Eurydice Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 So, I've been on BuSpar for nearly two years now. Every time I tell the pdoc it's not helping, his response is to up the dosage. This past month I've been on 60 mg, which has succeeded only in giving me hot flashes and restless leg syndrome on top of my anxiety. Finally told pdoc I want off, and he obliged and prescribed me some Vistaril, which I've never heard of, but I'm hoping it'll help me avoid benzos since those just make me tired and weepy. Anyway, I'm wondering how I should stop taking the Buspar. I know I should've asked pdoc but it slipped my mind and I don't feel like calling him about it. The internet's giving me mixed messages on the matter. I've forgotten to take it for up to three days at a time with no side effects, but I still feel nervous cutting out a medication cold turkey. Secondly, Vistaril: have you taken this? What has your experience been? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random Rabbit Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Secondly, Vistaril: have you taken this? What has your experience been? I personally found it quite dehydrating. I needed to drink at least a liter of water with every 25 mg or the dehydration it induced made me more anxious. It is long lasting like Klonopin so repeated daily dosing will increase its effects. It is an antihistamine and the induced sleepiness can have a sedative effect to a mild degree. YMMV I prefer Valium myself, but it took months of use before it stopped making me sleepy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eurydice Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 Your sig says you're bipolar and Lamictal isn't really that great of a mood stabilizer on the up end. I don't know how much that is an issue for you, but there are drugs that can address anxiety and mood stabilization in one shot. My dad, who is BP I, started Lamictal earlier this year and it has helped him out a lot so far. He and I tend to react similarly to drugs, so this is the biggest reason my family and pdoc thought it would be a good idea. Hypomania hasn't caused me many problems in the past, so I'm not too worried about it right now, though obviously if it doesn't work, I'll be exploring other options...it's the depression that's the big issue, especially since I've been rapid cycling since starting the SSRI, prior to the BP dx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eurydice Posted June 18, 2011 Author Share Posted June 18, 2011 I just wanted to come back and give an update in case anyone else might be starting this medication, or whatever. First of all, thank you for the feedback. It was helpful. I tapered off the BuSpar rather quickly and had no negative effects. I've been taking the vistaril going on three weeks now, and while I haven't been in a high-anxiety situation yet, it has been helping a lot with my daily, mild to moderate anxiety. The more anxious I am, the less pronounced its effects, but it nonetheless takes the edge off, and that in itself is nice. I actually have gotten no side effects from it, which surprised me since the majority of people I talked to said it put them to sleep at first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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