Medication assistance

[SportsGuy17]

I've finally decided to try medication again for my anxiety. Although acceptance and CBT have been helpful, I feel like this is the right thing to do at this point in my life.

Has anyone tried and had success with BuSpar? My Psychiatrist wants me to take 5mg before bed and in the morning. She also prescribed Propranolol to take as needed before major stressful moments (presentations at work, speeches, etc.)

Hopefully, these work, but I would love to hear more from your experiences. As with everything, a new medication is a change for me that inevitably comes with its own increased anxiety.

Much love to you all.

[Agora1]

Hi SportsGuy17, We all want that answer to our anxiety but yet there isn't one of us

who isn't afraid to try something new. I use to be that way until I realized, lining up

unused prescriptions on my pantry shelf is doing nothing. And so, my advice to you

which you can take or leave is to trust in your doctor and try the meds. You just may

be sitting on a gold mine of relief and comfort.

You have nothing to lose but everything to gain by giving it a chance.

I never ask advice from others only because we are all different in how we respond

to different meds. You don't want to be influenced by someone else's misfortune.

Take the new med by writing down the dosage, the time you took it and let someone

know that you've taken the first pill. After that continue on with your day..Do not sit

there watching the clock wondering if it will work.

Also give the new medication the time it needs to reach full efficacy. Keep your

doctor informed of any side effects and try not to worry, most of them are normal.

Good Luck new friend..It's going to be okay. You may just have found the key to

your success in feeling better. xx

[SportsGuy17 in reply to Agora1]

thank you both very much. I have a habit of “googling” any medication prescribed to me way too much but I’m learning to accept my anxiety and trust the medical professionals. I really am excited to have a chance at feeling better and appreciate all your advice and support. Sending positive vibes to others out there who are looking for answers. Love and gratitude to this community.

[Agora1 in reply to SportsGuy17]

Best thing you can do is stay away from Dr. Google.. it is a generalized summary of

what can and might happen in order to protect themselves. (both for medication

and illnesses) Your doctor knows your case history and is the best judge in what

is best for you. Stay safe xx

[LoveforAll41]

I think Agora nailed this one. I would keep track of what happens and how you feel and go along with your doctor. They have their reason for picking what they did and I am all for trying everything at least once. Let me try all the drugs 😜

When I started my last drug that I am still on I had some crazy anxiety but I made it through surprisingly well remembering that I had a new drug I was reacting to. I guess I knew that it was the drug because I was doing well with self-care and my thoughts but still very anxious and having the nervous sweats like I get. It was just a week or two to make it through.☮️

[Agora1 in reply to LoveforAll41]

Good for you LoveforAll41 xx

[SportsGuy17 in reply to LoveforAll41]

Thank you for your response. I tend to way overthink things, and new meds scare the heck out of me, but you're right, the side effects can't be much worse than the anxiety symptoms I feel on a daily basis and there is a potential for relief, so even more to look forward to! Thanks for your support and positive vibes

[Craigliving4Jane]

normally I don’t think sharing our own experiences with meds is always best. We are all so different. I do think this time I will share that for 27 years I had HEAVY DUTY symptoms of anxiety. Went on Buspar around 7-8 years ago with nominal results. Was also taking Clonopin. 2023 became pretty unbearable so I went to a hospital where they changed some things inc upping the Buspar fro 10 mg to 30 then later my new doc to 60 mg a day. 30 am and 30 bedtime. Symptoms 90 % relieved. Saved my life. Couldn’t take it anymore.

I believe that increase was critical to my awesome results , so maybe keep that in mind as you and your doc try to relieve your symptoms.

All the very best

[SportsGuy17 in reply to Craigliving4Jane]

You are very right, everyone is wired differently and responds to meds and stressors differently. I had taken Lexapro in the past, and from what I can remember, it helped, but I also gained a lot of weight and had some sexual side effects. So here's to giving this new drug a shot and for the hopes of good relief to come. Thanks for your perspective and response. Love to all

[bethelbee]

Yes, I am back on Buspar and it is helping again! I was on it many years ago(late 80's) and it helped them. I still take an occasional Ativan as needed. Give the Buspar time to work, took several weeks for me. I'm presently on 7.5 mg bid. My Dr started me on that and after 2 weeks wanted me to double it. I couldn't handle the 15 bid(it made me feel weird) so went back to 7.5 and am doing well on that. Hope it goes well for you! Keep us posted

[SportsGuy17 in reply to bethelbee]

Glad to hear you had some success with the drug. I am eager to try in the hopes that I will be on the road to some relief from the overthinking and daily physical symptoms. I will make sure to keep in mind that I will need to be patient and let the medicine do it's thing. Thanks for your support and response. Hugs to all

[barlock]

buspar did nothing for me. made legs swell. kept uping dose and still nothing. good luck

[Abbypa]

I take a 40mg tablet of propranolol about 2 hours before a stressful moment like public speaking and it helps.