As a current consumer of both, I am having troubles with the medication. I have also done research and have been told to stay away from using both of those together. For they can cause serious side-effects which I'm suffering from- most common for me is an extreme increase in blood pressure and heart-rate.
I know the feeling. I started with 20 mg of prozac and then went to 40. My depression got better but my anxiety seemed to get worse. I even started having small but daily panic attacks. My doctor just started me on buspar 2 times per day , once in the am and then in pm. I only hope this helps . I hate this and all the other meds I am taking but living with anxiety every day is a horrible feeling!!!!!
Positive Hope
I started fluoxetine about two months ago and my anxiety got worse but depression got better so my psychiatrist added 10 mg of buspar 5 in the morning and 5 at night (just 2 weeks on that) it has helped me get through the day and helped me get out of the house a little I see my psychiatrist on Tuesday so I will let you know what happens but I would try the two together because they do seem to work well together
I have tried both serperately but found buspirone more helpful, why your doctor recommend you take both at the same time I don't know because I personally don't think it's healthy for you, I'd see someone seperate from your doctor and see what they recommend.
I really would consider switching. Many folks don't respond to that class of drugs, some get more anxiety from it, me being one of those people. I was switched over to a mood stabilizer which has dramatically reduced my depression to almost nothing, and I have refractory(hard to treat) depression. I only saw a mild difference with the buspar, though what I liked was that it wasn't a tranq, so it doesn't cause sleepiness. I do suggest if you don't have a psychiatrist to get one. There are a ton of different combos of meds if required which a family doctor is simply not educated enough in that field. They only take 1-2 courses on basic psychiatry, so it's worth the investment to see a pdoc. Like others have said, it's a much easier withdrawal then many of the similar drugs. A good shrink can closely monitor you and augment if you are having a difficult time withdrawing.
I've been on fluoxetine in the past with only moderate benefit. I remember my psychiatrist recommending augmentation with buspirone - it is supposed to be pretty effective in boosting the effect of fluoxetine. however, we just decided to switch to lexapro instead. i did not have to go without any meds though. we just started the lexapro slowly as i slowly decreased the fluoxetine. fluoxetine stays in your body for several weeks, so withdrawal effects are less likely (and/or less severe) than with other SSRIs. i would speak to your dr. about a slow transition from one med to the other... or give the buspirone a try. buspirone is supposed to be similar to valium in terms of it's anti-anxiety properties. so if you are having trouble with anxiety or panic, this might be a good combination for you.
all the best..