Scared of Buspar and Zoloft

[ladyfor]

I had an accident 3 weeks ago and suffered facial injuries.  Chances are I will end up with some scars and hopefully my nose will heal straight.  Ever since the accident, I've been seconds away from tears, especially when I look at my face in the mirror.  I haven't been able to sllep well at night and have feelings of despair.  I blame myself for what happened to me eventhough I know it was an accident. I also worry about what I will look like in the long run.  I shared this with my primary physician and he prescribed buspar 5 mg TID and Zoloft 50 mg every evening.  I have never been on any antidepressant.  I have taken buspar for travel related anxiety.  I am just aprehensive about taking these medications because I really don't want to be on them long term.  So I filled the prescriptions but I haven't taken them yet.  Also, in the past I think I might have had some symptoms of depression.  Before my accident I went through a difficult break-up (after having a really really dry spell) and I also have a stressful job.  I have had self-esteem issues for at least 20 years (I'm 30).  Last year I had several family members who were seriously ill.  I've also been through a lot more ups and downs in the past five years than I care to write about.  Also, this was the first time that I shared any of my emotional issues with my primary physician.  Although he's been my doctor for almost ten years the only thing I've shared with him is my fear of flying.  I am concerned that medication will be a short term fix or maybe even inappropriate.  I do know however that I need help because I am going through something right now.  As much as I've had feelings of sadness and lonliness in the past I've never felt anything like this before.  Usually I can look at things after a really good cry and see the bright sided of life and move on somewhat.  But this time I am really devastated.  I know I need some help.  So I was just wondering what I should do - take the meds, or wait and see what happens?

[dottie37]

i was on zolft and i had bad said effct with that med and now im on buspar and its works really good for me but people are diffent with med all i can say is try the meds and if thay work for u thats good  i was on remron and buspar takeing togerther and it work really good togerther i just stop takeing the remron and so far i had no side effects of this med i but i was only takeing 15mg of remron and i stop cold turckey

[hyepod]

Yes, neither Buspar nor Zoloft have addictive potential.  I have been using them (low dose) just to take the edge off, due to my change of career issues.  I have no daytime sleepiness or other undesirable effects.  With Buspar, I crawl into bed, don't even feel sleepy, and the next thing I know, the alarm is going off in the morning.  It is a welcomed change from waking many times during the night.  It is wonderful, but I also feel comfortable giving it up shortly.  These meds have been a blessing to my temporary difficulties.  You, however, must see a therapist, in addition to taking the meds.  The more you stay "within yourself", the more your problems will be magnified (or OVERmagnified).  You can do this.  You can accomplish anything.  You just need to make the decision.  You are human and will need to mourn, but don't let it continue forever.  You ARE valuable, so take care of business.  Find a therapist, and do what you need to do.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

There is a much better alternative...spend some time with a good therapist...this is a very raw time for you and you will get so much out of each session, and quickly...don't hesitate.

[AlexF]

Buspar ISN'T a benzopdiazapene (which are addictive). Buspar is prescribed for anxiety and can be used for up to 2 years. I took it for about 9 months, it isn't as potent as benzos, I came off it with no withdrawl symptons. Zoloft doesn't have many of the side effects, or the withdrawl problems of Paxil. I'd start on a lower dose (20mg) and work up.

[rosetoes]

Have you tried a therapist to deal with your situation?  I can only imagine your pain, but I would hold off on the medication unless you see no other way of dealing with your problems.  Exhaust all non-drugs related ways before going on meds.

I had a situation where I suffered anxiety/panic due to a rapid heart rate and became panicky and started taking xanax 1.5mg per day.  I took it for 2 months and learned of the addictiveness of the medicine.  I tapered on Jan.1, 2006 and stop totally on Feb 3rd.  I can not begin to tell you the nightmare that I'm now face with.  Withdrawl is horrible and it is scary....I dread the day I every was prescibed xanax.  It is a benzo and so is Buspar and Zoloft is mind altering as well.  

Doctors will prescribe these meds and they don't have a clue to the difficulty in getting off of them.  Medication suppresses the feelings that you have so you can move on with ease, but it doesn't cure your feelings and emotions and they come back two fold once getting off the medication.

Please check out the website www.benzo.org.uk so you can understand the medications that you are taking and the struggle that is experienced when getting off of the meds.

I wish someone would have told me about xanax before I started taking them.  A lesson that I will not forget.

Plesae consider all options before taking meds, but if you feel that this is your only option to help yourself, know that there are wonderful people out there to assist you when you are ready to stop taking medication.

Best Wishes

[DJ-RxT]

The 50mg dose of Zoloft is actually the mid-strength pill, so I'm not sure why someone with no history of major depression would receive what I appear to be a rather large dose. Buspar is a sedative, and the 5mg is the lightest they make, so that's probably not a big deal. If you're apprehensive about the antidepressant, however, perhaps you should contact your physician about dosing and discuss exactly how you feel, as well as possibly contacting a Psychiatrist to check on dosing. I'm fairly certain you may get desirable results with a milder anti-depressant, or even the 25mg dose of Zoloft. Good luck!