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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Paxil and Buspar?
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.
Paxil and Buspar?
by Jason G., Oct 26, 2001 12:00AM
Hi,
Here's a brief history; I'm a healthy 30 year old male, and after going to the ER for the first time in several years for a severe migraine, I was given Droperidol, which I had a severe reaction to, feeling incredibly anxious and trembling for days. This was 8 months ago.
Since then I have had panic attacks and GAD; I was on Zoloft for over a month, with no benefit. And was on Paxil 20 mg for about 6 weeks with no benefit, but it totally eliminated any sex drive, so my doctor has bumped me down to 10mg. I am to start taking Buspar at 15mg a day, along with the Paxil. And, I'm to increase the Buspar by 5mg every three days until I see any benefit. I also take two .25 Xanax pills in the evening.
My question was on how effective Buspar and Paxil are, and except for the absent libido, I am fine on Paxil. But I've heard numerous horror stories about it, and now am concerned that Buspar has serious side effects, particularly agitation and anxious feelings.
Does this sound like a reasonable treatment? My pyschiatrist decided not to try upping the Paxil because of the total lack of libido at a small dosage, and no diminishing of that over 6-7 weeks.
Thanks much,
Jason
Here's a brief history; I'm a healthy 30 year old male, and after going to the ER for the first time in several years for a severe migraine, I was given Droperidol, which I had a severe reaction to, feeling incredibly anxious and trembling for days. This was 8 months ago.
Since then I have had panic attacks and GAD; I was on Zoloft for over a month, with no benefit. And was on Paxil 20 mg for about 6 weeks with no benefit, but it totally eliminated any sex drive, so my doctor has bumped me down to 10mg. I am to start taking Buspar at 15mg a day, along with the Paxil. And, I'm to increase the Buspar by 5mg every three days until I see any benefit. I also take two .25 Xanax pills in the evening.
My question was on how effective Buspar and Paxil are, and except for the absent libido, I am fine on Paxil. But I've heard numerous horror stories about it, and now am concerned that Buspar has serious side effects, particularly agitation and anxious feelings.
Does this sound like a reasonable treatment? My pyschiatrist decided not to try upping the Paxil because of the total lack of libido at a small dosage, and no diminishing of that over 6-7 weeks.
Thanks much,
Jason
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Oct 26, 2001 12:00AM
, Oct 26, 2001 12:00AM
Your psychiatrist is making the right calls re Buspar and Paxil.The effect of Buspar is partially as a stimulant, so the agitation may occur, and if so, you will discontinue it. If you have the right dose for you, you may get the effect you want without the side effects.
