Posted by Ritch on November 11, 2002, at 20:47:45
In reply to Buspar - increases or decreases serotonin?, posted by ZeeZee on November 11, 2002, at 18:13:19
> I had my first session with a new PDoc today, and really like her. It seems that at week 6, my use of SJW is in fact working and I'm experiencing a decrease in my panic disorder/agoraphobia symptoms (without side effects). She's is sensitive to the fact that SSRI's increase my level of anxiety and doesn't want to upset what progress I've made or am making at this time. However, she told me that the SJW is increasing the availability of serotonin, but cannot be taken in high enough doses to fully do the trick. Rather than switch me all together she asked I try a low dose of Buspar, because it can be taken with the SJW and will help to increase the availablity of serotonin as well. What I don't understand is I thought Buspar decreases serotonin. Anyone out there able to explain this to me.
> ThanksThe manufacturer mentions in their patient sample packaging something about "excess serotonin as being a cause of excessive anxiety" or something to that effect, and by implication that buspirone lowers anxiety by lowering serotonin. However, your pdoc specifically mentions "increasing the *availability* of serotonin". I suppose it could be possible that buspirone does reduce the quantity of serotonin, but may actually increase its "availability" (of what serotonin that is present) by being an antagonist at the 5-HT1a receptors. I've found it (buspirone) to be a decent augmentor of SSRI-type meds (and SJW has SRI qualities to it). It might be a good idea to keep the buspirone dosage low for a while, however.
poster:Ritch
thread:127279
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021108/msgs/127296.html