I have never taken it so i can't help you there but i was googling side effects of xanax (which i don't take. I don't take any meds) and i came across a new anti-anxiety pill that is all natural. It is made uo of five anti-anxiety components. It is called alpranax. I'm gonna do some more poking around and learn more about it. Just thought i'd share.

Thank you for telling me about that I'll check it out.

sadly all natural pills give placebo effect only and naturapaths cant agree whether they work
valerian has been available for years, some naturapaths say its useless, some say it sedates some but stimulates others
buspar is heavily and expensively advertised to docs as the non addictive althernative to valium,( free seminars on waikiki beach, etc) it isnt and is generally useless, helping at best no more than placebo effect
psychs who should know seldom prescribe it

I would taper off slowly and take a strong benzo such as clonazepam as needed, OK to take both at same time
I wouldnt have much faith in doc who prescribed the buspar( now in generic, BTW)

Hi Christopher22! I have been on more than a few medications, but now don't take anything. Ever read the book, Chemistry of Joy? It's a good read, and basically the "just" of it is to combine Western science with Eastern wisdom. Without delving too much (and boring you too much--lol) with the exact specific rundown of the neurotransmitters and brain chemical explanation as to why those medication eventually "stop working," I would just plainly point out that what you're thinking is going on, really does eventually happen to people on those types of meds. The book explains why.

Lots of drugs can have long-term side effects, as--afterall--it's dealing with the most important part of the body: the brain, the control center of everything. I was on a low dose of Buspar (generic version) and it seemed to sort of relax my anxiety some. I was also on a mood stabilizer alongside the Buspar, though, for the record...but dropped that, and stayed on the Buspar a little while longer, eventually tapering it off.

In the past, I have been on various meds, such as Paxil, Topamax, etc. In the beginning, the drugs would work--albeit with side effects--but over time, I needed higher dosages. The doctor I had at the time freely handed out prescriptions, in the sense that he didn't concern himself with what it was doing to my body. We were filed through like cattle, which is not a good thing. Eventually, I stopped taking the meds, not only because I became a zombie on such high doses, but it became too expensive for me.

At this point, I use alternative methods to calm myself down: meditation, yoga, daily exercise, healthy eating, calcium supplement (alongside my multi-vitamin), black cohosh (since I am in peri-menopause), etc. Even drinking a small glass of skim milk helps calm me, since it has triptophan in it. Hey, whatever works! :-)

One thing that is homeopathic, which has helped me at times in the past, is this stuff called Similasan. It is for anxiety relief, and contains argentum nitricum and strophantus gratus. They have a website: www.similasanusa.com, or you could just get the stuff at any CVS, Wal-Mart, etc. They're tiny little globules, and you take around 5-15 of them as needed. It's subtle and I've never had any problems with them. Just something to try that is more "natural."

Did you notice any change, positively speaking, when you started Buspar? If not, perhaps it's either (a) not for you and what you need, or (b) you're not on a high enough dose. I don't know what your dose is, nor would I encourage any high dose of anything, but a caring doctor will start you on the lowest ring of the ladder, like my most recent doctor did, and only up the dosage if truly needed.

Obviously, if you can do without, and try natural alternatives, that's the best, but I do know in the past, some medications have gotten me through some majorly tough times, so I am definitely not judgmental or opposed to it by any means. :-)

Anyway, hope this helps!

In answer to your question I'm on the highest dose and was from the very beginning, It's really hard for me to say whether I noticed any difference, at the time I started buspar I was having very bad attacks but after starting they didn't go away of really seem to diminish, but I don't know if they would have been worse or last longer etc.

I disagree with harry. I have been on buspar since january. I didnt notice much of a difference at first but after I was on it about 6 weeks i realized my panic attacks stopped completely. And i was having them everyday when i first went on it. It doesnt make you 'feel relaxed' in the sense that a benzo would but it def works taken daily to stop panic for me and calms my physical symptoms of shaking & upset stomach. I think because its not an 'instant calm' type of medication sometimes we dont even realize a medication is helping until really looking back on how we once felt and the severity/intensity of those feelings. It defintely isnt a placebo effect either. So it does work for some! and i dont have any less respect for my doctor for prescribing it, im very thankful. It also works in conjunction with an SSRI to enhance their effects (my mom takes it with her zoloft). i dont believe u should feel bad withdrawals from it, but i would speak with your doctor and ask if a weaning schedule is appropriate or necessary. Good luck!