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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SheilaC on July 9, 2007, at 6:58:14
I feel like I have tried so many meds with so many side effects. One of the mistakes the doctors keep making is that they start me off on the "theraputic" dose, which usually is tooooo much!
Antipsychotics (Risperdal, Abiify) make me swell up. Topamax, Lamictil, Zonegran, etc. gave me side effects.
I need something that will help with anxiety and OCD. I find that my anxiety level spikes and I get a little obsessive.
Effexor is out (side effects - bladder problems with a lot of the seratonin drugs).
What's left? Klonopin (which works but makes me depressed) Xanax?
I also have a weight gain concern, so I don't really know what else to try.
I have to be careful with my painful bladder - some of the drugs cause exessive urination which can be painful for me.
I'll sign off now and start my day off with a xanax!
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2007, at 11:33:53
In reply to Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by SheilaC on July 9, 2007, at 6:58:14
Since you don't like the SSRI's have you tried a small dose of anafranil a TCA? I haven't as I've been using luvox find that when anxiety is done the OCD is too. So the xanax works? What dose do you take? Love Phillipa
Posted by tendency on July 9, 2007, at 11:56:42
In reply to Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by SheilaC on July 9, 2007, at 6:58:14
check out stablon. could do the trick for your anxiety/compulsivity.
Posted by SheilaC on July 9, 2007, at 12:03:16
In reply to Re: Anxiety/OCD meds - help! » SheilaC, posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2007, at 11:33:53
Since I have a bladder problem (IC) my urologist always pushes Elavil - the only problem with that is constipation.
I take .5mg to 1 mg of Xanax a day, but it doesn't help with the depression.
Posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2007, at 12:20:04
In reply to Re: Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by SheilaC on July 9, 2007, at 12:03:16
You may find that addressing the anxiety/OCD relieves much of the depression. Benzos are often a good choice for OCD; has your doc considered uppping the xanax, or maybe using the xr version instead of/in combo w/ the IR? Other benzos--valium and serax, for instance--might help w/o causing the depression that was a problem with Klonopin. Stimulants also sometimes help OCD.
Posted by Racer on July 9, 2007, at 13:32:10
In reply to Re: Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by med_empowered on July 9, 2007, at 12:20:04
I had good luck with propranalol for anxiety, although I'm not sure it would be great long term. And it did, after a while, affect things that led to some increased depression. But, while I was taking it, it was like a miracle. And reduced anxiety = reduced obsessions for me. It might be worth talking to your doctor about.
Also, there have been some good studies for Verapamil as a mood stabilizer for women with BP, and it should also be good for anxiety.
Those are the things I can think of. Otherwise, a TCA might be worth a try, too.
As far as your question about Cymbalta and bladder problems, I can't say. I would guess, though, that if Effexor caused problems, there's a good chance Cymbalta will too -- but it might still be worth trying, before dismissing it. It's possible that the more balanced action on NE and 5HT might eliminate the bladder problems. Worth a try?
Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2007, at 18:38:30
In reply to Re: Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by Racer on July 9, 2007, at 13:32:10
How does a cardiac med like verapamil help? And inderal is for things like a speech short acting. Also if you have thyroid disease no inderal. My pdoc once put me on 25mg of lopressor to lessen anxiety. Boy did it make me tired. And when I excercised couldn't get my pulse up blocks the vegus nerve. Love Phillipa I need to google verapamil for OCD.
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2007, at 18:52:08
In reply to Re: Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by SheilaC on July 9, 2007, at 12:03:16
Here's what I found verapamil for bipolar disorder not OCD???. Love Phillipa
Currently Prescribed Psychotropic MedicationsListed below are the brand names, followed by the generic in parentheses. Following this chart is a cross-reference by generic name.
Remember, always consult your doctor or pharmacist with any specific medication questions.
