I'd rate likely causes in this order:

1. Alcohol
2. Lamictal
3. Klonopin
4. Geodon* (I know little of this but explanations follow)

1. Alcohol -- you've been a chronic abuser and have consumed in large quantities, "over the years". The effects of this won't go away overnight.

First, it does cause memory impairment. The concomitant use of a benzo (Klonopin) would have made this worse. Short-term memory impairment will have caused difficulty in long-term memory formation, and you'd only notice the difficulty in recollecting some things now... as opposed to immediately when you stopped drinking.

Also, have your B12 status checked with your next blood test. Do not supplement for at least 24 hours before testing (I'd recommend longer but...whatever). Heavy alcohol consumption can cause damage to the stomach lining and thereby impair B12 absorption. Poor B12 status can cause cognitive impairments. As a meat eater, you should easily fall within healthy levels, unless there is a problem with absorption.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-su...de-vitamin-b12
Different people show different symptoms.


2. Lamictal -- this can cause cognitive impairment of all kinds. I don't know of an AED that doesn't have this as a potential side effect.


3. Klonopin -- Long-term, chronic benzo use is known to produce cognitive deficits an memory deficits can occur even with occasional use. The fact that you've used alcohol on top of your Klonopin will amplify amnestic effects. The benzo might be more of a player than the lamictal... but I'd put a long distance between coming off alcohol and any thoughts of tapering Klonopin. Plus, with the social anxiety, I don't know that it is a good idea to try to remove this unless you acquire skills to manage that. I know you take it for sleep but it isn't strongly hypnotic -- most likely it helps you through its anxiolytic and/or myorelaxant effects.


4. Geodon -- I am not saying Geodon isn't contributing to your memory difficulties. It probably can. I'd bet that most strongly sedating drugs can do that. Mostly, I think it is your #1 most important medication... perhaps on par with Klonopin as they have different roles.

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Geodon vs. Lamictal

You've said before that you take Lamictal as a "stabilizer" (indication) and Geodon as an "antipsychotic" (class, indication). I can appreciate that maybe your doc told you that (or so you understood?), but to express things in parallel terms --

Lamictal is an AED (class, indication),
Geodon is an antipsychotic (class, indication).

BOTH drugs serve as stabilizers (indication).

You, personally, have been given extra Geodon for breakthrough hypomania but you also take it when you are stable (maintenance drug). This suggests to me that Geodon is being given you as a mood stabilizer, not just as an antipsychotic.

Finally, while Lamictal is near useless at preventing mania, Geodon is very effective for that purpose. Given your tendency towards mania rather than depression, the Geodon will be more valuable to you as a stabilizer than the Lamictal. So if I had to pick one to throw out in your case, I'd pick the Lamictal.

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CONCLUSION: I'd recommend a longer AF period before changing things -- at least 6 months -- but after 3 months you can probably start to assess whether your memory has improved.

Pay special attention as to whether you have more trouble with short/long term memory, or both. Bear in mind you'll never be able to recollect events that were not stored... you'll have to take into consideration only memories of events that occurred after you stopped drinking. Also note any other cognitive difficulties (concentration, verbal difficulties, spatial orientation, arithmetic). It might help your doctor decide if one drug or another is a more likely cause. If the doc thinks the Geodon is the more likely cause then by all means...

Finally, if/when you decide a drug change is in order, I suggest you fess up to your doctor 100% regarding the alcohol history. Right now, any ideas she has or decisions she makes will not be based on an accurate clinical picture.

love

waves who feels like writing a huge disclaimer or an apology or something but can't think of what to say after all that!