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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CindyLou on January 31, 2004, at 9:22:05
Hello,
I am looking for anyone who has had positive experiences with Buspar. My main questions are:1. how does it help?
2. what is your dose?
3. how many times during the day do you take it?
4. what times during the day do you take it?
5. are you taking any other meds?I just started taking Buspar about a week ago. I am playing around with what dose works best for me, and when is the best time to take it. Sometimes I think it makes me tired, and I have been more irritable lately.
I am wondering if that might have to do with the combo of the other meds I am on: Dextroamphetamine (5 mg), Lexapro (10 mg), and Klonapin (0.5 mg, at night.) I also will take a half Klonapin during the day when I am feeling overly anxious.
Thank you in advance for your responses!
cindy
Posted by Mimi on January 31, 2004, at 16:05:51
In reply to Looking for positive exp. with Buspar, posted by CindyLou on January 31, 2004, at 9:22:05
> cindy,
15mg. twice a day (morning & night). Has made a tremendous difference in my social life. I can go to any party and chat with anyone and just be myself without the anxiety.
Axe the amphetamines if you don't want to be nervous. That is speed, you know.
Mimi
Hello,
> I am looking for anyone who has had positive experiences with Buspar. My main questions are:
>
> 1. how does it help?
> 2. what is your dose?
> 3. how many times during the day do you take it?
> 4. what times during the day do you take it?
> 5. are you taking any other meds?
>
> I just started taking Buspar about a week ago. I am playing around with what dose works best for me, and when is the best time to take it. Sometimes I think it makes me tired, and I have been more irritable lately.
>
> I am wondering if that might have to do with the combo of the other meds I am on: Dextroamphetamine (5 mg), Lexapro (10 mg), and Klonapin (0.5 mg, at night.) I also will take a half Klonapin during the day when I am feeling overly anxious.
>
> Thank you in advance for your responses!
>
> cindy
Posted by CindyLou on January 31, 2004, at 21:23:07
In reply to Buspar: I LOVE IT! » CindyLou, posted by Mimi on January 31, 2004, at 16:05:51
Thanks, Mimi! I am so glad it is working well for you. Are you on any other meds? I feel like the Dex is making the irritability worse, but the Buspar seems to make me tired, so I take the Dex for energy, but it is probably not the best combo. I think I may start lower on the Buspar for awhile since I am quite med-sensitive.
Thanks again!
Cindy> > cindy,
>
> 15mg. twice a day (morning & night). Has made a tremendous difference in my social life. I can go to any party and chat with anyone and just be myself without the anxiety.
>
> Axe the amphetamines if you don't want to be nervous. That is speed, you know.
>
> Mimi
>
>
>
> Hello,
> > I am looking for anyone who has had positive experiences with Buspar. My main questions are:
> >
> > 1. how does it help?
> > 2. what is your dose?
> > 3. how many times during the day do you take it?
> > 4. what times during the day do you take it?
> > 5. are you taking any other meds?
> >
> > I just started taking Buspar about a week ago. I am playing around with what dose works best for me, and when is the best time to take it. Sometimes I think it makes me tired, and I have been more irritable lately.
> >
> > I am wondering if that might have to do with the combo of the other meds I am on: Dextroamphetamine (5 mg), Lexapro (10 mg), and Klonapin (0.5 mg, at night.) I also will take a half Klonapin during the day when I am feeling overly anxious.
> >
> > Thank you in advance for your responses!
> >
> > cindy
>
>
Posted by Mimi on February 1, 2004, at 7:09:41
In reply to Re: Buspar: I LOVE IT! » Mimi, posted by CindyLou on January 31, 2004, at 21:23:07
>Yes, I'm on Strattera 20mg., Seroquel 25mg, Celexa 20mg, & Ambien 10mg.
Thanks, Mimi! I am so glad it is working well for you. Are you on any other meds? I feel like the Dex is making the irritability worse, but the Buspar seems to make me tired, so I take the Dex for energy, but it is probably not the best combo. I think I may start lower on the Buspar for awhile since I am quite med-sensitive.
