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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tecknohed on August 26, 2007, at 20:02:50
How long before Buspar works, roughly?
Its been a week & I've gone gradually from 20mg to 40mg/day in 4 divided doses of 10mg. I do feel a change but I wouldn't say its become theraputic yet. As it works on SE, does it take a while to work like the SSRIs?
I also take 2mg/day of clonazepam also divided into 4 doses (of 0.5mg). I take both meds together at the same time & with food. Is this ok? Do they compete for absorption?
Posted by tecknohed on August 27, 2007, at 19:20:08
In reply to How long before Buspar works?, posted by tecknohed on August 26, 2007, at 20:02:50
No one used it then???
Sorry, I know people dont HAVE to help/give advice to others, just that I'm struggling a bit at the mo. Bit depressed, bit suicidal, soon to become single again......
Posted by brooke484 on August 27, 2007, at 20:18:51
In reply to How long before Buspar works?, posted by tecknohed on August 26, 2007, at 20:02:50
I think the reason people don't use this drug is because they expect it to work like the benzos. It works more like the SSRI's from what I've read. It could take months before you notice any benefit. People who have used benzos in the past want fast relief. I think you're going to have to be patient with this one.
brooke
Posted by tecknohed on August 28, 2007, at 7:33:39
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works?, posted by brooke484 on August 27, 2007, at 20:18:51
> I think the reason people don't use this drug is because they expect it to work like the benzos. It works more like the SSRI's from what I've read. It could take months before you notice any benefit. People who have used benzos in the past want fast relief. I think you're going to have to be patient with this one.
>
> brookeThanx.
I'm actually hoping it has an anti-depressant effect & thats exactly what I'm waiting for. I'm already on a benzo - clonazepam 2mg/day for SP. Was hoping the Buspar would somehow enhance that + lift my mood but I'm currently feeling depressed most of the time.
I see my General Practitioner today & will try to get her to write me a script for lofepramine 210mg/day to add to the other two. I've used it twice before & it worked both times. An excellent antidepressant but without any anxiolitic effects. Still, it motivates me & thats what I need right now. Takes around 3 weeks to kick in but at least I'd have faith that it will.
Sorry to anyone put off by my previous impatient post.
Posted by tecknohed on August 28, 2007, at 12:02:15
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works? » brooke484, posted by tecknohed on August 28, 2007, at 7:33:39
Got the lofepramine! Starting on 140mg/day increasing to 210mg/day after a week.
Still keeping the clonazepam & buspirone at same doses.
Just have to wait & see what happens I guess.
If this all fails then next up will be Parnate (unless I have another blast at Marplan). I hope not though 'cause I dont know if I could cope coming off all these plus waiting the 2 weeks break before starting another MAOI.
Posted by brooke484 on August 28, 2007, at 12:52:53
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works?, posted by tecknohed on August 28, 2007, at 12:02:15
I never see this drug mentioned and I'm starting it in about a week. Could you tell me how it worked for you? Did you have a lot of side effects? I couldn't take nardil or parnate.
Hope this drug combo works for you.
Posted by tecknohed on August 28, 2007, at 14:44:04
In reply to question about Marplan, posted by brooke484 on August 28, 2007, at 12:52:53
> I never see this drug mentioned and I'm starting it in about a week. Could you tell me how it worked for you? Did you have a lot of side effects? I couldn't take nardil or parnate.
>
> Hope this drug combo works for you.
>
>One of the strongest & most effective antidepressants I've taken! Works quickly (for me), around 2 weeks & at half the max dose.
Reason I stopped before was that it was meant as a Nardil replacement for my Social phobia (when Nardil lost much of its efficacy) but I didn't get my desired anxiolytic effect. My pdoc (at the time) wouldn't add a much needed benzo. Though I may not have given it long enough (was on it for about 4 weeks) all I remember thinking at the time was, "I want my Nardil back!"
Much more activating than Nardil, though I wouldn't exactly say 'stimulating'.Side effects? Hard to remember but I'll try: My Nardil induced snoring dissappeared! (which is a BIG deal for me, especially with having a partner I share a bed with!). Insomnia especially at the start. Increased libido & easier to 'cum' (can only be a good thing really!). Slightly stressed/highly strung, but maybe thats just me - I'm like that at the moment.
Do bear in mind that I'd only just stopped Nardil so may not have experienced side effects I might have had had I not just stopped another MAOI.And I'll say it again - a 'strong' antidepressant with a particularly potent serotonergic effect. Be carefull if you've just stopped another serotonergic drug. I say this because I didn't give it the full 2 week break when switching from Nardil & fully believe I felt the start up of Serotonin syndrome for the first few days of Marplan use (my pdoc agreed too). So keep your wits about you!
Hope that makes some sense & helps a bit. Good luck with it.
P.S.
Why could you not take Nardil or Parnate? And whats your diagnosis?
