Meds or natural approach?

Who here has had success with buspirone (buspar)? I've been on it for a while now and don't know weather it's working or not. Or do you prefer to go the natural route? I've tried so many different things and i feel like nothing works! I've also been in therapy for a month and feel like I've made very little progress.

[Btdoffing]

I've been prescribed it...but been too afraid to take it myself. I'm trying to fight everything without medication and its not a winning battle for me personally. How long have you been on the medication? I was told you should know if its working within 4-6 weeks

[Hidden in reply to Btdoffing]

I've been on it for about a month now. I didn't have any side effects other than a little dizziness that has gone away now. I'm on a very small dose so maybe I need to increase it. How much were you prescribed? I'm also on a beta blocker now that helps with my racing heart.

[Agora1]

Hi Hdelmari, Buspar is neither a benzo or an SSRI. Buspar is in it's own category of meds. Once you have been on a benzo of any kind, the chances of Buspar working are slim. It is considered less addictive but doesn't work for many patients. It is usually used in conjunction with an anti-depressant or Propranolol. So it may not be your imagination, it may not be working for you on the dose you are at. Have a talk with your doctor about dose adjustment or trying something else.

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

I've never taken a venzo and the side effects of Zoloft were terrible I was only on it for a few days. I'm on buspirone and metoprolol. I'll have to make an appointment to talk to my dr and see what she thinks. Thanks

[Agora1 in reply to Hidden]

Hdelman, I'm on Metoprolol as well as Lexapro. The fact that you haven't been on a benzo before should make the Buspar work for you and maybe it is just a matter of dose adjustment. That's always wise to check with your doctor. Good Luck in feeling better.

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

I remember you telling me you were on the metoprolol also I'm cutting my dosage in half and taking it every 6 hours or so. My hr was getting way low when I would take the whole 25mg It's only been a little over a week so I hope the side effects go away. I get shortness of breath, very tired, and vivid dreams.

[AlexisAcula]

My prescription for Buspar has been sitting on my counter, untouched since I picked it up from the pharmacy. I have a follow up appointment on the 21st to see how it's working for me.. It's been a struggle trying to find a medication and I'm sorta to the point where I would rather just not take anything. I have bad reactions to SSRIs and hydroxyzine was super hit or miss for me. I'm severely emetophobic [phobia of vomiting] so side effects scare the crap out of me. I'm already dealing with daily/nightly nausea [I've had multiple tests done and there seems to be nothing wrong] but I don't want my nausea to be worse if I start this medication. Having anxiety about taking an anxiety med, go figure.

[Hidden in reply to AlexisAcula]

I do too! But the buspar luckily has only caused a little bit of dizziness that only lasted a week or two. The beta blocker is still giving me some side effects but my heart isn't racing anymore. I hope to not be on it for too long though.

[jencan]

Buspirone had no affect on me whatsoever, when I was prescribed it several years ago. If you feel you're very depressed & anxious, I would revisit your GP & ask for an alternative prescription. Re the natural route, I've known people feel better using St John's Wort.

[Hidden in reply to jencan]

ive read about St John's Wort, but it seems to have side effects. I'll give it a try eventually.

[mdooms]

Hdelmari,

I used to take this medication many years ago and it did nothing for me but induce dizziness. I do know it takes 6 weeks for it to fully kick in. Talk to your doc first. I have weaned myself off Lexapro and guess what? 2 weeks after withdrawal, the anxiety comes back. Here's the catch. I have to fight this on my own and exhaust the anxiety to where it no longer has control of me. It's a battle, but in the end, I will win. I still take Xanax when I feel nervous and it helps a lot. But again, I still am taking something. I do not believe anyone should stop taking medications without doctor supervision. I asked my doc and he told me you can try and provided me a wean down schedule. At first, it was not bad. But once your off completely from an SSRI, be prepared for a while you will still have to deal with the anxiety and withdrawal symptoms until your brain has rewired itself. Take care.

[Hidden in reply to mdooms]

Buspirone is t an SSRI so I don't think it has any withdrawal symptoms. But yeah I will definitely talk to my dr first. I'd like to get to a place where I can deal with my anxiety w/o any meds. One day at a time I suppose.

[mdooms in reply to Hidden]

That is correct Buspar is in a class of its own. But all medications have side effects when withdrawing. Benzodiazepines are the worst.

[Hidden in reply to mdooms]

Iso I've heard! I've never touched them. I don't like taking meds at all but this anxiety just was out of control so I gave in.

[mdooms in reply to Hidden]

Me to. I just take Xanax 1 mg a day.

[mdooms in reply to mdooms]

My goal long term is natural approach.

[Hardluck]

Did not work for me, no negative side effects whatsoever.

[Hidden in reply to Hardluck]

Do you take anything?

[Hardluck]

Yes I do. I'm taking Cymbalta 20mg at night, and .025g of Clonazapan every morning. Cymbalta nearly killed me the nearly first 30 days or so. Fatigue, nausea, dizziness was crippling. However I've tried just about every so I needed to give this a shot. I'm feeling the best I've had in a long time.

[Hidden in reply to Hardluck]

That's how I felt with Zoloft but I quit after 3 days. I'm glad you stuck it out and that it worked for you!

[Julieann420]

I used to be on that medication but I stop it because of the side effects it would give me. I would literally be asleep at work. I told my doctor about it and she switched to Zoloft and diazepam for my anxiety n depression. It's been a few weeks but I'm able to handle more of my anxiety.

[Hidden in reply to Julieann420]

What was your dosage? I'm supposed to take 10mg 3 times a day but I only do it once or twice

[Julieann420 in reply to Hidden]

Hidden i was on the same dosage . I would never take them during the day just at night before bed.

[Hidden in reply to Julieann420]

I'm the other way around, I take them during the day and at night I take magnesium citrate in chamomile tea. I also take a beta blocker that I slit twice a day.