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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
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??
Posted by Robert Fairburn on October 22, 2003, at 4:34:23
In reply to Anyone out there have OCD? Help!!, posted by Elle2021 on October 22, 2003, at 4:22:14
have you had your zinc, magnesium levels checked. I know that many people suffering ocd have elevated copper levels and are deficent in zinc and magn
I cant stress how important it is to get your blood chemistry checked. I have just gone through a whole battery of tests that have indicated why I am suffering from a anxiety disorder
Regards Robert
Posted by Elle2021 on October 22, 2003, at 4:56:47
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!!, posted by Robert Fairburn on October 22, 2003, at 4:34:23
No, I haven't ever had any of blood levels checked as far as zinc or magnesium. Thanks for the advice, I will talk to my doctor about it! :)Elle
Posted by sedona on October 22, 2003, at 11:54:35
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 have a friend with OCD who also tried many drugs, but just recently found success with a small dose of Risperdal. Years before she had tried a higher dose and had horrible effects, but a new doctor suggested using only a small dose, and it has helped her greatly.
Posted by Elle2021 on October 22, 2003, at 16:15:38
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin act as a mood brightener?, posted by sedona on October 22, 2003, at 11:54:35
Hi Sedona,
I did try Risperidol just recently and found out I was allergic to it...thank you for the help though. :) Elle
Posted by McPac on October 22, 2003, at 16:31:19
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!!, posted by Robert Fairburn on October 22, 2003, at 4:34:23
"I have just gone through a whole battery of tests that have indicated why I am suffering from a anxiety disorder"
>>>>>>>>>> Robert, what did your tests show? Thanks!
Posted by Janelle on October 22, 2003, at 19:23:58
In reply to Anyone out there have OCD? Help!!, posted by Elle2021 on October 22, 2003, at 4:22:14
I have some symptoms of OCD, which tend to flare up when I get anxious, but do not have full-blown OCD.
Anyway, the two meds I have heard of that are specifically targeted for OCD are Luvox (an SSRI, but it has minimal SSRI/a-d properties) and the old *gold standard* which is Anafranil, a tricyclic (which means initial side effects like dry mouth, constipation, sedation, but these wear off).
Have you tried either of these? Good luck 2 U.
Posted by ace on October 22, 2003, at 20:59:22
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?
Not at all. It just takes time and a lot of looking.
Has anyone else had any success with a specific drug.
Nardil + Zyprexa killed, absolutely eliminated, some of my OCD symptoms.
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??
Heaps!
Main med...1. Nardil (this baby rules!)
2. Tramadol (I've heard great reports about this)
3. Parnate
4. Remeron
5. Reboxetine
6. Moclobemide
7. Luvox (the only SSRI I would advise)Augmentative...
1. Clonidine + another drug
2. Lithium + another drug
3. Bromocryptine + another
4. Pindolol + another
5. Zyprexa (low dose) alone or with another
6. Seroquel (low dose) with another or alone
7. Xanax with another.There are heaps more that I can't remember. NEVER loose faith. You will knock the OCD over- just persist!
Ace.
Posted by Elle2021 on October 23, 2003, at 0:28:24
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!! » Elle2021, posted by Janelle on October 22, 2003, at 19:23:58
I have tried Anafranil, but I'm not sure if I have tried Luvox. Thank you for the advice I will speak to my pdoc about it! Elle
Posted by Elle2021 on October 23, 2003, at 0:29:48
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!! » Elle2021, posted by ace on October 22, 2003, at 20:59:22
Thank you so much for the heaps of suggestions! I just talked to my pdoc and he seems to be out of ideas, or at least it feels that way. I will talk to him about your suggestions!! Thank you so much. :) Elle
Posted by theo on October 23, 2003, at 19:24:27
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!! » Janelle, posted by Elle2021 on October 23, 2003, at 0:28:24
How did you like the Anafranil?
Posted by Elle2021 on October 24, 2003, at 2:03:22
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!!, posted by theo on October 23, 2003, at 19:24:27
The Anafranil was all right, one of the more rare side effects is that in some people it causes acne. I have never had a skin problem, but once I started taking it, wow, it was awful. Have you tried it? What did you think about it? Elle
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.
Posted by rianny on October 26, 2003, at 4:19:12
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!! ?Elle2021, posted by freedom2001 on October 24, 2003, at 4:00:42
I have OCD and social anxiety.
Currently, I'm on Luvox (very little dosage, but will increase eventually). I have been on Paxil and Celexa.My OCD is more associated with anxiety...just so you know. Oh, and my OCD is not behavioral, I mean it reveals repeated unnecessary thoughts.