Posted by brooke484 on August 28, 2007, at 20:56:03
In reply to Re: question about Marplan » brooke484, posted by tecknohed on August 28, 2007, at 14:44:04
I have major depression with anxiety, but my main symptom is derealization. I've been living with it for years, but ever since I had my son 3 years ago it's gotten really intense. I'm sure staying at home isn't helping the situation. All I do is think about how horrible I feel.
Anyway, I took Nardil back in 1996 and it did work (I probably felt about 50% better), but when I tried it again last month it was horrible. Too many side effects and I was on it for about 10 weeks. I couldn't go the full 12 weeks. I had palpitations, anxiety, loss of appetite, etc. Parnate was even worse. I took it for a week and that's about all I could stand. So, I just started Lamictal and am adding Marplan next week.
I appreciate the info. The last time I felt better was back in 2002 with Lexapro. I need this to work!
Brooke
Posted by speed on August 29, 2007, at 18:41:56
In reply to How long before Buspar works?, posted by tecknohed on August 26, 2007, at 20:02:50
> How long before Buspar works, roughly?
>
> Its been a week & I've gone gradually from 20mg to 40mg/day in 4 divided doses of 10mg. I do feel a change but I wouldn't say its become theraputic yet. As it works on SE, does it take a while to work like the SSRIs?
>
> I also take 2mg/day of clonazepam also divided into 4 doses (of 0.5mg). I take both meds together at the same time & with food. Is this ok? Do they compete for absorptiBuspar was like a sugar pill for me. It never worked. I tried it for months. clonazepam, and lorazepam worked for me.
Posted by mogger on September 2, 2007, at 3:25:02
In reply to How long before Buspar works?, posted by tecknohed on August 26, 2007, at 20:02:50
I am at 90mg a day!! 45mg in the morning and 45mg at night. Buspar has been awesome for my anxiety and ocd. I took about 2 weeks to start to feel the effects.
Posted by mogger on September 2, 2007, at 3:26:27
In reply to Re: question about Marplan - tecknohed, posted by brooke484 on August 28, 2007, at 20:56:03
Brooke,
that sounds like a very good combo (marplan and lamictal). Hang in there,
mogger
Posted by tecknohed on September 2, 2007, at 5:46:01
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works?, posted by mogger on September 2, 2007, at 3:25:02
> I am at 90mg a day!! 45mg in the morning and 45mg at night. Buspar has been awesome for my anxiety and ocd. I took about 2 weeks to start to feel the effects.
Thanx mogger!
Any start-up anxiety & if so how long did it last?
At which dose did it start working, or did you need to reach 90mg/day before any beneficial effects became apparent?
And does it have much of an antidepressant effect, assuming you do suffer from low moods?I too have very bad OCD symptoms. However, in a desperate attempt to get rid of my 'very' low (current) moods I've already added lofepramine (a tricyclic similar to desipramine) to the mix. Been on lofepramine 5 days & its already adding to the stress but I know it lifts my mood, usually after 3 weeks. I'm wondering if its NE/NA effects might cancel out any OCD benefits from Buspar.
Have you found NE/NA meds to be detrimental to your OCD in the past?ANY answers to the above would be greatly appreciated. Thanx in advance!
Posted by mogger on September 2, 2007, at 14:57:24
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works? » mogger, posted by tecknohed on September 2, 2007, at 5:46:01
I was a little agitated for a week going up on buspar. I noticed effects at around 30mg but kept on upping it as it calmed me down and cut my worry quite a bit. As it calmed me down I had an anti depressant effect naturally.
If you have OCD I must share a very important thing that I am having great success with. It is vitamin b8, Inositol to precise. I take 18grams of it a day and it has been one of the best things for my ocd. It kills my rumination and has a huge anti depressant as well. Take a look online about it, it tastes great, I use Jarrow Inositol which you can get online for 11 bucks a bottle. Work up to 18 grams, it is fantastic.
mogger
Posted by tecknohed on September 2, 2007, at 16:05:58
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works?, posted by mogger on September 2, 2007, at 14:57:24
Thanx loads mate! I'll give Inositol a try!
Posted by deniseuk190466 on September 4, 2007, at 18:00:51
In reply to How long before Buspar works?, posted by tecknohed on August 26, 2007, at 20:02:50
Hi,
I've been taking 30mg of Buspar for about a month now and it isn't having a dramatic effect although it seems to be having a subtle effect in that I'm not going as low as I know I can go.
I'm a bit more in control, functional etc but still feel mainly unhappy and just sort of trying to get through the days. No real enthusiasm for anything but not too suicidal.
That's not to say it won't help you, just my experience with it so far.
Denise
Posted by tecknohed on September 4, 2007, at 19:22:33
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works?, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 4, 2007, at 18:00:51
> Hi,
>
> I've been taking 30mg of Buspar for about a month now and it isn't having a dramatic effect although it seems to be having a subtle effect in that I'm not going as low as I know I can go.