>
> Thanks again!
> Cindy
>
>
>
> > > cindy,
> >
> > 15mg. twice a day (morning & night). Has made a tremendous difference in my social life. I can go to any party and chat with anyone and just be myself without the anxiety.
> >
> > Axe the amphetamines if you don't want to be nervous. That is speed, you know.
> >
> > Mimi
> >
> >
> >
> > Hello,
> > > I am looking for anyone who has had positive experiences with Buspar. My main questions are:
> > >
> > > 1. how does it help?
> > > 2. what is your dose?
> > > 3. how many times during the day do you take it?
> > > 4. what times during the day do you take it?
> > > 5. are you taking any other meds?
> > >
> > > I just started taking Buspar about a week ago. I am playing around with what dose works best for me, and when is the best time to take it. Sometimes I think it makes me tired, and I have been more irritable lately.
> > >
> > > I am wondering if that might have to do with the combo of the other meds I am on: Dextroamphetamine (5 mg), Lexapro (10 mg), and Klonapin (0.5 mg, at night.) I also will take a half Klonapin during the day when I am feeling overly anxious.
> > >
> > > Thank you in advance for your responses!
> > >
> > > cindy
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 1, 2004, at 11:35:16
In reply to Looking for positive exp. with Buspar, posted by CindyLou on January 31, 2004, at 9:22:05
I found buspar to be the most expensive placebo I ever took. There are even studies showing that those who've taken a benzodiazepine anxiolytic previos to trying buspar do not respond to buspar. That is, if you know what real anxiety relief feels like, you know that buspar isn't working. Others swear by it, and it doesn't really matter if it's a placebo effect if it works well for you.
Posted by krybrahaha on February 2, 2004, at 0:36:09
In reply to Re: Looking for positive exp. with Buspar » CindyLou, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 1, 2004, at 11:35:16
> I found buspar to be the most expensive placebo I ever took. There are even studies showing that those who've taken a benzodiazepine anxiolytic previos to trying buspar do not respond to buspar. That is, if you know what real anxiety relief feels like, you know that buspar isn't working. Others swear by it, and it doesn't really matter if it's a placebo effect if it works well for you.
The only reason people think that Buspar is ineffective is when they have already tried many benzodiazepines, which do usually work immediately. Unfortunately, Buspar does not work immediately. It takes at least 2-4 to start feeling the effects of the medication. Busapr is not a placebo, people just give up on it because they do not see an immediate response to it. Ive been on many benzos myself, and I find Buspar works great for me, so it that placebo??
Posted by Mimi on February 2, 2004, at 7:28:09
In reply to Re: Looking for positive exp. with Buspar, posted by krybrahaha on February 2, 2004, at 0:36:09
Hi all,
Buspar works for me within 20 minutes of taking it. It is hardly a placebo effect.
Mimi
Posted by Questionmark on February 2, 2004, at 8:30:09
In reply to Re: Looking for positive exp. with Buspar » krybrahaha, posted by Mimi on February 2, 2004, at 7:28:09
Mao, i've heard the same thing said quite often about Buspar-- that it's just a placebo and what not. (i've never tried it). But it could be that you were not on it long enough or on a high enough dose for it to be noticeable on you.
That said, do you think it might be beneficial for Nardil-induced anorgasmia?.. at least based on the pharmaceutical profile of buspirone? i'm not sure if it would even be absolutely contraindicated (though i'm sure my pdoc would be reluctant/ probably unwilling to try it regardless), so if you know about that, that would be helpful too of course. Thank you. :?)
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on February 2, 2004, at 10:51:22
In reply to Re: Buspar (Chairman MAO), posted by Questionmark on February 2, 2004, at 8:30:09
I just figured I'd echo what MAO said, since Buspar really is a waste of time (and money) for the vast majority of people and I don't want you to get your hopes up. I went to doses as high as 90mg/day and stayed there for months. I may as well have been taking a sugar pill.
