Hi I'm realising more lately the cognitive difficulties I have ...
I think before when I've been in addictions I kidded myself I was more functional than I was
Problems I am encountering ....
Recall and short term memory - being able to focus - it's like I'm on another channel
Being about to problem solve and look at the broader picture
Having little to say - because I don't really know what to say
yes, i can really relate!
Thank u three roses
And now I am back on anti dep doesn't help those issues ( though I can manage to function as I want before
Work is a real issue for me ....
Sounds like biological side effects dragging you down.. I find myself in that fog as of late..
This morning I was sitting at the kitchen table staring at a cup of tea and wondering what the * to do with it as though I had only just landed on this planet. I have been titrating myself off Neurontin very, very slowly because of cognitive issues. It does not combine well with the other meds my psychiatrist has me on, resulting in confusional arousal http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20140825/sleep-drunkenness-is-common-and-linked-to-other-behavior-issues The fog used to last all day. Now it lifts or at least becomes less thick by lunch time. I do still space out sometimes though, especially first thing in the morning. "What day is it? What do I have to do today? What is this nice hot, pleasant smelling, amber liquid in this handy container here in front of what I assume is me?"
Quote from: Danaus plexippus on June 10, 2016, 03:10:33 PM
This morning I was sitting at the kitchen table staring at a cup of tea and wondering what the * to do with it as though I had only just landed on this planet. I have been titrating myself off Neurontin very, very slowly because of cognitive issues. It does not combine well with the other meds my psychiatrist has me on, resulting in confusional arousal http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20140825/sleep-drunkenness-is-common-and-linked-to-other-behavior-issues The fog used to last all day. Now it lifts or at least becomes less thick by lunch time. I do still space out sometimes though, especially first thing in the morning. "What day is it? What do I have to do today? What is this nice hot, pleasant smelling, amber liquid in this handy container here in front of what I assume is me?"
Simulated dementia fun.. I was on some heavy doses of paxil for a few months put me in the brain chemistry of an alcoholic. Psychotropic medications I heard someone say once is like pouring and entire can of oil on a motor, sure it finds its way to the spot that needs fixing but ends up everywhere else as well...
Well, I'm off Neurontin now. How long will it take before my brain comes back?
Absolutely Boatsetsailrose.
These symptoms started as a direct result of, and in the fall out period to, the traumatic events I was experiencing. But what I didn't realise was that these symptoms continued as a result of the antidepressant medication I was prescribed (citalopram). I only clued in to it after a couple of years of frustration - trying to study my masters :blink: - when my dosage was gradually decreased again and my concentration (and organisation, comprehension, work efficiency, etc etc etc) improved.
I wish I clued in sooner, but at least I was in a comparatively positive mood the whole time.
yeah, that's one * of a tradeoff.
Hi contessa
Yes ... I'm on citalopram too ... I reduced from 20mg to 15mg and within 2 wks I was having really low mood as direct consequence of dark thoughts ... I have made an appoint to see gp - a friend mentioned switching to Escitalopram as is a cleaner drug --
I just don't know - I feel trapped
I really can't see me sticking to being like this but by the same token it doesn't seem I can be drug free and function ...
It like everything is a drag - I don't get a sense of satisfaction doing things - because I'm doing it through a fog
I've also got a bit of a buzz in my head which I haven't noticed previous times I've been on it
Gee what a situation ....
Danaus plexippus, indeed. Or a catch 22; too fogged up to have the capability to suspect it was the meds!
Boatsailrose, that's no good. I'm sorry to hear it.
Yeah I dropped from 20mg to 10mg, and noticed improvements in my ability to work, but didn't get the mood low. Because I then noticed other side effects, I was dropped to 5mg while switching to agomelatine 25mg at first it was fantastic then quickly turned to disaster, and also had horrendous side effects to boot. On sertraline 100mg now, and there is no fogginess at all. Wish I was on it sooner!!
You deserve satisfaction from life, and we will be here when you get it :)
I'm on Sertraline 50 MG BID. It's a more sustained and smother ride than taking 100 MG QD. My doc wanted to increase the dose. I thought that if I got off Neurontin I could tolerate more Sertraline, but I do not feel the need for a higher dose of Sertraline. The amount I'm currently on does what it's supposed to do and the only side effect is gas. I don't want to be drugged into no emotions at all and I really don't want to be a bigger fart than I already am.
oh boy, absolutely, Boatssr! it's awful but it's a comfort to realise so manyof us experience this too. it makes it more bearable somehow and i'm grateful i spotted this thread.
i beat myself up often about being so ga-ga, but reading this thread i realise what a whacking dose of stuff i am on: 30mg citalopram and 50mg Trazodone... no wonder my brain is so fried. i am not surprised now tht i can't seem to concentrate for more than ten minutes unless i am stuck in front of brainless tv. (currently 'Bones' re-runs).
i wish i could go back on sertraline, it really was the best anti-dep i have found for me, but it also exacerbated my arthritis greatly so i had to stop it. also it may have been part of the cause of the microscopic colitis i develped.
like you say, Danaus, one * of a trade-off. personally it's a price i daren't not pay at present, as it's stopping the downward mood spiral. don't feel wonderful, but also not at suicidal stage, which has to be good!
and i wonder if i am kidding myself about being ill!!??
