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Buspar / Xanax combo?

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have experience or comments regarding taking Buspar. I was just prescribed it (2.5 mg twice a day going up to 5mg twice a day after 2 days) I’m curious as to what to expect. I have Xanax for major flare ups and seem to need 1.5 mg a day for now until this Buspar starts to work? I just got over an operation so that is why I think I require as much of the Xanax as I currently do. I’d like to wean off it soon if Buspar works. Am scheduled to have a Psych doctor see me in 2 weeks – first timer! Yikes! Basically, I have GAD with occasionally PA’s. I was diagnosed 5 years ago but was off all meds since last year. This just started up again after some fairly minor surgery I had! I know everyone is different but would like to hear some success/failure stories regarding Buspar as opposed to other longer acting agents. And, beyond meds what best practices should I follow, without becoming obsessed with my condition! Tom

Hi Tom, welcome to ASAP, Buspar may help you with GAD, but very few seem to derive any benefit from this med in reducing panic attacks.   Like most non benzo meds Buspar takes a while to "kick-in," usually 2-4 weeks with continual improvement for some time, but at progressively reduced rates. Good luck Ian

Response:

hi tom….i have been on buspar now for 7 weeks with a klonipin in the am and at night as needed(feeling a whole lot better)….i take 10 mg of buspar 3 times a day …i have been back to my dr and have tried not to use the klonipin and i still need it…buspar does not help with panic attacks just the symptoms of gad. that is why i need the benzo …i hope this helps u and good luck!…colleen

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have experience or comments regarding taking Buspar. I was just prescribed it (2.5 mg twice a day going up to 5mg twice a day after 2 days) I’m curious as to what to expect. I have Xanax for major flare ups and seem to need 1.5 mg a day for now until this Buspar starts to work? I just got over an operation so that is why I think I require as much of the Xanax as I currently do. I’d like to wean off it soon if Buspar works. Am scheduled to have a Psych doctor see me in 2 weeks – first timer! Yikes! Basically, I have GAD with occasionally PA’s. I was diagnosed 5 years ago but was off all meds since last year. This just started up again after some fairly minor surgery I had! I know everyone is different but would like to hear some success/failure stories regarding Buspar as opposed to other longer acting agents. And, beyond meds what best practices should I follow, without becoming obsessed with my condition! Tom Hi, Tom. That’s a pretty large dosage of Xanax for someone just starting out on it, but if that’s what gets you through until the Buspar kicks in, so be it. I beg to differ. 1.5 mgs of Xanax is actually below the average therapeutic dose which is anywhere between 2-6 mgs. Of course being outside an *average* is no problem. Some people are helped by .50 mgs, others need more than 8 mgs. It’s very much an YMMV issue. Philip I sure think I could use closer to 3 or 4, looking at the current 1.5 as a base. I’m still on board the same PA (or whatever) that started over a week ago after coming off general anesthesia from surgery! I just hate to ask for an "upgrade" even though my GP is very understanding of the "problem". Other than dependency, there must be SOME bad side effects (beyond the typical sluggishness,etc.) to some vital organs, No?

Not especially, no. It’s metabolized throuhg the liver but it doesn’t damage a healthy liver. If worried you can have this checked out from time to time by simple blood work. Have to wait 2 weeks for a psych doctor I was referred to. Got to go now. Think my heart is going to stop and start again <chuckle…

Yeah…..it *is* harmless but can be quite annoying and even terrifying… Tom

Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have experience or comments regarding taking Buspar. I was just prescribed it (2.5 mg twice a day going up to 5mg twice a day after 2 days) I’m curious as to what to expect. I have Xanax for major flare ups and seem to need 1.5 mg a day for now until this Buspar starts to work? I just got over an operation so that is why I think I require as much of the Xanax as I currently do. I’d like to wean off it soon if Buspar works. Am scheduled to have a Psych doctor see me in 2 weeks – first timer! Yikes! Basically, I have GAD with occasionally PA’s. I was diagnosed 5 years ago but was off all meds since last year. This just started up again after some fairly minor surgery I had! I know everyone is different but would like to hear some success/failure stories regarding Buspar as opposed to other longer acting agents. And, beyond meds what best practices should I follow, without becoming obsessed with my condition! Tom Hi, Tom. That’s a pretty large dosage of Xanax for someone just starting out on it, but if that’s what gets you through until the Buspar kicks in, so be it. I beg to differ. 1.5 mgs of Xanax is actually below the average therapeutic dose which is anywhere between 2-6 mgs. Of course being outside an *average* is no problem. Some people are helped by .50 mgs, others need more than 8 mgs. It’s very much an YMMV issue. Philip

