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halleybird


Hermes

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Anyone have OCD?
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This will probably end up being long, and it's not like me to be so acutely personal, but I can't think of an easier way to get advice.


I have battled moderate OCD and anxiety for most of my life. A few years ago, I was treated by my primary doc, because she actually knew a lot about the disorder. Anyway, I was on Zoloft for almost 2 years. It definitely helped my anxiety and OCD -- in fact, those were some of the most peaceful years I've had (and if anyone else has OCD, you know that "peaceful" isn't an easy place to get to). But I didn't like the side effects, namely how tired it made me (I felt like I needed 10+ hours of sleep every night) and I didn't feel completely myself sometimes.


Anyway, I had a very hard time getting off of it -- I weaned off, as I was supposed to, but I had basically what amounted to raging PMS for about 4 months.  Things were better for almost 6 months, but in the past 6 months, my OCD has sort of been slowly creeping back, and I am pretty sure it has been triggered by stress. In the past week or so, it has totally been back full-force and I feel like it's controlling my life again.


I found a therapist in my area and will be going regularly, because I think the problem is likely more than just chemical. But the next month or so is going to be very, very stressful for me at work, and another counselor I talked to today recommended perhaps going back on the Zoloft for a short period of time, until the therapy starts showing results, and then taking it only at certain times of the year when I feel acute stress. (For the record, my physician recommended this when I went off the drug the first time, but I never really did it.)


So my question is, has/does anyone take Zoloft only at certain times? Did/do you have the same problems getting off of it? The fatigue I can deal with for a short time, but I have no desire to repeat the withdrawal experience.


Finally, for anyone else with OCD or generalized anxiety -- what drugs worked best for you? I plan to talk to my doctor, but would like some advice first. If it helps, I have a much bigger problem with obsessions (irrational fears, general sense of doom) than with compulsions.


Thanks in advance for any advice. I guess I am a little mad at myself because I thought I could deal with this problem on my own.



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rlutz


Chanel

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halleybird---I can totally understand what you are feeling...I have battled ODC and depression for about 15 year...I have had it under a bit of control for the last 7 or so, on and off....right now I am on Zoloft and Lamictal....I find that the Zoloft makes me tired, but I would rather be tird than so anxious, depressed and panicked all the time....right now I am probablythe most stable I have been in a long time with the mixture of drugs and therapy...feel free to pm me if you want to talk

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member


Hermes

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Halleybird - my boyfriend battles anxiety and depression and he used to take Zoloft.  It caused a lot of problems for him - weight gain, nitemares, excessive sweating, etc, so he went off of it and now takes Prozac.  His brother has terrible OCD and used to take 200 mg of Zoloft, but complained of the same things you're saying, so now he only takes 100mg.


Anyhow, my boyfriend has been the happiest w/Prozac and hasn't noticed all the side effects.  PM me if you want any more info or to talk.



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jen


Kate Spade

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Hey HB, I got Citalopram which I think is a generic form of something else and Xanax for when I really freak out. The first med worked wonders. I had no side effects (and I'm very sensetive) and it actually gives you more energy as opposed to most which knock you out. However, I did what a lot of people do and once it worked, I stopped taking it with the idea "Oh, I'm all better now." Anyhow, I have good weeks and bad weeks but when I'm really bugging out, I just take the Xanax (which does make me tired though). I hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions.

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jj


Kate Spade

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Another OCD/anxiety girl here - I took Paxil CR 12.5 mgs (controlled release) for 3 years, and while it made me feel better in certain ways (no anxiety!), it made me feel worse in others, much like how you felt - exhausted, tired, etc. etc...

I stopped taking it last year, and I joked that going off of it was worse than kicking a crack habit. I felt miserable with MAJOR wthdrawal effects. Even though my doctor has suggested going back on it during esp. stressful periods, I refuse to get my body addicted to it again.

So now I take 10 mgs of Lexipro - it's new, and supposedly has all the benefits of Paxil without the side effects. It's been 8 months, and I love it - I have way more energy and actually can wake up before my alarm goes off. But, on the negative side, I do feel more anxious from time to time. I have xanax for those times, which works great, but obviously I wish I didn't need it.

I talk to a therapist too, which really helps put things in perspective, but unfortunately is not a cure-all.

I hope my ramblings help I'm sorry yuo're going through a rough patch, but thankfully we have lots of options these days.

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nunzi182


Kate Spade

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Another OCD'er here. I used to take Paxil but I gained a ton of weight on that and went off that. It really was horrible coming off Paxil because it really does feel like you are kicking a bad drug habit! I have since switched to 25 mg Zoloft. I don't really notice any side effects. I think my body has gotten used to it over time because when I first started taking it I was super tired and thirsty all the time, but that went away.

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orlando


Nine West

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I've had depression and suffer from trichotillomania for about 15 years. I've been in effexor most of that time. While it does help, I'm scared of weaning myself off the medication. My boyfriend and I were talking about marriage and kids and when I told my therapist about wanting to come off the medicine to have kids, she said that I should wait to come off it until necessary. Apparently the withdrawels can be very bad, including nightmares, hallucinations, etc. If the problem isn't chemical or inherited, it might be easier to treat it with therapy and herbal remedies. I would recommend medication only as a last resort.

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halleybird


Hermes

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Thanks for the support! It helps to remember I am not the only one who has to deal with this.  I really thought I was managing it, but I really should have heeded the signs that it was coming back.


I talked to my doctor today and I am going back on the Zoloft, at least until the summer starts. Finding a therapist is turning into a PITA because of scheduling, insurance, etc. and I need something for the short-term. I'll let you know how it goes.



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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
blink


Coach

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I haven't been diagnosed with OCD, but I suspect I and quite a few family members have a mild tendency or the so called, "OCD personality disorder." 


I found quite a bit of stress relief through yoga, not so much through the poses, but through the breathing techniques.  I learned that I was a shallow breather, so whenever I notice it, I try to use some of my yoga techniques to turn on my parasympathetic nervous system...such as taking ten deep breaths through the left nostril (the inhalation through the left side only helps activate parasympathic nervous system to calm you).  I know it sounds weird, but it works for me, that is, when I can actually stay focused through ten breaths because my mind sometimes feels like a lit up switchboard.



-- Edited by lorelei at 12:55, 2006-05-03

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