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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Doug_Saving_The_Team on October 26, 2005, at 14:41:48
hello,
I would really appreciate your feedback on this: has anyone gone on meds while in school and noticed either (1) an improvement in their academic performance, or (2) a decline in their academic performance? And why do you think it happened? I look forward to hearing from you.
Doug
Posted by caraher on October 27, 2005, at 8:21:44
In reply to On Meds in College: Does it impact performance?, posted by Doug_Saving_The_Team on October 26, 2005, at 14:41:48
I just addressed this in an earlier thread... in short, I don't think I've seen a change I'd attribute to antidepressants, but have defiinitely experienced impairment I'd chalk up to the depression itself.
Posted by rainbowbrite on October 27, 2005, at 19:41:12
In reply to On Meds in College: Does it impact performance?, posted by Doug_Saving_The_Team on October 26, 2005, at 14:41:48
I have noticed a decline in ability to remeber and concentrate from ADs Made me foggy. I think it happened because that is a side effect.
Posted by Doug_Saving_The_Team on October 27, 2005, at 22:49:51
In reply to Re: On Meds in College: Does it impact performance? » Doug_Saving_The_Team, posted by rainbowbrite on October 27, 2005, at 19:41:12
memory loss is a pretty unacceptable side effect. but I have this mental disease, so I need the meds to be ok. what can I do to improve my memory? my memory is certainly not what it was off meds. I am strongly considering dropping medication when I am done with school. I don't want to do so before hand because I would rather not disrupt my life now.
i am currently on Wellbutrin and Lexapro, and I see that memory loss is listed as a side-effect of wellbutrin. that would make sense given my worst academic performance came after starting wellbutrin.
i have many other things I'd like to say about this. over all, I'm very frustrated. for now, I must go do homework.
thanks,
Doug
Posted by rainbowbrite on October 28, 2005, at 9:24:11
In reply to Re: On Meds in College: Does it impact performance? » rainbowbrite, posted by Doug_Saving_The_Team on October 27, 2005, at 22:49:51
> memory loss is a pretty unacceptable side effect. but I have this mental disease, so I need the meds to be ok. what can I do to improve my memory? my memory is certainly not what it was off meds. I am strongly considering dropping medication when I am done with school. I don't want to do so before hand because I would rather not disrupt my life now.
>Have you tried alternative things? Ginko? I really havent so I dont knwo how they help but its worth a try. Are you able to lower the wellbutrin a little? Maybe you could lower it and add a small dose of something else to augment, that doesnt have memory decline as a side effect?
> i am currently on Wellbutrin and Lexapro, and I see that memory loss is listed as a side-effect of wellbutrin. that would make sense given my worst academic performance came after starting wellbutrin.I noticed this as well! Do you excersise? Eat well? That is another factor that makes a big difference. At lesast in my experience.
>
> i have many other things I'd like to say about this. over all, I'm very frustrated. for now, I must go do homework.
>I understand how you are feeling. I have weighed the pros and cons of being on meds over and over. I have dramaticly reduced my dose and I recomend do a very very slow ween if and when you do go off. I am shocked by the differnece it makes. I agree with you that the worst time to go off medication is when you are in school. How much longer till you finish? Have you tried a stimulant?
I gotta go do homework now :-)
Posted by alexandra_k on October 28, 2005, at 17:50:15
In reply to Re: On Meds in College: Does it impact performance? » rainbowbrite, posted by Doug_Saving_The_Team on October 27, 2005, at 22:49:51
I have been on some pretty hefty dosages of anti-psychotics while studying. Chlorpromazine for a time. But I didn't like that. I think it messed up my concentration and motivation and ability to comprehend and think etc. But then I suppose that is why I took it... Because it relaxed me. I cut back, though, because I was worried about my performance.
Have been on seroquel too. Same thing fairly much, higher dosages to seem to have an impact.
I think...
It was hard to tell whether it really did affect my performance, or whether it affected me and I got to worry about the possibility of it affecting my performance.Hard to tell whether it was intefearing with my memory... Or if my memory was always that bad lol!
Maybe it is more that... I didn't mind being drugged up so much when I wasn't doing anything. But my performance at varsity was important to me... It got me reducing my meds. Moving more to PRN for anxiety. Little bit of chlorpromazine starting a couple days before an exam etc.
Posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 12:15:07
In reply to Re: On Meds in College: » Doug_Saving_The_Team, posted by alexandra_k on October 28, 2005, at 17:50:15
I noticed definate concentration and memory problems on SSRI's. As well, they made me ansy in class and I would feel so restless. Zoloft was the least problematic in this regard.
celexa just zoned me out of everything. I had to cut back on it, and did ok for a year.
Effexor really messed up my ability to learn new things, it made me afraid to learn new things.
Remeron was ok in the afternoon, but a zombie in the morning, (actually I performed best on this drug alone simply because I could sleep. Something that became scarce in university)
Lithium made me slow, but low doses didn't interfere too much. Depakote caused more problems.
Zyprexa, just plain made me dumb.
Seroquel wasn't too bad in low doses.
But what I found was the fewer meds the better. It was polypharmachology that killed me.
You need to weigh the benifits to the risks. Timing is often key.Linkadge
Posted by Doug_Saving_The_team on December 28, 2005, at 9:56:45
In reply to Re: On Meds in College:, posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 12:15:07
after school is out, I am going off all of my meds. I am really looking forward to it!! I want my mind back.
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