>
> I'm a bit more in control, functional etc but still feel mainly unhappy and just sort of trying to get through the days. No real enthusiasm for anything but not too suicidal.
>
> That's not to say it won't help you, just my experience with it so far.
>
>
> DeniseThanks for your input.
Can you not ask your doc to increase the dosage?
Mine put me on 40mg/day strait away (from 20mg/day to 40mg/day within a week). And although the Patient Information Leaflet that came with it says 45mg/day is the maximum dose (I have generic buspirone tabs), most internet sources say 60mg/day is the max. So 60mg/day is what I'm gonna ask him to increase it to when I see him next.I must also say that when I asked my pdoc what his patients feedback usually is with buspirone he replied that its rather mild, both for anxiety & depression. Still, it was my idea/request in the first place!
But I still have hope for it helping me. In fact, yesterday I switched from 10mg 4 x daily to 20mg 2 x daily and had the best sleep along with the best dream(s) I've had in ages. For a very long time, until now, I've had bizzar/bad dreams & nightmares virtually every night! So maybe it has started to do some good!
Posted by zenhussy on September 4, 2007, at 20:59:50
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works? » deniseuk190466, posted by tecknohed on September 4, 2007, at 19:22:33
Posted by mogger on September 5, 2007, at 3:20:32
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works? » deniseuk190466, posted by tecknohed on September 4, 2007, at 19:22:33
I am at 90mg, 45gm in morning and evening and I can say first hand that the side effects completely wear off after time. my doc says he has patients at 110mg safely.
Posted by deniseuk190466 on September 6, 2007, at 15:39:30
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works? » deniseuk190466, posted by tecknohed on September 4, 2007, at 19:22:33
Hi,
Well I could ask her to up the dose. It seems to be helping a little bit (on it's own) at 30mg. I did try putting it up to 40mg for a week or so (I Think) and it didn't seem to make much difference.
I feel a bit more relaxed on Buspar but at the same time I sort of feel tired all of the time too and sort of couldn't care less on it. Not really very alive still.
Hmmmm, I just never seem to feel right.
But glad that it seems to be helping you.
Denise
Posted by zenhussy on September 6, 2007, at 16:35:13
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works?, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 6, 2007, at 15:39:30
Posted by mogger on September 6, 2007, at 19:32:18
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works?, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 6, 2007, at 15:39:30
Denise,
hang in there, something will click. The tiredness will go away with the buspar if it is helping. Have you tried Inositol for depression? 12mg a day for depression is fantastic for me, I actually take 18gm a day for my OCD which is a huge help. 12gm is a large dose so better to buy it in 8oz powder form, Jarrow is the cheapest online and it tastes great. It took 2 weeks to the day for it to start working but it has literally no side effects but only massive benefits.
mogger
Posted by tecknohed on September 8, 2007, at 5:00:13
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works? » deniseuk190466, posted by tecknohed on September 4, 2007, at 19:22:33
From how I feel so far, I can see how you feel wiped out on it. If I wasn't on lofepramine too (which is a fairly potent NA/NE re-uptake inhibiting tricyclic) then I'd probably be asleep most of the time! Mind you, as soon as I started to take it I was getting up much earlier in the mornings (7am ish). I just seem to be feeling wiped out by 8pm which is a little too early for me.
But its 'definitely' getting more effective by the day (-: My bad dreams have vannished, I'm not tearfull any more and have even become 'chatty' again & can laugh at a joke!
No doubt the lofepramine & clonazepam are helping but 'I know' neither could do all this, either together or on thier own (I've plenty of experience with them both).
I'm still keen to get up to 60mg/day with Buspar & have faith in what zenhussy & mogger say - that the sleepiness will pass with time. I mean, even Nardil's side effects pass with time!
Posted by tecknohed on September 8, 2007, at 5:25:55
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works?, posted by mogger on September 6, 2007, at 19:32:18
OK. I'm starting to like this Buspar. It's helping. But there's a problem - premature ejaculation. And I'm talking a matter a seconds!
Is this normal & will it also go away with time? Could my particular combo be to blame (buspirone + clonazepam + lofepramine)? Are there any effective antidotes?
I know many drugs (ie SSRIs) can cause anorgasmia, etc but never heard of this! How can I enjoy sex/masturbation if there isn't even enough time too!?
Or maybe its some sort of rebound effect from Nardil, with which the anorgasmia never 'completely' dissapeared (though it got a lot better with time)......?
Posted by mogger on September 8, 2007, at 11:35:07
In reply to Re: How long before Buspar works? » tecknohed, posted by tecknohed on September 8, 2007, at 5:00:13
Yay!!! The tiredness will diminish, I promise!!! I am so glad, :)
mogger
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