Healing > Medications and Therapy

Buspirone

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ppacha:
Does anyone have any experience with buspirone making them more anxious?  I am not sure if it is the buspirone making me more anxious or being off of what was working for me that has made me more anxious.

I have been having problems with panic/anxiety for about 20 years.  years ago, I took Paxil, Prozac, imipramine and I forget what else.   Then, I got to the point where if I missed a dose or two, I felt better.  So, against most people's advice, I weaned myself off of the medication.  I couldn't BELIEVE how much better and calmer I felt.  It was the weirdest thing.  I thought, have I been living with elevated anxiety all these years and didn't know it?  (but I felt great most of the time)  That was about 4 years ago and lasted for about a year where I wasn't on any medication at all.

About 3 years ago, the anxiety started creeping back in.  I went to the doctor with my tail between my legs and told him that it was probably a little more than I could handle again.  I was started on Zoloft, and the anxiety that I felt was THROUGH THE ROOF.  I hadn't actually had a panic attack for 20 years until I started on that medication.  He switched me to Lexapro, still the same anxiety.

We finally went to imipramine, and that actually made me feel like I could relax a little bit.  I still had situational anxiety, but I could at least function and felt normal in a lot of respects.  Then my heart started to race and I was out of breath with little exertion, and I knew that it was the medication that was doing it to me.  I felt it as soon as I started the imipramine. 

Soo......about two months ago, he decided to wean me off of the imipramine while starting buspirone.  I was taking about 5mg a night while coming off of the imipramine.  (didn't want to take it during the day because it made me dizzy)

As I was coming off the imipramine and starting the buspirone, I felt almost euphoric!  There was a couple of weeks where I felt so great and thought that we were really on to something.  I had a couple of months where I had energy and motivation, and I was so excited!

Then I had another appointment with my doctor, and he asked if I was still feeling any anxiety.  Yes, I was in certain situations.  So he told me that I really should be taking it during the day as well as at bedtime.  So a week ago, I started taking a half a tablet during the day, and I had bad anxiety again.  It was so bad that I didn't want to be left alone, and I had to struggle to concentrate and function.  I called my doctor, and he told me to raise the dose and start taking a full tablet each day and each night.  What?  It surprised me, but I complied.  That was three days ago.  I am still anxious and exhausted and so confused and can hardly eat.  I have called two pharmacies, and they insist that the buspirone should NOT be making me more anxious.

I feel like such a baby, and I don't know what to do, so I am turning to the school of hard knocks.  Should I just stick it out and wait and see if the anxious feelings go away?  I have heard that that sometimes can happen.  I am TRYING to be patient.  Only people who have been through this understand the frustration and desperation this causes.

I have totally quit drinking soda (used to drink about 40 ounces a day) in case that was causing more anxiety.

And why is it that you see so many people with anxiety problems who get worse with medication that is to help them?  What does this mean?  Does anyone know?

Thanks for letting me rant!

oh - and I just got Claire Weekes' book in the mail today, so I can't wait to read that, but not sure if this kind of anxiety can be just dealt with.  My insides are totally shaking.

Irishmanwrites:
My advice here is as to follow medical advice and stick with the higher doses daily. It is a case of stick it out.

Another option is to increase the evening dose (with the doctors approval, of course)

There's no two ways though. Survival is a great motivator. Keep in tough with your doctor and keep calm, benefits will follow in short due course.

Best.

carolinalight:
I think that anytime we change our chemistry, there is a certain amount of anxiety that comes along with that.  Given time, however, this passes.  It can take a while for any dose of any medication to effect its full potential.  Be patient, and relax your mind.  Know that your doctor is trying to help you, and that he or she has prescribed what you've been given for a reason.  Rest in that.  Let go of the feeling of responsibility you feel you have over the situation, because you didn't choose to be afflicted with anxiety.  Allow the professionals to address the medical aspects of your treatment and give them a chance.  I think you'll be glad you did after some time has passed.

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