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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by PsychJ on January 30, 2008, at 18:42:36
In reply to Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by 4WD on January 30, 2008, at 18:39:37
It never did anything for me, either. It just made me tired.
Good luck,
j.
Posted by Racer on January 30, 2008, at 23:01:54
In reply to Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by 4WD on January 30, 2008, at 18:39:37
Best anxiolytic I ever took, actually. It did add to the fatigue/lethargy/apathy I was having, but at the time I was on other medications that pretty well knocked me out that way, so I can't say it was the BuSpar. It was by far the best anxiety medication I have ever taken.
I think part of the problem is that benzos are so quick, and so easy to "feel," if that makes sense. If you're used to that fast benzo calm, BuSpar isn't going to make you happy. Since that benzo feeling is so uncomfortable for me, BuSpar was perfect -- I didn't feel it, but I didn't feel the sort of anxiety I'd always had, either. (Yes, I could get breakthrough anxiety -- but it wasn't anything like my baseline.)
I guess I'm trying to say that it's not a benzo, it's not like a benzo, but I did find it very, very effective.
Posted by Phillipa on January 30, 2008, at 23:50:36
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety? » 4WD, posted by Racer on January 30, 2008, at 23:01:54
Didn't help me either but I heard if you've been on a benzo first it doesn't work. But at the time it was only a dose of 5mg. That's just me. Wierd . Phillipa
Posted by 4WD on January 31, 2008, at 18:02:07
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety? » 4WD, posted by Racer on January 30, 2008, at 23:01:54
Hi Racer,
I am already on 6mg Klonopin a day for a couple of months now. Do you think the Buspar has a chance of helping me reduce my need for Klonopin? That's my doctor's hope. But I've read that if you've been on a benzo for a long time (I've been on it and slowly increasing the dose since2004) that Buspar doesn't help.
Were you on another anxiolytic at the time you were taking Buspar?
Marsha
> Best anxiolytic I ever took, actually. It did add to the fatigue/lethargy/apathy I was having, but at the time I was on other medications that pretty well knocked me out that way, so I can't say it was the BuSpar. It was by far the best anxiety medication I have ever taken.
>
> I think part of the problem is that benzos are so quick, and so easy to "feel," if that makes sense. If you're used to that fast benzo calm, BuSpar isn't going to make you happy. Since that benzo feeling is so uncomfortable for me, BuSpar was perfect -- I didn't feel it, but I didn't feel the sort of anxiety I'd always had, either. (Yes, I could get breakthrough anxiety -- but it wasn't anything like my baseline.)
>
> I guess I'm trying to say that it's not a benzo, it's not like a benzo, but I did find it very, very effective.
Posted by linkadge on January 31, 2008, at 20:56:33
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety? » Racer, posted by 4WD on January 31, 2008, at 18:02:07
Yes it helped me somewhat. It especially helped with a kind of "information overload" anxiety. Where too much is happening and one's mind is going like a broken record. It helped less with the vague slow burning type of anxiety.
Linkadge
Posted by Racer on February 1, 2008, at 0:55:47
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety? » Racer, posted by 4WD on January 31, 2008, at 18:02:07
> Do you think the Buspar has a chance of helping me reduce my need for Klonopin? But I've read that if you've been on a benzo for a long time that Buspar doesn't help.
I've read that too, but I don't think it's true. Actually, I tried to address my thinking on that issue in my last post. I think that people who are used to that strong benzo feeling, that sort of drowsy ease, aren't aware of the effects of BuSpar. BuSpar is a bit more subtle in its effects: it's not something I took PRN, because it doesn't have the immediate effect on anxiety that a benzo would have. It's something I took regularly, and it eased my baseline anxiety, which lowered the reaction of any greater anxieties. Does that make sense? You may find that you still need to have benzos as an option, for anxiety attacks, but the BuSpar addresses the baseline tensions that can lead into panic.
>
> Were you on another anxiolytic at the time you were taking Buspar?
>I was not taking another anxiolytic while taking Buspar. I had taken benzos in the past -- but I have a paradoxical reaction to them. If I take a benzo while having any sort of anxiety attack, I get worse -- often, it includes partial blackouts, too. So, while I had experience with benzos, it was very mixed -- fine for small stuff, that I probably could have gotten through without anything; disastrous for anything that I really needed something for.
