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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2 to 26 of 26. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 19:01:57
In reply to If you have OCD, please read this, posted by tampagirl70 on May 22, 2005, at 18:17:12
Luvox helped me with OCD when I first took it along with xanax. I had some CBT and that helped for a while. It was in a group. One of the participants had a dog who was ill and mine was so old and was dying at the time. So I quit going. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on May 22, 2005, at 19:27:58
In reply to If you have OCD, please read this, posted by tampagirl70 on May 22, 2005, at 18:17:12
CBT is an excellent for various problems. I thoroughly believe that most people should be taking meds and doing CBT if possible. You will have homework to do and it won't always be easy. But I bet it helps you more than any more.
Good luck.Maxime
Posted by mogger on May 22, 2005, at 20:08:32
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this, posted by Maxime on May 22, 2005, at 19:27:58
Hi there,
just wanted to say that I have similar symptoms and my life changing combo is Lamictal (300mg and Zoloft (200mg). Zoloft didn't work on it's own, Lamictal allowed it to work. I am interested in Luvox but am happy with Zoloft. I can't tell you how awesome the combination is for me. Lamictal helps my depression, and Zoloft with OCD. I still struggle sometimes but I don't know what I would do with it. Let me know of your progress, take care, CBT is a great thing.mogger
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 20:28:13
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this, posted by mogger on May 22, 2005, at 20:08:32
Mogger, Zoloft helped your OCD? How much and how long before it helped? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by michael20073 on May 22, 2005, at 21:38:45
In reply to If you have OCD, please read this, posted by tampagirl70 on May 22, 2005, at 18:17:12
Oh, my gosh Tampa, I am going to be starting CBT in the next two weeks as well!! It will be my first time for ocd.
I am also have some relationship problems....investing my entire day into worrying if she is the right one for me instead of enjoying myself. Thought of "i'd be happier if blah blah blah!! So frustrating.
Michael
Posted by mogger on May 22, 2005, at 21:42:03
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » mogger, posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 20:28:13
Phillipa,
I am now up to 200mg of Zoloft and it is great, would like to go up to 250-300 if I could!Basically, things like worrying if I said the right thing to someone, confessing something bad I have done or thoughts of guilt that I had perhaps done something bad, these are my symptoms and have all calmed down as I have gone up to 200mg. There is a remarkable difference from 150-200mg for me. I tend to need high doses of my meds to really work form me, i.e.- I am also on 45mg of Remeron, 90mg of Buspar (yes 90mg which also has helped with my OCD and excessive thinking), 300mg Lamictal (a lifesaver for my unipolar depression, really the catalyst for my Zoloft to work) and 5mg of Zyprexa.
It took me a couple of weeks to feel the difference in Zoloft from 150-200mg, I had been on 150mg for so long. I still feel it working it's way into my thinking positively. Hope this has helped, are you thinking about trying it?
mogger
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 21:42:11
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this, posted by michael20073 on May 22, 2005, at 21:38:45
Maybe that should be our next suggestion to Dr. Bob a CBT Board. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 21:51:04
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » michael20073, posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 21:42:11
Mogger, I am currently taking 25mg of zoloft. I was told I could go up to 200mg by my pdoc when I started it. But I cut back from 50mg when I started reading posts about TD from it and all the horrible w/d from them. I don't seem to respond anymore to the SSRI's. A few years ago when I was Rx'd one I would flip out with spaciness, etc., now I feel nothing. It's wierd. Do you think my chemistry changed when I went through menopause? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by mogger on May 22, 2005, at 23:00:34
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this, posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 21:51:04
Phillipa,
I was spaced out for the first couple of weeks going up on Zoloft, kind of felt a little blah but I think it was psychosymatic for me. I tend with my OCD to analyze everything too much spending more time worrying about what the medication is doing or not doing.I have never had a problem with TD at all, the only side effect I have is sweating which is annoying. When I went off Zoloft years ago in another trial I had dizziness but that was about it.
The very important thing in my case is that for 6 years I tried all different meds and had little success even with Zoloft on it's own I was still really struggling. Once the Lamictal was added, it brought up my mood enough for the zoloft to work with my ocd. My depression and OCD are so tangled together.
I don't know what to say about the menopause as I am not familiar with that aspect (I am a young man:) !
mogger
Posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2005, at 0:47:46
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this, posted by mogger on May 22, 2005, at 23:00:34
Mogger, Would you advise going up to 50mg of zoloft to start? For how long? Could I use trileptal since I have a Rx of it in my drawer to see if it works? Should I still take the valium? Thanks, Phillipa
Posted by mogger on May 23, 2005, at 1:36:29
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » mogger, posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2005, at 0:47:46
Phillipa,
As much as I would love to help you, you sound like a lovely and insightful person (wish I was a pdoc!), I definitely don't have the expertise to advise you on that one.Please talk to your Pdoc instead of going on my recomendation, I am only sharing my experience with you.
Do you have a good Pdoc? What works for me doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you (I wish we were all the same in that aspect so everything works for everybody). Again, talk to your doctor as he or she is the best one to make the decision.
