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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kathy R on August 15, 2000, at 11:11:52
I dont know much about psych drugs. I am going through a divorce and the doctor gave me BuSpar to calm my nerves and help me concentrate. I have been on it for three weeks and it helped, but I think maybe now I am depressed (dont want to see anyone, go out, or get out of my nightgown). I am not sure if I can take anything for depression with this drug, if this is depression, or exactly what I should do, but I think I need some help.
Posted by quilter on August 15, 2000, at 23:37:28
In reply to BuSpar and Depression, posted by Kathy R on August 15, 2000, at 11:11:52
> I dont know much about psych drugs. I am going through a divorce and the doctor gave me BuSpar to calm my nerves and help me concentrate. I have been on it for three weeks and it helped, but I think maybe now I am depressed (dont want to see anyone, go out, or get out of my nightgown). I am not sure if I can take anything for depression with this drug, if this is depression, or exactly what I should do, but I think I need some help.
I think it would be a good idea to call the dr. who prescribed the BuSpar and describe how you are feeling. I haven't taken this one but I have experienced enough different meds to know that just about any reaction is possible. The dr. should tell you whether the medication can just be stopped or should be discontinued slowly. Good luck, Quilter
Posted by Cam W. on August 15, 2000, at 23:54:08
In reply to BuSpar and Depression, posted by Kathy R on August 15, 2000, at 11:11:52
Kathy - BuSpar™ and the SSRI antidepressants are commonly used together. Ask your doctor and I am sure he/she will confirm this.
Hope this helps - Cam
Posted by ChrisK on August 16, 2000, at 8:00:01
In reply to BuSpar and Depression, posted by Kathy R on August 15, 2000, at 11:11:52
Kathy,
Buspar is generally used more for anxiety than depression. Like Cam said, it can be used along with an anti-depressant. Talk to your doctor about an AD but also consider some form of talk therapy. With all you are going through you may want to talk things out with a therapist while adjusting to new meds.
Good Luck,
Chris
Posted by Kathy R on August 17, 2000, at 22:09:56
In reply to BuSpar and Depression, posted by Kathy R on August 15, 2000, at 11:11:52
A little update. I saw a therapist and she said to call the doctor because I was obviously depressed. He put me on Celexa along with the BuSpar. It was nice to have someone else confirm that it was not normal to sit around in my nightgown all day and feel like this. I just started the new medicine. I will let you know how it goes. He said it could take several weeks to really feel better. I dont like taking drugs, but I like even less the way I feel.
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
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