Posted by disney4 on February 2, 2003, at 20:19:57
In reply to Re: Taking the plunge---Buspar tomorrow, posted by zeugma on February 1, 2003, at 14:33:44
I am someone who could not tolerate Zoloft; exactly why, I can't remember, this was a period when I was going through the 'standard' meds for ADD and depression, and there were severe probs attendant on each. My starter pack of Zoloft was barely touched, so it must have been something dramatic (and fast). Anyway I have read here that Buspar decreases serotonin levels; is this true? Could that be why some people who can't tolerate SSRI's like Buspar, and vice versa? After more than a month on Buspar, I feel the closest to 'well' that I have ever felt in my life (I'm 35).
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Posts like yours are really giving me hope! My understanding of Buspar is that it starts out by decreasing Serotonin levels, but actually ends up making the serotonin neurotransmitters work more effectively, by having a normalizing effect. I probably don't sound very scientific, but that is my laymens understanding of what it does to Serotonin, as far as NE, I have heard the same as the other posts have stated, and that could be where the mild AD effect comes in, the Dopamine activity is reportedly so minimal, I doubt it does too much, but with my reactions to meds, a little goes a long way!!!!!! Today is day 3 on the Buspar for me, and so far so good, other than some nausea, dizziness, and at times a mild headache, which may be unrelated, as I am headache prone. The positive effect is more motivation, which is much needed right now. I really think this could be my answer, but time will tell. My pdoc mentioned trying Straterra next, and I would be willing to give it a go based on the posts I've been reading. I had an extreme agitation like reaction to Wellbutrin in the past, which is why I chose to try Buspar first. The other option could be adding a little Straterra to the Buspar, but that would be in 4 weeks.
Thanks,
Elsie
poster:disney4
thread:138455
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030130/msgs/139003.html