Question:

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with taking Pulmicort  in addition to Flovent?  My daughter was changed from Flovent 220 4 puffs 2x daily to 2 puffs of Flovent as well as 2 puffs of Pulmicort both twice daily. Dr. thinks she may be able to get the pulmicort deeper into her lungs, but wants to keep her on Flovent as well. She also is on an oral regimen.  Thanx in advance. Sorry to always ask so many questions, but am interested in others feedback.

Response:

Doesn’t make much sense to me. If he thinks the Pulmicort will penetrate deeper then why still use the FLovent? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with taking Pulmicort  in addition to Flovent?  My daughter was changed from Flovent 220 4 puffs 2x daily to 2 puffs of Flovent as well as 2 puffs of Pulmicort both twice daily. Dr. thinks she may be able to get the pulmicort deeper into her lungs, but wants to keep her on Flovent as well. She also is on an oral regimen.  Thanx in advance. Sorry to always ask so many questions, but am interested in others feedback.

Response:

To be honest the deeper pentration of Pulmicort is a promotional trick of the Pharmaceutical Company. Deeper penetration does not mean better action because the asthma inflamation is restricted to medium bronchi. Deeper steroid penetration may be joined with greater side effects as the drug is easily distributed to the blood from the pulmonary alveoli. Flovent has greater therapeutic index what means greater efficacy and less side effects. Rather stay with this drug. Marcin STrzondala MD

Response:

To be honest the deeper pentration of Pulmicort is a promotional trick of the Pharmaceutical Company. Deeper penetration does not mean better action because the asthma inflamation is restricted to medium bronchi. Deeper steroid penetration may be joined with greater side effects as the drug is easily distributed to the blood from the pulmonary alveoli. Flovent has greater therapeutic index what means greater efficacy and less side effects. Rather stay with this drug. Marcin STrzondala MD

I don’t knew, what you knew, but I think… …you have some friends from glaxo, …you don’t knew what Astra says, …you aren’t helpful for most ng-members, because your minds are indifferent and you make presumption of the work of an home-medician. You are right with the connexion of deeper penetration and Alveolitis. Lothar.

Response:

Question:

About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info.

Hopefully it isn’t an abcess like the one that just about killed me.  No reason for it to be an abcess — mine may have been caused by frostbite — but if should you start having severe choking episodes then get to an ER and have it checked out.

Response:

About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info.

I just started on Sigulair this past week and after 16 months on Accolate I find it MUCH more effective. No lingering tightness, no consistent light wheezing, its wonderful..almost like Theo again.  What are some of the other side effects..(Dr gave me 2 week sample to try) Bill

Response:

About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info. I have a lump in my throat also.   I thought it was from increasing the

Flovent from 8 puffs of 110 to 8 puffs of 220, so I have been cutting back on the Flovent, I haven’t noticed any changes in the lump.  I did go to the Dr. and she didn’t see anything abnormal in my throat.  Since this is the height of asthma/allergy season here I am reluctant to go off Singulair,  I had rash on my arms with Accolate.  Let me know what you do, if you stop Singulair and the lump goes away.  I hope the lump isn’t anything serious because for now I have decided to learn to live with the it.  Pam – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I found Singulair worked quite well in lessening need forVentolin, but it caused edema, esp. swollen ankles.  I kept with it for about 4 months since doctors denied this as a side effect. (Doesn’t seem so strange to me since the generic name is M. Sodium)…

Montelukast Sodium http://www.merck.com/product/usa/singulair/cns/prescribing_info/descr… l has a chemical formula of C35 H35 Cl N Na O3 S, it has a molecular weight of 608.18 Daltons (one Dalton is approximately the weight of one hydrogen atom).  Sodium has a molecular weight of 23 Daltons.  That means that sodium accounts for 3.78% of the Montelukast total weight (23/608.18=3.78%).  There are 10 mg of Montelukast Sodium in a tablet of Singulair, that means there are 0.378 mg of Sodium in a Singulair tablet (10 mg x 3.78%=0.378 mg). There are 7.3 mg of Sodium in a single Bite Size tortilla chip of a popular name brand.  I’m not an MD but it is hard for me to imagine that 0.387 mg of Sodium is enough to make one’s ankle swell.  Perhaps it is a reaction to the carbohydrate portion of the molecule.

Response:

About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info.

Response:

I found Singulair worked quite well in lessening need forVentolin, but it caused edema, esp. swollen ankles.  I kept with it for about 4 months since doctors denied this as a side effect. (Doesn’t seem so strange to me since the generic name is M. Sodium)   Finally, I tried going off Singulair twice and each time the swelling went away. I am no longer on Singulair. Accolate did not work for me at all.  Unfortunately, I am running out of things to try. Serevent was a disaster.  Any other really new drugs or techniques? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info.

Response:

Question:

I take azmacort-3 puffs 2x a day, serevent-2 puffs 2x a day and singulair at bedtime.  I also use the  ventolin inhaler as needed(or in the nebulizer–which is not very often).  Does anyone know if any of this medication can cause insomnia? Thanks

Response:

I do not know all your medicines but I am new to singulair and finding it a little agitating, restless making. Fortunately for me another non asthma medicine I take makes me drowsy. I have a feeling that if it doesn’t go away you might look at singulair as the culprit. You know the principle of single subject testing don’t you?  To be sure, you must go off the suspected medicine, have the side effects go away, then go back on again, and have them come back, and go off again (if you can’t stand them) and have them go away. I take azmacort-3 puffs 2x a day, serevent-2 puffs 2x a day and singulair at bedtime.  I also use the  ventolin inhaler as needed(or in the nebulizer–which is not very often).  Does anyone know if any of this medication can cause insomnia? Thanks

Response:

I take azmacort-3 puffs 2x a day, serevent-2 puffs 2x a day and singulair at bedtime.  I also use the  ventolin inhaler as needed(or in the nebulizer–which is not very often).  Does anyone know if any of this medication can cause insomnia? Thanks

Bronchodilators are the asthma meds most likely to cause this symptom. It could be the Serevent. It can take some time to get used to it; I had nightmares when I 1st started taking it, which subsided after a couple of months. Some have to reduce the dose of Serevent. Albuterol could also do this, especially in nebulizer form. Each nebulizer treatment (2.5 gm albuterol) is equivalent to 10 puffs of albuterol by Metered Dose Inhaler. More info at www.rxlist.com type in name of drug. Ellis

Response:

People are so different in how they react. I have never heard that about serevent and never would have suspected it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take azmacort-3 puffs 2x a day, serevent-2 puffs 2x a day and singulair at bedtime.  I also use the  ventolin inhaler as needed(or in the nebulizer–which is not very often).  Does anyone know if any of this medication can cause insomnia? Thanks Bronchodilators are the asthma meds most likely to cause this symptom. It could be the Serevent. It can take some time to get used to it; I had nightmares when I 1st started taking it, which subsided after a couple of months. Some have to reduce the dose of Serevent. Albuterol could also do this, especially in nebulizer form. Each nebulizer treatment (2.5 gm albuterol) is equivalent to 10 puffs of albuterol by Metered Dose Inhaler. More info at www.rxlist.com type in name of drug. Ellis

