dannic1
02-11-2007, 10:05 PM
I would like to hear some different opinions on OCD medication. Does it really help? Is it worth any possible side effects and does it really help take away the obsessive-compulsive thinking?
What other things have significantly helped your OCD i.e. food, vitamins, exercise, etc.?
Thanks.
danni
What other things have significantly helped your OCD i.e. food, vitamins, exercise, etc.?
Thanks.
danni
Sponsor
Trixibel
02-11-2007, 10:53 PM
Zoloft helped with obsessive thoughts but it was a bit numbing so i came off it.
Vitamins help. Read 'Optimum nutrition for the mind' by Patrick Holford. He explains about the link between nutrition and mental health. It's very helpful.
Basically you need to make sure you're getting enough; B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and calcium. and fish oil helps with anxiety too, supposedly. there's also a natural relaxant called valerian or valerian root that you can get in health food shops or chemists. it stinks though.
good luck.
Vitamins help. Read 'Optimum nutrition for the mind' by Patrick Holford. He explains about the link between nutrition and mental health. It's very helpful.
Basically you need to make sure you're getting enough; B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and calcium. and fish oil helps with anxiety too, supposedly. there's also a natural relaxant called valerian or valerian root that you can get in health food shops or chemists. it stinks though.
good luck.
ocdengineer
02-12-2007, 06:57 AM
I favor Xanax or another Benzo for my anxiety and it works pretty well for me. I still have bad days and whatnot, but not to the extent I did before. Anyway, the major things to do are holistic such as taking care of your body and removing all the horrible things we put into it such as nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine. Exercise and eat well. These will all help a lot and then worry about the drugs. Xanax did not stop me from doing anything. It didn't change my personality and it didn't give me any side effects other than my bed time sliped up about two hours. I now can actually fall asleep. Meditation is also huge for OCD. That or CBT.
Later,
OE
Later,
OE
MissyS
02-13-2007, 01:50 PM
I am on zoloft. It has helped with my ocd thoughts but I've had to up it a few times. I haven't had any side effects from it and will stay on it for now. i take Klonopin for anxiety. It's a little slower acting than xanax but not as habit forming.
While the meds are helpful, with OCD you need to make lifestyle changes. I very rarely drink anymore and never drink to excess. I quit smoking. And I exercise a lot more. The only thing I'm really having trouble with is caffeine. I am having a hard time giving it up.
And while all of this is good and dandy, the best help for ocd is Cognitive Behavior Therapy. You need to be willing to stick to it and work it. But it helps (I've been slacking recently and have had a rough day because of it!) But a combination of all these things have helped me live pretty well minus a few bad days here and there. Much better than I was doing before.
Hope this helps.
While the meds are helpful, with OCD you need to make lifestyle changes. I very rarely drink anymore and never drink to excess. I quit smoking. And I exercise a lot more. The only thing I'm really having trouble with is caffeine. I am having a hard time giving it up.
And while all of this is good and dandy, the best help for ocd is Cognitive Behavior Therapy. You need to be willing to stick to it and work it. But it helps (I've been slacking recently and have had a rough day because of it!) But a combination of all these things have helped me live pretty well minus a few bad days here and there. Much better than I was doing before.
Hope this helps.
MariaBB
02-13-2007, 02:48 PM
I've had OCD for over 20 years. About six months ago I was prescribed Anafranil and my OCD symptoms are 90% gone. What a relief! The OCD symptoms only return when I'm under extreme stress. I feel like I've been set free.
tred816
02-16-2007, 11:41 PM
I tried to cope without meds until last year. My 11 year old son has ADHD and tourettes syndrome. :dizzy: you can only imagine what it was like for me to live in the house with a child who just about drove me insane.
Last year we both went on meds and we are doing so much better.
I take Fluvoxamine (300mg/day) which is quite a strong dosage I'm told, but I can't tell you what a difference it's made in my life. Everyone I know comments on the change.
I wasn't a bad person before, but I wasn't happy, worried all the time and was constantly focused on negative things that were happening.
My son? he's still wild, but he's calmer than he used to be so I can't complain too much...except in the mornings :blob_fire before his pills kick in lol.
Last year we both went on meds and we are doing so much better.
I take Fluvoxamine (300mg/day) which is quite a strong dosage I'm told, but I can't tell you what a difference it's made in my life. Everyone I know comments on the change.
I wasn't a bad person before, but I wasn't happy, worried all the time and was constantly focused on negative things that were happening.
My son? he's still wild, but he's calmer than he used to be so I can't complain too much...except in the mornings :blob_fire before his pills kick in lol.
dannic1
02-17-2007, 06:48 PM
Hi,
Regarding your son's ADHD and tourette's, have you ever considered trying biofeedback? It is also called neurofeedback and is an alternative way of treating a variety of conditions - I'm having it done for my anxiety/OCD. The anxiety is WAY better than before, but I still seem to sort of struggle on and off with the OCD. I'm trying the vitamin route and I'm starting to exercise again.
danni
Regarding your son's ADHD and tourette's, have you ever considered trying biofeedback? It is also called neurofeedback and is an alternative way of treating a variety of conditions - I'm having it done for my anxiety/OCD. The anxiety is WAY better than before, but I still seem to sort of struggle on and off with the OCD. I'm trying the vitamin route and I'm starting to exercise again.
danni
purplegirl1
02-18-2007, 01:14 AM
I am on Luvox, 150mg, and I could not survive without it. I tried to go off 2x and I was a mess... I have Xanax for emergencies...
Side Effects that I have from luvox is - dry mouth, very thirsty, sometimes nasaues.
Side Effects that I have from luvox is - dry mouth, very thirsty, sometimes nasaues.