Speaking of which, I took two Ativan before an emergency meeting of the homeowners association board, so that I wouldn't do or say anything I would regret, and it's left me apparently unable to ocmmunicate coherently... I'll stop trying now...
Bottom line of what I am trying to say is that BuSpar can still be helpful, even if you've taken benzos. It's very different, so if you modify your expectations, you'll have better luck with it. It's kinda like getting a dog when you're used to cats: dogs make lousy cats, but they're pretty darn fuzzy in their own right, you know?
Posted by seldomseen on February 1, 2008, at 2:56:30
In reply to Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by 4WD on January 30, 2008, at 18:39:37
I just had a rather large and unruly discussion with my T about klonopin and was thinking about adding buspar instead.
Seldom.
Posted by X-ray on February 1, 2008, at 7:20:19
In reply to Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by 4WD on January 30, 2008, at 18:39:37
Hello Marsha,
I have been on Buspar for 15 years.
I think this medicine is underestimated.
The reason might be that it doesn't offer immediate relief.Actually, I'm not sure about the effects of Buspar.
I don't know how this drug is working in my body.
I can't feel it.But if I stopped taking Buspar I am certain that I would miss it in a couple of days.
I take Elavil in the evening and Buspar in the daytime.
It's a good combo although I would prefer another drug as a sleep aid.I have tried Remeron recently, but Elavil gives me better quality of sleep.
Best of Luck,
X-ray
Posted by 4WD on February 1, 2008, at 11:15:30
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety? » 4WD, posted by Racer on February 1, 2008, at 0:55:47
Thanks, Racer,
My anxiety is of the physical kind, the scard, too much adrenaline surging through my body. My pdoc is hoping that the Buspar will help me reduce my Klonopin dosage. That's exactly what I'm hoping too.
Actually this morning, I didn't wake up nearly as scared as usual. I've been on the Buspar for a week now and my pdoc said that's about how long it would take for it to kick in so maybe it's starting to work. Would't that be wonderful? I know 4- 6 mg of Klonopin a day is bad news in general.
Thanks for all your help and advice. You are one of my favorite posters.
Marsha
Posted by Bonnie_CA on February 3, 2008, at 17:14:32
In reply to Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by 4WD on January 30, 2008, at 18:39:37
Posted by Tony P on February 7, 2008, at 16:48:37
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety? » Racer, posted by 4WD on February 1, 2008, at 11:15:30
Buspar worked _really_ well for me, once I accepted that it didn't make me feel the same warm fuzzy relaxation as benzos. The manufacturer suggests a brief washout if transferring from benzos to Buspar, not because there is any drug interaction, but because of this problem that Buspar just doesn't feel like it's doing anything compared to the benzos. I doubt there's any problem combining them (I've done it), just be aware that Buspar is completely different in how it makes you feel.
For me it actually had an immediate component (2 hrs) as well as the 10-day build-up stated by most sources. I had extra energy and drive, improved mood and concentration, and best of all it greatly reduced stress-related anxiety build-up leading to an anger an explosion followed by a depression crash.
BTW, I found it _didn't_ seem to work when I was taking Lamictal (see recent thread "buspar + lamictal"), but that may have been just a change over time in how I reacted to Buspar. It seems to be one of those all-or-nothing meds -- either it works really well, as it did for me for several years, or it's like taking sugar pills without the weight gain ;-)
Tony
Posted by 4WD on February 7, 2008, at 18:32:26
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by Tony P on February 7, 2008, at 16:48:37
Hi Tony,
I've never gotten the warm fuzzy feeling from benzos. All they do is take the edge off my anxiety. It's the physical kind of anxiety - like too much adrenaline surging through my body.
I stopped the Buspar for two days after being on it for 11-12 days because I felt it was making me more depressed. On day three of not being on it, my baseline anxiety level skyrocketed and so I've gone back on it as of today. I hope it helps. I've had to take 8 mg of Klonopin today and I am still wired, scared and nervous.
