Buspar?

[Perfectly_Imperfect]

Ok so my last post "In need of advice" I was very appreciative of the responses ... I went to talk to my primary this morning and we agreed on Buspar 7.5mg 2x day ... we agreed that the majority of my problem was anxiety and not depression. The nervous feeling is 24/7, anxious, restless, can't sit still, can't concentrate ... I'm done with it. I've been trying to handle this on my own but I can't do it anymore.
Took my 1st dose with lunch today, 2nd does is at bed time ... Been about an hour since I took my 1st dose and I feel fine (as in, no side effects as of yet) ... I'm really hoping this works because I feel if this can mellow me out, keep me calm and focused I can handle everything else better.

Any one take this or have taken it? Any stories, advice ... thanks

[ahdeason]

I am the same as you I am so scared to take this medcine I just stay really nervous all the time so i ask my doctor about Buspar so she is outting me on 7.5 twice a day I was woundering if it worked for you did it help calm you and if you had side effects?

[Virgigirl]

Hello,
I'm curious as to how you are doing with the buspar? I've been diagnosed with GAD and my dr prescribed buspar as well (7.5 mg twice day). I'm so scared to try it as I'm super sensitive with all meds. I'm frightened I'll have all the side effects. I'm curious as to how it's helped you with your anxiety. Did you have any side effects & did the buspar help with your anxiety? Thanks & god bless.

[MeganPixel]

My side effects were similar to Erica... but I started fast too. I had 5mg 1x daily 3 days, then 10, then up to 15 (3 days each).  By the time I got to the 2nd day of the 10 mg I had to quit.  I couldn't take the pill without getting (literally) fall-down dizzy after about 30 m.  All day long it was like I had motion sickness but wasn't moving.  Then when I started waking up at night all hyper jitters, it was over!

I read elsewhere that some people experience side effects the first 2 weeks and then it evens out / goes away. As long as they're not too bothersome or disruptive and you can make it thru to at least the two week mark, I'd give it the ol' college try.

[EricaP82]

I understand being anxious about new medications, but you must remember, the worst case scenario (would be that recognize that you are having side effects, doubtful any of the major ones , since it is in your system somewhat....all you have to do is talk to your doctor and he/she will either lower your dosage or take you off) Give it a try, with an open mind if you can, I know it is hard. Best Wishes

[Perfectly_Imperfect]

thank you everyone! Today is day 4 and I am having some trouble sleeping but I don't know if that's from the Buspar or if it's just the extra anxiety I'm having about taking it. I'm able to fall asleep (with the help of a .25mg of xanax) but then I'm up in like 4 hours, takes 20 min to fall back asleep, wake up again a few hours later, etc. ***** but I am sleeping so I'm not sure what to make of that. I did wake up this morning with a runny nose and sore throat so I feel like crap but obv that's completely different ... I wish I wasn't so anxious about taking this

[Sue357]

Hi.  Years ago my pdoc, at the time,put me on Buspar.  I could not handle the side effects, nausea and a lot of dizziness.  We kept cutting the dose until the very smallest but side effects never went away.  I stopped taking anything but about 2 and a half years ago my anxiety came back with a vengeance.  I was put on Wellbutrin which didn't really help.  We ramped up to 300 mg and my anxiety got worse.  I am now on Klonopin and doing well.  I researched Wellbutrin and found out that that was one of the side effects, increased anxiety.  Definately talk with your doc about it.  Other people love it.

[EricaP82]

That is good, my doctor started me on much too high of a dosage 10mgs (3 times a day)...it sounds like it is working well for you :) . I just experienced extreme dizziness, very emotional, horrible headaches, it just didn't stop my panic attacks. I felt this within 3 or 4 days and my doctor told me to stop taking it. I hope it works for you, much luck.

[lynn57]

Sounds like you are doing great.  The longer you take it the more it should help.  If you are not having side effects now, chances are you won't.  Think positive thoughts and I think you're gonna do fine.

[Perfectly_Imperfect]

what were your side effects and when did you start experiencing them? I'm on day 3 and actually feel much better than I did yesterday, I still am anxious about the meds but don't feel like the crap I felt yesterday ... I'm only taking 7.5mg right now in the a.m. and next week am supposed to add a 1/2 tab with dinner ...

[EricaP82]

I wish you the best with the Buspar! I had too many side effects from taking it, not the correct drug for me. I have read many forums at ***********.com (many had wonderful success stories from this medication).. I hope that is the case for you, if not , it is easy a medication to stop taking with a doctor's consent.

[MeganPixel]

I was exactly where you are right now at the beginning of March (I also have health anxiety).  Xanax worked for me and thought I was scared to try a long term drug I wanted to see if it would help  - that's when I got the Buspar.  It's supposed to be one of the safer, easier tolerated drugs.  Rest assured - even if your experience is not good with this one - you will survive - I'm living proof! :)  Sounds like for you, so far so good and that's great.  If DO you get any 'weird' or persistent side effects once you start building a blood level (that's where I got them, not saying you will) you can always call your doctor and either get reassurance on what is 'normal' or - if they get really bad to the point you can't tolerate it - tell them and they will likely wean you off of it.  Once it is out of your system, you're not at the end of the road - you can try something else that may work with your body a little better.

I know taking the medicine is way easier said than done and I applaud you for sticking with it ... I'm having the same struggle starting Prozac right now, staring at the bottle, FREAKED about the possible side effects.  I wish I would have done what Lynn or Lily suggested and started it when I was in a less anxious cycle, not right now when I'm super anxious and really need it but am too scared to do it!

[Perfectly_Imperfect]

I have to be honest and say I am absolutely terrified of taking this (or any) medicine ... I'm reading reviews and I'm seeing more positive than negative but still I can't help but be afraid. I have a health anxiety so any symptom I get I freak out about. I took 1 7.5mg pill so far and had no side effects, I'm going to take 7.5mg 1x day for a week and as long as I can tolerate that I will increase to 2x day ... I keep trying to have an open mind but I'm scared I will end up worse than I am ... I just want to be calm and collected vs. spazzing out and restless ... Klonopin & xanax work for me but they are temporary since you can't be on them for a long period of time due to the addictiveness ... and I don't want to get addicted ...

[MeganPixel]

It was not for me.  Once the dose got high enough I got so dizzy after taking a pill it knocked me out, and had suicidal thoughts, weird dreams, and extreme nervousness/jitters for no reason.   However others have posted here that it really helps them. I think it is a highly individualized experience.

[lynn57]

Buspar was not a good fit for me.  It kinda gave me the jitters.  I have a friend who swears by it.  She says it helps her not to worry so much about everything and this keeps her calm and less anxious.  I hope it's a good fit for you, but don't give up if it's not.  There are other things to try and you deserve to feel better!