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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Buspar and use with Celexa
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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Buspar and use with Celexa
by Worrytoomuch, Jun 01, 2002 12:00AM
I've been having problems for the last 5 months with Depression and Anxiety. I think I have an illness phobia, because I'm constantly worried that every little ache and pain could be cancer. I went through a few weeks where I was very anxious all the time and, after several tests (all negative and normal), my GP put me on Buspar. I've been taking it for about 10 days at about 20-25 mg per day. I don't seem to be as anxious, but I'm tired and don't feel well most of the time and I'm still depressed (sleeplessness, don't enjoy anything, feeling sad and lonely all the time, irritable, crying easily, etc.).
My questions are:
Is Buspar going to deal with the depression and OCD (phobia), or will I have to add an anti-depressant.
Can I safely take Celexa with Buspar?
I'm thinking of ramping up slowly on Celexa and then tapering off the Buspar. I'd like to only be taking one drug, because I really don't like medicating.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone else had experience with Buspar or this combination.
Thanks for listening.
My questions are:
Is Buspar going to deal with the depression and OCD (phobia), or will I have to add an anti-depressant.
Can I safely take Celexa with Buspar?
I'm thinking of ramping up slowly on Celexa and then tapering off the Buspar. I'd like to only be taking one drug, because I really don't like medicating.
I'd be interested to hear if anyone else had experience with Buspar or this combination.
Thanks for listening.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jun 03, 2002 12:00AM
, Jun 03, 2002 12:00AM
Buspar is one of several medications that are recommended for antidepressant augmentation treatment. That means it is a safe combination with Celexa. You might try both for a while and then decide, but all of this should be done under medical supervision.
You could also give Buspar another week or ten days trial because it may solve your problem alone. Also, don't forget to get therapy for your depression,not just medication. You can test whether therapy would be useful by going to www. masteringstress.com and taking the free stress test.
You could also give Buspar another week or ten days trial because it may solve your problem alone. Also, don't forget to get therapy for your depression,not just medication. You can test whether therapy would be useful by going to www. masteringstress.com and taking the free stress test.
I am feeling better the last few days, so I'll stick with the Buspar for another week or two and see how it goes. The depression seems to be lifting a little bit and I'd really rather not resort to the Celexa unless it's necessary.
I still feel tired much of the time, but I'm still only getting about 6-7 hours of sleep at night and that could be part of the problem.
Thanks again.
I'd still be interested to know if anyone else has had good or bad experience with Buspar.
I am currently on both of these medications. It seems like since I have been taking the Buspar, the Celexa does not work as well. I am taking low dosages of both, so I think I am going tell the doctor I need a higher dosage of Celexa. I am tired a lot, but basically doing fine.
I took zoloft and buspar together for about 8 months or so. They worked okay together, but I still had problems. I actually think most of my problems started with the medications. Anyway, at one point I was taking only buspar and was getting dizzy at work. It was so bothersome, I quit taking it.
I stopped taking the Buspar 7 weeks ago and have been doing better. I still don't really feel "normal", and I will easily slip back into depression and anxiety if I feel ill for a few days ("feeling ill" for me usually means achy and tired, which happens frequently).
I'm also Hypothyroid and I think I accidentally took a double dose of synthroid two days ago and have been more anxious since. I feel anxious in the mornings and just tired and weak in the afternoons. I'm debating starting an SSRI, but would rather avoid it if I can. I'm also considering therapy and looked in the phone book yesterday, but chickened out.
I still obsess about my health and it's starting to interfere with my job. I'm sure stress is an issue. I've been overwhelmed with work at the office lately, and I've been having problems with my marriage. In addition, our daughter just declared this spring that she's gay. She shaved her head, wears boy clothes, brings "girlfriends" home and is living with us for the summer (her and my wife are also having problems). I've also had a health issue that looks benign, but is being monitored for six months to be sure, so that doesn't help.
I should probably continue to look into therapy, but am concerned about the cost and finding the right therapist. I'll resort to SSRI's if I have to. I don't want to go back on the Buspar.
Thanks for listening.
The pharmacist says tell my doctor and my doctor is out for a week. I want to know if I should take less/more a different medicine. I want to try Celexa and I am unsure if I can start while I am on buspar...