dgcango
01-18-2006, 10:34 PM
I thought it would be interesting to see what meds people are taking,how they are working in improving your life,what dosage you are taking, and what side effects if any you have experienced. Also what you wish your meds could do that they are not currently doing. So I will go fist.
I am taking 100mg of Luvox and most (85%) of the time my OCD is about a 1-2. When my OCD is bad its bad all day long and flares to about a 7-8. It sucks because I have to work and get through it like most of you. There are no sexual side effects to Luvox as my libidio has not all been affected...so that is a positive. I wish my meds would help my anxiety on my bad days. I dont know if my anxiety turns on my OCD or if my OCD makes me anxious. So I wish that my meds would keep OCD away so I could be "normal" I have not taken any other OCD meds except for Xanax when then anxiety is soo bad and I need some relief.
I will be interested to hear what others have 2 say.
I am taking 100mg of Luvox and most (85%) of the time my OCD is about a 1-2. When my OCD is bad its bad all day long and flares to about a 7-8. It sucks because I have to work and get through it like most of you. There are no sexual side effects to Luvox as my libidio has not all been affected...so that is a positive. I wish my meds would help my anxiety on my bad days. I dont know if my anxiety turns on my OCD or if my OCD makes me anxious. So I wish that my meds would keep OCD away so I could be "normal" I have not taken any other OCD meds except for Xanax when then anxiety is soo bad and I need some relief.
I will be interested to hear what others have 2 say.
Sponsor
starznmyeyes
01-20-2006, 04:25 AM
I'm currently taking 150mg of Zoloft for OCD. For several months I was at about 95% with just 100mg and it quickly started going downhill so I upped my dosage and I'm steady at about 85%. I guess I'm ok with that. With no meds I seriously felt like I was going to die so as long as it's livable I'm ok. I really wish my meds could stop the obsessions completely but it doesn't. Instead of obsessing for 6-8 hours per day it's down to about 1 hour on a good day. If it's really bad then it can be anywhere from 3-4 hours per day.
No side effects for me which is great. This has been a great med for me.
No side effects for me which is great. This has been a great med for me.
jennyd930
01-20-2006, 10:40 AM
I take lexapro and wellbutrin- these are my miracle drugs- although not always a miracle but overall pretty damn good
I take 30 mg lexapro and 450 mg wellbutrin which are pretty much the highest doses given- lexapro helps the obsessive thoughts and wellbutrin helps to fight the sleepiness caused by the lexapro and helps me maintain a good overall mood- mostly
I'd say the torment caused by my OCD has went from 10+ to about 3 or 4 (on average- I still get to 8 or 9 sometimes- but the difference is HUGE)
:bouncing:
Anyone suffering and considering medication- go for it- its worth it
I take 30 mg lexapro and 450 mg wellbutrin which are pretty much the highest doses given- lexapro helps the obsessive thoughts and wellbutrin helps to fight the sleepiness caused by the lexapro and helps me maintain a good overall mood- mostly
I'd say the torment caused by my OCD has went from 10+ to about 3 or 4 (on average- I still get to 8 or 9 sometimes- but the difference is HUGE)
:bouncing:
Anyone suffering and considering medication- go for it- its worth it
hry33
01-20-2006, 03:35 PM
an antidepressant and a benzo seem most helpful but I dont think any drugs will stop OCD completely
frosty4
01-20-2006, 04:44 PM
I just take klonopin 1.0 for anxiety. I was on luvox 200 mg for 7 years with some improvement. The best thing for me has been facing the ocd head on after reading "brain lock".
dgcango
01-20-2006, 04:48 PM
Starznemeyes & jenny,
how long after u started taking your meds did you notice improvement? my ocd has improved greatly but i have become anxious & depressed now due to the fear of new ocd thoughts.
yesterday and today we probably my toughest days for depression but I havent had any new ocd thoughts and nothing bad is happening in my life---in fact everything is quiet good. its very wierd to feel dull and down when there is nothing wrong.
also to the member below who is on klonopin is that working better for you than Luvox?
Its good to hear that both of you are doing better.
how long after u started taking your meds did you notice improvement? my ocd has improved greatly but i have become anxious & depressed now due to the fear of new ocd thoughts.
yesterday and today we probably my toughest days for depression but I havent had any new ocd thoughts and nothing bad is happening in my life---in fact everything is quiet good. its very wierd to feel dull and down when there is nothing wrong.
also to the member below who is on klonopin is that working better for you than Luvox?