Thanks for your post
Marsha
Posted by Phillipa on February 7, 2008, at 19:23:59
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety? » Tony P, posted by 4WD on February 7, 2008, at 18:32:26
Marsha so sorry. Hope it worked. Love Phillipa
Posted by fiftylager on February 8, 2008, at 7:03:04
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety? » 4WD, posted by Phillipa on February 7, 2008, at 19:23:59
Buspar, oddly made me manic. I thought it was working at first because I felt awesome. The effect would fade to depression and I'd up the dose and get the manicky feeling back. At my highest dosage I got aweful pulsing in my chest and head at the same time. I stopped and crashed into a mixed episode.
I was looking for an alternative to clonazepam because my dr. hated prescribing it (I was undiagnosed bipolar at the time). Mind you I was on a very small dose of clonazepam and didn't use it daily. When I finally got to a pdoc, he asked if it helped and wasn't surprised to hear of it's failure.
I think due to certain peoples body chemistry it works but for others is just a really expensive placebo.
Crissi
Posted by Tony P on February 9, 2008, at 4:05:27
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by fiftylager on February 8, 2008, at 7:03:04
I did notice a slight hypomanic effect at first, which put me off the first time I tried it. I'm not a classic bipolar, but I maybe fit on some kind of ultra-rapid cycling bipoar spectrum, and certainly I'm BP III when it comes to some A/D's.
The thing that struck me the most was that my driving became much more aggressive than normal. It was odd, though, because overall my anger level went way down (I no longer screamed at the kids as soon as I got home form work!)
Tony
Posted by mogger on February 9, 2008, at 4:53:21
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety? » Racer, posted by 4WD on January 31, 2008, at 18:02:07
believe it or not, I am on 90mg a day of buspar. I love it. It has helped my anxiety and ocd tremendously.
mogger
Posted by 4WD on February 9, 2008, at 12:27:28
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by mogger on February 9, 2008, at 4:53:21
Well, it didn't seem to help me much, maybe 10-15%. And it seemed to make me more depressed. So after almost a two week trial, I stopped it (I was taking 20mg a day). For the first few days after stopping it (well it started on the 2nd or 3rd day, my baseline anxiety level skyrocketed and I had to take more Klonopin than I had been taking before I started it. I think I've leveled off now. It's been 4-5 days off it.
Did I mention the severe constipation and dry mouth it gave me? It was baaaaaad.
Marsha
Posted by porkpiehat on April 25, 2008, at 19:00:51
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by Tony P on February 7, 2008, at 16:48:37
My doctor added buspar to my Celexa (20mgs) because I didn't want to increase my celexa (emotional and sexual washout) but I was having trouble concentrating and my voice was seizing up and sex was such an anxious nightmare.
I noticed a difference it the quietness of my mind fairly quickly. I liked it. I was also finding alternating bouts of rage and rumination before going up to 15mgs a day. All was good for a bit. My doc told me to go forward to 20 mgs (10 x2) but I was uninterested in my work, boyfriend, and some muscle pain. I figured I didn't really NEED to go up, so I dropped back to 15 mgs (10mgs AM and 5 before bed) and today I'm back to the severe irritability. I almost told a client to leave because she wasn't relaxing. I'm a massage therapist, so THAT won't do.
I'm at 14 days and I much preferred the Buspar at 7 days. So I don't know if I'm on too much or too little or I should split the dose to 3x/day.
I remember Serzone and Serzone/Wellbutrin and ESPECIALLY Serzone/Risperdal made me rage terribly. The last combo also made me feel terrified and alien after a week. I don't know if that means something.
Also, I'm taking 200 mgs Lamictal and someone suggested the Lamictal may interfere.
Anyone have a suggestion. This medication feels like it has definite potential but know I'm back in the game of navel gazing and watching for posts on pbabble.
thanks
> Buspar worked _really_ well for me, once I accepted that it didn't make me feel the same warm fuzzy relaxation as benzos. The manufacturer suggests a brief washout if transferring from benzos to Buspar, not because there is any drug interaction, but because of this problem that Buspar just doesn't feel like it's doing anything compared to the benzos. I doubt there's any problem combining them (I've done it), just be aware that Buspar is completely different in how it makes you feel.
>
> For me it actually had an immediate component (2 hrs) as well as the 10-day build-up stated by most sources. I had extra energy and drive, improved mood and concentration, and best of all it greatly reduced stress-related anxiety build-up leading to an anger an explosion followed by a depression crash.