Supplements I'm taking are Fish oil and multivitamin with extra Vit B Complex, Vit C, and Calcium + Magnesium. The multivitamin contains Folic acid and Copper that you mentioned as "not good" for OCD sufferers. However, I believe that overall balances between Vitamins and Minerals are also very important since they interact and affect each other (I'm not taking extra Folic acid or Copper anyway...just taking what normal humans need per day, so I guess it's not big deal). Supplements without Folic acid and Copper did not help me much anyways, so I just bought multivitamin pills today to see how it goes. I'll keep taking extra vita B,C, and Cal+Mag.
Posted by freedom2001 on October 26, 2003, at 9:46:41
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!! ?freedom2001, posted by rianny on October 26, 2003, at 4:19:12
> I have OCD and social anxiety.
> Currently, I'm on Luvox (very little dosage, but will increase eventually). I have been on Paxil and Celexa.
>
> My OCD is more associated with anxiety...just so you know. Oh, and my OCD is not behavioral, I mean it reveals repeated unnecessary thoughts.
>
>
> Supplements I'm taking are Fish oil and multivitamin with extra Vit B Complex, Vit C, and Calcium + Magnesium. The multivitamin contains Folic acid and Copper that you mentioned as "not good" for OCD sufferers. However, I believe that overall balances between Vitamins and Minerals are also very important since they interact and affect each other (I'm not taking extra Folic acid or Copper anyway...just taking what normal humans need per day, so I guess it's not big deal). Supplements without Folic acid and Copper did not help me much anyways, so I just bought multivitamin pills today to see how it goes. I'll keep taking extra vita B,C, and Cal+Mag.Did you take ZINC? it is essential too.
I'm also taking 3 softgels of TWINLABS super EPA for a total of 1800 mg of EPA per day as well. You need a lot of EPA for OCD, not just a little.
Take 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day, Esther C preferably as it lasts 6 times longer.
Remember, do not mix fish oils with the vitamins/minerals. They interfere with the absorption.
Also, take your drugs one hour apart from these stuffs.
And avoid artificial colors, MSG, high sodium as these are OCD triggers.
Good luck and keep me updated on your condition.
Freedom.
Posted by rianny on October 26, 2003, at 13:27:05
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!! ?freedom2001 ?rianny, posted by freedom2001 on October 26, 2003, at 9:46:41
>
> Did you take ZINC? it is essential too.
>Yes, I bought an extra bottle of ZINC too, but I doubt I need extra since the multivitamin/mineral supplement that I take contains 15mg of Zinc. I read that 20mg is enough dosage for zinc, and it can be rather harmful if you take too much.
> I'm also taking 3 softgels of TWINLABS super EPA for a total of 1800 mg of EPA per day as well. You need a lot of EPA for OCD, not just a little.
>I take Fish oil. Doesn't it contain EPA? The bottle says each capsule contains 1000mg. The product is "Salmon & Fish Oils 1000mg" from webber naturals. Also it has some kind of ratio, 180:120, but I really do not know if this thing has enough of what I need. I take three capsules per day after dinner.
> Take 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day, Esther C preferably as it lasts 6 times longer.
>
> Remember, do not mix fish oils with the vitamins/minerals. They interfere with the absorption.
>I'd like to know if I'm taking pills at correct time. I take multivitamin, extra vit B complex, vit C, and possibly, tho not sure to take it or not atm, extra Zinc in the morning after meal. After dinner, I take the Salmon-Fish Oil with the medication I'm taking, Luvox(currently, I'm on very little dosage, which is 25mg). Do you think this plan is fine?
Rianny.
> Also, take your drugs one hour apart from these stuffs.
>
> And avoid artificial colors, MSG, high sodium as these are OCD triggers.
>
> Good luck and keep me updated on your condition.
> Freedom.
Posted by freedom2001 on October 26, 2003, at 13:39:58
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!! ?freedom2001, posted by rianny on October 26, 2003, at 13:27:05
>
> >
> > Did you take ZINC? it is essential too.
> >
>
> Yes, I bought an extra bottle of ZINC too, but I doubt I need extra since the multivitamin/mineral supplement that I take contains 15mg of Zinc. I read that 20mg is enough dosage for zinc, and it can be rather harmful if you take too much.
>
>
> > I'm also taking 3 softgels of TWINLABS super EPA for a total of 1800 mg of EPA per day as well. You need a lot of EPA for OCD, not just a little.
