Adderall and ritalin both help immensely.
If you do have the equivalent of ADD now, then the problem becomes getting diagnosed properly and finding a competent doctor who will prescribe a stimulant.
Many people find Wellbutrin helps as well.
kate
Posted by Bookgurl99 on May 25, 2002, at 20:03:37
In reply to Re: Drug toxicity -- memory problems?, posted by katekite on May 25, 2002, at 19:40:26
Thanks for your suggestions --
I find that I improved briefly, then worsened -- probably due to the stress of worrying about the problem.
I'm fearful of taking any other drugs at this point ---
Posted by katekite on May 25, 2002, at 22:02:03
In reply to Re: Drug toxicity , posted by Bookgurl99 on May 25, 2002, at 20:03:37
If it something similar to ADD that you have -- problems with directing your attention where it needs to go, trouble maintaining focus, being absent minded, then you may find an ADD coach helpful (whether or not it counts as ADD), or non-medication strategies. There is a book, Driven to Distraction -- has a volume two that I can't recall the name of, which is mainly tips on organizational strategies and ways to cope with having memory and organizational problems. Especially if you didn't grow up with it, behavioral strategies could make a big difference.
For example, you may have been used to carrying a purse.... well, people with ADD lose them and tend to do better with pockets and a small wallet. It is better to accept and embrace a new style than to fight it. Or, you may have been used to reading interesting books at long stretches, for fun.... you may now find you will now love to listen to books on tape while driving, but that it seems tiring to read a regular novel. You may find you like more exciting activities (things that stimulate your brain more) -- off of medication I like down-hill skiing and white water kayaking and one-on-one tennis (whereas medicated I enjoy cross country skiing, sea-kayaking, and doubles-tennis). You may feel frustrated in large group conversations, parties, where many conversations go on at once: now you may find it more fun to do things in smaller groups.
Just knowing what exactly are your difficulties will help you know how to work around them.
Strategies for frustrating activities that are considered tips are: breaking up projects into small manageable chunks, making a schedule for the following day every night before bed (creating external structure) (mornings are often hard as when you're waking up some find their brain less active, less able to organize), using a huge dry-erase board to record important appointments... the lists go on. One person told me: if you lost something and need it desperately, look at your watch and only look for 20 minutes, after that, look at other options. Another person says, make 10 copies of your keys, buy 5 pairs of sunglasses. Innovative ways to deal with it.... who says that we should only have one or two sets of car keys, for example.
My brother, who was very clearly ADD from a young age, manages fine without meds as an adult. He says the most important thing for him has been exercise. He has managed to learn to roll with it.
An ADD coach is someone you pay to help organize yourself, and who provides tips and encouragement. Some coaches work by phone or email. Coaches are very different from therapists in that therapists want to help you figure out deep issues: coaches stick to practical advice and encouragement. They are also cheaper.
If you do end up eventually trying stimulant medication... say in a year or two if you find you are still frustrated with this.... they are among the safest and most researched, most predictably acting drugs around, having been used for close to 50 years for treating ADD. Unlike, say, serzone. I wonder in 50 years what will be known about serzone and the rest of the serotonin drugs that isn't known now. (not that they aren't really wonderful for serious depression)
I just read somewhere that ssris are known to 'lower the chance of recurrences of depression'. That is, if someone takes an ssri they are less likely than someone who doesn't to later experience a relapse, even after they've been off the drug for years. That information, to me, means that there are long lasting, possibly permanent changes in the brain from ssris. That scares me. I mean yes its good that people don't have depression recur, but what other effects are there?
sorry this is so long and a bit disorganized...
kate
Posted by Bookgurl99 on May 25, 2002, at 23:04:43
In reply to Re: Drug toxicity , posted by katekite on May 25, 2002, at 22:02:03
Kate, thanks for your advice.
Actually, now that I'm on Zoloft (almost 3 weeks), I don't feel the need for stimulation much at all -- unfortunately, I'm exhausted. Perhaps I can try something that will lower the anxiety AND not steal my energy.
But you make a good point -- I will follow your advice to sort of adapt to what's going on now behaviorally. It's just very hard to go from being one type of person to another suddenly.
It's likely that facing this and dealing with it will lower the stress involved -- and help me make some gains.
Thanks, Kate. :D
This is the end of the thread.
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