[Berries]

Has anyone tried Buspar for anxiety or for panic attacks? Was it helpful? Were there any negative side-effects?

I am on klonopin now and would like to switch to a non-benzodiazepine, non-addictive anti-anxiety med.

So far Klonopin is the only med that works for me, but I don't want to become addicted--to anything!

[gimmeice]

(((((((((((((( Lbien )))))))))))))))))))

I used to be on buspar, it helped some in the beginning but even after several increases in dosage, it stopped helping me. However different people react differently, for me the only thing that helps is xanax, I do worry some about addiction but I have discussed this many times with my pdoc so we are keeping an eye out for any problems, I only take xanax when I need it. If buspar is something that you are interested in than I suggest bringing it up with your pdoc, it may be a very good med for you.

[sunrise]

I did take Buspar, for anxiety, but it didn't work for long, just a couple of months, then any positive effects got weaker and weaker. I read in the scientific literature on it, and almost all the studies on Buspar are for around 6 weeks. They don't look at efficacy after longer times on the drug. What useless studies. I can't really say Buspar helped me that much with anxiety anyway, but it had other positive effects and no negative effects. The positive effects:
--made me less shy and socially anxious, I was OK in a crowd, managed to go to the cafeteria for the first time in a year, I was able to talk to complete strangers (I did not take this drug for social anxiety but that's what it helped most with)
--increased my sense of smell radically! And my sense of taste too, but less than smell. This was a totally cool side effect and I loved it. Unfortunately, this effect went away after a few months too.
--made me drive wrecklessly I just got a kick and a rush from driving fast, cornering the car fast, etc. I had never felt this way before.
--increased my pleasure at certain occurrences, like I really got a huge rush of pleasure when I would come out onto the top floor of the parking garage and see the wonderful view of the city skyline. One time I was practically orgasmic when I turned the corner in my car and there was our local mountain, with the early morning sun turning the snow fields pink. And another time, I went to a concert and felt the singer's voice was so beautiful that I had to cry.

Anyway, it had lots of cool effects, but they didn't last and neither did any help with anxiety.

Because my doctor said the Buspar was not helping me, she told me to discontinue it after about 4-5 months. She said just quit so I did, cold turkey. Since it wasn't helping at all, why tail off? Well, that was a mistake. It was hugely destabilizing and my moods became very volatile. It made me realize that the drug was doing something to me because without it, I had this reaction. After a few weeks off the drug, I normalized.

Good luck with it. Watch for the smell/taste thing--totally cool. (Not everyone experiences that side effect.)

[jaeyw]

Lbien,

I was in the same situation, on Klonopin for a few years (worked great) then recently switched to BUSPAR and Celexa. The BUSPAR did not work for me and made me feel horrible. Off of it and use Klonopin (every once in a while) and celexa. Agree with Gimme, Xanax works great too. Take care.

J

[gaugreg1x]

Just started Buspar at low dose (10 mg daily) this past Monday. Will let you know how it goes. Greg

Originally Posted by Lbien6

Has anyone tried Buspar for anxiety or for panic attacks? Was it helpful? Were there any negative side-effects?

I am on klonopin now and would like to switch to a non-benzodiazepine, non-addictive anti-anxiety med.

So far Klonopin is the only med that works for me, but I don't want to become addicted--to anything!

[Berries]

Thank you everyone! With your feedback and the reviews on drugs on this site, I plan to NOT start Buspar.
It sounds like it would most likely be a waste of time and money.

I want to get off all meds, but am worried about my anxiety attacks and thought Buspar would have less brain damaging/altering effects than Klonopin.

Maybe I'll try biofeedback for my anxiety!!!!!

Anyway, thanks everybody for the info!