Response:

I take azmacort-3 puffs 2x a day, serevent-2 puffs 2x a day and singulair at bedtime.  I also use the  ventolin inhaler as needed(or in the nebulizer–which is not very often).  Does anyone know if any of this medication can cause insomnia? Thanks Yes, definitely…Serevent and/or ventolin. It’s after 1 am, and I am still up having taken the same meds! I’m experimenting with changing the time I take the Serevent…if I solve this problem, I’ll let you know. rec.crafts.textiles.needlework alt.support.asthma

Response:

Thanks.  I had pushed the time later as to taking the singulair, hoping that the effects of it would last longer into the following day.  But I’m assuming that taking singulair, serevent, azmacort and ventolin (if needed) at midnight is just a little to much before bedtime

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, definitely…Serevent and/or ventolin. It’s after 1 am, and I am still up having taken the same meds! I’m experimenting with changing the time I take the Serevent…if I solve this problem, I’ll let you know. rec.crafts.textiles.needlework alt.support.asthma

Response:

I too am on Serevent and have had trouble sleeping and also HORRIBLE nightmares for the last month. I’ve been on Serevent for a month!! And I have never had nightmares before in my life. I thought I was going crazy! But thanks to Ellis’s post I now know whats causing them!

Response:

Thanks.  I had pushed the time later as to taking the singulair, hoping that the effects of it would last longer into the following day.  But I’m assuming that taking singulair, serevent, azmacort and ventolin (if needed) at midnight is just a little to much before bedtime Recently I’ve pushed the time I take the Serevent later until just before I hit the sack. Seems I read that it peaks at 4 hours, so I’m trying to see what happens if I get to sleep before it really takes effect.  Well….worth a try I thought. Will let you know.  BTWm prednisome makes sleeping  a problem too. rec.crafts.textiles.needlework alt.support.asthma

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – X-No-archive: yes Hi, I posted here almost 2 years ago after suffering a series of panic attacks and extreme anxiety for abt 6 months. Months later, the anxiety is still around, though not as severe. I never had any treatment and it seemed to subside, although my eating habits have remained permanently screwed up. I’ve also had to deal with chronic severe endometriosis, which I finally had treatment for this year, so it has been fairly tough!! My problem is that I am due to begin my Honours year in psychology (ironic? I think so) next year and, to put it frankly, I am terrified that the anxiety is going to come back a lot worse. I already feel sick and shaky thinking about it, and I feel myself getting more and more agitated as the end of the year draws closer. This time, I want to take some kind of medication to help me through it, but I’m unsure when I should see a doctor and request it — since the university year runs from March – November here, I’m thinking early January, so I’ll have the chance to find something that will work hopefully and give it a chance to kick in? I want medication because, looking back, I can remember instances of extreme anxiety dating back to when I was 5 years old, which kinda suggests to me that it might be some kind of neurotransmitter imbalance as opposed to something learnt or directly environmentally triggered. I’ve had this all of my life, and it’s only now that it’s really starting to drive me crazy. I’m so scared I won’t find a med that will work for me. My fingers are just crossed that I will! Any advice on the kind of medication to take? I know that it varies, but I have friends who have taken Zoloft for anxiety and found it very effective, and I’m a little wary of Aropax (Paxil) due to the withdrawal symptoms I have heard about. Any comments/advice would most appreciated. Take care xxxxxxxx

I just started taking klonopin.  It is a benzo.  I like the ideas of benzo because if you have side effects or do not like them you simply stop and they are not in your system forever.  Like SSRI like Prozac Zoloft Celexa paxil all take at least 2 to 3 weeks of nasty side effects and making anxiety worse before you feel any relief  then if you feel you cannot stand the side effects and stop they stay in your system for like 2 or more weeks still!  Benzo is just a fancy term for tranquilizer.  I take .25 Klonopin once in the morning and once at night.  I have only been on it a week but like it so far. Also Benzo family work instantly like the very first pill you take it reduces anxiety.  The only thing is the firs day or so you may feel a little tired while you body adjusts.  Then the sleepiness for me went away but the anti anxiety calm feeling is staying so far! Good Luck! Dustin

Response:

Cool Dustin, I am glad it is working for you.  Good luck when you put the dosage up again. If it is working now, it will continue to work for you when you add a bit more, then you can concentrate on your "baby steps" getting out in that big wide world again! Take care Imogen

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – X-No-archive: yes Hi, I posted here almost 2 years ago after suffering a series of panic attacks and extreme anxiety for abt 6 months. Months later, the anxiety is still around, though not as severe. I never had any treatment and it seemed to subside, although my eating habits have remained permanently screwed up. I’ve also had to deal with chronic severe endometriosis, which I finally had treatment for this year, so it has been fairly tough!! My problem is that I am due to begin my Honours year in psychology (ironic? I think so) next year and, to put it frankly, I am terrified that the anxiety is going to come back a lot worse. I already feel sick and shaky thinking about it, and I feel myself getting more and more agitated as the end of the year draws closer. This time, I want to take some kind of medication to help me through it, but I’m unsure when I should see a doctor and request it — since the university year runs from March – November here, I’m thinking early January, so I’ll have the chance to find something that will work hopefully and give it a chance to kick in? I want medication because, looking back, I can remember instances of extreme anxiety dating back to when I was 5 years old, which kinda suggests to me that it might be some kind of neurotransmitter imbalance as opposed to something learnt or directly environmentally triggered. I’ve had this all of my life, and it’s only now that it’s really starting to drive me crazy. I’m so scared I won’t find a med that will work for me. My fingers are just crossed that I will! Any advice on the kind of medication to take? I know that it varies, but I have friends who have taken Zoloft for anxiety and found it very effective, and I’m a little wary of Aropax (Paxil) due to the withdrawal symptoms I have heard about. Any comments/advice would most appreciated. Take care xxxxxxxx I just started taking klonopin.  It is a benzo.  I like the ideas of benzo because if you have side effects or do not like them you simply stop and they are not in your system forever.  Like SSRI like Prozac Zoloft Celexa paxil all take at least 2 to 3 weeks of nasty side effects and making anxiety worse before you feel any relief  then if you feel you cannot stand the side effects and stop they stay in your system for like 2 or more weeks still!  Benzo is just a fancy term for tranquilizer.  I take .25 Klonopin once in the morning and once at night.  I have only been on it a week but like it so far. Also Benzo family work instantly like the very first pill you take it reduces anxiety.  The only thing is the firs day or so you may feel a little tired while you body adjusts.  Then the sleepiness for me went away but the anti anxiety calm feeling is staying so far! Good Luck! Dustin

Response:

Hello, I don’t see any reason for waiting. Why not see a specialist now. You may not need medication. Therapy may help but if you need medication as well it would be helpful to sort it out during your break, rather than worrying about it until next year. Sorry about the endometriosis but I’m pleased you have had treatment. I have been taking medication for years. A combination of Xanax and Efexor XR works for me but we are all different. Welcome to another Aussie. Take care, Meryl (Melbourne)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – X-No-archive: yes Hi, I posted here almost 2 years ago after suffering a series of panic attacks and extreme anxiety for abt 6 months. Months later, the anxiety is still around, though not as severe. I never had any treatment and it seemed to subside, although my eating habits have remained permanently screwed up. I’ve also had to deal with chronic severe endometriosis, which I finally had treatment for this year, so it has been fairly tough!! My problem is that I am due to begin my Honours year in psychology (ironic? I think so) next year and, to put it frankly, I am terrified that the anxiety is going to come back a lot worse. I already feel sick and shaky thinking about it, and I feel myself getting more and more agitated as the end of the year draws closer. This time, I want to take some kind of medication to help me through it, but I’m unsure when I should see a doctor and request it — since the university year runs from March – November here, I’m thinking early January, so I’ll have the chance to find something that will work hopefully and give it a chance to kick in? I want medication because, looking back, I can remember instances of extreme anxiety dating back to when I was 5 years old, which kinda suggests to me that it might be some kind of neurotransmitter imbalance as opposed to something learnt or directly environmentally triggered. I’ve had this all of my life, and it’s only now that it’s really starting to drive me crazy. I’m so scared I won’t find a med that will work for me. My fingers are just crossed that I will! Any advice on the kind of medication to take? I know that it varies, but I have friends who have taken Zoloft for anxiety and found it very effective, and I’m a little wary of Aropax (Paxil) due to the withdrawal symptoms I have heard about. Any comments/advice would most appreciated. Take care xxxxxxxx

Response:

Question:

I can use a pick fairly well but I get more feeling by using my thumb and fingers. Would using the pick be that more useful?

I prefer using a pick for strumming chords and lead lines, but using the thumb and fingers for many chord arpeggios and other patterns requiring a lot of string skipping. Lucas B.

Response:

I can use a pick fairly well but I get more feeling by using my thumb and fingers. Would using the pick be that more useful?

I use both, sometimes concurrently.  No reason to limit yourself; they are both useful depending on context. -pk

Response:

you should use your fingers and your pick for different things the sound it’s note the same! use whatever suits best! strangest picking i’ve ever seen. a guy holdind a pick with the thumb and the index (not strange) to play what the thumb would normaly play. the other fingers would play the first three stings!

Response:

I find that i play better with my fingers, but i like the sound of the pick much better.

Response:

Use a thumb pick! Dunlop has all kinds…you can grab it like a regular pick if you must or let go of it and user your fingers. This sounds strange but I really like it.  It takes a while to get use to but after a while if feels strange wasting all your energy pinching a pick between your index and thumb…uuuugggggg!!! http://www.mp3.com/skyfishermen Scott Reinson I can use a pick fairly well but I get more feeling by using my thumb and fingers. Would using the pick be that more useful?

Response:

I can use a pick fairly well but I get more feeling by using my thumb and fingers. Would using the pick be that more useful? I prefer using a pick for strumming chords and lead lines, but using the thumb and fingers for many chord arpeggios and other patterns requiring a lot of string skipping.

Agreed. I fingerpick on acoustic almost exclusively, and I only use a pick on electric (but that’s mainly because I have Benign Essential Tremor and it would be way too sloppy if I fingerpicked on the electric). But a pick makes for much better soloing (aside from bluegrass and stuff like that). And you can’t solo as fast fingerstyle. Sven

Response:

I can use a pick fairly well but I get more feeling by using my thumb and fingers. Would using the pick be that more useful?

Response:

Question:

Ok what is with Zoloft? I am constantly on the bowel. At this rate I’ll be the next Twiggy! Is it my nerves or what? I have been on Zoloft (100mg) for five years now and I was alright. I never experienced this kind of cramping and explosion before! Since the increase of Zoloft (50mg) all I have to say is, "LORD HELP ME." Anyway, gotta run (you know where!) Zedexa

Response:

OMG I wrote bowel instead of bowl!!!!!!! Guess what I have on my mind! Red Faced and Cramped, Zedexa

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok what is with Zoloft? I am constantly on the bowel. At this rate I’ll be the next Twiggy! Is it my nerves or what? I have been on Zoloft (100mg) for five years now and I was alright. I never experienced this kind of cramping and explosion before! Since the increase of Zoloft (50mg) all I have to say is, "LORD HELP ME." Anyway, gotta run (you know where!) Zedexa

Response:

Ok what is with Zoloft? I am constantly on the bowel. At this rate I’ll be the next Twiggy! Is it my nerves or what? I have been on Zoloft (100mg) for five years now and I was alright. I never experienced this kind of cramping and explosion before! Since the increase of Zoloft (50mg) all I have to say is, "LORD HELP ME." Anyway, gotta run (you know where!) Zedexa

I’m so sorry you aren’t feeling well Zedexa!  I wish I could help you with the side effects of Zoloft, but I was only on it for one or two days, I think, and that was 5 yrs. ago.  I hope you feel better soon! Hugs, Di

Response:

That’s always awful to suffer through, I’m sorry to hear your reacting that way!  Since you’ve been on the Zoloft and this was just an increase, hopefully it should clear up in a few days.  Maybe you have a stomach bug? The cramping sounds like it could be. Take care of yourself and drink plenty of fluids!  :) -Alan — Alan Derrick

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok what is with Zoloft? I am constantly on the bowel. At this rate I’ll be the next Twiggy! Is it my nerves or what? I have been on Zoloft (100mg) for five years now and I was alright. I never experienced this kind of cramping and explosion before! Since the increase of Zoloft (50mg) all I have to say is, "LORD HELP ME." Anyway, gotta run (you know where!) Zedexa I’m so sorry you aren’t feeling well Zedexa!  I wish I could help you with the side effects of Zoloft, but I was only on it for one or two days, I think, and that was 5 yrs. ago.  I hope you feel better soon! Hugs, Di

Response:

Hi Zedexa, I was very worried about this possible side effect, since my trigger on the anxiety was bowel related problems.  What I have done and been very religious about, is make sure I get loads of fiber in the diet.  I take care of this easily with All Bran cereal (you have to mix it up with another cereal you will actually like, or put other stuff in it).  I noticed a slight "loosening" of things when I began the zoloft, but have not had any D (knock on toilet bowl).  I’ve read that the bowel is a muscle, and in order to work it out, we need the fiber in there so it has something to clamp down on.  Maybe this will help. Mary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s always awful to suffer through, I’m sorry to hear your reacting that way!  Since you’ve been on the Zoloft and this was just an increase, hopefully it should clear up in a few days.  Maybe you have a stomach bug? The cramping sounds like it could be. Take care of yourself and drink plenty of fluids!  :) -Alan — Alan Derrick Ok what is with Zoloft? I am constantly on the bowel. At this rate I’ll be the next Twiggy! Is it my nerves or what? I have been on Zoloft (100mg) for five years now and I was alright. I never experienced this kind of cramping and explosion before! Since the increase of Zoloft (50mg) all I have to say is, "LORD HELP ME." Anyway, gotta run (you know where!) Zedexa I’m so sorry you aren’t feeling well Zedexa!  I wish I could help you with the side effects of Zoloft, but I was only on it for one or two days, I think, and that was 5 yrs. ago.  I hope you feel better soon! Hugs, Di

