Has anyone had experience with Buspar (buspirone) for Anxiety?

[KellyAnn016]

My psychiatrist prescribed buspirone (also called Buspar) for my anxiety. I have been free of any medication for a few months now. I am very sensitive to medication and cannot tolerate Effexor, lexapro, or other SSRI's. I also have tried a benzo and it was helpful, however I do not want to take benzos long term because of it's addictive properties and likelihood of tolerance. However, I need help with my GAD, I have pretty intense anxiety and am going to school to be an RN, which is stressful in itself! :) I am a little nervous to try Buspar! Please give me your two cents! I have not started it yet. Thanks!

[KellyAnn016]

All SSRI's do for me is make me incredibly dizzy and nauseous. It never used to be like that I was on Lexapro a few years ago and I never had a problem with it. I haven't tried my Buspar yet I'm so terrified of having another bad experience! What medication has worked for you?

[KellyAnn016]

Yes I take klonopin .5mg as needed (when I'm having a bad night). I have medical anxiety problems so I'm always terrified to take meds. My panic attacks started with a bad reaction to Effexor... ever since I have never been the same. Klonopin has been the only thing that works for me but I am so scared of becoming addicted or building up a tolerance, does the same dose still work for you even after all these years?

[kickanxietysbutt]

Kelly Ann,

I also have a very difficult time with SSRI's, but have tried Buspar on two different occasions and I noticed zero side effects.  Unfortunately, I also noticed zero results.  

[DavidinLexington]

Buspar either will work for you or it will not at all.  It is not a benzodiazapine and it is not a controlled substance.  In my experience as a patient, people develop a tolerance to it very fast and it just quits working after a while if it ever works to begin with.  I have extreme panic disorder.  I low dose klonopin and I have for a for almost a decade.  I do not believe it is as addictive as xanax or valium and often skip a whole days worth of doses.  Stay away from valium and xanax.  Remember I am not a doctor.  This is my experience as a patient.