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Buspar and other questions

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Posted 6/22/2007 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I've been to this forum a few times. It is my husband that has panic/anxiety attacks.

He has been having them since Dec 2005. They started right after a traumatic event but he claims he has had anxiety since very young.

Anyway, my question is, is there any one else here that gets them on a daily basis?

He seems to be getting worse.

He has tried various ssris and none have agreed with him. The only thing that has calmed him down is ativan.

The NP prescribed buspar, he has taken it for about 2 days, tonight he says he felt incredibaly bad, spasms in unusal places, just felt like he was losing it. He thought maybe it's the buspar.

He took 4 ativan and is starting to feel better.

This has taken a toll on him and myself. I have my own physical problems. Together olus other issues we are struggling.

So, my questions are, how many get panic attack daily and what do you do?

Has anyone tried buspar and what reaction did you get.

And any advice or encouragement would help.

I can't imagine this getting worse but it has.

Thanks,

Barbara

  

  

Posted 6/22/2007 8:39 PM (GMT 0)

welcome

I was getting panic attacks almost every day but nobody knew what they were 40 years ago

you should get several books on overcoming panic disorder and agoraphobia and read them so you can help your husband, try to get him to read them also but he may become too panicky so you should read them to him

buspar is a tranquilliser of a different type to valium and is generally almost useless, has a very poor reputation in the anxiety self help community, but its heavily advertised to docs so I guess your doc listens to the drug companies more than he listens to his anxiety patients

the makers of buspar admit its not helpful for panic attacks too nono

ativan will help and he should build up a stash of it in case doc decides to prescribe it no more

some ativan tablets disolved under his tongue will stop or greatly reduce any panic attack, so get him to carry a few tablets with him when out

the usual cautions about car driving, alcaol, etc apply

antidepressant meds are also popular for anxiety and panic attacks and will help a lot if one can be found that suits him, ther are several types other than SSRIs, its important to start at half the smallest effective dose and gradually work the dose up, early side effects should be coped with if possible

so when his next panic attack strikes, ativan under the tongue, and get him to accept, relax, to not tense up or fight back, and most importantly to breathe deep and slow, this breathing will calm him

BTW the panic attacks wont hurt him

stay with us yeah

Posted 6/22/2007 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Harry, Thanks for your reply. This buspar got him so sick today again. He is sticking to the ativan. He does breathe and calms himself down. I will look into getting books but he seems to think it's more of a physical disorder/malfunction in his body than one of real fear or anxiety triggering the attack. I find it hard to understand and it seems so do many experts. If you are happily doing something one moment how is it that you are having an attack the next? It's been frustrating trying different things and they haven't worked. Thanks for your support.

Barbara
Posted 6/23/2007 3:15 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Barbara,

Hello, and I am so sorry your husband is having problems.

Regarding the medication Buspar, I cannot say that it is a useless drug but IMO I would go with the Ativan. I do recall physicians ordering Buspar for the geriatric patients as it was not so sedating.

Please remember that none of us are experts and members opinions are just that, their opinions unless they have used a reputable source to validate their opinions.

Also, I would check with your physician before using an oral medication under your tongue.  Some of the antianxiety meds come in a form to use under your tongue or sublingually.

My goal is to help you with your problems and to keep your husband safe.

Gentle Hugs.

Posted 6/23/2007 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Kitt, I know it's all opinions here and I appreciate that. I know if I go to the drug's site, it will only say positive things, that's why I like to hear it from real people who have tried it and understand.

Thanks again.
Posted 6/24/2007 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Denim,
Could you share with us your husband's history with the SSRI's? What med, what dosage, and how long was he on each.

They're notoriously tough for anxiety sufferers to get started on because initially they can actually INCREASE anxiety. But if you can get through the first 6-8 weeks and find the right one at that the right dosage, they can be very effective.