My current pdoc says he rarely prescribes the stuff. He's prescribed it often in the past and never had one patient find relief from anxiety with it. So while I'm sure there are rare cases wherein Buspar does work for anxiety, it's really useless for the most part except as an add-on to an antidepressant or for reversal of med-induced sexual dysfunction.
All the official medical literature says not to combine Buspar with Nardil due to risk of hypertension, so if your pdoc is the hesitant type then it's not likely that he/she will prescribe it.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 2, 2004, at 12:43:56
In reply to Re: Buspar (Chairman MAO), posted by Ame Sans Vie on February 2, 2004, at 10:51:22
For MAOI-induced sexual dysfunction, I'd try a direct dopamine agonist (ropinirole, pramipexole, cabergoline, or maybe bromocriptine).
I'm not an Expert(tm), but I seriously doubt any of those interact badly with MAOIs. Dopamine agonists have been used with selegiline in the treatment of Parkinson's for years--and are pro-sexual. They very well may give you more energy and enhance cognition, as well. Ropinirole has been shown to be anxiolytic in one animal study.
--begin rant--
Buspirone is an example of a drug which a company sunk big $$$ into, found out it was a complete dud, and ardently tried to find *SOME* use for it.
I have half a mind to say that this was the deal with bupropion as well, though I don't know this to be a true at all. Adderall was a diet pill called "Obetrol" which Shire bought right before the FDA yanked obesity as an indication for amphetamine (although Desoxyn is still in the PDR under 'obesity' while dexedrine, adderall, and ritalin aren't). They had to find *SOME* use for it, so, in an act of marketing genius, they showed it effective for ADD and renamed it--the rest is history.
Drugs are so expensive because of R&D. Yeah, right.
--- end rant ---
Modern dopamine agonists should be first-line for many types of sexual dysfunction as well as depression, IMHO.
Posted by zeugma on February 2, 2004, at 18:43:36
In reply to Re: Buspar / Nardix sex dysfunction antidote, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 2, 2004, at 12:43:56
> For MAOI-induced sexual dysfunction, I'd try a direct dopamine agonist (ropinirole, pramipexole, cabergoline, or maybe bromocriptine).
>
> I'm not an Expert(tm), but I seriously doubt any of those interact badly with MAOIs. Dopamine agonists have been used with selegiline in the treatment of Parkinson's for years--and are pro-sexual. They very well may give you more energy and enhance cognition, as well. Ropinirole has been shown to be anxiolytic in one animal study.
>
> --begin rant--
>
> Buspirone is an example of a drug which a company sunk big $$$ into, found out it was a complete dud, and ardently tried to find *SOME* use for it.
>
> I have half a mind to say that this was the deal with bupropion as well, though I don't know this to be a true at all. Adderall was a diet pill called "Obetrol" which Shire bought right before the FDA yanked obesity as an indication for amphetamine (although Desoxyn is still in the PDR under 'obesity' while dexedrine, adderall, and ritalin aren't). They had to find *SOME* use for it, so, in an act of marketing genius, they showed it effective for ADD and renamed it--the rest is history.
>
> Drugs are so expensive because of R&D. Yeah, right.If Adderall started life as Obetrol or whatever, it doesn't matter to me AS LONG AS IT WORKS. It's like saying TCA's are just failed antipsychotics (which they were); that besides the point as long as they work. Strattera started out as tomoxetine, a failed antidepressant; suddenly Lilly pitched it as the first non-stimulant for ADD,, and it happens to be the only ADD med I can tolerate, and my life is very different from what it was seven months ago when I started on it.
OK, I've ranted a little, and here's my take on Buspar: a weak antidepressant/neuroleptic that gives a slight flush of dizziness soon after taking it; has a mildly pro-sexual effect; has a slight, subtle sedative effect. No anxiolytic, if you ask me, though I'm not denying that it's helped someone here and there. I take Klonopin concurrently, and Klonopin is an anxiolytic. Buspar doesn't seem to get in other drugs' ways, except for MAOI's, and since it is a little of a lot of things, is a useful add-on, and has a discernibly 'softening' feel to it. It makes my other drugs easier to take.
