Memory loss needs testing to determine reason
Q. I have been taking a medication called alprazolam for many years. When I started, I took one pill three times a day. After three years, I started taking them only when I felt I needed to, which was very seldom.
Some time ago, I read that this medication could cause memory loss. I have that now. I know a word but just can't bring it out. I told my doctor, but she felt that I didn't take the pills enough for them to have caused this.
I have always been eloquent in my vocabulary, and it is discouraging to me now to stumble when I know I could have done better.
A. Based on your brief note, I can only give you generalizations about the situation.
Alprazolam is a medication used in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders. Less commonly, it may be prescribed for alcohol withdrawal, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual syndrome and fear of open spaces and strangers.
Some of the side effects include weight changes, drowsiness, lightheadedness, fatigue, memory and coordination impairments, depression, speech difficulties and decreased libido. Because the medication must be tapered off, abrupt cessation can also cause side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, seizures, decreased concentration and mental clarity, and blurred vision.
Adverse reactions, if they occur, are usually seen at the beginning of treatment and disappear as the medication is continued. For those reactions that are severe or fail to resolve over time, the physician may choose to stop treatment or reduce the dosage. The higher the dose, the greater the risk of developing side effects.
Without knowing your age, gender, onset of memory-impairment symptoms, general health status and other information, I cannot definitively say whether your current problem is related to the medicine. However, the two are most likely unrelated, since the memory impairment should have resolved when you reduced the dosage - that is, assuming the loss started during your thrice-daily treatment regimen.
Return to your physician to discuss your problem. Bring a list of any difficulties you are having, even if they don't appear related. Memory problems may be the result of many things, ranging from vitamin or hormone deficiencies to neurological conditions. You may also want to request a referral to a neurologist, who can examine and test you for disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Don't delay in seeking out the cause of your memory loss. Failing to treat a reversible condition could lead to permanent damage. If the cause is more sinister, earlier treatment can lead to more time in which to set affairs in order.
Q. My doctor told me of a simple solution for the flushing and itching associated with niacin: applesauce. Any kind will do; simply take the niacin with applesauce, and there won't be any problem. This has stopped all my misery from taking the vitamin.
A. I have not heard of this remedy before, but I am passing it on for my readers' interest and feedback. Thanks to you and your doctor for sharing.
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