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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DiscoPuppy on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:42
In the past, I've been prescribed Xanax, Klonopin, and Vistaril (not all at the same time) for my generalized and specific anxiety disorder.
These medications did nothing for me but to make me feel sleepy and tired.
I understand BuSpar works in a different way (although I have no idea how). Has anyone here made the switch from a benzo to Buspar with favorable results? I didn't see too much in the serach results to for me to extract any good information.
I feel like I am drowning here, hopeless, with no other alternatives.
Someone, please give me some good advice!
Posted by clubfitter on August 20, 2007, at 21:57:04
In reply to Benzos vs. BuSpar, posted by DiscoPuppy on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:42
xanaz and klonopin are as "good as they get"...ive had great success with both but now on klonopin due to its less addictive nature...Buspar did nothing for me..a real bummer, because at the time i needed it most, it was a blank....different strokes...good luck..!!
Posted by JohnnyBLinux on August 20, 2007, at 22:24:15
In reply to Benzos vs. BuSpar, posted by DiscoPuppy on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:42
>> I understand BuSpar works in a different way
You got it, BuSpar works differently. BuSpar influences serotonin levels to reduce anxiety symptoms whereas benzodiazepines (Xanax & Klonopin) operate on GABA.
Posted by DiscoPuppy on August 21, 2007, at 4:54:05
In reply to Benzos vs. BuSpar, posted by DiscoPuppy on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:42
As a follow-up to my original post, my doctor has prescribed Lexapro (10mg) + Klonopin (.5mg - on an as needed basis). This combination is working wonderfully for me, but unfortunately with the nature of the Klonopin, this arrangement will not be used long term. And I don't think he intends have me on the Lexapro long term either.
Has anyone had any success with Vistaril? It just made me groggy and sleepy, but perhaps it may have been a dosage issue (50mg).
I am also thinking about asking my doctor if BuSpar might be something I would benefit from. I'd love to hear success stories with this medication.
I have underlying GAD, but I also experience extreme anxiety, triggered by certain life events.
Posted by fuzz54 on August 21, 2007, at 14:55:26
In reply to Any success with Vistaril or BuSpar?, posted by DiscoPuppy on August 21, 2007, at 4:54:05
A friend of mine had great success on Buspar alone to treat anxiety. He took it for 4 years. I tried to get on Buspar but found the side effect profile (mostly headaches) to be intolerable before I got up to a high enough dosage for it to be effective. I was taking it along with 40 mg of Paxil.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on August 22, 2007, at 0:28:52
In reply to Benzos vs. BuSpar, posted by DiscoPuppy on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:42
BuSpar was the first drug I took. A nurse practitioner diagnosed me with GAD, and put me on massive doses of it because it wasn't working. (Wouldn't occur to her to, yanno, put me on another drug?!) While it is advertised as being completely non-drowsy, I had quite the opposite. It would literally make me fall asleep standing up. Uncontrollable sleepiness. The sedation didn't last, and I was always right back where I started. Apparently it works for some people, but not for me. I am also of the opinion that if a drug that was meant to treat something specific isn't working, then you probably don't have the disorder it's supposed to be treating. But hey, that's just my opinion.
Xanax has been the best for me.
-Bonnie
Posted by DiscoPuppy on August 22, 2007, at 12:23:33
In reply to Benzos vs. BuSpar, posted by DiscoPuppy on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:42
I'm disappointed to report that the Klonopin had absolutely NO effect on me, whatsoever. I received permission from my doctor to increase the dosage from 0.5mg to 1.0mg and still nothing.
I do notice subtle improvements with the Lexapro. Not enough to eliminate the encumbrance I feel everyday.
For this reason, I might ask my doctor about Buspar. Is it usually prescribed in conjunction with other medication?
Posted by DiscoPuppy on August 22, 2007, at 12:27:10
In reply to Re: Benzos vs. BuSpar, posted by DiscoPuppy on August 22, 2007, at 12:23:33
Is anyone using Vistaril with any success for anxiety?
Posted by bart on August 22, 2007, at 20:41:47
In reply to Benzos vs. BuSpar, posted by DiscoPuppy on August 20, 2007, at 20:36:42
for me, Buspar seems to be best for stress related anxiety on the body but not all that great for cognitive/fear phobic based anxiety which respond better to benzos
Posted by Phillipa on August 23, 2007, at 12:54:38
In reply to Re: Benzos vs. BuSpar, posted by bart on August 22, 2007, at 20:41:47
Probably why buspar did nothing for me only benzos. Phillipa
Posted by Cecilia on August 25, 2007, at 6:13:11
In reply to Re: Benzos vs. BuSpar » DiscoPuppy, posted by Bonnie_CA on August 22, 2007, at 0:28:52
I wouldn't necessarily assume that because a drug that's supposed to treat a particular disorder doesn't work for you means you don't have the disorder. I sure have depression, though nothing has ever worked for me. And plenty of people die of cancer while being treated with chemotherapy. Remember all those drugs only have to be able to prove a small benefit over placebo for the FDA to approve them. They certainly don't have to cure everybody. Cecilia
This is the end of the thread.
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