Hi Jerry,

I am very, very concerned. I've been on clonazepam (avg. dose ~ 1.5 mg/day) for approx nine years. Now, I am seeing a new dr. who has increased it to 4mg/day (apparently temporarily).

I was talking to the pharmacist yesterday about the particular side effect of memory problems & confusion. He told me that since all benzo's are CNS depressants, if one is on them for many mos &/or years @ a time, they can basically KILL brain cells (which obviously don't regenerate).

I found this EXTREMELY disconcerting & upsetting.....it does explain several lapses in short & long-term memory for me. Also, despite its potential addictive properties, my current dr. says that one cannot become addicted on any clonazepam dose < 6mg. I honestly don't believe him, since all the websites, literature & past dr.'s have told me the opposite.

My new dr. also told me that Trazedone was horribly addictive...which I've also been on for ~nine years, I think (25 mg). He took me off of it & I'm having a horrible time sleeping......

I will definitely voice my concerns w/ my dr. tomorrow @ my appt; however, he can be quite arrogant & dismiss a lot of my side effect concerns (i.e., assure me they aren't true). Obviously, I'm ticked & looking for a new dr.

I am absolutely struggling, extremely frustrated & concerned and would really, really appreciate your take on all of this. Thanks very much in advance.

d