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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shelley on October 9, 2001, at 6:52:51
I suffer from severe OCD and ADs aren't enough to solve the problem. I don't want to take neuroleptics since a small dosage of perphenazine in the past has resulted in tardive dyskinesia.
Is anyone here on something else that helps ocd? Even if not conventional?
Thank you in advance.
Posted by Simcha on October 9, 2001, at 8:16:00
In reply to OCD, posted by Shelley on October 9, 2001, at 6:52:51
I guess that would depend on the type of OCD from which you suffer....
I suffer from OCD related to sexual obsession/compulsion. I have acted out on images that never would go away. For me I found some relief in 12-step programs, therapy, and meds. It really wasn't until I got the meds that things got better.
Then I have also started hypnotherapy. This helps because the hypnotherapist can speak with my subconscious mind where the OCD actually happens. She helps me to get control of my mind, body, soul and spirit. She has helped me to write affirmations which I must repeat throughout the day. It helps me in that it keeps my mind off of the obsessive thoughts that used to invade my mind.
Hypnotherapy is nonconventional. My psychiatrist is all for it since it seems to help me. If you go this route make sure that your choice of a hypnotherapist is a Certified Hypnotherapist (Cht.). Ask to see his/her credentials. Talk to clients of the hypnotherapist. Also ask the hypnotherapist what his/her goals are. Some hypnotherapists can be unethical (like pdocs). They can make suggestions while you are under that you will need to keep coming back no matter what. The goal of my hypnotherapist is to teach me self-reliance and self-hypnosis so that maybe one day I won't need her. That is a true hypnotherapist.
Don't be afraid of the warning. Hypnotherapists cannot make you do anything you do not really want to do or anything that might be against your core beliefs. You are the one who allows the hypnotherapist to hypnotise you. Therefore you can bring yourself out of it and leave if you experience something that is a bit off.
I have to say that I found an excellent hypnotherapist. She has even offered to teach me how to do what she does. She has authorization to certify hypnotherapists. She can offer classes (She is that advanced.) I think I like that. I would love to be able to help others, to give back to the universe for the help I have received.
I hope you find relief soon,
Simcha> I suffer from severe OCD and ADs aren't enough to solve the problem. I don't want to take neuroleptics since a small dosage of perphenazine in the past has resulted in tardive dyskinesia.
> Is anyone here on something else that helps ocd? Even if not conventional?
> Thank you in advance.
Posted by krista on October 9, 2001, at 13:32:18
In reply to Re: OCD, posted by Simcha on October 9, 2001, at 8:16:00
Have your tried Luvox? It seemed to work well on me for the OCD.
Posted by PaulB on October 9, 2001, at 17:08:56
In reply to OCD, posted by Shelley on October 9, 2001, at 6:52:51
> I suffer from severe OCD and ADs aren't enough to solve the problem. I don't want to take neuroleptics since a small dosage of perphenazine in the past has resulted in tardive dyskinesia.
> Is anyone here on something else that helps ocd? Even if not conventional?
> Thank you in advance.>In the past I have had symptoms of OCD. In my case the symptoms were of mild to moderate severity. For example I couldnt go out in public places without taking a bag of health products and I needed to go for runs each day and eat lots of vegetable overwise I would start to worry excessively about getting fat. Also when I was younger I had a lot of trouble getting thoughts out of my mind. These are some of my symptoms.
I am sure you are aware of the best medications available for OCD. The 'gold standard' I believe is Clomipramine and the SSRI's Paroxetine and Fluvoxamine are probably the best of this class of drugs. I can understnad that currently available medication alone is not enough as the reading I have done has indicated that although antidepressnats can help significantly with social phobia, depression and panic disorder the success rate is somewhat less for OCD.
There are options however:
I would recommend starting on a course of, if you are not already on one of the medications indicated for OCD(at a high dose)and when you feel the effect of the medication beginning to wane augment with 5-HTP or L-Tryptophan, the precursors of serotonin. As the AD will have built up in your system you will see quicker response from when you first started taking the medication as initially the AD would have to build up in your system. Other common options iclude Lithium but this may only re-uptake the trasportation of Tryryptophan into the brain so L-Tryptophan is a better option or 5-HTP.
OCD is indicated for OCD however it is VERY difficult and time-consuming and expensive. therefore alot people discontinue treatment. You have to see what works best for you.
