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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Yogi on January 13, 2004, at 5:09:18
I have OCD and I hate it. I've taken Prozac for many years. I recently quit Prozac. I wanted to see how I would be without it. I also wanted to be awake and not feel foggy. Well, without Prozac, I'm awake and I'm not foggy. However, I'm in horrible shape as far as the OCD. I feel like my OCD is worse than ever. I feel disabled and doomed. I tried 5HTP and it has not helped. Has anyone found anything to cure OCD without side effects or at least with very few side effects? I'm planning on going back to Prozac. I'd rather sleep all the time and feel foggy then to feel like I feel without it. However, I just wish I could take something to help the OCD and still feel alive.
Posted by Elle2021 on January 13, 2004, at 5:49:30
In reply to Has anyone found an RX that really helps OCD?, posted by Yogi on January 13, 2004, at 5:09:18
I have OCD too, and I don't like it either.
Have you tried:
Clomipramine
ChlorpromazineThose are the only two I can think of that mildly helped treat my symptoms. I have a really severe form of OCD though, so they might do the trick for you.
Elle
Posted by Yogi on January 13, 2004, at 6:17:18
In reply to Re: Has anyone found an RX that really helps OCD?, posted by Elle2021 on January 13, 2004, at 5:49:30
> I have OCD too, and I don't like it either.
>
> Have you tried:
>
> Clomipramine
> Chlorpromazine
>
> Those are the only two I can think of that mildly helped treat my symptoms. I have a really severe form of OCD though, so they might do the trick for you.
> Elle
>
>
Thanks Elle. I've never tried Clomipramine or Chlorpromazine. Other than Prozac, I've only tried one other prescribed medication and I think that was Zoloft. Whatever it was, I had a terrible experience with it. The side effects were horrible. I'm sorry to hear that you have severe OCD. How do you cope?
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 13, 2004, at 6:56:03
In reply to Re: Has anyone found an RX that really helps OCD?, posted by Yogi on January 13, 2004, at 6:17:18
The narcotic/SNRI Ultram (tramadol) has been shown to be extremely useful in the treatment of OCD, and I can personally attest to its many benefits. In fact, some university (can't remember which one at the moment) is conducting many very exciting studies on using tramadol to "cure" even the most treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsives. And the great thing is, it begins to work with the first dose.
It makes sense that Ultram would work so well as it's well known that morphine and other opioids are of great help to OCD'ers, as are drugs which inhibit serotonin reuptake. Ultram binds to the same opioid receptors as morphine, inhibits reuptake of serotonin, and also inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine.
Of course, there are also the old standbys Luvox, Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, and Anafranil, but with those you're likely to experience the same disheartening side effects you did with Prozac.
Posted by DanielJ on January 13, 2004, at 12:17:59
In reply to Has anyone found an RX that really helps OCD?, posted by Yogi on January 13, 2004, at 5:09:18
My son has Schizophrenia. He had extremely obsessive behavior, constantly dwelling on certain obsessions. His second line of meds has been very successful so far. He is Taking Zyprexa, an anti-psychotic medication which is now being used in smaller doses (he takes 20 mg) small might be 5mg, for treating depression, compulsive behavior, BiPolar etc. effectivity depends on the patient. He is also taking Zoloft which may even be more effective for this. The only side effects he has experienced are a little dry-mouth(typical) and increased appetite. Hope this helps. Good luck to you!
Posted by Elle2021 on January 14, 2004, at 5:47:22
In reply to Re: Has anyone found an RX that really helps OCD?, posted by Ame Sans Vie on January 13, 2004, at 6:56:03
> The narcotic/SNRI Ultram (tramadol) has been shown to be extremely useful in the treatment of OCD, and I can personally attest to its many benefits.
Seriously? If it could cure mine I would be elated! Do you remember what University that was? I hear Stanford has the biggest OCD research clinic, could that be it?
Elle
Posted by Elle2021 on January 14, 2004, at 5:50:16
In reply to Re: Has anyone found an RX that really helps OCD?, posted by Yogi on January 13, 2004, at 6:17:18
>I'm sorry to hear that you have severe OCD. How do you cope?
Um, I don't really know how to explain it. I've had it for so long (since about age 10-11), that it's just ingrained in my life. It has spells where it gets less worse, but they are usually followed by spells where it gets kinda debilitating. I guess I just go day by day and stay on my meds. Try not to let it drive you crazy or run your life. I know it's hard.
