![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Curt on August 31, 1999, at 14:59:50
I was diagnosed with OCD over 10 years ago, and more recently diagnosed with manic depression, although the ssri's virtually eliminate the symptoms of the OCD, they have the affect of making me manic. I have been on Luvox now for almost a month and subsequently have become severely Manic, feeling extremely euphoric and/or very agitated. My doctor told me to stop taking the luvox, but I haven't out of fear of my obsessions returning. During the periods of agitation I tend to sedate myself with alcohol, but this had produced a mixed state of mania and depression. I have been prescribed various anti-psychotics in the past along with a mood stabalizer and an ssri, but the anti-psychotics impair my ability to think clearly or concentrate, and seriously impairs my ability to function at work. I am at the end of my rope now, and don't know what else to try. What is a person supposed to do? Aren't there any other treatments available for people with this co-existing diagnosis?
Posted by Sean on August 31, 1999, at 15:15:26
In reply to Bipolar & OCD, posted by Curt on August 31, 1999, at 14:22:49
> I was diagnosed with OCD over 10 years ago, and more recently diagnosed with manic depression, although the ssri's virtually eliminate the symptoms of the OCD, they have the affect of making me manic. I have been on Luvox now for almost a month and subsequently have become severely Manic, feeling extremely euphoric and/or very agitated. My doctor told me to stop taking the luvox, but I haven't out of fear of my obsessions returning. During the periods of agitation I tend to sedate myself with alcohol, but this had produced a mixed state of mania and depression. I have been prescribed various anti-psychotics in the past along with a mood stabalizer and an ssri, but the anti-psychotics impair my ability to think clearly or concentrate, and seriously impairs my ability to function at work. I am at the end of my rope now, and don't know what else to try. What is a person supposed to do? Aren't there any other treatments available for people with this co-existing diagnosis?
Hey Curt -
Sounds like a rough time. I can relate to the
ssri-mania deal. Have you tried the 2nd generation
antipsychotics like Olanzapine and Risperidal?
They are much easier on the mind and body than
the old ones and can be used at lower dose for
bipolar people.Also, I read somewhere that gabapentin helps with
anxiety and obsession in some people. Since this
is a mood stabilizer as well, it might be worth
a shot...Sean.
Posted by Bones on August 31, 1999, at 22:04:27
In reply to Bipolar & OCD, posted by Curt on August 31, 1999, at 14:59:50
Hi Curt: I understand your dilemma. I have OCD and Social Anxiety. I find that I can't find a medication that tackles both problems. The SSRI's do work on both (some of them), but I don't seem to tolerate them very well and can't achieve a doseage high enough to rid me of OCD symptoms. And often at small doses - it's kind of strange they actually seem to exacerbate the problem. (Although any "shrink" will continue to press them as a solution for OCD.)
Anyway - back to you my friend. Have you ever tried Anafranil - it worked very, very well for my obsessions a few years ago when I had a really bad "episode". It does take a few weeks to kick in, but when it does it's wonderful - you still have obsessions - the thoughts are still there - but POOF they disappear. There are side effects - sedation being the biggy (at least for me); I know a lot of people gain weight with it too. I've attended an OCD support group a couple of times, and the majority of people found this medication to be the MOST helpful. It's from the Tricyclic family - I don't think it would irritate your manic depression. Have you discussed this with your doctor - how about lithium and an anti-depressant combo.
It's good to talk with someone else with OCD - it doesn't seem like there are too many of us in babble. Another suggestion - there is a very good book you may want to read for us OCD'ers, it's called "Brain Lock" (Free Yourself from Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior) by JEffrey M. Schwartz. I guess it's kind of a behavioral/cognitive approach to dealing with this handicap.
Anyway must go and try to get some sleep.
Good luck and take care. (It's a constant struggle isn't it?)
> I was diagnosed with OCD over 10 years ago, and more recently diagnosed with manic depression, although the ssri's virtually eliminate the symptoms of the OCD, they have the affect of making me manic. I have been on Luvox now for almost a month and subsequently have become severely Manic, feeling extremely euphoric and/or very agitated. My doctor told me to stop taking the luvox, but I haven't out of fear of my obsessions returning. During the periods of agitation I tend to sedate myself with alcohol, but this had produced a mixed state of mania and depression. I have been prescribed various anti-psychotics in the past along with a mood stabalizer and an ssri, but the anti-psychotics impair my ability to think clearly or concentrate, and seriously impairs my ability to function at work. I am at the end of my rope now, and don't know what else to try. What is a person supposed to do? Aren't there any other treatments available for people with this co-existing diagnosis?
Posted by Yardena on September 1, 1999, at 19:12:44
In reply to Re: Bipolar & OCD, posted by Bones on August 31, 1999, at 22:04:27
"Brain Lock" is a great title for a book about OCD. I don't have OCD (I can get a bit obsessive or compulsive when anxious, tho) but have friends and relatives who do, and they do really seem to be "locked" into neverending loops. It is frustrating to witness, because I want so much to help them get unstuck, but don't know how.
Posted by peterhudler on October 31, 1999, at 12:34:50
In reply to Re: Bipolar & OCD, posted by Yardena on September 1, 1999, at 19:12:44
dear curt, i also have ocd and bipolar illness. tegretol has covered my hypomania very well. i still have difficulty with ocd and depression.peace to all who suffer. peterh.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.