Posted by freedom2001 on October 24, 2003, at 4:00:42
In reply to Anyone out there have OCD? Help!!, posted by Elle2021 on October 22, 2003, at 4:22:14
> I have been struggling with OCD since I was a child (about age 11). So far, it has been untreatable, I haven't found any med that profoundly alleviates the symptoms. Am I wishing for too much here? Has anyone else had any success with a specific drug. I have tried Zoloft, Prozac, Clomipramine, Klonopin, Effexor, Ativan, maybe others I can't remember. Right now I'm taking Paxil (on and off, it makes me nauseous), Klonopin, Ativan, and also Geodon for something else. Anybody have any ideas??
I'm having OCD myself and have spent thousands of hours surfing the net for treatment.
Currently
I'm taking
DRUG THERAPY - MEDICATION
generic prozac (80mg) - SSRI
clonazepam (2mg) - as an augmentation agent for prozac
NATURAL THERAPY - MINERALS AND VITAMINS - IMPORTANT
1 Calcium (1000mg - 1600 mg)
2 Magnesium (temper may indicate a magnesium deficiency). Magnesium helps in calcium absorption (400-800mg)
3 vitamin D (can be taken as a supplement or obtained from the sun to help calcium absorption)
4 zinc (calming agent) (15 mg)
5 B vitamins (calming agent except folic acid-which worsens OCD) - take MORE of B6 and NIACINAMIDE (NOT niacin) (10-100mg)
6 Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (2000mg,Esther C, stays in your body 6 times longer than regular vitamin C) - OCD people are mostly high-histamine people. Vitamin C reduce the histamine levels.
7 High Concentration fish oils with EPA+DHA /w vitamin E (about 2000-3000mg of EPA+DHA). This is the weight of the EPA+DHA, not the capsules themselves. The EPA+DHA smooths out the neurotransmission in the nerves. I'm taking TWINLABS brand.
8 potassium (2 bananas a day, or potatoes)
*Do not take the minerals with fish oils. They interfere with the absorption.
*Take the B vitamins (without folic acid) with the minerals. B vitamins depletes the minerals and need mineral replacement.
*Take these together with meals.
Avoid folic acid, copper, choline and take a low sodium diet. Avoid junk foods such as burgers, soft drinks, caffeine. Avoid all artificial colors.
EXERCISE THERAPY
Engage in non-competitive relaxing exercises and sports 2-3 times a week. eg. swimming releases endorphines that is good for you.
SLEEP
Get plenty of sleep and rest (otherwise your brain cannot make neurotransmitters)
PRAYERS
Give plenty of prayers (if you are spiritual)
CBT (Cognitive Behavior Treatment)
CBT can be very helpful in reducing the symptoms and sufferings significantly. One is called response and prevention. Expose the patient to an 'OCD trigger' but prevent her from performing the obsessions and rituals. The anxiety will rise significantly but WAIT for it to pass. Gradually, the patient will adapt to this new habit and the brain will reprogramme itself. The treatment can be painful but there's light at the end of the tunnel.
OCD is a long term sickness that requires a cocktail treatment.
Keep me updated.
Regards,
freedom.
poster:freedom2001
thread:271757
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031021/msgs/272588.html