You're a good wife to look after your husband. You're to be commended.
Posted 6/24/2007 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on Buspar right now but I haven't had any problems with it. It all really depends on the person because one person may have excellent results and no side-effects while another person may be worse off on it and be swamped by side-effects.
Posted 6/24/2007 6:14 AM (GMT 0)

ChristianWithHope said...
Denim,
Could you share with us your husband's history with the SSRI's? What med, what dosage, and how long was he on each.

They're notoriously tough for anxiety sufferers to get started on because initially they can actually INCREASE anxiety. But if you can get through the first 6-8 weeks and find the right one at that the right dosage, they can be very effective.

You're a good wife to look after your husband. You're to be commended.

Thank you for your kind words. I'm trying to help him, but I think the bottom line is that 2 months of suffering on a med for it to work is a long time and it also depends on how much you are suffering. If it isn't too bad, it can be worth it, if it's terrible, I really can't blame him for quitting.

It is really his choice. He says that they (ssris) don't agree with him, how can I argue?

As far as my memory allows, I can remember him being on, I think wellbutrin, lexapro, paxil, and now I'm drawing a blank. I would say he always started on low doses and gave most of them maybe 3 weeks or so. Lastly he was put on buspar, which made him ill and feel like he was going crazy. 

Thanks for your help. I can do but so much myself. Since the buspar is out of his system, he feels better, so right now I'm happy for that.

Thanks again.

Posted 6/24/2007 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning Barbara,

I had great success with Ativan but it took 4mg of Ativan at bedtime to stop the anxiety that I was having at the time.  Now I am in the process of weaning off the Ativan but have done a substitute switch over to Valium for weaning as it is longer acting.

It is a long weaning process to be safe and my pdoc is involved in the process.

It sounds like your husband has really given the meds a fair try so am I right in assuming he is using the Ativan now?

You are a devoted and loving wife to be advocating for your husband in such a positive way. You are fortunate to have each other.

Gentle Hugs

Posted 6/24/2007 5:00 PM (GMT 0)

stkitt said...
Good Morning Barbara,

I had great success with Ativan but it took 4mg of Ativan at bedtime to stop the anxiety that I was having at the time.  Now I am in the process of weaning off the Ativan but have done a substitute switch over to Valium for weaning as it is longer acting.

It is a long weaning process to be safe and my pdoc is involved in the process.

It sounds like your husband has really given the meds a fair try so am I right in assuming he is using the Ativan now?

You are a devoted and loving wife to be advocating for your husband in such a positive way. You are fortunate to have each other.

Gentle Hugs

Aww, thanks, that's what marriage is all about, isn't it? :)

Yes, I know about valium being good to use for weaning off of ativan. Has your anxiety stopped, that you are now weaning off the ativan? If so, how did it happen? If you don't mind answering. I am praying that it stops for my husband but even to get to the point of being on top of it would be a welcome relief.

Thanks for your help and support and I wish you continued sucess in weaning off the ativan, etc.

Barbara~

Posted 6/24/2007 6:30 PM (GMT 0)

Barbara,

I have weaned from 40 mg Valium in divided doses to 9 mg of Valium at night only.

My other meds are Cymbalta 120 mg divided in 2 dose per day

Trazodone 150 mg at bed time.  I think the Trazodone was the additional med that made the difference.  It is being used off label for sleep and anxiety in my case.

I have more of a tendency to get anticipatory anxiety now, such as should I be on jury duty or opt out with letter from Pdoc? We discussed it and she said I certainly qualified for a letter to be excused but I wanted to try it.  I was anxious waiting for the first day of jury duty to get here but once I was dressed and out the door no anxiety. Whooooooo Hooooooooo.

This is compared to November of 2005 when I would be so anxious just driving to work I would cry.

I also have been working with therapist since January of 2006. I have an appointment on Tuesday and I think she is going to cut me loose to come back whenever I feel I need.

There is hope, at one time I thought this depressed /anxious person was  going to be me the rest of my life? eyes

No it is not, I can cope and I can let the tears flow if I need and then just wash my face and keep on going.

Bless you.

Posted 6/24/2007 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Bless you Kitt, I am very happy for you and may you continue on this wonderful path.
My best wishes, always, Barbara
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