1. Community
  2. Brain and nerves
  3. Dementia

clonazepam and memory loss

Posted , 4 users are following.

Tezes
Tezes

hi

Ive been taking clonazepam for almost two years it was prescribed by a consultant neurologist who specialises in movement disorders to manage my cervical dystonia and dystonic tremor. I will have to take it for life.

it works to reduce my symptoms in combination with propranolol.

However Quite randomly my GP tested my memory  and I failed part of it so she referred me to a memory clinic. I went yesterday and again failed to recall certain information I had been given such as a name and address.

i have noticed certain changes such as:

i do sometimes become overwhelmed and disorientated if put under pressure

i do have memory and concentration lapses

i can't multi-think

i can't manage stressful situations

i am sometimes unsteady on my feet

i am intolerant of noise

i often feel that I just want to be left alone or just sit quietly in a corner in a cafe etc

i am wondering if these changes are caused by clonazepam or dystonia

is there anyone out there with similar problems ??  

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • lily65668
    lily65668 Tezes

    Posted

    Hi Tezes,

    I'm so sorry to hear about your condition.

    Yes - memory loss, confusion, lack of interest and depression can all be side-effects of clonazepam. (And, to a lesser extent, propranolol incidentally.) However, I suspect clonazepam is more likely to be the culprit.

    Dystonia itself can also result in fatigue and poor concentration, both of which can affect memory.

    It's my understanding that clonazepam is not the only muscle relaxant that can be prescribed for dystonia. Have you told your neurologist about this? Alternatively, you could try discussing it with your GP, to see whether she could contact the neurologist and get an authorisation to try something else.

    I hope you can find a way to lessen the side-effects of your treatment.

    • Tezes
      Tezes lily65668

      Posted

      Thank you Lily for your input, I have been discharged from my neurologist but I may ask my GP, don't know whether any other muscle relaxant will have the same side effects ? It is a mind field changing drugs, I've just weaned myself off sertraline after being on that two years, I did it because it was the only drug that I knew I could stop and I don't like having to be reliant on drugs. I didn't get off Scott free even though I came off very very slowly over 6 months. All these drugs can have nasty withdrawals, I'm guessing it wouldn't be easy to come off/change clonazepam either.

      would be glad if anyone has experience of doing this ??

  • healthange66961
    healthange66961 Tezes

    Posted

    Many physicians do prescribe clonazepam for longer than 9 weeks.We worry that many doctors fail to warn their patients that clonazepam can interfere with mental alertness.  Please talk to your specialist about how serious this is for you. 
  • healthange66961
    healthange66961 Tezes

    Posted

    Many physicians do prescribe clonazepam for longer than 9 weeks.We worry that many doctors fail to warn their patients that clonazepam can interfere with mental alertness.  Please talk to your specialist about how serious this is for you. 
  • Leatherneck
    Leatherneck Tezes

    Posted

    How is coming off clonazepam if you was taking for 10 years
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.