Want My Brain Back

[[tr...]]

I have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Could be due to depression, anxiety, isolation etc or the Klonipin. I'm interested to know if anyone has experienced significant cognitive problems and/or do they get better when you are benzo free. My pdoc insists that its not because of the klonipin??

[[La...]]

I've had cognitive impairment while going through this, still do. It's called cog fog and a lot of us have it, almost every morning. It improves, but takes time. It seems that the longer one was subject to taking benzos, the longer it takes for our brain to heal.

[[tr...]]

I just feel like I can not function. I stay in bed so much of the time. I know that doesn't help but I feel safe. Ive isolated and that makes it worse. I have no support at the moment. Am supposed to be moving in with family or friend. I don't think they realize how bad this may get. I don't trust myself to make decisions about whats best for me while Im in this state. I just took my second klonipin of the day and my last. It helps a very little. I wish with all I am that I had never started this. I was ignorant and didn't research enough. 10 years is a long time for this nasty chemical to be in my body and brain.

[[We...]]

Welcome to the forums treecie,

 

I know the feeling. Benzo's definitely cause cognitive impairment. Fortunately it will heal naturally as you taper from the drug and continue healing until you're back to normal cognition. There are a lot of people on here who have been taking benzo's for 20+ years and they recover.

 

I use to be quick as a whip. Now it's as though I've lost my marbles, or someone has given me a lobotomy. My frontal lobe takes an extra second to process information and takes another second to initiate a response ... it's not suppose to be like this! Normally it's all instinctive and now I have to force it.

 

Normally if I have to go get something from the store, I just walk across the street and get it. Now during my taper, it becomes a whole process of over thinking. Crazy stuff!

 

Try to educate as much about benzo's and the withdrawal process and should be able to find some solace and inspiration that things will get better.

[[...]]

what meds are you taking to sleep?

[Guest [Mi...]]

I have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Could be due to depression, anxiety, isolation etc or the Klonipin. I'm interested to know if anyone has experienced significant cognitive problems and/or do they get better when you are benzo free. My pdoc insists that its not because of the klonipin??

 

Hi, treecie. Your pdoc is a lot like the past pdoc's I've seen - they don't believe it even though memory problems are listed as a side effect.

 

I was on various benzos for 30 years and suffered horrendous memory problems for the past couple of years. When I jumped off Klonopin in June, I had significant memory problems.

 

Here are some examples:

 

I had to use Google Maps on my phone to find my way around my own neighborhood (I've lived here for 6 years).

 

Lost a great job because of cognitive problems and suicidal thinking.

 

Couldn't add 1 + 1. I work in accounting and used to be able to do square root problems in my head.

 

Those are just examples of cognitive decline thanks to benzos.

 

However, my memory and cognitive function are returning. I'm working again (although not at the same level) and every few weeks, I'm noticing small baseline improvements in memory.

 

I'm only 46 and not ready for Alzheimer's. You'll get your memory back, too.

 

Set up a slow and safe taper. You will be amazed at how much clearer your mind will become. 

 

 

[[Cl...]]

Hi Treecie!

I also want my brain back...you are not alone, you are going to make friends in here, let me tell you something, I wanted to call a friend this morning since I was not feeling bright enough to drive to my job...after 15 min looking for my phone I found it in the fridge

[Guest [Mi...]]

Hi Treecie!

I also want my brain back...you are not alone, you are going to make friends in here, let me tell you something, I wanted to call a friend this morning since I was not feeling bright enough to drive to my job...after 15 min looking for my phone I found it in the fridge

 

I've found my shoes in the fridge. More than once. 

[[La...]]

Hi Treecie!

I also want my brain back...you are not alone, you are going to make friends in here, let me tell you something, I wanted to call a friend this morning since I was not feeling bright enough to drive to my job...after 15 min looking for my phone I found it in the fridge

 

I've found my shoes in the fridge. More than once. 

 

Oh you guys, this makes me smile...in a good way. I lose so much stuff, only to find it in peculiar places. Although I have lost a set of keys last fall that are still MIA. I have to call my cell phone from my landline wayyy to often. Check, double and triple check that the doors are locked before I leave. Let the dogs out once and forgot they were out. A little while later I walked to the back door, only to find both of them sitting and looking at me wondering where I had been, lol.

[[be...]]

I just feel like I can not function. I stay in bed so much of the time. I know that doesn't help but I feel safe. Ive isolated and that makes it worse. I have no support at the moment. Am supposed to be moving in with family or friend. I don't think they realize how bad this may get. I don't trust myself to make decisions about whats best for me while Im in this state. I just took my second klonipin of the day and my last. It helps a very little. I wish with all I am that I had never started this. I was ignorant and didn't research enough. 10 years is a long time for this nasty chemical to be in my body and brain.

 

I know I could not get out of bed while I was in a tolerance withdrawal. I was there for nearly 3 months. I showered and dressed and the rest was all done for me I was so sick. I too was on them for over a decade and have been benzo free now for a year. I hope you are feeling a bit better.

[[be...]]

Hi Treecie!

I also want my brain back...you are not alone, you are going to make friends in here, let me tell you something, I wanted to call a friend this morning since I was not feeling bright enough to drive to my job...after 15 min looking for my phone I found it in the fridge

 

I've found my shoes in the fridge. More than once. 

 

 

 

Oh you guys, this makes me smile...in a good way. I lose so much stuff, only to find it in peculiar places. Although I have lost a set of keys last fall that are still MIA. I have to call my cell phone from my landline wayyy to often. Check, double and triple check that the doors are locked before I leave. Let the dogs out once and forgot they were out. A little while later I walked to the back door, only to find both of them sitting and looking at me wondering where I had been, lol.

 

I went to warm up my car last year and left it on for 19 hours!