Elle
Posted by Nanter1 on January 16, 2004, at 13:06:08
In reply to Has anyone found an RX that really helps OCD?, posted by Yogi on January 13, 2004, at 5:09:18
Hi there:
I have been diagnosed with OCD and also have accompanying diagnoses such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. I've run the gamut of the SSRIs and the most effective drug I found was Paxil. At one point on paxil my OCD was completely in remission. I had never experienced such a thing on any other drug. Paxil came with a few big problems, though: It made me very sleepy. Evidently it is more sedating than drugs like Prozac, and if you're sedated on prozac, it may not be the best for you. It also had the greatest level of sexual side effects. Withdrawal symptoms were also the worst.
I am currently taking no medication, and like you, my OCD is worse than ever before. I have become convinced over the years and with my interaction with the mental health profession that these drugs , while being relatively therapeutic, create a dependency by causing neurological changes that worsen our underlying conditions. These exacerbations are seen when we stop taking the drugs and also when we experience so-called "poop out" phenomena.
Have you tried cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)? I have not had much success, but then I have a particularly difficult form of OCD to treat. You didn't indicate how your OCD manifests. If it has a clear and well understood manifestation, CBT could be very effective as an adjunct to or even a replacement for the medication.
OCD is brutal, but we can do things to beat it. I refuse to let this monster run my life.
Best of luck,
Luke
Posted by Yogi on January 19, 2004, at 13:55:32
In reply to Re: Just a (probably) crazy thought..., posted by Nanter1 on January 16, 2004, at 13:06:08
Wow, that was a lot to think about. Thanks so much for the follow up Luke. I really feel that you may've hit the nail on the head with your explanation of OCD being worse than ever after stopping medication. I'm pretty much a mess right now. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow. I'm going to a GP that used to be a pharmacist in hopes that he'll know his medications well and possibly be able to help me. I rarely try something new. However, as usual when I do try something to get help, I'm really hoping for a miracle but on the other hand, I feel I'll leave the doctor's office in tears. I'm usually pretty desperate when I try to get help as I am now. So many times, I've had hope only to be disappointed. I think in the back of my mind, I realize I'm stuck with OCD forever and I know I'll never be normal.
As for my OCD and CBT. I know that I could be incorrect, however, I feel that no amount of therapy could "fix" the thought process and the problems that I have with OCD. I want to be rid of OCD in the absolute worst way. I just can't comprehend CBT doing it for me. I truly believe that OCD is something chemical and or hormonal. My OCD consists of decision making of just about any sort. One of my most noticeable symptoms is that I have a real problem with throwing things away. I also have trouble doing any normal household tasks as the OCD just won't let me stop checking or second guessing myself. It's horrible. There's much more to my OCD. I just tried to touch on it here and keep it simple.
Luke, thanks again for your follow up. You really seem to be very wise. You're really good with words. Your last sentence was nice. I felt the hope. I'm glad to see that you are so strong and positive. I wish you the best.
Posted by nicky847 on January 19, 2004, at 14:44:19
In reply to Re: Just a (probably) crazy thought..., posted by Yogi on January 19, 2004, at 13:55:32
keep in mind that CBT has been proven to cause actual physiological changes in the brain..your thoughts produce chemicals..if you can change your thoughts you can change the chemicals..
> Wow, that was a lot to think about. Thanks so much for the follow up Luke. I really feel that you may've hit the nail on the head with your explanation of OCD being worse than ever after stopping medication. I'm pretty much a mess right now. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow. I'm going to a GP that used to be a pharmacist in hopes that he'll know his medications well and possibly be able to help me. I rarely try something new. However, as usual when I do try something to get help, I'm really hoping for a miracle but on the other hand, I feel I'll leave the doctor's office in tears. I'm usually pretty desperate when I try to get help as I am now. So many times, I've had hope only to be disappointed. I think in the back of my mind, I realize I'm stuck with OCD forever and I know I'll never be normal.
> As for my OCD and CBT. I know that I could be incorrect, however, I feel that no amount of therapy could "fix" the thought process and the problems that I have with OCD. I want to be rid of OCD in the absolute worst way. I just can't comprehend CBT doing it for me. I truly believe that OCD is something chemical and or hormonal. My OCD consists of decision making of just about any sort. One of my most noticeable symptoms is that I have a real problem with throwing things away. I also have trouble doing any normal household tasks as the OCD just won't let me stop checking or second guessing myself. It's horrible. There's much more to my OCD. I just tried to touch on it here and keep it simple.
> Luke, thanks again for your follow up. You really seem to be very wise. You're really good with words. Your last sentence was nice. I felt the hope. I'm glad to see that you are so strong and positive. I wish you the best.
>
This is the end of the thread.
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