Options please

[Ihavequestionsplease]

Hi I have posted before in the past. Basically I have taken citalopram 30mg a year and now take propranohol aswell. I take them for generilised anxiety disorder and panic attacks. If i am honest the citalopram ha stopped any major anxiety episodes which has meant i have returned to work in the last six months.
One of the most frustrating things with the citalopram has been the sexual side effects. I have tried all the advice and even got prescribed ciaisis private which didnt help as the sexual side effects are all the other ones except lack of an erection.

So i want sexual function back. Therefore would taking propranohol alone be a good alternative to citalopram? Would buspar with propranohol be effective? Im caught in two minds as I dont want to upset the apple cart too much and go back to square one!

I will talk to my gp but wanted to get some feedback on here first......

with regards
mark

[bobbin]

Hi I have posted before in the past. Basically I have taken citalopram 30mg a year and now take propranohol aswell. I take them for generilised anxiety disorder and panic attacks. If i am honest the citalopram ha stopped any major anxiety episodes which has meant i have returned to work in the last six months.
One of the most frustrating things with the citalopram has been the sexual side effects. I have tried all the advice and even got prescribed ciaisis private which didnt help as the sexual side effects are all the other ones except lack of an erection.

So i want sexual function back. Therefore would taking propranohol alone be a good alternative to citalopram? Would buspar with propranohol be effective? Im caught in two minds as I dont want to upset the apple cart too much and go back to square one!

I will talk to my gp but wanted to get some feedback on here first......

with regards
mark

Buspirone is generally less effective than citalopram, but it does not cause sexual side effects. Propranolol alone may not be sufficient.

If possible, reducing your dose of citalopram may help to relieve the side effects.

[Ihavequestionsplease]

I am going to ask my doctor tomorrow to come off citalopram and try buspar with propranohol. to get sexual function back. hopefully it will be as effective for me for GAD as citalopram has been. thats if the doctor thinks it is a good idea! What is the normal dose for buspar and would i have to completly withdraw from citalopram first. i would prefer to get buspar in my system for a few weeks so it working then come off citalopram?

[bobbin]

I am going to ask my doctor tomorrow to come off citalopram and try buspar with propranohol. to get sexual function back. hopefully it will be as effective for me for GAD as citalopram has been. thats if the doctor thinks it is a good idea! What is the normal dose for buspar and would i have to completly withdraw from citalopram first. i would prefer to get buspar in my system for a few weeks so it working then come off citalopram?

No, you don't need to completely withdraw from citalopram first but there may be an increased risk of side effects from the combination. It's up to your doctor really but you might want to reduce citalopram to 10mg before starting buspirone. Citalopram should be withdrawn gradually to reduce the risk and severity of withdrawal symptoms.

The usual starting dose of buspirone is 5mg two or three times a day. You may experience some nausea and dizziness when starting buspirone. The dose can be increased to 10mg three times a day if necessary. It can take a couple of weeks to work so the dose should not be increased too quickly.

[Ihavequestionsplease]

Just an update. My doctor has said no to buspirone. because she said it not that effective. but said to try reducing citalopram dose to 20mg. If it helps then how long would it take for sexual side effects to reduce slightly? Just so i know if it has helped or not. cheers