Reviewed by Bill Knebel, Pharm.D., Clinical Center, NIH 4/98
SCHIZOPHRENIA
TYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS
Haldol (haloperidol), Haldol Decanoate
Loxitane (loxapine)
Mellaril (thioridazine)
Moban (molindone)
Navane (thiothixene)
Prolixin (fluphenazine), Prolixin Decanoate
Serentil (mesoridazine)
Stelazine (trifluoperazine)
Thorazine (chlorpromazine)
Trilafon (perphenazine)
Vesprin (triflupromazine)
ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICSClozaril (clozapine)
Risperdal (risperidone)
Seroquel (quetiapine)
Zeldox (ziprasidone)
Zyprexa (olanzapine)
BIPOLAR DISORDER
Calan (verapamil)
Cibalith-S (lithium citrate)
Depakene (valproic acid)
Depakote (divalproex sodium)
Eskalith (lithium carbonate)
Isoptin (verapamil)
Lithobid (lithium carbonate)
Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Topamax
DEPRESSION
TricyclicsAdapin (doxepin)
Anafranil (clomipramine)
Desyrel (trazodone)
Elavil (amitriptyline)
Endep (amitriptyline)
Ludiomil (maprotiline)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Sinequan (doxepin)
Surmontil (trimipramine)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Vivactil (protriptyline)
SSRIsLuvox (fluvoxamine)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)
MAOIsNardil (phenelzine)
Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate)
Others
Effexor (venlafaxine)
Remeron (mirtazapine)
Serzone (nefazodone)
Wellbutrin (buproprion)
PSYCHOTIC DEPRESSION
Asendin (amoxapine)
ANXIETY DISORDERS
ADD
Adderall (amphetamine; dextroamphetamine)
Cylert (pemoline)
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Ritalin (methylphenidate)
Wellbutrin (buproprion)
ANXIETY
Ativan (lorazepam)
BuSpar (buspirone)
Centrax (prazepam)
Klonopin (clonazepam)
Librium (chlordiazepoxide)
Serax (oxazepam)
Tranxene (clorazepate)
Valium (diazepam)
Xanax (alprazolam)
OCD
Anafranil (clomipramine)
Luvox (fluvoxamine)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)
PANIC
Paxil (paroxetine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Xanax (alprazolam)
Zoloft (sertraline)--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Phillipa on July 9, 2007, at 18:57:35
In reply to Re: Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by Racer on July 9, 2007, at 13:32:10
Confused if verapamil is for bipolar disorder how does this help the OCD and anxiety? Love Phillipa
Posted by greywolf on July 9, 2007, at 21:11:50
In reply to Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by SheilaC on July 9, 2007, at 6:58:14
I won't bore you with the pantheon of meds I've been on for OCD and depression, but I know what you're dealing with. Frankly, no ADs work for me because I usually cannot take them at the necessary therapeutic dose because I won't be able to function at my work. Those that I reach therapeutic dosages on tend not to have any beneficial effects. For instance, I recently worked my way over a matter of months to max dose on Emsam, and I experienced absolutely no effects, good or bad. So I just stopped cold turkey. If I could stop working and really hit the meds hard, maybe I'd find some help, but that's not an option for me.I have dealt with very extensive OCD problems for many, many years. I have found most meds purportedly for OCD to be ineffectual. The best advice I can give you is to seek intensive treatment with an experienced OCD therapist. I am fortunate to have a wonderful therapist specializing in OCD and I am making slow, but regular progress. Unfortunately, it will take years of hard work in therapy to get anywhere, but at least I am seeing some progress. I never saw any with meds, so I just take Xanax a few times a day for the anxiety that is exacerbated by the OCD.
Greywolf
Posted by SheilaC on July 10, 2007, at 6:14:54
In reply to Re: Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by greywolf on July 9, 2007, at 21:11:50
Thank you all for your input. I love this board.
Posted by Kat26 on July 10, 2007, at 15:11:25
In reply to Re: Anxiety/OCD meds - help!, posted by greywolf on July 9, 2007, at 21:11:50
I know somebody who has had really good experience with Buspar.
Kat
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