> >
>
> I take Fish oil. Doesn't it contain EPA? The bottle says each capsule contains 1000mg. The product is "Salmon & Fish Oils 1000mg" from webber naturals. Also it has some kind of ratio, 180:120, but I really do not know if this thing has enough of what I need. I take three capsules per day after dinner.The 1000mg you are referring to is the WEIGHT of the capsules, not the weight of the EPA, which is essential for neurotransmission. The actual amount you are taking is only 180 mg of EPA per capsule (totally insufficient), while the one I'm getting is 600 mg of EPA per capsule (TWINLABS brand). You need to get those "Extra", "Super", "Concentrated" fish oils that gives you a ratio of at least 360:240 or 600:300 etc. Then you won't have to take so many capsules. Also, take fish oils that comes with vitamin E only, not vitamin A. Otherwise, you could overdose yourself on Vitamin A.
>
>
> > Take 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day, Esther C preferably as it lasts 6 times longer.
> >
> > Remember, do not mix fish oils with the vitamins/minerals. They interfere with the absorption.
> >
>
> I'd like to know if I'm taking pills at correct time. I take multivitamin, extra vit B complex, vit C, and possibly, tho not sure to take it or not atm, extra Zinc in the morning after meal. After dinner, I take the Salmon-Fish Oil with the medication I'm taking, Luvox(currently, I'm on very little dosage, which is 25mg). Do you think this plan is fine?Try it out 1st. It all takes experimentation.
Luvox 25 mg is definitely insufficient for OCD....
>
> Rianny.
>
>
> > Also, take your drugs one hour apart from these stuffs.
> >
> > And avoid artificial colors, MSG, high sodium as these are OCD triggers.
> >
> > Good luck and keep me updated on your condition.
> > Freedom.
>
>
Posted by rianny on October 26, 2003, at 14:43:19
In reply to Re: Anyone out there have OCD? Help!! ?freedom2001 ?rianny, posted by freedom2001 on October 26, 2003, at 13:39:58
> >
> > >
> > > Did you take ZINC? it is essential too.
> > >
> >
> > Yes, I bought an extra bottle of ZINC too, but I doubt I need extra since the multivitamin/mineral supplement that I take contains 15mg of Zinc. I read that 20mg is enough dosage for zinc, and it can be rather harmful if you take too much.
> >
> >
> > > I'm also taking 3 softgels of TWINLABS super EPA for a total of 1800 mg of EPA per day as well. You need a lot of EPA for OCD, not just a little.
> > >Oh, I guess I should get such product, then.
> >
> > I take Fish oil. Doesn't it contain EPA? The bottle says each capsule contains 1000mg. The product is "Salmon & Fish Oils 1000mg" from webber naturals. Also it has some kind of ratio, 180:120, but I really do not know if this thing has enough of what I need. I take three capsules per day after dinner.
>
> The 1000mg you are referring to is the WEIGHT of the capsules, not the weight of the EPA, which is essential for neurotransmission. The actual amount you are taking is only 180 mg of EPA per capsule (totally insufficient), while the one I'm getting is 600 mg of EPA per capsule (TWINLABS brand). You need to get those "Extra", "Super", "Concentrated" fish oils that gives you a ratio of at least 360:240 or 600:300 etc. Then you won't have to take so many capsules. Also, take fish oils that comes with vitamin E only, not vitamin A. Otherwise, you could overdose yourself on Vitamin A.
> >
> >
> > > Take 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day, Esther C preferably as it lasts 6 times longer.
> > >
> > > Remember, do not mix fish oils with the vitamins/minerals. They interfere with the absorption.
> > >
> >
> > I'd like to know if I'm taking pills at correct time. I take multivitamin, extra vit B complex, vit C, and possibly, tho not sure to take it or not atm, extra Zinc in the morning after meal. After dinner, I take the Salmon-Fish Oil with the medication I'm taking, Luvox(currently, I'm on very little dosage, which is 25mg). Do you think this plan is fine?
>
> Try it out 1st. It all takes experimentation.
>
> Luvox 25 mg is definitely insufficient for OCD....
>
Yes, I know it's very little. I just started to take Luvox, so dosage will increase eventually.Thank you, Freedom, for info =) take care.
> >
> > Rianny.
> >
> >
> > > Also, take your drugs one hour apart from these stuffs.
> > >
> > > And avoid artificial colors, MSG, high sodium as these are OCD triggers.
> > >
> > > Good luck and keep me updated on your condition.
> > > Freedom.
> >
> >
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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