Report on an anti-anxiety med from an MC perspective

[Fiona]

Just want to share a story about my recent, as in yesterday, experience with BuSpar (generic Buspirone).

Many years ago, I was on an endless series off SSRI and SNRI drugs. You name it, I've probably tried it. They never worked for me and only loaded me up with harsh side effects while decreasing my faith in the medical establishment as it pertains to mental health. In reality, it's only low-dose benzodiazepenes such as Xanax (generic alprazolam) that have ever done anything for me. But doctors don't like to prescribe these drugs because they can be addictive in the wrong hands.

My new primary care physician suggested I try BuSpar. As it's in a different class of drugs from the SSRIs and SNRIs that are known to cause or exacerbate MC--none of which I will EVER take again, even if I didn't have MC--I thought I'd at least give the BuSpar a fair shake. Well, after only two 10 mg tablets, one yesterday morning and one last night, it's caused a full-on MC flare, complete with forceful and repeated WD and cramps that feel like somebody was jamming a hot poker through my lower abdomen, all night long. This is not good because while my digestion isn't perfect, I've haven't had WD in many months.

As I write this, I'm lying in bed pumped full of Imodium and a Vicodin tablet leftover from my husband's dental surgery to relieve the cramping.

Now, we're all different and just because it had this effect on me doesn't mean it will be the same for everyone. I just thought it was worth the risk because my anxiety has been ramping up lately and compared to many people on this forum, my MC is on the "milder" side. The only foods I avoid strictly are gluten and casein (though I still eat mostly well-cooked veggies as raw ones still seem to tear me up), and my symptoms have never been as horrendous as they are for some folks on here. But I know for sure it was the drug that caused this because I ate nothing even remotely risky this entire weekend. The drug was the only thing new.

Fortunately for me, my new PCP believes me when I tell her that I will take Xanax responsibly and in the smallest dose necessary to keep the anxiety at bay and was able to procure a decent prescription.

And just as a side note, I recently had all the standard labs run and everything was normal--thyroid, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, liver enzymes, CBC, etc. My vitamin D number was 90, so I've backed off on how much supplemental Vitamin D I take every day--I'd been taking 2000 IUs twice a day. My B-12 number was also on the very high end of normal--just don't recall the number right now. I've been taking 200 mg of Mag Citrate twice a day for a long time to no ill effect and regularly take Epsom salt baths as well. So I don't think a nutritional deficiency is behind the anxiety, but who knows?

It's funny--I've also tried every purportedly anti-anxiety herb out there: Valerian, Kava, Passionflower, Chamomile, St. John's Wort, Holy Basil and probably some I'm not even thinking of right now. None of these has ever caused me diarrhea...they just don't do much for my anxiety, either. I do take fish oil and now krill oil as well thanks to the excellent research that Nancy (Ukulele Lady) shared with us. These things MUST be beneficial to the brain, but if anyone out there has ever had real success with a more natural form of anxiety relief, please let me know, because I will ration the hell out of the Xanax I have knowing the next doctor I encounter may not be so understanding!

Thanks,

Fiona

[Gabes-Apg]

Fiona
really pleased that you have figured out what works for you!

We are all different. Via the recent dna testing I have done, and the various gene mutations, how one person processes Vit D3 is different to another... the same for the various Vit B's and the natural herbs that you tried... ie if you are slightly deficient in active forms of B6 or B12, your body will not absorb and process things like the chamomile or St Johns Wort correctly - and hence no benefit will be achieved.

Even though I have done this testing and done some research, there is still no short cut or accurate operation manual for our bodies. It takes a bit of trial and error, patience, tenacity and blind faith.

I hope the cramping settles down and you can enjoy christmas WD and cramp free!
It will take a few weeks /couple of months for the krill oil to shows its benefits, stick with it!

take care

[UkuleleLady]

Ugh...So sorry to hear about your flare, Fiona. I hope the Vicodin resets your digestion. And I'm glad you got a valid prescription for now. The misuse of benzos has unfortunately made life even more difficult for those with true anxiety and that's really frustrating. You're in my thoughts.

Nancy

[Fiona]

Thanks, Gabes and Nancy. It seems to have only been a 24-hour event until the drug cleared from my system, and I'm feeling back to normal-ish today. The good news is that the cramps are completely gone, as they were definitely the worst part of the experience. WD is no walk in the park, but at least it's something I've experienced many times before. The cramps had me in bed in the fetal position for most of the day!

Makes me wonder if I'll be this sensitive to ANY drug from now on because of the MC, not just anti-depressant/anti-anxiety meds!

Thanks,

Fiona