[Mogie]

Hey folks need some advice. Thinking of doing meds for the first time. Having a lot of trouble with mood control anger/anxiety with my PTSD and can't seem to get settled long enough to really get a handle on things. My T suggested I look into meds. My Md has talked about Zoloft or Buspar (possibly with xanax). I can read all of the stat sheets, but would like to hear from others about them. The good and bad.

I've been med resistant all my life, and have avoided considering them at all costs, but I'm getting worn out fighting all the emotional crud.

[buttrfli42481]

I took zoloft for 2 days and had the jitters so bad I couldn't sit still. Took me off it and ended up in the psych ward for 4 days. I am on buspar now 3x daily and it helps with my anxiety a whole lot. I also take cymbalta, abilify, klonapin, and prazosin. Those are just my psych meds. Ask your MD about prazosin especially if you have nightmares due to your PTSD. I was put on it and it helps me sleep through the nights most of the time. You can get through this.

[Porcupine_girl]

Its not worth living like that when you don't have to. I wish I would of been put on meds a lot longer before than I was. It would of saved me a lot of pain and panic. I suffer from bad anxiety too and I was on cymbalta which did help but no longer does was put on buspar which made me very jittery and didn't help with the anxiety. Throughout this time I have also taken xanor in severe times but I would not reccomend taking it every day as the effect will wear out and u can become very dependent. I have just started zoloft so we will see but I would suggest a stabiliser too as I am on lithium and it helps me with my temper impulsiveness and anxiety.

[Jackapuss's Mama]

I've been on Zoloft for 15 years. A couple years ago, Pdoc tried me on Wellbutrin for a couple weeks, but it made me violently angry. (Didn't hurt anyone, but boy, did I want to!) I'm a genetic depressive and regard my Zoloft as my "insulin". You may have to try different meds--I lucked out on the first one.

[agma]

I have been on zoloft (and Abilify) for a couple years and haven't had any problems with it. It helps with my depression, but I still feel anxious quite a bit. I've never tried buspar, but I've thought about asking my pdoc for it since I have really bad anxiety at night that the zoloft doesn't begin to touch.

[sunrise]

Based on what you wrote about mood control/anger being among your symptoms, the two meds you suggest--Zoloft, Buspar--would probably not be ones I would recommend. I might suggest a "cleaner" (more selective) SSRI such as Lexapro as well as a trial of prazosin. Is your MD a psychiatrist? Good luck, Mogie.

P. S. If you are going to try Buspar, do try it before a benzo like Xanax. People used to the anti-anxiety effects of a benzo have poorer results if they switch to Buspar because they expect benzo-like effects from their medication, and Buspar is not going to provide that. Buspar helps with anxiety in a different way.

[Mogie]

Thanks for the advice all. My doctor has switched to wanting me to try Prozac and Ativan so I may have to post for new advice. I'm a bit confused by her switching from advising one combo to the next. Haven't taken anything yet, and I finally have a consult with a Psychiatrist coming up instead of my general practice MD, so I'll wait until I talk to her.

[Towanda]

Buspar 15mg was a godsend to me - greatly decreased anxiety and depression with no side effects. I would highly recommend it.

[Umbral_Seraph]

Buspar, while not a benzo, is not meant to be used as a long-term medication. (like benzos)

[Mogie]

Well it finally was settled after a trip to the Psychiatrist. Zoloft, since I have PTSD. I'm completely nervous, and scared about taking it, as I have never taken meds before. However I am wiped out from dealing with my symptoms, and I think it is frustrating for my T too. Hoping for the best. I just don't know.