Posted by Tony P on March 24, 2006, at 1:47:34
In reply to Re: what is buspar's affinity for d2 ?, posted by jerrympls on March 24, 2006, at 0:18:45
> Hey-- while we're on the subject of BuSpar - do you think it may help my relentless anxiety/panic/irritability? I've heard it's nothing on it's own - but WITH an AD it's been found useful. I need something to stabliaze me - just a general basic calm. Think it's worth a try?? I've heard mostly negative stuff about it - so someone please give me some good news!
>
> Thanks!!!
> Jerry :-)Here's my good-news story:
I was once briefly on Buspar by itself while withdrawing from benzos -- it didn't help the withdrawal, but I remembered the experience of increased energy and less stress later.
Subsequently, I was tentatively diagnosed with depression. After a negative experience with Paxil, I went on Serzone and got immediate relief of my sleep disorders and some anti-depressant benefit. After several months of feeling some energy was missing from my emotional life and that I was reacting to stress with anger and depression, I recalled the Buspar experience and suggested it to my Dr. We tried it in combination with the Serzone, and the result was almost magical. I could sleep, I wasn't depressed, I had plenty of energy, and I was able to feel feelings I had suppressed for years.
Re the irritability -- the thing that stood out for me was that with the Buspar when I came home from work I no longer automatically blew up at the kids. I also had less social anxiety and better self-esteem; the effect was subtle but definite.
At the time, Buspar was not commonly known as an AD adjuvant, but I had some correspondence with one other person (it might have been in the early days of this board) who had the same positive experience with the Serzone/Buspar combo.
Alas, the Serzone pooped out about the same time it was taken off the market in Canada, and the Lamictal I have been on the past two years seemed to suppress the effect of the Buspar, so I stopped taking the latter. I am now going off the Lamictal as a trial so I may ask to start the Buspar again.
I consider buspirone absolutely worth a try -- it has very few side-effects, so it will either help you or do nothing. Make sure you try a sufficient dose for a fair trial -- I started at 20 mg/day and was later able to cut back, but many people benefit from a higher dose.
Tony
poster:Tony P
thread:623699
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060322/msgs/624066.html