>
> BTW, I found it _didn't_ seem to work when I was taking Lamictal (see recent thread "buspar + lamictal"), but that may have been just a change over time in how I reacted to Buspar. It seems to be one of those all-or-nothing meds -- either it works really well, as it did for me for several years, or it's like taking sugar pills without the weight gain ;-)
>
> Tony
Posted by 4WD on April 25, 2008, at 20:02:40
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by porkpiehat on April 25, 2008, at 19:00:51
Buspar didn't really help me with anxiety. It's been a while since I tried it but I don't remember it's doing very much. It maybe helped a little but not nearly enough.
Keep in mind though, I was on a heavy dose of benzos at the time I tried the Buspar. I was taking 6-8 mg of Klonopin a day. There was no way I could do the 2 week washout period from Benzos. I would have totally freaked out without the Klonopin. It might be totally different for you since you are not on benzos.
I'd increase it to the level my doctor suggested and give that two weeks to work. It does seem to be helping you some, right?
Marsha
Posted by elanor roosevelt on April 26, 2008, at 12:16:56
In reply to Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by 4WD on January 30, 2008, at 18:39:37
there was a time in my life when buspar was a great help during an extreme state of anxiety
good luck
Posted by porkpiehat on April 27, 2008, at 9:30:49
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by elanor roosevelt on April 26, 2008, at 12:16:56
Madam president, I'm glad to hear the med was helpful to you. How much and when did you dose? Were you on anything else?
I've done some research and it I'm pretty sure I'm sensitive to the Buspar metabolite, which is identical to Serzone metabolite, and anything that screws with my NE pathways.
Yesterday I decided to split the dose into three equal parts. I wish I could just stop thinking about it but it now rules my every thought.
I'm also going to reduce my lamictal to see what happens. My pdoc doesn't like to communicate by phone or email, so I have to tinker on my own.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on April 27, 2008, at 14:07:29
In reply to Re: pesky buspar metabolites, posted by porkpiehat on April 27, 2008, at 9:30:49
it was a while back
i was on a break from ADs (remember when we were told we were going to get better?)my overly stressful life might have started it but i went into stress overload
i don't remember my dosage
only that it make me okay and a bit dull but even dull was a nice break from 24/7 panici eventually got duller and couldn't stand it and then i went on to whatever my next med adventure was (i think wellbutrin and then neurontin)
beware: buspar was the first med that triggered weight gain. it turned off my appetite satiation switch. gained 20 pounds and that was 120 to 140 in about 3 months.
Posted by Shadowplayers721 on April 27, 2008, at 23:29:13
In reply to Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by 4WD on January 30, 2008, at 18:39:37
I found on certain dosages it had more of an antidepressant effect than anti-anxiety effect. It did give me the munches & dizziness upon onset.
Posted by porkpiehat on April 28, 2008, at 9:43:21
In reply to Re: Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by Shadowplayers721 on April 27, 2008, at 23:29:13
I've gotten past the dizziness. That and the "dull" feeling are subsiding and the irritability is getting worse over time.
Has anyone found a way of arresting the metabolism of the drug?
Posted by gaucho on May 4, 2008, at 17:36:53
In reply to Has Buspar ever helped anybody with anxiety?, posted by 4WD on January 30, 2008, at 18:39:37
Buspar (buspirone) has been prescribed to me in the past and I have to say that it was completely useless as an anxiolytic. Alprazolam works best for me, but the dosage I am currently prescribed is so low I have to supplement it - my doc only prescribes 2,25mg/day, yet a year ago my script was for 2mg three times daily!
The other meds which I find effective (my condition has existed for 30+ years) are diazepam (but the dose must be rather high, it being such a weak BZD), clonazepam (2mg tds) and bromazepam (6 or 12mg qid). The advantage of clonazepam is that it causes less daytime sedation than other BZDs, and the advantage of bromazepam is that it is extremely fast-acting and gives the user the most wonderful feeling of serenity on top of tackling the problem very quickly - it is best for using actually during an attack. I find that the slower-acting and much weaker diazepam must be used in dosages of 30mg to be of any use, and no doctor will prescribe that amount to me. So I accept the tiny dose of Xanax brand alprazolam and supplement it with another 4mg/day, sourced through the internet.
BUSPAR though, is completely useless if you suffer a severe anxiety or panic condition.
Gaucho
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