buspirone

[Dardiz1]

anyone have info about Buspirone success side effects etc? Afraid to try

[Rosiemarie82]

I took it for nearly a year, with no remarkable side effects. It does take a couple of weeks for it to work well.I grew immune to it and was switched to celexa. I took that for a year and slowly weaned myself off it.

That lasted another year. I was so glad to be on only blood pressure medicine!

But alas, life (and loss) happened and my doctor put me on smaller doses of BOTH medications last week.

I was upset about it at first....control freak here, but after a doozy of a panic attack last night, I am glad I have the meds!

The most common side effect of buspirone is a headache. I don't think it effected me that way, but everyone is different. I do know I would trade my anxiety for a headache on any given day.

Best of luck!

[Dardiz1 in reply to Rosiemarie82]

thank you for info .thinking of taking as anxiety coming more often past year . Was just using Xanax occasionally and don’t want to take that as a prescription daily

[Rosiemarie82 in reply to Dardiz1]

I had a xanax prescription for extreme or emergent use.I like that it helps almost instantly, but don't like the way I feel for several days after taking one (I have a very weak tolerance to medication).

My family has this lovely anxiety gene, and most of us are on or have been on buspirone and would recommend it to take the edge off. Keep in mind it has to be taken on a regular basis for full effect

[Dardiz1 in reply to Rosiemarie82]

Same genetic link . Got worse as I got older going to stay with Xanax this attack but strongly thinking about starting buspirone . Can u stay on it extended time ?

[Rosiemarie82 in reply to Dardiz1]

As far as I know it is safe for long term use. I was on it for about a year last time. My doctor told me this time when I "feel better" like I can taper off of it, we are going to go another 6 months, then try to get back off it.

The worst part, for me, is the first few weeks....while your body adapts to the medication. My anxiety is still a bit on edge, and I have a little brain fog/fuzzy feeling. Honestly if I hadn't done this before, I probably would want to quit taking it, but I know it takes several weeks for the medication to take full clinical effect. ♡

[Mofro in reply to Rosiemarie82]

Could I ask what you mean when you say "but don't like the way I feel for several days after taking one "? I've been having extreme anxiety lately, and have been able to get some Xanax from a family member when it gets out of control. I can't say I've experienced any side effects, or that I've noticed anyway. The only thing I've noticed is if I take some, the next couple of days seems like I'm experiencing "rebound"anxiety. This is only my perception, because quite frankly my anxiety is out of control more days than not. It works great in about 45 min. and can turn an ugly day into one where I can function. I recently went to my PCP and asked if he would prescribe Xanax to me on an "as needed" basis because I finally got off of Clonazepam after years and don't want to deal with becoming addicted to another benzo. Unfortunately, my PCP didn't want to prescribe it and suggested buspirone. I don't like the idea of having to wait a possible couple of weeks to see if it even helps, but I don't have many options now. I'm picking it up tomorrow, and came to the anxiety support group to see if I could find anyone with experience taking it. Thanks.

[Rosiemarie82 in reply to Mofro]

Yes, I would probably call it rebound anxiety as well, or just an "off" feeling for a few days, almost like a hangover.That said, I take a celexa/buspirone combo daily now, and while it did take around a week or 2 to take full effect, it really does help the anxiety tremendously, and I don't have much break through anxiety while on both... so I no longer need xanax, I just use cbd in the rare case of break through anxiety ♡

Hope that answers your question.

This site has done wonders for me when in full on panic, sometimes just knowing someone understands is comforting!

[Mofro in reply to Rosiemarie82]

Which one of the combo were you taking first or did you start both at the same time? Are you taking both for anxiety? I also have major depressive disorder, but haven't been on an anti-depressant for years because I also have TRD. I've taken many anti-depressants, but have never tried celexa. I'm hoping the buspirone will help my anxiety and not introduce side effects to add to what I'm already dealing with.