Other medications used to augment AD's you could recommend to your physician include SMALL doses of Buspar, Clonazepam and Trazadone.
I have found talking to people I know helps as it provides short-term relief from your problems. Occassional use of the benzodiazepines can be beneficial.
Good Luck
PaulB
Posted by Shelley on October 10, 2001, at 10:55:38
In reply to OCD, posted by Shelley on October 9, 2001, at 6:52:51
Posted by Adam on October 10, 2001, at 18:11:52
In reply to OCD, posted by Shelley on October 9, 2001, at 6:52:51
I'm assuming you have tried behavioral therapy. If you haven't, I think it's vry worth it to try.
Some unconventional (or previously conventional) approaches to treating OCD are:
MAOIs: Phenelzine would probably be the drug of choice in this class, because of its anxiolytic properties. Isocarboxazid is roughly analogous.
There have been a few limited reports that gabapentin augmentation can be helpful.
Lithium (strangely enough, since it mainly targets a different "second messenger" than is implicated in the biochemistry of OCD) has been used, and according to some, is effective in some cases.
Other TCA's besides clomipramine: I think drugs such as amitriptyline, which, like clomipramine, inhibit reuptake of 5-HT and NE, are used occasionally with good results. Imiprimine technically might fall under this heading, but it is rapidly metabolized to desipramine.
Venlafaxine: Some have used this successfully.
ECT: Believe it or not, electroconvulsive therapy has been used as an effective treatment for some people with refractory OCD. Of all the "non-standard" treatments, this might be the best, overall.
TMS: Transcranial magnetic stimulation has been tried, and seems to work for some people.
Psychosurgry: This option remains controversial, though it seems to be the only line of treatment for some that works. Certainly a last resort, but the benefits outweigh the costs in certain cases.
Hope this helps!
Adam
> I suffer from severe OCD and ADs aren't enough to solve the problem. I don't want to take neuroleptics since a small dosage of perphenazine in the past has resulted in tardive dyskinesia.
> Is anyone here on something else that helps ocd? Even if not conventional?
> Thank you in advance.
Posted by PaulB on October 11, 2001, at 12:23:49
In reply to Re: OCD, posted by PaulB on October 9, 2001, at 17:08:56
I apologise for the silly mistakes made in this post. Teach me to read my posts very carefully before submitting them. OCD for OCD!
Posted by paxvox on October 11, 2001, at 16:45:02
In reply to OCD, posted by Shelley on October 9, 2001, at 6:52:51
Hiyas,
I have OCD, and am, strangely enough, taking Wellbutrin and Tranzene. Generally, many of the SSRI meds work well for the obsessive aspect of OCD. There are so many different manifestations of this disorder, and you really did not say too much about your behavioral issues. Wellbutrin (as Zyban...same med) is given to help people stop smoking. It's mechanism of action is on dopamine for the most part. I was able to quit drinking cold turkey, and have been able to "set aside" other obsessive behavior. However, you may also consider hypnotherapy as a part of counseling. You should carry this post over to PB Social Babble for more input.
PAX
Posted by Jill on January 25, 2002, at 18:30:07
In reply to Re: OCD, posted by PaulB on October 9, 2001, at 17:08:56
Hi...
I've taken Remeron (37.5-45mg/night) for 4 1/2 years now with excellent results. I have mild-moderate OCD (ruminations...at times paralyzing obsession I would hurt a loved one or child) and major depression. I feel great. Remeron works fast and is a powerful med. The serotonin/norepenephrine combo has really helped. Plus, I sleep great and have no sexual side effects. Weight gain is less at doses 30mg+.
Good luck.
Posted by Uisceros on December 5, 2003, at 7:21:21
In reply to OCD, posted by Shelley on October 9, 2001, at 6:52:51
I've suffered from severe OCD for most of my life, and it's very drug resistant so I know what you're talking about. I've been on four SSRI's, and 2 anti-anxiety drugs. I've taken Paxil, Wellbutrin, Prozac, and Celexa, along with Buspar and Ativan. Out of all of those only Paxil and Celexa have worked. I recommend trying both, though Paxil does have some undesirable side effects. I would not recommend behavior therapy, because in my experience, severe OCD does not do well with it. Anyway, I hope I've helped some.
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