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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 7:53:37
My dr wrote me a script for Buspar three times a day at 10 mg. I have treatment-resistant depression. I have some anxiety at times but the depression is the major issue. This doesn't make sense to me.. Does anyone know if this drug does anything for depression?? I am not thrilled with the thought of being even more lethargic than I already am. I currently take 120 of cymbalta, 300 of provigil and some dosage of deplin that I don't remember.;)
Posted by Merge on December 30, 2007, at 9:04:48
In reply to Buspar..Don't know about this one. need advice, posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 7:53:37
I also have treatment resistant depression (along with anxiety) - and I take Lexapro and Buspar. I believe that Buspar is primarily an anti-anxiety medication, but my doctor said that it can also act to augment, or boost the effects of, my anti-depressant (Lexapro). I take 60 mg of Buspar a day and I definitely feel better since I started taking it in addition to the Lexapro.
Of course, everyone's experience is different, but Buspar has NOT made me lethargic (well, it hasn't made me any more lethargic than I already was!). I am tired all the time but that is nothing new for me - I have sleep apnea that is currently untreated and that's what's making me so exhausted.
I know how frustrating treatment-resistant depression can be - I've been on no less than a dozen anti-depressants, including MAOIs, and I've had ECT. While I have no idea how Buspar will work for you, it might be worth a try. If it's not for you, you don't have to take it forever.
Good luck - I hope this helps a little bit.
Posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 14:24:47
In reply to Re: Buspar..Don't know about this one. need advice, posted by Merge on December 30, 2007, at 9:04:48
thanks for your input..I didn't find anything about it augmenting an antidepressant when i as looking for it but tht maybe why he perscribed it.
I work nites and took it this morning thinking it would make me tired but I coudn't sleep!! Guess I will try it during my waking hours. It is worth a shot.. I am glad that it has worked for you. I need a break from this depression.. It has been going on for so long.Untreated sleep apana will definately make you tired..Why aren't ou treating it?
Posted by Merge on December 30, 2007, at 14:39:51
In reply to Re: Buspar..Don't know about this one. need advice » Merge, posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 14:24:47
I have a CPAP machine but I've had a lot of trouble with it and haven't been using it. I'm going for another sleep study as soon as it can be scheduled and will hopefully get it all straightened out.
I wish I could say that my current medications have totally alleviated my depression, but I'm not really sure that's possible. I do, however, feel better than I have in many years (I've been on antidepressants for 16 years).
If the Buspar doesn't give you a break from the depression, I'm sure that something will - I know it's frustrating, waiting for something to work. I noticed a difference after a few weeks - and probably felt the full effects of the Buspar after about 4-6 weeks.
Be well.
Posted by BGB on December 30, 2007, at 15:21:25
In reply to Re: Buspar..Don't know about this one. need advice, posted by Merge on December 30, 2007, at 14:39:51
> I have a CPAP machine but I've had a lot of trouble with it and haven't been using it. I'm going for another sleep study as soon as it can be scheduled and will hopefully get it all straightened out.
Please get that sleep study as soon as you can! I've only been using my CPAP regularly for about 2 weeks now, and I have noticed a huge decrease in my Bipolar symptoms (and I'm still continuing to feel a little better each day). My psychiatrist and neurologist are convinced that I will be able to reduce some of my meds, and I'm actually starting to believe them.
Get that study and keep trying with your CPAP. There are so many things to make CPAP therapy more tolerable, including a change of machine (there are several types, BiPAP, APAP, VPAP, and more!) or mask. I was frustrated and unable to use CPAP and gave up for several months, but I had another appointment with my respiratory therapist and it turns out that the straps on my mask were adjusted improperly. Just that tiny change made my CPAP totally intolerable to comfortable. Seriously. I would have never, ever believed it if it didn't happen to me! Feel free to Babblemail me for more CPAP tips. =)
Sweet dreams!
Posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 15:32:55
In reply to Re: Buspar..Don't know about this one. need advice, posted by BGB on December 30, 2007, at 15:21:25
YOU have come to the right place.. I am a respiratory therapist.!!! Please feel free to babblemail if there is any thing I can do for you. I have been a registered respiratory therapist for 12 years and know cpap, bipap, etc. very well. While I can't tell you what settings are right for you I can answer most questions about the machines, masks, etc. I can explain how they work if you are interested..
Not only can sleep apnea make you tired all the time but it is dangerous too.. The drops in oxygen levels during the night are awfully hard on the heart..
Posted by Merge on December 30, 2007, at 15:48:19
In reply to Re: Buspar..Don't know about this one. ))bgb)merge, posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 15:32:55
Thank you - I'm sure that I will have questions after I have the sleep study done. I did use the CPAP machine for about a year, with success...I'm not sure what changed for me, but I absolutely couldn't stand having the mask on my face and I became very, very anxious (more so than I was already). I have severe nasal allergies and congestion and need to wear a full face mask (I'm getting re-tested for allergies and asthma next week - I haven't been treated or tested for either in 20 years).
I had surgery last year in hopes of alleviating the sleep apnea (deviated septum fixed, tonsils out, uvula removed, soft palate trimmed, tongue advancement) but I don't think it worked...I put off having the sleep study done but I need to take care of it now. I'm exhausted all the time, my memory and concentration are awful and my blood pressure is higher than it's ever been. Hopefully I'll get some answers, and some relief, soon.
Posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 16:40:31
In reply to Re: Buspar..Don't know about this one. ))bgb)merge » star008, posted by Merge on December 30, 2007, at 15:48:19
well feel free to babblemail anytime. maybe with your surgery you will not need a full=face mask??Those really are hard to tolerate for alot of people. they can raise and lower settings for you to to what is tolerable for you...good luck and get that study done..Anything to feel better is worth it..
Posted by elanor roosevelt on December 30, 2007, at 23:26:23
In reply to Re: Buspar..Don't know about this one. ))bgb)merge » Merge, posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 16:40:31
Buspar is the best for "free floating" anxieties.
I needed it at the time but could of skipped the weight gainonce i was through needing the Burspar
i was too out of it to pull out
Posted by star008 on December 31, 2007, at 7:41:01
In reply to Re: Buspar., posted by elanor roosevelt on December 30, 2007, at 23:26:23
Waht do you mean by being to out of it to pull out of it?? Did the Buspar do it to you??
Posted by X-ray on January 1, 2008, at 10:11:18
In reply to Buspar..Don't know about this one. need advice, posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 7:53:37
Hello star008,
I have been on Buspar for 15 years.
It's a good medicine for anxiety.Buspar is a mild drug that has few side effects.
You will not be more lethargic if you try this medicine.My current combo is Elavil and Buspar.
Best of Luck,
X-ray
Posted by jetsya on January 2, 2008, at 14:25:43
In reply to Buspar..Don't know about this one. need advice, posted by star008 on December 30, 2007, at 7:53:37
Do not be misled as to what BUspar does.
It is an anti-anxiety drug, with SSRI effects.
It is not a benzo calm down e.g., Xanax, Valiun, Antivan. In other words, Buspar is not taken for immediate relief of anxiety and symptoms. It is taken, like an SSRI, at prescribed dose, and it's effects,if any, will not be seen for -6 weeks. I have taken Buspar with Prozac and now with Zoloft. It seems t somewhat bolster their beneficial effect, for me at least. When I am over a depressive period, I just take the Buspar alone in it's generic form, buspirone. It seems to keep my mood elevated, with no side-effects but the insomnia associate with all SSRIs. Try it, it may be your favorable anti-depressive med. If so, it is relatively cheap in it's generic form.
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