I noticed you said you use cbd when you have break through anxiety. I have tried cbd in the past, I believe it was Charlotte's Web. At the time I didn't think it really did much for me, and was pretty expensive at the time. Maybe cheaper now? What kind do you use, and did you use it before the other medications you're on for anxiety?

Glad to hear you've dialed in on what helps with your anxiety and have gotten some relief. I can only take what the doctor's will prescribe, but I find it quite sad they often won't prescribe what you know works, and works quickly. As for benzos, I share their concern for possible addiction if used too long, as I've been there and done that. I tried several times to discontinue using clonazepam, and finally successfully, because I knew it was doing me more harm than good. If I knew it was helping with my anxiety I'd probably still be using it. I think doctor's need to work WITH patient's in making decisions about medications, because in the end we're the ones that know if something is effective for us or not. I sometimes think doctor's are more concerned with covering there own a**es than working with their patients. I believe their primary duty to a patient is to help relieve their suffering, and as quickly as possible. Just my opinion.

[Rosiemarie82 in reply to Mofro]

I took buspirone first, and it helped at first, but then it was like it just quit working. Maybe I developed an immunity to it? So then my doctor (who also suffers with anxiety) switched me to celexa, so I was only taking that. I was able to wean myself off of the celexa after about a year, so I wasn't taking anything daily for almost a year. But alas, the past year has been extremely difficult with several losses in the family, and my anxiety came back with a vengeance. My doctor decided a cocktail of both buspirone and celexa would work best for me, both are relatively small dosages, because I am super sensitive to meds. She explained it as working together like peanut butter and jelly, both are ok alone, but they work better together ♡As for the cbd, I use broad-spectrum gummies. They are helpful when I know I am going to be in a high-stress situation, like flying. I am terrified of flying, one of the "not so reasonable" side effects of my anxiety/panic disorder.... but the cbd does help calm that quite a bit...as to where in the past, I would swallow a xanax....but as mentioned, I hated the way I felt after taking those, and it would ruin several days of vacation and several days after vacation.

[Mofro in reply to Rosiemarie82]

When I tried cbd it was the tincture under the tongue. As I said, it was expensive about 4 years or so ago when I tried it, but I was taking a brand name that had a lot of media exposure so I was probably paying for that. But because it was expensive, I now wonder if I was just being my usual frugal (cheap) self and wasn't taking enough. The gummies sound like a good way to take it, because I assume the cmd is spread out through the day instead of a spike. ??? Plus you get a little treat on top of the cbd, if they taste any good. May have to give some a shot, because nothing to fear there, and as it is now I'm grasping at straws (with a little buspirone after I pick it up).

[Artistfriend]

I took it for awhile, no side effects, it didnt really help me either. Its an older milder med i think. My Dr switched me to Zoloft which works well for me, that also pretty mild and not much side effects

[bethelbee]

I took it many years ago and once it kicked in it did work fairly well. I recall no side effects but it's not a fast acting drug like any of the benzos. I was on it a while, but don't recall how long. These days I take Ativan prn , but not very often. I've been on it a few years and have had no problem. Am not on any antidepressants anymore; after decades of them became treatment resistant. TMS has been my treatment of choice.

[designguy]

I took it at one time with no side affects, it can take 2 to 6 weeks to take affect so try to relax some and give it time.

[kjb94]

hi there. I’ve been on 30 mg Buspirone for about a year now. I would say it took me a couple weeks to fully adjust, same thing for when my doses were increased. It mainly just caused a light headache & almost a pressure in my head that would gradually go away. I also experienced light nausea at times, but I’m also on Wellbutrin, so that could be related. These effects were lessened when I took it with food, but you want to take it the same way every day. After adjusting, I would say I just feel overall more relaxed. My anxiety feels more manageable, which for me physically feels like less tightness in my chest/lower heart rate. For me, there was a period of time I stopped taking it (wouldn’t recommend), but I do like that there’s not a major concern with addiction/withdrawal if you do decide it’s not a good fit for you. Main tip as with any medication, be patient & give it enough time to notice a difference. It’s totally normal to adjust doses, so don’t feel like it’s not working!