Buspar and Typical APs for anxiety

[jt07]

Anxiety has me down on my metaphorical knees, and I've decided to try to get an appointment to see my pdoc as soon as possible. I need something for this anxiety, but with all the meds that I take cost is a big factor. For this reason, I'm looking at buspirone (Buspar) or a low-dose typical AP. Even benzos are too expensive for me right now.

 

I took buspirone twice in the past without success, but now I'm wondering if I took it at a high enough dose. I think I maxed out at 30 mg the last time I took it, but I was reading that you can go up to 60 mg. I'm also somewhat intrigued that it might help to potentiate my ADs. I also took a low dose of perphenazine once a long time ago, and I do believe that it helped me. So I have a couple of questions:

 

1. If you take/took buspirone, what dosage did you take and how did it work out for you?

 

2. If you took a typical AP for anxiety, what did you take and what was your dosage and how did it work out for you?

 

Thanks in advance.

[shesellsseashells]

I took 30 mg of buspirone twice a day for a number of years.  I found it to be very helpful.  My current meds are a work in progress and I'm working towards getting back on Wellbutrin and buspirone.  The Propranolol I'm currently taking isn't doing much for my anxiety.

 

I'm sorry you're dealing with this and hope you find some relief from your symptoms soon.

[Paranoidling]

-

Edited May 1, 2022 by Paranoidling

[Horizons]

I take Stelazine (typical AP) for anxiety, 1 or 2mgs PRN, currently prescribed a maximum of 8mgs a week. It works beautifully, completely zaps my anxiety and makes me very calm with no unwanted side-effects. Usually I do have to take 2mgs to fully get that effect, but I don't get relief from benzos, so I consider it a pretty good deal. The pills are definitely cheap. I know people worry about the TD side-effect with the typicals, but the studies I've seen haven't convinced me they're any more dangerous than most other psych drugs, especially in low doses.

[Wonderful.Cheese]

Stupid anxiety! I'm sorry it has such a power on you right now.

Have you ever tried seroquel? It's generic. It helps my anxiety. You could maybe get on the patient assistance program for the XR? It also helps depression.

Sorry if that was not helpful. Wasn't sure if you had tried it or not.

I hope you start feeling better soon!

[wadjet]

I take 20mg Buspar 3 times a day.  It has worked on getting my overall anxiety under control, I can actually drive now, but I also take Lorazepam 1mg as needed for when I get overwhelmed.  The rest of what I take is in my signature I think.  The combo I'm on now is the best I've had since I started this mental illness journey 20 years ago.  I hope you find something that works for you.

[Unstrung Harp]

I've taken 45 mg buspirone for probably 10 years or more. Though technically it is to be taken in divided doses, I can never stay compliant that way and I never saw any benefit that way, so I have the okay to take 3 15's at night. It definitely sedates me, which is helpful in going to sleep, and I generally sleep soundly. It has never obliterated my anxiety, but it seems to take the edge off, and pdoc and I agree that it seems to be part of the overall package of what keeps me functioning. When I miss a few doses I start unravelling a bit, and getting very unfocused, so it's definitely doing something, though I'm not always sure what. I think it's worth trying though, as it is generic, and might at least tamp down the anxiety to a more manageable level.

[jt07]

Thanks, everyone. The replies are much appreciated.

 

I had thought about maybe switching Abilify for Seroquel, but the main reason for not doing it for me is the heavy sedation. I don't do well on highly sedating meds. My problem is that I sleep too much and spend too much time sedated. I don't want to sedate my life away. That I am able to handle Remeron is a miracle, but it doesn't have the hangover that many sedating meds have (such as tricyclic antidepressants).

 

I guess I'm going to give buspirone another whirl. At least I know that it won't make things worse. It could help and could even make my antidepressants more effective. If it just takes the edge off my anxiety, I would be very grateful.

 

I was really taken aback by the fact that more of the typical APs were not on the $4 list at my local big-box retailer. I could have sworn that a couple of years ago there were more.

[Horizons]

If you're having trouble paying for your meds, you could check the website Goodrx.com. They give out coupons for most meds. I get my generic Zyprexa for $25.00 a month using their coupons. It would cost almost $800 without the coupon. They also have a price check feature which you can use to find out the exact price both with and without coupons for any med at all your local pharmacies. I use that to price check all meds before I even get a prescription to make sure I can afford them.

[jt07]

If you're having trouble paying for your meds, you could check the website Goodrx.com. They give out coupons for most meds. I get my generic Zyprexa for $25.00 a month using their coupons. It would cost almost $800 without the coupon. They also have a price check feature which you can use to find out the exact price both with and without coupons for any med at all your local pharmacies. I use that to price check all meds before I even get a prescription to make sure I can afford them.

Thank you so much!