I sure think I could use closer to 3 or 4, looking at the current 1.5 as a base. I’m still on board the same PA (or whatever) that started over a week ago after coming off general anesthesia from surgery! I just hate to ask for an "upgrade" even though my GP is very understanding of the "problem". Other than dependency, there must be SOME bad side effects (beyond the typical sluggishness,etc.) to some vital organs, No? Have to wait 2 weeks for a psych doctor I was referred to. Got to go now. Think my heart is going to stop and start again <chuckle… Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have experience or comments regarding taking Buspar. I was just prescribed it (2.5 mg twice a day going up to 5mg twice a day after 2 days) I’m curious as to what to expect. I have Xanax for major flare ups and seem to need 1.5 mg a day for now until this Buspar starts to work? I just got over an operation so that is why I think I require as much of the Xanax as I currently do. I’d like to wean off it soon if Buspar works. Am scheduled to have a Psych doctor see me in 2 weeks – first timer! Yikes! Basically, I have GAD with occasionally PA’s. I was diagnosed 5 years ago but was off all meds since last year. This just started up again after some fairly minor surgery I had! I know everyone is different but would like to hear some success/failure stories regarding Buspar as opposed to other longer acting agents. And, beyond meds what best practices should I follow, without becoming obsessed with my condition! Tom Hi, Tom. That’s a pretty large dosage of Xanax for someone just starting out on it, but if that’s what gets you through until the Buspar kicks in, so be it.

I beg to differ. 1.5 mgs of Xanax is actually below the average therapeutic dose which is anywhere between 2-6 mgs. Of course being outside an *average* is no problem. Some people are helped by .50 mgs, others need more than 8 mgs. It’s very much an YMMV issue. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I beg to differ. 1.5 mgs of Xanax is actually below the average therapeutic dose which is anywhere between 2-6 mgs.

Is it really? Most people *seem* to be taking much closer to 2mg than 6mg and doing fine on it. Not to say higher doses are *never* needed, just that most people don’t seem to require them. The single doses (as opposed to total daily dose) almost always seem to be around 0.5mg for people taking maintenance Xanax. -elizabeth

Response:

Thanks for the info. FYI – From what I’ve heard .5 mg of Xanax 3 times a day is a standard begining LOW dose. To be honest, I could easily use twice that to feel "normal"! And I am neither an addictive person nor prone to overdueing drugs!

Well, I’m new to Xanax, so I may be way off in my thinking of what a high starting dosage is. I just got put on 0.5 mg, 2-3 times a day as needed, but then I’ve been dealing with this thing for over a month now, so I figured I was on the high-dosage side, plus I do know there’s even a 0.25 mg Xanax tab. All I can say is that I could have used the stuff a lot sooner, like when I was still having panic attacks. At this point, those seem to be gone and the only thing left is that I just feel like crap for most of the day.  But like I said, whatever works for you, go for it! Well, again, best of luck to you, and hang in there. —- Adrian

Response:

Anyone have experience or comments regarding taking Buspar. I was just prescribed it (2.5 mg twice a day going up to 5mg twice a day after 2 days) I’m curious as to what to expect. I have Xanax for major flare ups and seem to need 1.5 mg a day for now until this Buspar starts to work? I just got over an operation so that is why I think I require as much of the Xanax as I currently do. I’d like to wean off it soon if Buspar works. Am scheduled to have a Psych doctor see me in 2 weeks – first timer! Yikes! Basically, I have GAD with occasionally PA’s. I was diagnosed 5 years ago but was off all meds since last year. This just started up again after some fairly minor surgery I had! I know everyone is different but would like to hear some success/failure stories regarding Buspar as opposed to other longer acting agents. And, beyond meds what best practices should I follow, without becoming obsessed with my condition! Tom

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have experience or comments regarding taking Buspar. I was just prescribed it (2.5 mg twice a day going up to 5mg twice a day after 2 days) I’m curious as to what to expect. I have Xanax for major flare ups and seem to need 1.5 mg a day for now until this Buspar starts to work? I just got over an operation so that is why I think I require as much of the Xanax as I currently do. I’d like to wean off it soon if Buspar works. Am scheduled to have a Psych doctor see me in 2 weeks – first timer! Yikes! Basically, I have GAD with occasionally PA’s. I was diagnosed 5 years ago but was off all meds since last year. This just started up again after some fairly minor surgery I had! I know everyone is different but would like to hear some success/failure stories regarding Buspar as opposed to other longer acting agents. And, beyond meds what best practices should I follow, without becoming obsessed with my condition! Tom

Hi, Tom. That’s a pretty large dosage of Xanax for someone just starting out on it, but if that’s what gets you through until the Buspar kicks in, so be it. Actually, you’re lucky you have the Xanax on hand for the panic attacks–I wish I would have had some when this episode flared up for me. (And, coincidentally, *my* last bout with this was about five years ago too.) I’ve been on Buspar for close to a month now (15 mg twice daily), and I’m still dealing with the lingering symptoms of my GAD–dizziness, depersonalization, and most notable, poor sleep. Looking back a few weeks ago, though, I know I’m doing better now than I was then, and I have heard others here say that it can take up to 8 weeks for Buspar to have its full effect. I do know that the Buspar has pretty much gotten rid of the "bundle of nerves" feeling that I almost always had in the pit of my stomach, and I’m starting to lose the "drunk" feeling I get after taking my pill. So, my advice would have to be–just be patient, and use the Xanax as needed. Things will get better! As for how not to obsess over your condition, someone else will have to help you with that, since I’m either a hypochondriac or a chronic worrier. :-) Best of luck to you… —- Adrian