> --- end rant ---
>
> Modern dopamine agonists should be first-line for many types of sexual dysfunction as well as depression, IMHO.
>
>
Posted by CindyLou on February 2, 2004, at 19:52:56
In reply to Re: Buspar / Nardix sex dysfunction antidote, posted by zeugma on February 2, 2004, at 18:43:36
Would it make any sense that I felt very fatigued and irritable while trying the Buspar? I am normally very med sensitive, so I may just need to start at a ridiculously low dose like 2.5 mg. (That's how I've started on the meds I am on now -- about 1/4 of the usual therapeutic dose, then work up slowly.)
I was taking 5 mg. of Buspar twice daily for a few days, then tried 10 mg. I felt miserable the whole time. I did not take the Buspar yesterday or today, and I feel much better, so I am blaming the fatigue and agitation on the Buspar.
Other meds I am taking are: Dex - 5 mg. when needed (usually once or twice a day), Lexapro - 10 mg., Klonapin - 0.5 mg. at night (0.25 mg. during the day when needed)
Wondering if I should give the Buspar another try on a lower dose.
Thanks for all of your support, information, and responses!
cindy
Posted by zeugma on February 2, 2004, at 22:02:31
In reply to Looking for positive exp. with Buspar, posted by CindyLou on January 31, 2004, at 9:22:05
Well, i see that you asked some questions at the top of the thread that I'll try to answer: i take 75 mg nortriptyline, 80 mg Strattera, and .25 mg klonopin in addition to 30 mg buspar. Buspar helps me more with depressive symptoms than with anxiety. I have had no problems combining it with any of my other meds.
when I went above 30 mg a day, in an attempt to make buspar work for anxiety, I had terrible fatigue (interesting that you had fatigue on only 5 mg). So 30 mg is my limit.
Hope this helps.
Posted by Questionmark on February 6, 2004, at 15:15:06
In reply to Re: Buspar / Nardix sex dysfunction antidote, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 2, 2004, at 12:43:56
i liked the rant. Very good points.
Also, thank you for the info on what to take with MAOIs for SD. i just wish i could find a psychiatrist who would prescribe me a DA agonist. Are the four you mentioned all available in the U.S. do you know? Would you happen to know the cheapest of them as well? Which would you first want to try if you were on Nardil and had SD? Thanks alot man.
P.S., i'm glad you started posting on here. You're quite knowledgable.> For MAOI-induced sexual dysfunction, I'd try a direct dopamine agonist (ropinirole, pramipexole, cabergoline, or maybe bromocriptine).
>
> I'm not an Expert(tm), but I seriously doubt any of those interact badly with MAOIs. Dopamine agonists have been used with selegiline in the treatment of Parkinson's for years--and are pro-sexual. They very well may give you more energy and enhance cognition, as well. Ropinirole has been shown to be anxiolytic in one animal study.
>
> --begin rant--
>
> Buspirone is an example of a drug which a company sunk big $$$ into, found out it was a complete dud, and ardently tried to find *SOME* use for it.
>
> I have half a mind to say that this was the deal with bupropion as well, though I don't know this to be a true at all. Adderall was a diet pill called "Obetrol" which Shire bought right before the FDA yanked obesity as an indication for amphetamine (although Desoxyn is still in the PDR under 'obesity' while dexedrine, adderall, and ritalin aren't). They had to find *SOME* use for it, so, in an act of marketing genius, they showed it effective for ADD and renamed it--the rest is history.
>
> Drugs are so expensive because of R&D. Yeah, right.
>
> --- end rant ---
>
> Modern dopamine agonists should be first-line for many types of sexual dysfunction as well as depression, IMHO.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 7, 2004, at 7:59:24
In reply to Re: Nardil SD DA agonists » Chairman_MAO, posted by Questionmark on February 6, 2004, at 15:15:06
> i liked the rant. Very good points.
> Also, thank you for the info on what to take with MAOIs for SD. i just wish i could find a psychiatrist who would prescribe me a DA agonist. Are the four you mentioned all available in the U.S. do you know? Would you happen to know the cheapest of them as well? Which would you first want to try if you were on Nardil and had SD? Thanks alot man.