Response:

Ok what is with Zoloft? I am constantly on the bowel. At this rate I’ll be the next Twiggy! Is it my nerves or what? I have been on Zoloft (100mg) for five years now and I was alright. I never experienced this kind of cramping and explosion before! Since the increase of Zoloft (50mg) all I have to say is, "LORD HELP ME." Anyway, gotta run (you know where!) Zedexa

Hi Zedexa, Zoloft, like all SSRIs, alters the movement of serotonin. While its target is the small amount used by the brain, it also affects serotonin pathways in the body. Most serotonin is actually made/used by the gut (about 95%), another few percent is found in blood vessels and the skin also contains some, especially if its injured (burns/sunburn/infection etc). It should settle down. If you have upped the dose by 50mg in one go, then you might want to cut back and ramp it up more slowly. However, get your doc to check on this, it may be something else. Probably not, but you never know. And if it becomes an ongoing problem, then  consider changing to a tricyclic. But, be warned, they usually cause the opposite effect – constipation. Good luck                                               Zu

Response:

Question:

It was recently suggested to my uncle by his doctor that he should take Zoloft for depression along with the 2mg./per day of Xanax that he’s taken since Feb. 1998. None of the other anti-depressants he’s taken have helped him. In that they have cancelled out the effect of the Xanax, which in his case, does reduce the sound. It then takes him a day or two to get the Xanax to be effective again. He was told that Xanax and Zoloft work well together. Have any of you had any experience with these drugs in a combo form? And also, what is an average dosage of Zoloft? He realizes that the anti-depressants won’t help the tinnitus, but he needs something for depression. He’s tried prozac, klonopin & wellbuturin to no avail.                                                                   Thanks

Response:

acj…@aol.com (ACJ942) wrote:

It was recently suggested to my uncle by his doctor that he should take Zoloft for depression along with the 2mg./per day of Xanax that he’s taken since Feb. 1998. None of the other anti-depressants he’s taken have helped him. In that they have cancelled out the effect of the Xanax, which in his case, does reduce the sound. It then takes him a day or two to get the Xanax to be effective again. He was told that Xanax and Zoloft work well together. Have any of you had any experience with these drugs in a combo form? And also, what is an average dosage of Zoloft? He realizes that the anti-depressants won’t help the tinnitus, but he needs something for depression. He’s tried prozac, klonopin & wellbuturin to no avail.                                                                  Thanks

……….. Each person’s individual response to psychopharmacological therapy for depression depends upon innumerable factors.  In general, though, the combination of an SSRI and a benzodiazepine is a very rational and often every effective approach. Prozac/Xanax or Zoloft/Xanax are pretty classic combinations in this regard; I use them often as part of the treatment of tinnitus-related depression, though you are absolutely correct in that Zoloft does not impact the tinnitus directly at all (and in my mind it is questionable whether or not Xanax does). The starting dose of Zoloft is usually 50mg/day. stephen nagler Stephen M. Nagler, MD, FACS Director Southeastern Comprehensive Tinnitus Clinic Atlanta, Georgia (404) 531-3979 www.tinn.com

Response:

Question:

Boy did this one thing you asked ring a bell.I am tired of hearing a doctor or professional tell me , I couldn’t have felt the affects of the medication because its too early.What a bunch of bull.Too often the real truth is professionals and psychiaitry is practiced so unevenly its truly a sin!.Each time you ask someone else you get a different answer.I too have taken Buspar for a day and instantly felt more relaxed.But I don’t take it too often cause I believe its just a stronger version of valium.at least and at most too strong.You have to determine whats right for you.However incidentally I had a doctor tell me, to take it as needed , no need to take it for weeks.With prozac I didn’t need to take that stuff longer then a week (2 bloody noses) to know what I felt and didn’t need  anyone to tell me what I felt was real or not real. what hogwash.Still glad buspar is around but still waiting for better science. Tell daughter to try exercise, stop smoking and eat healthy .

Response:

I do realize however that some meds do work after getting in blood stream , and some especially anti depressants and mood meds might take a few weeks.Every person is different but more importantly  listen to your body , and incidentally Buspar is not one of the drugs that HAVE to be in your system for weeks.

Response:

My teenage daughter (17 years old)  is taking Buspar for sever anxiety and panic disorder. I was wondering if anyone can help me here. She has just been on this medication for nearly 3 weeks now. Her inital does was 5mg morn 5mg afternoon and 10mg beditime. That was the first 2 weeks. She did show some signs of improvement but not nearly enough. Her dosage has now been increased to 7.5mg morn 7.5mg afternoon and 15mg bedtime. Question here is i understand that it takes weeks for it to take full effectivness, but seems when she feels anxiety now and takes the medication within mins she feels somewhat better. Is this possible, or does it have to reach its full limits before it works? Hope you can understand this question. Thanks in advance!

Hi Dad! BuSpar will *not* block panic attacks. The meds of choice for panic disorder are those that *do* block panic attacks. And these include the benzos (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, etc) and the SSRIs (e.g. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, etc.). Sounds like your daughter saw a GP instead of a psychiatrist (who she should see for med advice on panic disorder). Feeling better within minutes of taking a  BuSpar pill is a *placebo* effect (i.e. you have "faith" it will help, and thus it does). Chip Before you buy.

Response:

My teenage daughter (17 years old)  is taking Buspar for sever anxiety and panic disorder. I was wondering if anyone can help me here. She has just been on this medication for nearly 3 weeks now. Her inital does was 5mg morn 5mg afternoon and 10mg beditime. That was the first 2 weeks. She did show some signs of improvement but not nearly enough. Her dosage has now been increased to 7.5mg morn 7.5mg afternoon and 15mg bedtime. Question here is i understand that it takes weeks for it to take full effectivness, but seems when she feels anxiety now and takes the medication within mins she feels somewhat better. Is this possible, or does it have to reach its full limits before it works? Hope you can understand this question. Thanks in advance!

