cyblue Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 i am taking lorazepam for the test-taking anxiety that i'm experiencing (all the time) because i have exams every week. i can get going eventually in the mornings but it does take a bit. crawling out of bed and dragging my butt to work or to campus for exams (i'm an online student so that helps a lot with the social anxiety) seems like all i can do. i don't feel depressed or anything...literally, anything. i have lost my appetite. its like i'm just going through the motions and trying to keep up with everyone's expectations of me. today i was told that i look tired but my brain was so far behind that i couldn't reply to that comment. i know i'm getting sleep. Sooo...any suggestions as to what could be going on?oh, yeah, i am still taking all my other meds as prescribed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David O Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hi cyblue,Test taking anxiety is very common and extremely frustrating, especially when you know the material but can't produce b/c of the anxiety. My questions are why Lorazapam? Is it for anxiety or for insomnia? Also, which other meds are you on and what is the dosage? How long have you been on each med? Finally, what have you been diagnosed with?This will help us figure out where to begin looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyblue Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 i have bipolar disorder.Have been on Abilify and Wellbutrin since 2005 and the Lexapro and lorazepam were added at the beginning of this year. (this is my clearest recollection without looking into my notes on the subject)Meds: Abilify 15 mg Wellbutrin XL 450 mg Lexapro 10 mg lorazepam .5 mg (as needed for anxiety) and lastly, Claritin D 12-Hr 2xdaily (they won't give me the 24 hr because of all the sudafed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David O Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 (edited) Cyblue,This is quiet a med-mixturel with multiple interactions. For example, Lexapro can cause insomnia or the other side, drowsiness, and the Lorazapam is designed to cause sleepiness (and yet Abilify can also cause sleepiness). Overall, this is a complex cocktail, but the common theme throughout all of your meds is that they have a capacity to cause confusion and dizziness. But let's not forget the illness itself, which as you probably know, can cause concentration problems (usually if your leaning towards the manic stage), slowed thoughts (usually if your depressed) and easy distract-ability. There's also the loss of enjoyment for life, a loss of zeal. This is usually connected to the depression. However, the condition alone, whether in remission or not, creates neurobiological problems as constants that can interfere with life in general.Your best bet is to have a long conversation with your MD. The MD is there to serve you and answer questions, and having him clearly explain everything is his responsibility. Go in with a set of questions and literally insist that he make things clear for you-- this is an essential part of the informed consent process. Good luck and I hope this helps. Edited October 1, 2009 by David O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyblue Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Geez - i thought i was doing good to just have to take 3 meds (and 1 prn) for this disorder. i lean towards the depressive side so we had to add the lexapro this year - and up everything else just to keep an even keel.i go see my pdoc later this month. i usually do feel fine but recently i just feel weird. if i can just try to act not stoned for that length of time (i do have to work)...i'll take your suggestion and ask him if there is anything we can do to lessen some of the effects. Thanks for the replies, David.Cy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David O Posted October 1, 2009 Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Hi Cy,I don't mean to scare you or have you think you're abnormal with these meds. In reality, many of those we work with are on several meds--- often 2-3 more than what you're taking, and this can become a complex cocktail that few MD's can untangle. This is very normal, I chose my words poorly and I'm sorry. But, do be assertive and become a full partner in your own treatment by asking questions, researching meds and not allowing the MD to prescribe w/o good explanations. Good luck Cy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyblue Posted October 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2009 Thanks, again, David. And, no, you didn't scare me about the meds as i know others who are far worse off and are still not nearly as stable as me.i tend to keep up on the latest meds available and their possible side effects so that when i go to the pdoc, i am semi-prepared if he wishes to change something on me. and i always ask why because i don't want to take more pills than absolutely necessary to keep me leveled out (most of the time).i do hope that this latest zombie-like effect dissipates some in the near future. it just kinda crept up outta nowhere...and it is frustrating to keep having people ask what's wrong with you and not being able to explain. so far its just been 'i'm tired' but that is getting old.Anyhow, thanks again. Take Care.Cy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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