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desparado said:
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

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Sorry to get to your question so late -

First of all - all benzos can cause physical and psychological dependance - and at any dosage. Second, I'm not aware of the literature supporting "brain cell death" as caused by continued benzo treatment. If I am correct, just because a medication is classified as a depressant - this does not automatically mean that it destroys brain cells. YES - benzos can cause mental fogginess. And as for brain cells not being able to regenerate - I beg to differ.

There's a lot of research now showing the brain's amazing capabilities to regenerate, rewire, etc. Recent studies have shown that SSRIs help reverse hippocampal "shrinkage."

As for Trazadone being "highly addictive?" HA! That is absolutely absurd. Trazodone is an antidepressant that effects certain serotonin sub-receptors. It also effects histamine receptors - which is why it's so sedating and commonly used as a sleeping medication. I have NEVER heard nor read of any facts supporting Trazadone as a highly addictive med. If it were - it would be a controlled substance.

Again - sorry for the delay in my response.

Jerry