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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jackster on December 3, 2002, at 23:55:01
Has anyone taken Buspar with Paxil, or another SSRI? Did you notice an improvement from it?
Thanks
Jackie
Posted by atlrunner2002 on December 4, 2002, at 6:39:41
In reply to Buspar with Paxil?, posted by Jackster on December 3, 2002, at 23:55:01
> Has anyone taken Buspar with Paxil, or another SSRI? Did you notice an improvement from it?
>
> Thanks
> JackieI actually have the same question. I've been on Lexapro for over two months now and while it's been a miracle for my depression, I still have anxiety (worrying, cycling, etc.) My doctor put me on Buspar yesterday for the anxiety, in addition to the Lexapro. She said it doesn't work for everyone, but let's try it, versus switching from the Lexapro to something else, when it's working so well for the depression and I have worked through all the side effects. I hope it works. I love Lexapro and don't want to switch SSRIs.
Posted by Jackster on December 4, 2002, at 12:26:54
In reply to Buspar with SSRI » Jackster, posted by atlrunner2002 on December 4, 2002, at 6:39:41
>
> I actually have the same question. I've been on Lexapro for over two months now and while it's been a miracle for my depression, I still have anxiety (worrying, cycling, etc.) My doctor put me on Buspar yesterday for the anxiety, in addition to the Lexapro. She said it doesn't work for everyone, but let's try it, versus switching from the Lexapro to something else, when it's working so well for the depression and I have worked through all the side effects. I hope it works. I love Lexapro and don't want to switch SSRIs.
>
>
Thanks - keep me posted on how you're doing!Jackie
Posted by BrittPark on December 4, 2002, at 19:19:04
In reply to Buspar with SSRI » Jackster, posted by atlrunner2002 on December 4, 2002, at 6:39:41
I hope the buspar works for you both. It doesn't have a very good track record but your mileage may vary. If I had been your doctor (I'm a doctor, but not a medical doctor) I think I would have tried a benzo first. They have a very high success rate. So if the buspar doesn't work for either of you go to benzos next, if your doctor will cooperate, but that's a whole 'nother story.
I'm sorry if this sounds a little negative, I just want to make you aware of the possibilities.
Feel Better,
Britt
Posted by jflange on December 4, 2002, at 22:17:40
In reply to Buspar with Paxil?, posted by Jackster on December 3, 2002, at 23:55:01
I have tried Buspar alone for GAD and thought it was a very mediocre drug with unpleasant side-effects. But I was convinced by my pdoc to take it again once I was on Zoloft and I have been very pleased. I find that it squeezes out the good aspects of ssris (energy, devil-may-care-attitude, confidence in social situations) without the agitation and anxiousness that comes from ssris alone. I had really reached a ceiling in terms of how much Zoloft my body could tolerate before I started to feel I was on speed. So I took Buspar to avoid the drama of having to switch ssris and to quiet the GAD symptoms, with great results. My pdoc warned me that it would be hit-or-miss with this combo: he said it would either be as great as the "second coming" or as bad as an "unholy alliance." So far it has been the former!
jflange
Posted by k9lover on December 5, 2002, at 11:27:32
In reply to Buspar and ssri is a great combo, posted by jflange on December 4, 2002, at 22:17:40
I've been on BusPar and Paxil for going on 3 years now - levels me out and the GAD is nicely quelled. Recently added Seroquel and it has been great.
Posted by atlrunner2002 on December 6, 2002, at 5:50:07
In reply to Re: Buspar with SSRI » atlrunner2002, posted by BrittPark on December 4, 2002, at 19:19:04
> I hope the buspar works for you both. It doesn't have a very good track record but your mileage may vary. If I had been your doctor (I'm a doctor, but not a medical doctor) I think I would have tried a benzo first. They have a very high success rate. So if the buspar doesn't work for either of you go to benzos next, if your doctor will cooperate, but that's a whole 'nother story.
>
> I'm sorry if this sounds a little negative, I just want to make you aware of the possibilities.
>
> Feel Better,
>
> BrittThanks for your response, Britt. Actually I started on .25 mg Xanax as needed with the Lexapro, and my doctor really does not want me to stay on it too long, so we are trying the Buspar. She did give me a prescription for two refills for Xanax, along w/the Buspar presc. in case I'm not happy w/the Buspar, and wants to see me in 2-3 months to re-evaluate.
>
Posted by atlrunner2002 on December 6, 2002, at 5:53:22
In reply to Re: Buspar and ssri is a great combo, posted by k9lover on December 5, 2002, at 11:27:32
> I've been on BusPar and Paxil for going on 3 years now - levels me out and the GAD is nicely quelled. Recently added Seroquel and it has been great.
Thanks so much to both of you for your posts - I hope I have the same positive results!
How much Buspar do you each take daily, and when? I am on 15 mg. of Lexapro in the a.m. She had me start on 7.5 Buspar 2x/day, a.m. and p.m. (1/2 pill), then said to increase in a week or so to 15 2x/day.
Posted by k9lover on December 6, 2002, at 8:47:38
In reply to Buspar with SSRI-thank you JFLANGE and K9LOVER, posted by atlrunner2002 on December 6, 2002, at 5:53:22
Hi
Of the Buspar, I take 30 mg in the morning and again in the late afternoon. I feel irritable when I reduce that amount. It's been as high as 80 but that was too much. My pdoc insists that I'll be on it and Paxil (80mg) all my life. Fine by me (so long as I still have a drug plan!) Another doc recommended an iron supplement and you know, I think I needed it. It sure cleaned up any acne I had.Hope you have great results!
Posted by lrw on December 7, 2002, at 21:34:12
In reply to Buspar with Paxil?, posted by Jackster on December 3, 2002, at 23:55:01
I was on Buspar 5 mg 3x a day. I'm very sensitive to meds and I ended up not being able to take it because I wanted to sleep all the time. I started on Zoloft and my pdoc recommended that I take Buspar at night to help me sleep and also with the sexual disfunction. It helps with both for me. It helped my GAD when I was on it 3x a day but it didn't do much for my scary thoughts, I had the thoughts but I didn't get anxious about them.
This is the end of the thread.
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