Response:

I sympathize, Neal, and oh, Thank You for answering one of my questions! I took the 3 others, for panic/anxiety… Prozac, zoloft, and paxil, and felt worse within a week. When I was prescribed Buspar, I had no high hopes, but I swear within an hour, I felt a heaviness, rather than extreme panic. An almost calmness, maybe sleepy, and it made me feel better immediately. I was given 7.5 mg, in am and again at pm for a week, then 15 mg am and pm, since then, about 2 months now. It hasnt helped completely, but feel a difference. I’m sorry I can’t answer your question, but sometimes, just having someone share an experience helps, a bit. I have been told by therapist that I may need an increase, but I haven’t felt comfortable about it yet. (also, i had been told before that there are no side effects from paxil, zoloft or prozac, and i KNOW that there are!) so go with what feels right, and what seems to be working- even a little bit at a time.

Response:

Hi, I was recently prescribed Buspar for genreral anxiety disorder and after researching it a bit, I find I’m very confused.  I have both depression and GAD, but it’s the anxiety that’s bothering me most at the moment. (It’s hard sometimes to separate these things into categories, btw).  My question is this (I’m a bit of a newbie poster but I’ve read a lot).  Buspar and and SSRI’s appear to do different things.  Anxiety is apparently caused by too much serotonin. According to the www.buspar.com home page (sponsored by Bristol/Myers/Squibb):          "Your symptoms of persistent anxiety may be due to an imbalance of          a chemical called "serotonin" in the brain. It is believed that          an excess of serotonin may be one of the causes of persistent          anxiety. Other anti-anxiety medications work on different          chemicals in the brain.          BuSpar works differently from other anti-anxiety medications –          BuSpar works on the "serotonin system" in the brain to bring          serotonin levels back to normal." But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin. I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things. A quick history – I’ve had depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and the only medicinal success I’ve had was with Zoloft several years ago.  Zoloft helped tremendously, it seemed to knock out the anxiety and lifted my depression.  There were side effects (drowsiness, sexual dampening, some word finding trouble), but it worked.  I went off it after I decided I was feeling good enough to give it a try.  The depression and anxiety gradually returned. A year later I tried it again but it increased my anxiety so much (like drinking several pots of coffee!) that I was unable to tolerate it even at small doses and I gave up before it gave me any benefit. Right now I’ve been on Buspar for about a week (10mg/day – I’m sensitive to drugs).  I’m not feeling any better, in fact the main effects seem to be dizziness, drowsiness, headache and poor concentration, even worse than before.  And improving concentration is one of the things Buspar is supposed to help!  And as evidenced by this post, my chronic worry doesn’t seem to be getting any better either  :-)  I seem to be getting a bit of the bruxism/jaw clenching that I recall was a side effect of zoloft too. Can anyone out there, either fellow sufferer or pharmacist help me understand the mechanics of these drugs? Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this. Thanks in advance -Grisha

Response:

(snip) But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin.

This is what I understood, too.  I’m on Zoloft. for GAD. I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things. A quick history – I’ve had depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and the only medicinal success I’ve had was with Zoloft several years ago.  Zoloft helped tremendously, it seemed to knock out the anxiety and lifted my depression.  There were side effects (drowsiness, sexual dampening, some word finding trouble), but it worked.

Ah, I’ve ben wondering if my "word finding trouble" (<—good description!) is related to the Zoloft.  I guess maybe it is.   I went off it after I decided I was feeling good enough to give it a try.  The depression and anxiety gradually returned. A year later I tried it again but it increased my anxiety so much (like drinking several pots of coffee!) that I was unable to tolerate it even at small doses and I gave up before it gave me any benefit. Right now I’ve been on Buspar for about a week (10mg/day – I’m sensitive to drugs).  I’m not feeling any better, in fact the main effects seem to be dizziness, drowsiness, headache and poor concentration, even worse than before.

(snip) This probably won’t help you much, but I’ve been reading some of the posts from people on Buspar and wondering just how effective this drug is.  Four people I know were prescribed Buspar for anxiety/panic by their GP’s or OBGYN’s, and all 4 said it made them so much worse! They felt totally out of control on the Buspar, and did so much better on a different drug (Zoloft and maybe Prozac, IIRC).   Luckily, my psych. put me on Z from the get-go and I haven’t had any problems.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this. Thanks in advance -Grisha

Response:

Hi, I was recently prescribed Buspar for genreral anxiety disorder and after researching it a bit, I find I’m very confused.  I have both depression and GAD, but it’s the anxiety that’s bothering me most at the moment. (It’s hard sometimes to separate these things into categories, btw).  My question is this (I’m a bit of a newbie poster but I’ve read a lot).  Buspar and and SSRI’s appear to do different things.  Anxiety is apparently caused by too much serotonin. According to the www.buspar.com home page (sponsored by Bristol/Myers/Squibb):

Hi, Grisha, good to have you posting <some snipping Bristol/Myers/Squibb were, as one might expect, being a leetle selective with the facts there. As I understand it, no one really knows what causes anxiety disorders. Serotonin is one of the substances impilcated – but just one. It’s important to remember, for example, that a very fair proportion of people on this NG don’t use medications that affect serotonin at all and yet get very effective relief from what they do use – benzodiazepines. Arguably their problem concerns GABA, not serotonin. <more snipping But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin.

Exactly right, as I understand it, so possibly a clue why Buspar isn’t widely regarded as an effective medication by the majority of people who’ve posted here? I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things.

I simply don’t know the answer to this but perhaps one of the wetstuff techies can help us? <yet more snipping Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this.

Personally, I won’t tolerate side effects lasting more than about ten-14 days, but that’s just me. I worry about Buspar – not because I think it does people harm, but because I sense it is being prescribed as an alternative to benzodiazepines by doctors who have swallowed the myths and propaganda about "addiction" concerning the latter. It’s fair enough to try it, but to persist against the odds seems like bad practice to me. Have you tried the combination of an AD and a benzo? Judging by the posts here, that seems to be the most useful combination for those with coincident depression and I wonder if it might be worth discussing it with your doctor? Just a thought — Gary Cooper

Response:

<snipped some good stuff : I just started takign BuSpar as an enhancer to the Effexor that I’m already taking.   In addition, I take klonopin.  The idea is to get me up to 15 mg/day. I have lots of problems with anxiety, but my main hope for BuSpar is that it will pick up the Effexor…. No longer searching for beauty or love, just some kind of life with the edges taken off. –Jarvis Cocker

Response:

Bristol/Myers/Squibb were, as one might expect, being a leetle selective with the facts there. As I understand it, no one really knows what causes anxiety disorders. Serotonin is one of the substances impilcated – but just one. It’s important to remember, for example, that a very fair proportion of people on this NG don’t use medications that affect serotonin at all and yet get very effective relief from what they do use – benzodiazepines. Arguably their problem concerns GABA, not serotonin.

I’ve heard this theory several times before.  I take it that it is possible that people have a problem with levels of serotonin, and this is causing the anxiety, but the increase in the strength of binding of GABA (which is what the benzos do) has an effect that offsets the effects of the serotonin problem.  This might explain why people get relief from anxiety from both serotoninigic and GABA-related treatments.  (Or, maybe the reverse is the case, for that matter.) People like, e.g. Peter Kramer (and many other people I’ve run across in print) move from the fact that drug x increases y and drug x cures depression that depression is caused by (in part, at least) too little y. I just think that this is a bit quick.  It’s certainly one potential explanation, and perhaps the best one.  But it’s not the only one.  Again, it might be that the depression is caused by some other factor, z, whose effects are overridden by the effects of the increase in y. (Gary–not directed at you personally, and please don’t take me as being pedantic; I don’t mean to be.  Just a question I have about an inference that I see made all over.) <more snipping But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin.

Though BuSpar does work for some (just not many, it seems).  I think that this just shows that we’re a long way from understanding how these drugs cure depression and anxiety. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things. I simply don’t know the answer to this but perhaps one of the wetstuff techies can help us? Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this.

It depends on how bad the side effects are–BuSpar, like SSRIs, takes 2-4 weeks to really start working (if it does at all). snip  I worry about Buspar – not because I think it does people harm, but because I sense it is being prescribed as an alternative to benzodiazepines by doctors who have swallowed the myths and propaganda about "addiction" concerning the latter. It’s fair enough to try it, but to persist against the odds seems like bad practice to me.

I totally agree. Have you tried the combination of an AD and a benzo? Judging by the posts here, that seems to be the most useful combination for those with coincident depression and I wonder if it might be worth discussing it with your doctor? Just a thought

And, IMHO, the right thought.  I second the motion. Matt

Response:

<some snipping for space People like, e.g. Peter Kramer (and many other people I’ve run across in print) move from the fact that drug x increases y and drug x cures depression that depression is caused by (in part, at least) too little y. I just think that this is a bit quick.  It’s certainly one potential explanation, and perhaps the best one.  But it’s not the only one.  Again, it might be that the depression is caused by some other factor, z, whose effects are overridden by the effects of the increase in y. (Gary–not directed at you personally, and please don’t take me as being pedantic; I don’t mean to be.  Just a question I have about an inference that I see made all over.)

<rest snipped Oh, I certainly don’t Matt. But, personally, I long ago realised that I hadn’t the dedication to go into the minuteae of the neuro-chemistry of this – particularly as it’s such a conjectural field anyway. To do so to any level that might satisfy me intellectually, I’d effectively have to take a DIY med. degree and even then I’d be banging heads with the experts, who seem hopelessly confused themselves – blown around the map of the brain like pre-chronometer navigators I almost hate admitting this to a philosopher but I trust my intuition and that tells me that Clarke’s Law applies here. Too many eminent pshrinks are talking about serotonin for that to possibly be the answer Maybe it is? Maybe it’s CCK? Maybe it’s dopamine? None of us knows so, for now, all we can be is engineers, rather than theoretical physicists. Sometimes I’m not sure that’s a bad thing, either — Gary Cooper

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <some snipping for space People like, e.g. Peter Kramer (and many other people I’ve run across in print) move from the fact that drug x increases y and drug x cures depression that depression is caused by (in part, at least) too little y. I just think that this is a bit quick.  It’s certainly one potential explanation, and perhaps the best one.  But it’s not the only one.  Again, it might be that the depression is caused by some other factor, z, whose effects are overridden by the effects of the increase in y. (Gary–not directed at you personally, and please don’t take me as being pedantic; I don’t mean to be.  Just a question I have about an inference that I see made all over.) <rest snipped

snip I almost hate admitting this to a philosopher but I trust my intuition and that tells me that Clarke’s Law applies here. Too many eminent pshrinks are talking about serotonin for that to possibly be the answer

Maybe it is? Maybe it’s CCK? Maybe it’s dopamine? None of us knows so, for now, all we can be is engineers, rather than theoretical physicists.

Yah, I’m certainly not claiming to know either –just looking at an inference Matt

Response:

[...] But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression?

There’s no conflict there. Psychiatric diagnoses are made on the basis of symptoms not pathophysiology. It’s not like having both diabetes and hypoglycemia. (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin. I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things.

[...] _You’re_ confused? Think of the people doing the research. They’re making careers out of their confusion. If anything, you’re confused because you’re approaching the matter as though the antidepressant mechanism of SSRI’s were a settled question. (Come to think of it, this probably screws up the researchers’ heads too). Yes, SSRI’s increase synaptic serotonin — that’s known. What isn’t fully understood is what happens next and how it improves mood. Is it 5HT-receptor upregulation? How significant are the well-known ‘downstream’ effects on dopamine and norepinephrine? Three neurotransmitter systems have been implicated in the doings of buspirone. It is a high-affinity 5HT1A partial agonist. Already a pain in the ass, since it’s not always clear whether a partial agonist acts primarily as an agonist or an antagonist. It may be one or the other depending on many factors. So already you wonder: is the anxiolytic effect based on agonist or antagonist activity? Those who attribute the anxiolytic effect to 5HT activity seem to think of it as an agonist (shutting off of 5HT release), but if it is the other way ’round, antagonizing 5HT1A and preventing natural 5HT shutdown, is anything any less (or more) clear? Next, it appears to be a a2-adrenergic antagonist. Some researchers attribute the anxiolytic effect to this. But this also seems odd in light of the fact that the a2-adrenergic _agonist_ clonidine is famed for its ability to reduce anxiety, particularly in drug withdrawal. And a2-adrenergic antagonists promote norepinephrine production. A sympathomimetic anxiolytic? And then there’s its D2-antagonist activity. This has been dismissed as clinically insignificant, though it does appear prominently in the early research. It’s at least more consistent with what one would expect from a non-GABAergic anxiolytic. But it’s probably not the answer. There is no reason not to be confused. In fact, if you’re not confused, you are either delusional or a marketing executive at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Response:

  How does BuSpar work? It doesn’t.  BuSpar has no effect at all.

Response:

… Exactly right, as I understand it, so possibly a clue why Buspar isn’t widely regarded as an effective medication by the majority of people who’ve posted here?

I have what might be a simpler clue…the doses commonly used (15-30mg/day) may not be high enough!  I think that if you can tolerate it (start low, go slow), it might be worthwhile to try going up to 90mg/day – especially if you have GAD and depression and no history of panic attacks (BuSpar really isn’t for panic).  30-90mg/day is the dose range for major depression (including melancholic depression).  (The original trials for schizophrenia used doses up to, get this, 2400mg/day, with an average dose around 1500mg/day.) -elizabeth

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I was recently prescribed Buspar for genreral anxiety disorder and after researching it a bit, I find I’m very confused.  I have both depression and GAD, but it’s the anxiety that’s bothering me most at the moment. (It’s hard sometimes to separate these things into categories, btw).  My question is this (I’m a bit of a newbie poster but I’ve read a lot).  Buspar and and SSRI’s appear to do different things.  Anxiety is apparently caused by too much serotonin. According to the www.buspar.com home page (sponsored by Bristol/Myers/Squibb):          "Your symptoms of persistent anxiety may be due to an imbalance of          a chemical called "serotonin" in the brain. It is believed that          an excess of serotonin may be one of the causes of persistent          anxiety. Other anti-anxiety medications work on different          chemicals in the brain.          BuSpar works differently from other anti-anxiety medications –          BuSpar works on the "serotonin system" in the brain to bring          serotonin levels back to normal." But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin. I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things. A quick history – I’ve had depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and the only medicinal success I’ve had was with Zoloft several years ago.  Zoloft helped tremendously, it seemed to knock out the anxiety and lifted my depression.  There were side effects (drowsiness, sexual dampening, some word finding trouble), but it worked.  I went off it after I decided I was feeling good enough to give it a try.  The depression and anxiety gradually returned. A year later I tried it again but it increased my anxiety so much (like drinking several pots of coffee!) that I was unable to tolerate it even at small doses and I gave up before it gave me any benefit. Right now I’ve been on Buspar for about a week (10mg/day – I’m sensitive to drugs).  I’m not feeling any better, in fact the main effects seem to be dizziness, drowsiness, headache and poor concentration, even worse than before.  And improving concentration is one of the things Buspar is supposed to help!  And as evidenced by this post, my chronic worry doesn’t seem to be getting any better either  :-)  I seem to be getting a bit of the bruxism/jaw clenching that I recall was a side effect of zoloft too. Can anyone out there, either fellow sufferer or pharmacist help me understand the mechanics of these drugs? Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this. Thanks in advance -Grisha

Grisha — That’s a long message!  I’ve posted on alt.support.anxiety.panic how SSRIs work to the best of my knowledge (someone already corrected me on a mistake I made).  But I’m not sure how Buspar works.  I don’t the the docs really know either.  Someone read it to me in a counseling book, and the authors weren’t too sure either. my advice:  If the shoe fits, wear it.  If it don’t, throw it out. — Geoff

Response:

  How does BuSpar work? It doesn’t.  BuSpar has no effect at all.

Not exactly true.  Current thought is that BuSpar is ineffective for panic, although it may be better for GAD.  My doc refuses to prescribe it for panic.  However, I have recently spoken to a top anxiety specialist who uses it as a second-line med, and has had some positive results with panic disorder patients.  Not all, but some.  He admits he has been too lazy to write this up and get it into the literature So, while there are many meds that are more effective than BuSpar for panic, it is an option for those who have problems with other meds. YMMV hugely. Hirsch

Response:

My pdoc seems to be down on benzos, he called them tranquilizers and seemed to regard them as masking rather than dealing with the problem.  He also said they’re addictive and sedating like alcohol (though this Buspar is having a sedating/groggy inducing effect)  This seems to be a common story. So I doubt I’ll have luck with him giving me the AD/benzo combination that you’ve recommended.  Shopping for another doctor seems just beyond me at this point. Obviously, I should probably be patient and see if the Buspar does anything for me besides side effects.  But if nothing (as seems likely from the consensus here) then what?  Find an AD I can tolerate, perhaps and see if I can suggest he prescribe a benzo?

If the BuSpar doesn’t work, I’d be firm with him.  It’s your body, after all.  Benzos are called "minor tranquilizers," though the connotations of that word probably are such that tehy shouldn’t be called that.  As to their addictiveness–this amounts to the fact that you need to taper off slowly if you’re going to stop taking them if you’ve taken them for a while.  They’re seldom abused by patients, and they almost never are such that you develop a tolerance to their anti-anxiety properties.  Plus, side effect-wise, they’re good drugs.  Most of the side effects go away after a few weeks (the grogginess, sleepiness, etc.) for most people.  Then the anti-anxiety properties remain. You also could go to your gp and talk to her about your situation.  Maybe she’ll be more rational about benzos. Good luck, Matt

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[...] But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? There’s no conflict there. Psychiatric diagnoses are made on the basis of symptoms not pathophysiology. It’s not like having both diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Thanks everyone for all the information.  You’re all great! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one confused here (I think I’m glad). The mechanism of buspar must be similar in some ways to zoloft, because my side effect profile is similar.  I’m getting jaw clenching and increased tension in my neck and shoulders (where I carry my stress anyway)  (is this norepinephrine?) similar to when I was starting on zoloft.  I’ve got a constant headache (listed as a common side effect) and am sweating like a pig.  Drowsy, dizzy no concentration, still anxious as ever.  No actual _beneficial_ effects yet (after one week) it seems.  It’s very frustrating to say the least because I’m told to be patient and wait for 2-4 weeks to notice anything.  Just my luck I’ll get the sexual side effects too (not that it matters at the moment . Some people have no side effects whatsoever to this drug (or to many of the others), so obviously this neurochemistry thing is extremely complex. I’ve never been on a benzo, so I have no idea what it would feel like to get immediate relief to this chronic worry, tension and anxiety.  I don’t have true Panic Attacks, I don’t think, where I’m paralyzed with panic and have chest pains and everything, but I do hyperventilate and get the tingly face and hands feeling, particularly in traffic, but sometimes for no apparent reason, it just seems like a slightly more intense version of the anxiety I feel all the time. It’s pretty clearly GAD with depression, now, I just need to find something that will take care of it. My pdoc seems to be down on benzos, he called them tranquilizers and seemed to regard them as masking rather than dealing with the problem.  He also said they’re addictive and sedating like alcohol (though this Buspar is having a sedating/groggy inducing effect)  This seems to be a common story. So I doubt I’ll have luck with him giving me the AD/benzo combination that you’ve recommended.  Shopping for another doctor seems just beyond me at this point. Obviously, I should probably be patient and see if the Buspar does anything for me besides side effects.  But if nothing (as seems likely from the consensus here) then what?  Find an AD I can tolerate, perhaps and see if I can suggest he prescribe a benzo? Thanks again everyone for your continued support and explanations (or approximations) of the chemistry behind these drugs. -Grisha

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Yeh Gary, I asked my Doc here in Australia about Buspar long ago – he laughed and said: "I don’t even prescribe that crap for *minor* anxiety, it’s basically useless for panic disorder. Benzodiazapine’s are safer and *much* more effective" He then wrote me a script for Xanax – and asked *me* to tell him how much worked – then asked that I ring his surgery for repeats as needed….

Blimey, Mike – that’s the second good reason I’ve seen for emigration to Oz in the past few weeks! I wish we had a few doctors like that, over here. — Gary Cooper

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<much interesting commentary snipped There is no reason not to be confused. In fact, if you’re not confused, you are either delusional or a marketing executive at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

And ain’t *that* the truth! — Gary Cooper

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<Good Stuff Snipped Exactly right, as I understand it, so possibly a clue why Buspar isn’t widely regarded as an effective medication by the majority of people who’ve posted here?

<More Good Stuff Snipped Yeh Gary, I asked my Doc here in Australia about Buspar long ago – he laughed and said: "I don’t even prescribe that crap for *minor* anxiety, it’s basically useless for panic disorder. Benzodiazapine’s are safer and *much* more effective" He then wrote me a script for Xanax – and asked *me* to tell him how much worked – then asked that I ring his surgery for repeats as needed…. Cheers, Mike from OZ

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Question:

says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I’ve been takin valium (as needed ) to try to endure panic attacks. : This, however, does not let me enjoy the outdoor activities I used to : love.  My doctor thinks I should give anti-depressants a try.  Has : anyone ever used this drug and if so, does it help the "thought : process" or take away any of the "fear" or avoidance of certain : places?  I would appreciate any info on this drug. : I was just put on Zoloft in February, 96 for panic disorder. It was a : gradually increasing dosage because of my sensitivity to these types : of drugs (Prozac, Effexor etc.) Meanwhile I am still doing 2 mg./daily : of Xanax. I am up to 50mg. of Zoloft now and its been 8 weeks. I do : notice a slight difference in my mood and attitude. The game plan is : to wean me off the Xanax and increase the Zoloft until I am Xanax : free. I don’t completely buy this yet because the Zoloft still makes : me feel speedy and uncomfortable. I don’t know if it will eventually : help me although my shrink says give it time. In the end, only YOU : know what’s right for your body. Incidentally, I was on Valium for : many years but switched to Xanax. It’s a lot safer. I was diagnosed with depression last october and was immediately put on Zoloft.  After on it for a few months I realized that my anxiety was almost completely gone.  My depression, however, started coming back to what it was before Zoloft.  I recently stopped it to take Manerix and my anxiety came back full force and I started having severe panic attacks.   For me, Zoloft was amazing for anxiety but everyone’s different. —

My experiences are quite similar vto Paula’s.  I have been on Zoloft for over a year, and it is the best med I have used for PD.  I have previously been on Ativan, Xanax, Tofrenil (made me sleep 20 hrs a day), Elavil, Thorazine, Stelozine, Valium and a host of others. -Scott

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: I’ve been takin valium (as needed ) to try to endure panic attacks. : This, however, does not let me enjoy the outdoor activities I used to : love.  My doctor thinks I should give anti-depressants a try.  Has : anyone ever used this drug and if so, does it help the "thought : process" or take away any of the "fear" or avoidance of certain : places?  I would appreciate any info on this drug. : I was just put on Zoloft in February, 96 for panic disorder. It was a : gradually increasing dosage because of my sensitivity to these types : of drugs (Prozac, Effexor etc.) Meanwhile I am still doing 2 mg./daily : of Xanax. I am up to 50mg. of Zoloft now and its been 8 weeks. I do : notice a slight difference in my mood and attitude. The game plan is : to wean me off the Xanax and increase the Zoloft until I am Xanax : free. I don’t completely buy this yet because the Zoloft still makes : me feel speedy and uncomfortable. I don’t know if it will eventually : help me although my shrink says give it time. In the end, only YOU : know what’s right for your body. Incidentally, I was on Valium for : many years but switched to Xanax. It’s a lot safer. I was diagnosed with depression last october and was immediately put on Zoloft.  After on it for a few months I realized that my anxiety was almost completely gone.  My depression, however, started coming back to what it was before Zoloft.  I recently stopped it to take Manerix and my anxiety came back full force and I started having severe panic attacks.   For me, Zoloft was amazing for anxiety but everyone’s different. — | Owner of Absolutely Nothing in Mount Pearl, NF | above are not those of   | | Musician at heart, nobody by trade, writer of  | the writer, James Oakley,| | garbage, student at Cabot College in St. John’s| but are those of the     | | Newfoundland, Canada.  My telephone number only| voices in his head, Larry|

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I’ve been takin valium (as needed ) to try to endure panic attacks. This, however, does not let me enjoy the outdoor activities I used to love.  My doctor thinks I should give anti-depressants a try.  Has anyone ever used this drug and if so, does it help the "thought process" or take away any of the "fear" or avoidance of certain places?  I would appreciate any info on this drug.

I was just put on Zoloft in February, 96 for panic disorder. It was a gradually increasing dosage because of my sensitivity to these types of drugs (Prozac, Effexor etc.) Meanwhile I am still doing 2 mg./daily of Xanax. I am up to 50mg. of Zoloft now and its been 8 weeks. I do notice a slight difference in my mood and attitude. The game plan is to wean me off the Xanax and increase the Zoloft until I am Xanax free. I don’t completely buy this yet because the Zoloft still makes me feel speedy and uncomfortable. I don’t know if it will eventually help me although my shrink says give it time. In the end, only YOU know what’s right for your body. Incidentally, I was on Valium for many years but switched to Xanax. It’s a lot safer.

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I’ve been takin valium (as needed ) to try to endure panic attacks. This, however, does not let me enjoy the outdoor activities I used to love.  My doctor thinks I should give anti-depressants a try.  Has anyone ever used this drug and if so, does it help the "thought process" or take away any of the "fear" or avoidance of certain places?  I would appreciate any info on this drug.

I have used Zoloft for a little over 2 years, was drug free for a year and a half, and now have been on Zoloft again for a little over a year. I took Valium for about 5 years, and it wrecked me.  The Zoloft works very, very well for me. -Scott

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I’ve been takin valium (as needed ) to try to endure panic attacks. This, however, does not let me enjoy the outdoor activities I used to love.  My doctor thinks I should give anti-depressants a try.  Has anyone ever used this drug and if so, does it help the "thought process" or take away any of the "fear" or avoidance of certain places?  I would appreciate any info on this drug.

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Question:

i would like all the information of this drug.

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i would like all the information of this drug.

For more than you ever wanted to know, point your frame-capable browser at: http://www.mentalhealth.com/fr30.html The site notes that this is based on the Canadian monograph. — G-Man

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        What are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? One         person has mentioned headaches.

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:       What are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? One :       person has mentioned headaches. Paxil’s (paroxetine HCl) side effect profile is similar to that of the other major serotonin reuptake inhibitors currently on the market, Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), i.e., dryness of the eyes/mouth, and decreased libido.  Also may cause too much energy, insomnia, drowsiness, restless sleep, GI distress, headaches, or bruxism–grinding of the teeth during sleep.  versus Prozac is not supposed to cause decreased appetite.  incidence of side effects is supposed to be less with paxil than with the other two. i have been taking 40 mg/day for about six months now–early problems with dryness, libido have spontaneously abated over time; still have restless sleep, drowsiness during day, bruxism.  no problems for me with appetite, GI, or headache.

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:       What are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? One :       person has mentioned headaches. Most common: nausea, tiredness, sweating, tremors,weakness, dry mouth, sleeplessness, constipation, dizzyness, decreased sex drive, abrormal ejaculations, blurred vision, weight gain, headache. Less common: memory loss, unusual walk, pains, loss of urinary control, etc.

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   What are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? One    person has mentioned headaches.

nausea, folliculitis…there are others, ask a pharmacist for paxil insert, it should list all the known contradictions.           "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain              a little temporary safety deserve neither              liberty nor safety." — Benjamin Franklin, 1759

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