> P.S., i'm glad you started posting on here. You're quite knowledgable.Thanks. I was an undergraduate at a major east-coast University whose psychopharm. professor wanted to get him on the "fast track" to a Johns Hopkins grad program. Instead, I lost myself in self-medication/drug addiction and withdrew from school. I feel like a shell of my former self right now, even though I know it's not true. Posting here boosts my self-esteem because it gives me an opportunity to utilize the knowledge that I have in a positive way--and even help people--while my brain hopefully restores some of the mind I used to have. So, thank you!
Insofar as DA agonists are concerned, all four of the ones that I listed are available in the US. Pramipexole or ropinirole I'd try first; they're the most used in psychiatry. Cabergoline (Dostinex) is the most expensive, but is probably even more pro-sexual than the other two (albeit with less antidepressant effect, probably). It also only has to be taken twice per week, and is capable of producing multiple orgasms in men! Bromocriptine is an older one with more side effects, but it's generic so it is less expensive (but still expensive). It's a way "dirtier" drug
than the other three, but could work fine if that's all you can get. I used it myself at 2.5-5mg/day and found that I could have passionate sex on HEROIN (as well as lexapro+strattera+klonopin). I didn't use heroin regularly, so I don't know if that effect would have persisted over a long-term course of heroin use, but others would probably vouch for the fact that promoting _excellent_ sexual function on a high dose of an opiate is indeed a mighty effect.Good luck. I'll be happy to answer any other questions you might have to the best of my ability.
Posted by Questionmark on February 7, 2004, at 14:22:52
In reply to Re: Nardil SD DA agonists, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 7, 2004, at 7:59:24
> > i liked the rant. Very good points.
> > Also, thank you for the info on what to take with MAOIs for SD. i just wish i could find a psychiatrist who would prescribe me a DA agonist. Are the four you mentioned all available in the U.S. do you know? Would you happen to know the cheapest of them as well? Which would you first want to try if you were on Nardil and had SD? Thanks alot man.
> > P.S., i'm glad you started posting on here. You're quite knowledgable.
> Thanks. I was an undergraduate at a major east-coast University whose psychopharm. professor wanted to get him on the "fast track" to a Johns Hopkins grad program. Instead, I lost myself in self-medication/drug addiction and withdrew from school.Wow, that's so cool. i'm sorry that it didn't work out.
>I feel like a shell of my former self right now, even though I know it's not true. Posting here boosts my self-esteem because it gives me an opportunity to utilize the knowledge that I have in a positive way--and even help people--while my brain hopefully restores some of the mind I used to have. So, thank you!
Absolutely. That's great.
> Insofar as DA agonists are concerned, all four of the ones that I listed are available in the US. Pramipexole or ropinirole I'd try first; they're the most used in psychiatry. Cabergoline (Dostinex) is the most expensive, but is probably even more pro-sexual than the other two (albeit with less antidepressant effect, probably). It also only has to be taken twice per week, and is capable of producing multiple orgasms in men! Bromocriptine is an older one with more side effects, but it's generic so it is less expensive (but still expensive). It's a way "dirtier" drug
> than the other three, but could work fine if that's all you can get. I used it myself at 2.5-5mg/day and found that I could have passionate sex on HEROIN (as well as lexapro+strattera+klonopin). I didn't use heroin regularly, so I don't know if that effect would have persisted over a long-term course of heroin use, but others would probably vouch for the fact that promoting _excellent_ sexual function on a high dose of an opiate is indeed a mighty effect.Hah. That's what i hear. That IS impressive.
> Good luck. I'll be happy to answer any other questions you might have to the best of my ability.
Thank you.
i wish i could get a DA agonist from my pdoc, but i doubt it. So i'll have to try via the internet if anything.
Just out of curiosity mostly, how much/ what levels of chemistry and math does one need to take/know/have to get into psychopharmacology? Thanks again.
This is the end of the thread.
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