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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on September 10, 2003, at 22:28:08
Finally saw a P.Doc today who diagnosed GAD, rather than the depression with anxiety that my GP diagnosed (I knew all along - haha!). So, he has prescribed Buspar, titrated dosage very slowly, due to apparent S.E. on starting up. I'm to continue with Klonopin too for about 3-4weeks, when Buspar should kick-in, to deal with day to day anxiety ( I don't have panic attacks). I'd like to know if any of you have found Buspirone effective. If it worked better when augmented, and if so, with what? Any pitfalls? What can I expect? Klonopin has been great, but leaves me lethargic. Hopefully, Buspar will relieve anxiety, but leave some energy and drive????
Thanks all!
Posted by zeugma on September 11, 2003, at 22:48:45
In reply to Anyone found Buspirone effective for GAD?, posted by Jasmine Neroli on September 10, 2003, at 22:28:08
Hi,buspirone has been MILDLY effective at low doses (up to 30 mg a day). My recent anxiety crisis caused my pdoc to raise that to 40 mg a day. Well.... yes, I have been less anxious since raising the dose. Unfortunately, I have also become lethargic, sleeping around the clock and feeling an unpleasant sedation effect. It bothers me, becasue it doesn't feel like the antihistaminic sedation from a TCA: more like a feeling of muscular weakness. I am going to lower the dose to 30 mg again and see if my pdoc wants to prescribe me something better when I see him on Monday. But I believe it can be helpful (in relatively low doses)if you have something stronger on hand to deal with anxiety flareups.
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on September 14, 2003, at 14:35:55
In reply to Re: Anyone found Buspirone effective for GAD?, posted by zeugma on September 11, 2003, at 22:48:45
Thanks Zeugma! From the lack of response to my query, it seems very few people on this board use Buspar! Your post and my research on it leads me to feel a bit doubtful about it's ability to calm my symptoms. Klonopin definitely helps, but the longer I take it (I've been on it for nearly a month), the more energy-zapping it is (even at 1mg per day). So I HOPE Buspar works at a low-ish dose (and I will keep my trusty Klonopin on hand, just in case!).
Please let me know what your Doc says when you visit. I.E. Whether or not he decides to augment, or switch you completely? I would like some options to suggest to my doc if this doesn't seem to be working for me.
Were you on other meds before Buspar...how did that go?
Thanks and good luck!
Jas
Posted by zeugma on September 15, 2003, at 14:53:11
In reply to Re: Anyone found Buspirone effective for GAD? » zeugma, posted by Jasmine Neroli on September 14, 2003, at 14:35:55
Hi Jasmine,
Yes, saw my pdoc this morning, he asked me if the current level of anxiety was manageable. I told him I was going through a lot of issues in CBT that were making me anxious but that it was more or less manageable. I also told him about the side effects of the buspirone at 40 mg and that I had gone back to 30 mg. I'm hoping the increased anxiety I experienced recently was part of the 'start-up' of the CBT. The way I see it, the buspirone by itself isn't going to resolve the anxiety issues... that's what the CBT is for, but I have the feeling it's going to be a long process. I can deal with that- after all I've had the anxiety all my life, so I am trying to concentrate on the big picture and not let one or two setbacks cause me to give up. But I will certainly let him know if the anxiety flares up again to that level, and now at least I know that raising the buspirone dose wouldn't be tolerable.
The other meds I'm on are nortriptyline and Strattera. I don't have a lot of experience with other meds. Buspar is the only med I've ever been prescribed for anxiety. Benzos sound like the best option, but if they're 'energy-zapping' I don't really need that either. My energy level is low enough as it is. Let me know how your buspirone trial goes!
z
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