OMG! Are you positive it was the Sertraline that made your arthritis worse? I have arthritis. Is there documented evidence that Sertraline makes arthritis worse? When my doc had me on Cymbalta my retina detached. I had to get three excruciatingly painful surgeries to keep from going blind. I blamed the Cymbalta, but could not prove it. :aaauuugh:
i just read it once on the list of contra-indications, that it causes inflammation of joints or something. but that was after i made the link myself. there is some research done about sertraline/microscopic colitis too, but not a lot. i guess it's a pretty personal thing, what affects one will not affect another. i know that on certraline the arthritis and joint pain is a lot less. sadly not the colitis, but hey, can't have it all!!
Contessa and arpy did you have v unpleasant time going on it ?
When I tried it I couldn't get past the initial symptoms of starting it -
With citalopram I had start up side effects but could tolerate them ( even though bad) but with sertraline I just couldn't tolerate the anxiety ....
I would be so over joyed to find a drug I could be OK on I mean citalopram does what it says on the tin but I truly don't think I can carry on this foggy
no, i didn't have any problems going on sertraline; it was a really good drug for me and i had a brain when i was on it. just the physical side was not cope-able with, sadly. i transitioned from citalopram to sertraline, so maybe that helped as they are similar to each other.
Yes, I feel like I have slowly developed problems over the years, after having been removed from but still affected by the situation that caused this in the first place. Initially, my brain became so full of random ideas, thoughts and memories, it felt like my attention span shrank irreparably and it was impossible to think. I also couldn't help but get the feeling my brain slowly melted and dripped out of my ear. Clearly this is not the case, but I certainly do struggle with feeling like I've been out of the loop of learning for so long, I know next-to-nothing. Focus has definitely become a huge issue. I used to be able to focus on something so well I could spend all day doing one thing. Now? It really is a battle even if it's something I love! I am not on any medication or treatment, but am spending what little free time I have to read more about how the brain works and improving its functions. Maybe it will help. Either way, it's certainly an interesting read.
Boatsetsailrose, it is difficult to say. I had had a major anxiety attack not long before the introduction of sertraline, so any possible symptoms at startup were essentially what I was experiencing anyway. Right now things appear to be fine though. Sorry that this isn't a clear answer to the question.
Sesame, hearing you loud and clear. Struggled a lot to complete tasks that were usually straight forward, but then took about five times longer to complete post-trauma. So exausting.
I'm seeing my P Doc next week. I'll have to speak to him about this fatigue and med induced ADD. Maybe I can be prescribed slightly less Sertraline and still receive the desired effects.
I am new to OOTS and I was looking to know that I wasn't alone. I don't know to laugh or cry at this conversation. I take 20mg of Lexapro and 75? (one and a half) of Trazadone. I honestly feel that Lexapro has saved my life (literally). I started on 25mg of trazadone, then up to a whole pill, then up to one and a half. I am not a big person but I need enough trazadone to knock out an elephant or I don't sleep.
I do get forgetful, I can't concentrate, and I am always on edge. Sometimes it is hard to know what is because of CPTSD or the treatment for CPTSD.
Hi Dee, you most certainly are not alone :) I'm relatively new here as well.
Agreed, Lexapro (citalopram) was definitely a life saver, but over the long term a brain scrambler for me. Hopefully this helps you get one step closer to clarity as well.
I was prescribed Lexapro 10 years ago, but I don't remember now if it was better or worse than the Sertraline I am prescribed now. There were other meds in-between then and now. Cymbalta was a freak show. I'm so glad I am off that now. Since getting myself off Neurontin I am beginning to feel less fatigued and not as forgetful as I was. It took year to find the right doc and it took years to find the right meds. Don't give up. A good doc will work with your specific combination of complications and eventually get your meds fine tuned specifically to you. I hope it's not discouraging to you that it took ten years before the mental hygiene industry finally got it right for me. You might luck out and get it just right sooner. I just had a constellation of crazy goin' on, but https://youtu.be/M8KdtJOCzOU
Hi seseme
I have just started reading 'the body keeps the score a very interesting read about how trauma affects the Neuro and how healing can take place ... It gives me great hope
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748
Dee
Quote 'it is hard to know what is because of cptsd or the treatment for cptsd ' I so relate to this ! For now I won't know because of meds and before that I was in various addictions ...
I did have a window on being on nothing and it was so scarey my psychological state ..
Yes!
Oh my gosh this has been the hardest part for me.
In the beginning I had a lot of linguistic difficulties, couldn't understand what people were saying, even though I understood the individual words, couldn't form words, etc...
Now, after 2 years of treatment, most of that is over, provided I'm careful to take what I call "cave time."
What is killing me now is I still get brain fog bad, especially when I'm triggered. I'm only just getting back into the work force and it's affecting my job performance. It is so frustrating, never knowing when my heart will start racing, I'll start shaking, and that fog will move in and I'll start making mistakes at a job I should be able to do in my sleep.
If anyone has developed strategies for dealing with this, I would absolutely love to hear them!
Last night I stayed up later than usual. Today the fog is back, thick as ever. When I get less than 6 hours sleep, the next day is a loss. Well disciplined sleep hygiene makes all the difference for me. That means getting up at the same time every day, even on the weekends and going to bed at the same time every night and no naps! Life happens while we're making other plans, but the more we stick to a regular sleep routine the less foggy we should be. You may need more or less sleep than I. Give it a shot, see if it helps. :zzz: