Buspar & Wellbutrin - does dosage make a difference?
Question posted by argal88 on 16 Feb 2018
Last updated on 17 February 2018 by GoodMojo
I have seen a few posts related to these two drugs but I have a different concern:
I've been taking Wellbutrin for years. For my depression, it has worked wonders. I haven't noticed any negative side effects and am very happy for the results I have noticed. However, a few years ago my psychiatrist decided that anxiety was also something that I needed to treat. I started lexapro, and although it seemed to work fine, I felt sluggish and was gaining weight and my sex drive was gone. After lowering the dosage so low, we finally decided it was best to change the drug. I am now on Wellbutrin SR and recently started Buspirone HCL 7.5 that I take once a day. It was fine at first, but yesterday I started having headaches and while those are bearable, today I just feel terrible. I'm emotional, I take another dose of headache meds every 6 hours, I feel sluggish, and I'm afraid this might not be the drug for me. I know headaches are a side effect but I didn't read anything about being sad or feeling so lazy. I am not drinking alcohol or doing anything else while taking these meds. Could it possibly be the dosage of one or the other? Just debating if I need to reach out to my doctor or see if it gets better in the next couple of days.
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Answers
GO
GoodMojo
17 Feb 2018
BuSpar is a strange medication. I started at 15 mg, and am up to 30 mg now. Long ago I just took BuSpar as the only med to combat anxiety, and it was moderately successful. I felt better at least. I too, get brief, mild headaches for an hour or so after taking it, though it was worse when I started it I’ve noticed a synergy between BuSpar and antidepressants. It seems to really boost the positive effects, but I’m not sure why. Wellbutrin on the other hand acted like amphetamines for me. I hated it. It decreased my depression though. I’m on Cymbalta now and getting really good results. Don’t give up! You might just need to push through and see if the headaches stop, find a different med or solution. But don’t give up. Advocate strongly for yourself with your doctor. I know some doctors set a treatment plan without really consulting the patient, and dismiss patient feedback. I’ve left doctors like that. There are good ones out there though. I recently found one who actually spends a full hour with me. My previous doctor spent 5-10 minutes with me. I hope you find a balance with minimal side effects, and again, advocate for yourself!
Votes: +1
SI
Sidekick55
17 Feb 2018
Those are just normal starter side effects of Buspar. I am concerned that you’re only taking it once a day though. That medicine has to be taken twice a day to achieve constant blood levels. A lot of side effect occur in the beginning because the blood level is being jacked around so much
Votes: +0
AR
argal88
17 Feb 2018
Hmm. That definitely makes sense. I’ve seen many threads about taking it twice a day but my doctor specifically said take once a day at night. And that is after the follow up appointment . After speaking with the nurses line Since my doctor wasn’t in today, they told me to stop taking for the weekend until I speak to her Monday. Today completely turned me off from the drug all together.
