Klonopin
 

One of the meds that is recommended to help treat the vertigo due to my vestibular dysfunction is Klonopin. I have such mixed feelings about this, mainly due to concerns that it will aggravate my PCS fogginess/lethargy. It's a catch 22 in a sense that if it helps the vertigo, that is definitely a plus. Anyone have experience with this med being used during PCS?

Many thanks :)

Well, first off meds effect people differently, so I would give it a try and see how you react.

I was prescribed it for anxiety pretty soon after my accident. However it made me really groggy and I slept even more than usual. They ended up switching it to ativan, (because I needed something to control the panic attacks, I wasn't using it for vestibular).

However, when my sleep disturbance got worse, they added it to my medication to take before bed and it helped me sleep better.

So probably not what you are wanting to hear, but I would try it to see how it effects you. Only then will you know whether it is going to make you groggy, or if it makes life better because your vertigo is better.

Have you tried vestibular therapy or vision therapy for the vertigo?

Music I am on a Benzo as well. My neuro said that while I am in vestibular therapy since I get very woozy,vertigo,nausea after therapy to break the pills down and only take if needed* In general the Benzos can slow recovery in vestibular therapy.....But if you are still getting sick while taking Benzos & therapy then the therapy is still working...but eventually after sometime in vestibular therapy I will get wean off benzo....so ya catch22! I do not know if you are in vestibular therapy now....Wish you well:grouphug:

Thanks Mia and Smilin for your input :). I'm starting vestibular therapy in a couple of weeks. The idea is to get things "calmed down" with the klonopin first before beginning therapy. As you said, and from what I've read, the Meds suppress the vestibular system but don't necessarily help it to adjust. I will be mindful of all of this while I make a decision. And you are right about everyone reacting differently to Meds. The human body is mighty complex!

Thanks again :)

I was on Klonopin for almost a year. It made me very foggy with difficulty with cognitive functions. It was replaced with Neurontin/gabapentin. I do much better with the gabapentin.

Thanks Mark - I will keep the neurontin in mind :)