Response:

Thanks for the info. FYI – From what I’ve heard .5 mg of Xanax 3 times a day is a standard begining LOW dose. To be honest, I could easily use twice that to feel "normal"! And I am neither an addictive person nor prone to overdueing drugs! Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone have experience or comments regarding taking Buspar. I was just prescribed it (2.5 mg twice a day going up to 5mg twice a day after 2 days) I’m curious as to what to expect. I have Xanax for major flare ups and seem to need 1.5 mg a day for now until this Buspar starts to work? I just got over an operation so that is why I think I require as much of the Xanax as I currently do. I’d like to wean off it soon if Buspar works. Am scheduled to have a Psych doctor see me in 2 weeks – first timer! Yikes! Basically, I have GAD with occasionally PA’s. I was diagnosed 5 years ago but was off all meds since last year. This just started up again after some fairly minor surgery I had! I know everyone is different but would like to hear some success/failure stories regarding Buspar as opposed to other longer acting agents. And, beyond meds what best practices should I follow, without becoming obsessed with my condition! Tom Hi, Tom. That’s a pretty large dosage of Xanax for someone just starting out on it, but if that’s what gets you through until the Buspar kicks in, so be it. Actually, you’re lucky you have the Xanax on hand for the panic attacks–I wish I would have had some when this episode flared up for me. (And, coincidentally, *my* last bout with this was about five years ago too.) I’ve been on Buspar for close to a month now (15 mg twice daily), and I’m still dealing with the lingering symptoms of my GAD–dizziness, depersonalization, and most notable, poor sleep. Looking back a few weeks ago, though, I know I’m doing better now than I was then, and I have heard others here say that it can take up to 8 weeks for Buspar to have its full effect. I do know that the Buspar has pretty much gotten rid of the "bundle of nerves" feeling that I almost always had in the pit of my stomach, and I’m starting to lose the "drunk" feeling I get after taking my pill. So, my advice would have to be–just be patient, and use the Xanax as needed. Things will get better! As for how not to obsess over your condition, someone else will have to help you with that, since I’m either a hypochondriac or a chronic worrier. :-) Best of luck to you… —- Adrian

Response:

Hi Tom, When I was first prescribed Xanax it was 3 x 1 mg per day, so I agree that your starting dose is low. I found 3 mg a day made me too drowsy so I was told to halve it initially. My pdoc has only recently discovered that I stayed at that lower dose for 4 years occasionally increasing it when I was struggling. I am now taking 2.5 – 3 mg per day. I have had no adverse side-effects. I guess what I’m saying is stick with your Xanax for as long as needed. Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the info. FYI – From what I’ve heard .5 mg of Xanax 3 times a day is a standard begining LOW dose. To be honest, I could easily use twice that to feel "normal"! And I am neither an addictive person nor prone to overdueing drugs! Tom Anyone have experience or comments regarding taking Buspar. I was just prescribed it (2.5 mg twice a day going up to 5mg twice a day after 2 days) I’m curious as to what to expect. I have Xanax for major flare ups and seem to need 1.5 mg a day for now until this Buspar starts to work? I just got over an operation so that is why I think I require as much of the Xanax as I currently do. I’d like to wean off it soon if Buspar works. Am scheduled to have a Psych doctor see me in 2 weeks – first timer! Yikes! Basically, I have GAD with occasionally PA’s. I was diagnosed 5 years ago but was off all meds since last year. This just started up again after some fairly minor surgery I had! I know everyone is different but would like to hear some success/failure stories regarding Buspar as opposed to other longer acting agents. And, beyond meds what best practices should I follow, without becoming obsessed with my condition! Tom Hi, Tom. That’s a pretty large dosage of Xanax for someone just starting out on it, but if that’s what gets you through until the Buspar kicks in, so be it. Actually, you’re lucky you have the Xanax on hand for the panic attacks–I wish I would have had some when this episode flared up for me. (And, coincidentally, *my* last bout with this was about five years ago too.) I’ve been on Buspar for close to a month now (15 mg twice daily), and I’m still dealing with the lingering symptoms of my GAD–dizziness, depersonalization, and most notable, poor sleep. Looking back a few weeks ago, though, I know I’m doing better now than I was then, and I have heard others here say that it can take up to 8 weeks for Buspar to have its full effect. I do know that the Buspar has pretty much gotten rid of the "bundle of nerves" feeling that I almost always had in the pit of my stomach, and I’m starting to lose the "drunk" feeling I get after taking my pill. So, my advice would have to be–just be patient, and use the Xanax as needed. Things will get better! As for how not to obsess over your condition, someone else will have to help you with that, since I’m either a hypochondriac or a chronic worrier. :-) Best of luck to you… —- Adrian

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