Lexapro/Buspar or Cymbalta

[dkd322]

I was on Lexapro 20mg for a few years and it was very good for my GAD, occasional panic and some depression. In the spring I VERY slowly weaned my self off (with out my doctors consent, long story) and did ok, had a few weeks where I would almost cry over anything but that started to fade. I have very bad health anxiety that started after an autoimmune condition that hit me 8 years ago and went away. (Sarcoidosis) I had this fear under control for the past few years but relapsed when I was off the meds due to a health scare that may have all been in my head and went off the deep end. Very despondent and panicing in restaraunts etc. I called my psychiatrist went back on the Lexapro but now I think I am having some reactions. My TMJD is flaring like never in my life and I am getting face pain and some temple headaches so a few days ago he cut me back to 10mg. I asked about Buspar as I read this can reduce the bruxism for those on SSRIs but of course I get nervous about that medicine (i heard it is safe but there is some very tiny chance of Tardive Diskinesia) Anyone have experience with Buspar? I also read that Cymbalta is the least likely to aggrevate or induce more bruxism and was thinking of asking for a switch. looking for some opinions. Maybe at 10mg I will be ok, I am now trying some TMJ exercises in the meantime and they help a bit.

[tic chick]

hi dkd!

i have never heard of buspar being associated with tardive dyskinesia. i looked it up and they were doing studies to see if buspar would help the symptoms of people who already had tardive dyskinesia. maybe that's what you read.

i have taken buspar. it didn't work for me. paxil works for me. i would be reluctant to switch to a different med just because of teeth grinding.

go to the drugstore in the dental aisle and see what products they have that you can make your own bite guard to wear at night.

the other alternative is to have a bite guard made by a dentist. i have severe teeth grinding and upper facial pain, by my temple, from it. the bite guard my dentist made goes over my top 4 middle teeth. i had one that went over the bottom 4, but it got a hairline crack in it and kept getting loose. so, the company made me another one for free. it fits over the teeth and when you close your mouth your bottom teeth fit into the ridge. there is a little part of the guard that sticks out on your bottom lip. a bit annoying until you get used to it.

it cost me about $500. but, i will have it for life. my teeth will not be ground down to my gumline and my facial pain is gone as long as i wear it.

all in all, a good deal.

good luck,
jeannie