Posted by Snoozy on April 19, 2003, at 14:41:17
In reply to Thanks, and here's more... » Snoozy, posted by Janelle on April 19, 2003, at 0:48:52
Hi Janelle -
you're welcome. From your past experiences, it sounds like you would know very quickly if the Buspar had been causing some of the drowsiness, and also if it was doing any good for you. I would be curious what the half-life of Seroquel is.
Sometimes I wish I had a clone that I could use as a control group in my medication experiments!
(I'm on a really low dose of Xanax, and it's been the same dose all along).
> Hi Snoozy,
>
> Wow, you went and did research on Buspar, "the little stinker(!)" for me - thanks ever so much.
>
> Interesting that in the "Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs" they say it doesn't make the patient sleepy while on medlineplus it says drowsiness can be a side effect. And that is amazing and news to me that the Buspar company booklet says it should not make you feel sedated!
>
> I WAS on a really high dose - definitely over 30 mg - I was on 60 at the highest, then down to 45, now at 30.
>
> I do NOT think the Buspar is doing anything for my anxiety, based on when I was forgetting to take the noon dose and had no difference in how I felt vs. days when I did take the dose.
>
> Interesting that you have been on Xanax for about 8 years because most people I know who have tried it have done so only short term. Then again, I know a few people who take it regularly for sleep!
>
> I would agree with your assessment that the Depakote is really helping me because (I forgot to mention this!) it is augmenting a low dose of Lithium, which I have read is a good combo for treatment resistant mood swings.
>
> I would say that yes, the Celexa is definitely helping and believe it or not I only take Seroquel as a sleep aid, not as an AP. And it helps big time.
>
> I'm hoping that discontinuing the Buspar and reducing the Klonpin and then POSSIBLY shifting the Celexa to night time (but then it would be with all my "heavy" meds - Depakote, Lithium, Seroquel, Klonopin) will make the difference.
>
> Funny you should mention caffeine, because I do use it, but not all day like you might think due to this persistent tiredness. I'm *good* about limiting it to 2 cups of coffee in the morning, which definitely helps and it makes me feel good too, so I know just what you mean. Sometimes I think caffeine (coffee) is like "nature's antidepressant" or something!
>
> Fortunately, I'm seeing my pdoc this coming Tuesday and would be glad to let you know how things go, what is decided, etc. I already printed out what you wrote to me about the order of lowering Klonopin before discontinuing Buspar, which will be particularly relevant if the pdoc's plan is to also discontinue the Klonopin. It is only my impression based on what he said that he wants to discontinue the Buspar but just reduce the Klonopin.
>
> And he is the *cautious* type - he only lets me make ONE change at a time so we will know directly what's causing what. For example, if I both stopped Buspar and lowered Klonopin and started getting more anxious we wouldn't know which one of those to attribute it to.
>
> So, something tells me that this time around I will be stopping the Buspar.
>
> He told me this process is going to take months, it's hard to be patient, but I'm doing my best.
>
> Thanks so much for all your information and your interest!
poster:Snoozy
thread:220167
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030417/msgs/220680.html