Posted by JohnL on August 18, 2000, at 6:25:14
In reply to BuSpar and Depression, posted by Kathy R on August 15, 2000, at 11:11:52
Kathy,
It's not unusual for Buspar to actually cause depression. It's listed as a possible side effect, so you wouldn't be the only one. It happened to me too. My doctor gave it to me to enhance my SSRI antidepressant at the time. I got much much worse in a matter of two weeks.
If you weren't depressed before, but got depressed after starting Buspar, then I think you could likely point the finger at Buspar. Of course, the other things going on in your life kind of cloud the picture a little bit. But still, Buspar seems like a pretty obvious suspect to me. It wouldn't be unusual. As a matter of fact, some people actually get more depressed when they take antidepressants. Since we all have unique chemistries and respond differently, we have to go by our own results.
I can think of better ways to calm your nerves. Buspar is a very finnicky drug and affects people in dramatically different ways. My doctor doesn't like it for that very reason. It's too unpredictable.
There are plenty of options...benzos (Valiums), SSRIs (common antidepressants) for example. But drawbacks are possible dependence with benzos, and a long lag time and usually troublesome side effects with SSRIs.
Better, faster acting, non-addicting alternatives in my mind would be low dose Remeron (antidepressant, 7.5mg to 15mg), or low dose Zyprexa (antipsychotic, 2.5mg). Don't let the word antipsychotic scare you. Zyprexa is a wonderful med for anxiety, depression, insomnia, mania. It's a good all-around medicine. It usually kicks in fairly fast compared to other meds, and side effects at such a very low dose will be very low.
Of course, your doctor will probably take a more common route...benzos or SSRIs. Save yourself a lot of time...ask for Remeron or Zyprexa instead. Just my opinion.
If you want to avoid prescriptions altogether, don't rule out either Kava Kava, St Johnswort, or both. They are effective, inexpensive, easily available at many pharmacies and healthfood stores, no more and no less effective than prescriptions. As with prescriptions, response will vary from person to person.
John
poster:JohnL
thread:42970
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000811/msgs/43228.html