Its good to hear that both of you are doing better.
daftthing
01-20-2006, 06:30 PM
Every med is completely different for each person. I've tried a few - Prothiaden, Effexor, Fluoxetine (aka Prozac), Citalopram, and now Lustral (aka Zoloft). Prothiaden and Citalopram did nothing for me. Effexor worked really well, but I couldn't tolerate the side effects. Prozac also worked quite well for the depression, but not so much the anxiety and ocd. I am now on 150mg Lustral, and still struggling quite a bit. I am not going to consider changing meds again, because they are helping. I think I just need to give therapy a better shot and then maybe I'll see some improvement.
Cecelia117
01-21-2006, 03:30 AM
I am on Effexor. Is that normally prescribed for OCD? I asked my family doc. for something to take for anxiety, and after I had been taking it for awhile I noticed my intrusive thoughts came alot less frequently. I didn't know if it could also be because I started educating myself on OCD around the same time (i had know idea what was wrong with me before I read about OCD).
I also do not like the side effects of the effexor, and am waiting to see a psychiatrist next month to try something else. Also I feel it is not helping at all with depression, maybe even making it worse. Was just wondering though if Effexor normally works for OCD?
I also do not like the side effects of the effexor, and am waiting to see a psychiatrist next month to try something else. Also I feel it is not helping at all with depression, maybe even making it worse. Was just wondering though if Effexor normally works for OCD?
starznmyeyes
01-21-2006, 03:46 AM
It took about 6 weeks for the Zoloft to start working. Even though the meds help take the edge off I still have to work on my therapy stuff. I also have an anxiety subliminal type CD that really helps if it gets too uncomfortable. Using that as a relaxation technique helps me get more grounded.
jojotigerlily
01-21-2006, 07:20 AM
Took Paxil CR for a few months, made me tired all the time and put some weight on me, went on Zoloft, didnt do much, weened off that, went on Wellbutrin, didnt work, Now I am on nothing...Doing OK.
Stumper
01-21-2006, 02:10 PM
My son takes Anafranil for OCD and has done so since 15 years old and will now soon be 18.
Anafranil is actually approved SPECIFICALLY for OCD down to the age of ten , has been around for about 33 years (I think), and is an "oldie but goodie" :)
It has the greatest success rates of all SSRI's for OCD. It has been sold on the black market (supossably) in Jamaica as a sexual enhancement drug.
Needless to say it gave him and us our lives back. Most of the time his obsessive thoughts are %100 totally gone although he can have an occassional minor one. He also has used Ativan on an "as needed" basis.
Anafranil also has a small amount of sedative in it which can help one relax and sleep. On Anafranil, at least , it is best to take right before bed and studies have shown it to get better results that way.
I think with most SSRI's, if you get too much it can actually have a "reverse affect" actually causing the very things you intend to cure. Anafranil is no different.
Lately however for several months now he has used NO Ativan. For that matter his use of Anafranil has dwindled to only 25Mg. (smallest dose possible) per day and has actuallly went without it a few times. No problems. I purchased Lucindas Bassetts "Attacking Anxiety and Depression" which has been an enormous help. Cost about $500.00 but worth every penny. Kind of like having a CBT in your home, overall a big money saver.
I think Anafranil has a better than 60% success rate and Luvox is just under that at 50%. All of the other fall below that BUT one must account the differences in the individual as well.
Also, keep in mind that alot of docs like to push the newer meds. Why? Because they get perks from them, just like other docs do. Older meds like Anafranil often get tossed or dismissed as having to many side affects but actually they can be the best. One cannot argue with over 60% success rate.
Anafranil is actually approved SPECIFICALLY for OCD down to the age of ten , has been around for about 33 years (I think), and is an "oldie but goodie" :)
It has the greatest success rates of all SSRI's for OCD. It has been sold on the black market (supossably) in Jamaica as a sexual enhancement drug.
Needless to say it gave him and us our lives back. Most of the time his obsessive thoughts are %100 totally gone although he can have an occassional minor one. He also has used Ativan on an "as needed" basis.
Anafranil also has a small amount of sedative in it which can help one relax and sleep. On Anafranil, at least , it is best to take right before bed and studies have shown it to get better results that way.
I think with most SSRI's, if you get too much it can actually have a "reverse affect" actually causing the very things you intend to cure. Anafranil is no different.
Lately however for several months now he has used NO Ativan. For that matter his use of Anafranil has dwindled to only 25Mg. (smallest dose possible) per day and has actuallly went without it a few times. No problems. I purchased Lucindas Bassetts "Attacking Anxiety and Depression" which has been an enormous help. Cost about $500.00 but worth every penny. Kind of like having a CBT in your home, overall a big money saver.
I think Anafranil has a better than 60% success rate and Luvox is just under that at 50%. All of the other fall below that BUT one must account the differences in the individual as well.
