Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Does Intake Of Clonazepam Help In Treating Brain Damage?
Question: This is for my wife. She met with a major car accident in Dec 2014 and had multiple fractures along with intra ventricular hemerage. From may 2015 onwards she was showing some behaviour changes like sudden anger, use of abusing words, childish behaviour. She was taking clonazepam 0.25mg for more than 6 months and some improvements observed. But about 3 months back she fell down on the floor and had sprain in her operated knee and was not able to walk. Due to her physical condition and particular economic recession in oman, she had to resign her job and we came back to XXXXXXX After this incident her condition became worst and we took her to a neurology doctor and he referred to a neuropsychologist ( since she is a staff nurse and have half knowledge about medicines she was not willing to take psychiatric medicines and even hesitation to consultant to a psychiatrist). Doctor advised to take OLAY 5mg day initially and increased to 10mg day. Some how we could convince her and she started taking medicine.Doctor said she will do a brain assessment test once the patient is stable. I could observe a positive change in her. But wife is not fully convinced with the doctor and she have some hesitation to take the medicine. She believes,without medicine she will be alright. I would like to take a second opinion. Please advise me. Are we going with the right medication? when I searched in Internet I got scared bcs this medicine is used for schrezofenia, bi polar disorder etc.
.Doctor described me that due to the injury on her frontal lobe, she have some inhibition problem. Thats y this medicine is prescribed.
Is this description is correct?
What is her real illness?
How long will it take to cure?
Is there any chance of recurrences after it cured?
Is there any side effects for this medicine?
.Doctor described me that due to the injury on her frontal lobe, she have some inhibition problem. Thats y this medicine is prescribed.
Is this description is correct?
What is her real illness?
How long will it take to cure?
Is there any chance of recurrences after it cured?
Is there any side effects for this medicine?
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Your doctor is correct and this medication will be safe and effective for her. She has brain damage from the injury she sustained including bleeding in the brain. She likely has frontal lobe damage which is leading to disinhibited behavior. This is typically treated with a neuroleptic such as OLAY. Although this medication was originally developed for schizophrenia, it is not widely used for many reasons, including dementia, depression, and in your wife's case, behavioral disinhibition. Unfortunately, her brain damage is not curable. However, with treatment with this medication, you may see improvement in her behavior and mood stability within 6 to 8 weeks. There is a good chance it may recur, at which point the dose will need to be increased. Side effects of this medication include weight gain and cholesterol increases, so she will need a healthy diet, regular exercise, and monitoring of her cholesterol blood levels every 6 months.
I would get your blood pressure checked by a medical doctor. I do not think this is related to fear at all.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Your doctor is correct and this medication will be safe and effective for her. She has brain damage from the injury she sustained including bleeding in the brain. She likely has frontal lobe damage which is leading to disinhibited behavior. This is typically treated with a neuroleptic such as OLAY. Although this medication was originally developed for schizophrenia, it is not widely used for many reasons, including dementia, depression, and in your wife's case, behavioral disinhibition. Unfortunately, her brain damage is not curable. However, with treatment with this medication, you may see improvement in her behavior and mood stability within 6 to 8 weeks. There is a good chance it may recur, at which point the dose will need to be increased. Side effects of this medication include weight gain and cholesterol increases, so she will need a healthy diet, regular exercise, and monitoring of her cholesterol blood levels every 6 months.
I would get your blood pressure checked by a medical doctor. I do not think this is related to fear at all.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
thank you very much for your reply.
how long she has to take this medicine?
how often it will recur?
how long she has to take this medicine?
how often it will recur?
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
She will probably need to take this medication at some dose for the rest of her life, likely a smaller dose when she is better. It is impossible to say how often her behavior may worsen, as this depends on many factors including genetic robustness of her brain, further injury, aging, and other things. If she remains on medication lifelong, the likelihood that this will get worse decreases.
I would get your blood pressure checked by a medical doctor. I do not think this is related to fear at all.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Followup
Detailed Answer:
She will probably need to take this medication at some dose for the rest of her life, likely a smaller dose when she is better. It is impossible to say how often her behavior may worsen, as this depends on many factors including genetic robustness of her brain, further injury, aging, and other things. If she remains on medication lifelong, the likelihood that this will get worse decreases.
I would get your blood pressure checked by a medical doctor. I do not think this is related to fear at all.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
