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Posted 7/5/2012 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...I'm new here. I was diagnosed with panic disorder about 4 years ago after having a severe panic attack at work (ironic that I was manager of a Psych. practice at the time).....anyway, I also have OCD and have since I was a teenager. I believe I had anxiety issues for a while before my diagnosis, but just kept passing it off as "nerves". I have actually never seen a psych. professional. I was diagnosed by an ER doc and then that was confirmed by my family doc and that is where I get my meds. I am on Buspar and just use that as needed, but recently my panic has been worse, so the doc tried me on two different SSRI's and they both made me really sick, so now I'm back to the Buspar prn. Technically, I'm suppose to take it 3 times per day, but when I take it on a regular basis (even when reducing it to once or twice per day) it makes me feel like I'm so spaced out that I feel like I'm barely here. I thought that maybe talking to others with the same type of issues would help....so here I am.
Posted 7/5/2012 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Christi and welcome!

I am glad that you have joined us:) I am sorry though to hear of your recent increase in anxiety/panic and your dilemma regarding your meds.

In regards to your Rx, I can only recommend talking with your doctor about possible alternatives that could give you the results that you need without the unwanted side effects.

Have you had or considered any therapy for long-term treatment....and if so, did you find it helpful? If you have not, then I can highly recommend seeking a referral from your doctor to a mental health specialist who can address the OCD, anxiety and panic issues. Many of us here, myself included have been helped tremendoulsy through therapy!

Keep talking with us as well...it is very helpful to talk with others who understand what you are going through. We are here to listen and support.:)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 7/5/2012 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the warm welcome. The problem with my meds is that I am very medication sensitive and my venture into trying the SSRI's and them making me so sick (I wound up in the ER, my body went cold from head to toe as if someone was pouring ice water on my body and I almost passed out) made me very frightened of trying something else. For now, what I am trying is splitting the Buspar and trying to take that lesser dose (which my doctor approved at today's visit) on a daily basis. If I start to feel spaced out, then I will stop and go back to prn dose. I have also thought about therapy.....more and more recently. I am going to try this med change and if it doesn't help, then I think I will ask for a referral. I think being here and talking to others will greatly help as well.
Posted 7/5/2012 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Christi,

Hello there and welcome to HealingWell.  Use Buspirone as directed by your doctor. However there seem to be some Drs. prescribing this med on an as needed basis.  My Psychiatrist does not agree with this as she states, "Buspirone is designed to be taken every day to prevent anxiety symptoms. It does not work if it is only taken as needed or only when anxiety symptoms are present."

I do take this medication twice daily in the morning and evening along with Effexor. I was dx 30 years ago and yes I still have episodes of anxiety but I have many good days, months and years so work on ways to learn to deal with your anxiety and don't give up.  You will make it through this high anxiety stage and we are here to support you.

Kindly,

Kitt


 

Posted 7/5/2012 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to try it on this reduced dose that my doctor approved today and see how it goes. If this doesn't work, I think that my best option would be to get a referral to a psych doc who would have more experience with this type of medication and will be able to better point me in the direction of what would work best for me. I like my family doc, but she isn't specialized in this type of issue, so I'm thinking a psych doc would be better suited to handling this. Thanks for the advice :-)
Posted 7/6/2012 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Christi,

I think you are on the right track. I used to have my PCP ordering my depression/anxiety meds but when I had a huge meltdown in 2005 he admitted he was out of his knowledge base and actually walked me over to see the Pdoc in the clinic right then.  He had been following me for 24 years however things became to complicated and I appreciated his honesty. 

Let us know how you are doing. 

Kindly,

Kitt

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