Also, keep in mind that alot of docs like to push the newer meds. Why? Because they get perks from them, just like other docs do. Older meds like Anafranil often get tossed or dismissed as having to many side affects but actually they can be the best. One cannot argue with over 60% success rate.
daftthing
01-21-2006, 06:40 PM
My son takes Anafranil for OCD and has done so since 15 years old and will now soon be 18.
Anafranil is actually approved SPECIFICALLY for OCD down to the age of ten , has been around for about 33 years (I think), and is an "oldie but goodie" :)
It has the greatest success rates of all SSRI's for OCD.
I tried this and was quite optimistic about it - but I had an allergic reaction. Horrible horrible rash! damn!
Anafranil is actually approved SPECIFICALLY for OCD down to the age of ten , has been around for about 33 years (I think), and is an "oldie but goodie" :)
It has the greatest success rates of all SSRI's for OCD.
I tried this and was quite optimistic about it - but I had an allergic reaction. Horrible horrible rash! damn!
lifecanbegood
01-21-2006, 08:21 PM
I have taken celexa twice now. This time around I took celexa 20, 30, 40, 50, 60. Right now I am down to 20 and doing jsut as well. I am thinking of switching to Effexor, but going down to 20 has made me MUCH better. I completely disagree with the raising of medication for no apparent reason.
I battle slight sexual side effecs ( a good thing) and i'm also tired...who knows. There MUST be someone taking Effexor for OCD???
lifecanbegood
I battle slight sexual side effecs ( a good thing) and i'm also tired...who knows. There MUST be someone taking Effexor for OCD???
lifecanbegood
sinnister81
01-21-2006, 11:36 PM
Prozac was an absolut miracle for my ocd, I was 90% symptom free and when I got an obsession I could just shrug it off.
Stumper
01-22-2006, 12:16 AM
I tried this and was quite optimistic about it - but I had an allergic reaction. Horrible horrible rash! damn!
Mothto,
Sorry that you had such a problem with it. Yes, In know, not everything is 100% sure for everyone. It is a good thing that there are others to try. Luvox has a good success rate. Have you tried it?
Also, keep in mind that DIET IS a factor in OCD. You should have and concentrate on a High Protein diet, with as little sugar as you can. Of course if you go high protein you desire for sweets should diminish a great deal anyway.
Mothto,
Sorry that you had such a problem with it. Yes, In know, not everything is 100% sure for everyone. It is a good thing that there are others to try. Luvox has a good success rate. Have you tried it?
Also, keep in mind that DIET IS a factor in OCD. You should have and concentrate on a High Protein diet, with as little sugar as you can. Of course if you go high protein you desire for sweets should diminish a great deal anyway.
dgcango
01-22-2006, 01:09 PM
Stumper,
I read your post and noticed that you said that have a low-no sugar diet helps with OCD? Wow that is something I didnt know and as I am a sugar hound. I exercise regularly and now I am definately motivated to try to have a low sugar diet. Also where can I by those tapes that you spoke about it?
Did you do reaserch on which meds your son should take before he started taking Anafril or did his pych reccomend it?
I am very glad to hear that your son is doing better.
I read your post and noticed that you said that have a low-no sugar diet helps with OCD? Wow that is something I didnt know and as I am a sugar hound. I exercise regularly and now I am definately motivated to try to have a low sugar diet. Also where can I by those tapes that you spoke about it?
Did you do reaserch on which meds your son should take before he started taking Anafril or did his pych reccomend it?
I am very glad to hear that your son is doing better.
Stumper
01-22-2006, 03:16 PM
Stumper,
I read your post and noticed that you said that have a low-no sugar diet helps with OCD? Wow that is something I didnt know and as I am a sugar hound. I exercise regularly and now I am definately motivated to try to have a low sugar diet. Also where can I by those tapes that you spoke about it?
Did you do reaserch on which meds your son should take before he started taking Anafril or did his pych reccomend it?
I am very glad to hear that your son is doing better.
Dgcango,
Yes, not only does a diet lower in sugar consumption help OCD but other things such as depression as well. Sugar spikes glucose levels which can "play with" those critical serotonin levels and throw them off in a person with OCD, depression etc. But as you may well know sweets are a hard habit to break...BUT if you start out eating 2 eggs every morning THAT alone will curb your desire for sweets. Mount that up with a high protein diet throughout the day, chicken, Turkey , fish , meat, on your sandwhiches, and just look at labels . This should help you curb your desire immensely and in the process help you with your OCD.
Also, once in awhile sweets are O.K. too....just watch yourself so as not to get to carried away, (Everyone likes them) but the High protein diet should really help you.
If you do the Web search you should be able to find the program. I cannot really post it here. Check around. ;) I originally had a 30 day free trial, and you can get support :)
Actually my son Pych who had 35 years experience and was from India put him on this. He told us it was used in Europe long before it entered the U.S., so we kind of got lucky I guess. Most psych's like the newer meds and in some cases they surely can or might work quite well, but Anafranil does have a high success rate. At one point my son was getting to much and started to have a "reverse" affect but we just cut it back and all was well. The nice thing about Anafranil is that you can get it in 25Mg. capsules and adjust it where you feel the best quite easily. Our Psch allows him 4-5 per day on the prescription so we have plenty especially now if he only uses 1 per day. But keep in mind that we are all different, but 60% is actually nearly 2 out of 3 benefit, so that is good.
Also, thank you for the kind words. :)
How are you doing with youur OCD?
I read your post and noticed that you said that have a low-no sugar diet helps with OCD? Wow that is something I didnt know and as I am a sugar hound. I exercise regularly and now I am definately motivated to try to have a low sugar diet. Also where can I by those tapes that you spoke about it?
Did you do reaserch on which meds your son should take before he started taking Anafril or did his pych reccomend it?
I am very glad to hear that your son is doing better.
Dgcango,
Yes, not only does a diet lower in sugar consumption help OCD but other things such as depression as well. Sugar spikes glucose levels which can "play with" those critical serotonin levels and throw them off in a person with OCD, depression etc. But as you may well know sweets are a hard habit to break...BUT if you start out eating 2 eggs every morning THAT alone will curb your desire for sweets. Mount that up with a high protein diet throughout the day, chicken, Turkey , fish , meat, on your sandwhiches, and just look at labels . This should help you curb your desire immensely and in the process help you with your OCD.
Also, once in awhile sweets are O.K. too....just watch yourself so as not to get to carried away, (Everyone likes them) but the High protein diet should really help you.
If you do the Web search you should be able to find the program. I cannot really post it here. Check around. ;) I originally had a 30 day free trial, and you can get support :)
Actually my son Pych who had 35 years experience and was from India put him on this. He told us it was used in Europe long before it entered the U.S., so we kind of got lucky I guess. Most psych's like the newer meds and in some cases they surely can or might work quite well, but Anafranil does have a high success rate. At one point my son was getting to much and started to have a "reverse" affect but we just cut it back and all was well. The nice thing about Anafranil is that you can get it in 25Mg. capsules and adjust it where you feel the best quite easily. Our Psch allows him 4-5 per day on the prescription so we have plenty especially now if he only uses 1 per day. But keep in mind that we are all different, but 60% is actually nearly 2 out of 3 benefit, so that is good.
Also, thank you for the kind words. :)
How are you doing with youur OCD?
Sam Young
01-22-2006, 03:56 PM
Consider asking your doctor to add buspar to the mix to reduce anxiety.
hayley0610
01-23-2006, 03:38 AM
i was surprised to hear more of u arent on celexa. ive had wonderful experiences with it, like night and day and i rarely obsess anymore!
dgcango
01-23-2006, 09:06 PM
stumper,
my ocd is typically rides like a wave it will crest and then even out. I am 29 and i didnt know i had ocd until this last late September when I had my first obession pop into my head and it didnt clear. The thoguhts made me nervous and sickened me. The obessions involved the people I love so it makes it that much more tough.
Also when I see them my mind reminds me that the obession took place. Some days I can shrug it off but some days I cant and it severly effects my work performance which then makes me feel down. Also checking for the thoughts is something that I cant stop doing and then I have a compulsion to think a happy thought to make me feel better. Its very strange.
I am going to see my psych on Thursday to see if adjustming my meds will help and ask for a referral for a good cog therapist. I am better now than 3 months ago but I wont be satisfied until I am 100%.
Thanks for the info!
my ocd is typically rides like a wave it will crest and then even out. I am 29 and i didnt know i had ocd until this last late September when I had my first obession pop into my head and it didnt clear. The thoguhts made me nervous and sickened me. The obessions involved the people I love so it makes it that much more tough.
Also when I see them my mind reminds me that the obession took place. Some days I can shrug it off but some days I cant and it severly effects my work performance which then makes me feel down. Also checking for the thoughts is something that I cant stop doing and then I have a compulsion to think a happy thought to make me feel better. Its very strange.
I am going to see my psych on Thursday to see if adjustming my meds will help and ask for a referral for a good cog therapist. I am better now than 3 months ago but I wont be satisfied until I am 100%.
Thanks for the info!