Please let me know your progress,
mogger
Posted by tampagirl70 on May 23, 2005, at 8:00:45
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this, posted by michael20073 on May 22, 2005, at 21:38:45
Hi Michael - my obsessions are about my marriage and love. How do I know I really love him, what if I don't, how do I know I do, etc. I don't think about this stuff when I'm not obsessing, so its maddening when it comes up. Extremely stressful situations bring on my OCD in full force and I've just started realizing this. I can look back and see triggers that I didn't see before. I'm hoping CBT is really helpful b/c I'd love to get off some of my meds. Good luck with yours and lets keep in touch so we can compare notes! Where are you, by the way?
Posted by tampagirl70 on May 23, 2005, at 8:01:56
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » michael20073, posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 21:42:11
EXCELLENT IDEA! Who's going to make the suggestion?
Posted by tampagirl70 on May 23, 2005, at 8:06:28
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » Phillipa, posted by tampagirl70 on May 23, 2005, at 8:01:56
I made a request on the Admnistration board.
Posted by tampagirl70 on May 23, 2005, at 8:08:22
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » michael20073, posted by Phillipa on May 22, 2005, at 21:42:11
I made a request on the Administration board.
Posted by michael20073 on May 23, 2005, at 22:25:56
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » michael20073, posted by tampagirl70 on May 23, 2005, at 8:00:45
> Hi Michael - my obsessions are about my marriage and love. How do I know I really love him, what if I don't, how do I know I do, etc. I don't think about this stuff when I'm not obsessing, so its maddening when it comes up. Extremely stressful situations bring on my OCD in full force and I've just started realizing this. I can look back and see triggers that I didn't see before. I'm hoping CBT is really helpful b/c I'd love to get off some of my meds. Good luck with yours and lets keep in touch so we can compare notes! Where are you, by the way?
Wow!! I know exactly what you are talking about. I do nearly the same exact thing with my girlfriend. She is absolutley the most wonderful person I have ever been around and now, all of a sudden, I am questioning it. I am sure its the OCD b/c I don't think you shut the door on a relationship by just waking up one morning and saying, "I'm done". That's what it has been like for me anyway, came on in a stressful situation and then BAM!!, one day I started to dwell and obsess on everything from bodyparts to age to gestures. So very frustrating.
I would love to be able to keep in touch with someone who deals with something similar...it's certainly not my only obsession, but one that is really seems to have a hold of me right now.
I am in the midwest.
How do we keep in touch on such a subject?
Thank you,
Michael
Posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2005, at 22:43:48
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this, posted by michael20073 on May 23, 2005, at 22:25:56
I don't know but I'm doing the same thing with my husband. Everything I see in him is negative. You can Babble me. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by tampagirl70 on May 24, 2005, at 10:47:09
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this, posted by michael20073 on May 23, 2005, at 22:25:56
Michael - feel free to email me at asoiferman@wildmail.com. I'd also like to keep in touch with you on this subject. :)
Posted by tampagirl70 on May 24, 2005, at 10:48:23
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » michael20073, posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2005, at 22:43:48
I dwell on my husband's flaws as well. His teeth aren't straight enough, his eyes are too small, things like that. You can email me at asoiferman@wildmail.com. My babblemail goes to that address as well.
Posted by ace on May 25, 2005, at 1:09:11
In reply to If you have OCD, please read this, posted by tampagirl70 on May 22, 2005, at 18:17:12
> I'm about to start CBT and I'm excited, yet very nervous. My obsessions are about my marriage and now I'm also obsessing that I'll never be my old self again, that I'll be stuck in this limbo of obsessional depression forever.
>
> Please tell me what med or combo of meds has helped you and if you've done CBT and if its helped at all. I really need support with this. Thanks.Only meds really help OCD i think. CBT did nothing for OCD or depression or anxiety. Actually it made it worse.
If you have a "normal" anxiety or down mood, i think it can help, but for people with chemical disorders it spells trouble in my opinion.
it made my OCD so bad as to almost the point of psychosis.ace.
Posted by ace on May 25, 2005, at 1:22:00
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this ?Phillipa, posted by tampagirl70 on May 24, 2005, at 10:48:23
Posted by Phillipa on May 25, 2005, at 17:40:50
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » tampagirl70, posted by ace on May 25, 2005, at 1:09:11
Ace! The Nardil Champ! you're back! Give me a Babble and let me know how it's going. Missed you. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by rod on May 27, 2005, at 11:29:48
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this » tampagirl70, posted by ace on May 25, 2005, at 1:09:11
> Only meds really help OCD i think. CBT did nothing for OCD or depression or anxiety. Actually it made it worse.
>
> If you have a "normal" anxiety or down mood, i think it can help, but for people with chemical disorders it spells trouble in my opinion.
>
>
> it made my OCD so bad as to almost the point of psychosis.
>
> ace.
>hehehe
sorry for being annoying :-P
but
How can CBT make your OCD worse if its just a chemical disorder you have? How does it come CBT worsens this?? If it does not touch the chemicals??
Think about it. You, your brain, your emotions and your genes control all those chemicals. And I believe all this neurogenesis stuff is useless as long as you dont make the right (and new) connections in your brain (e.g. to inhibit disinhibit certain brain structures). And thats a long process of learning... and CBT is learninn new approaches to things in life.. As far as I can remember this is called "behavioral neuroplasticity" ...
Meds just help to restore your functionality to a certain point, but does not heal your mental desease.
I reached a point where I realised, that my parents and their coping strategies, views and approaches to lead a life are the wrong ones for me. What the call "normal" is wrong for me. All this input from them in my childhood seem to be the root of this.
I have to find myself. to find my very own approach to life which I like. I have to understand and process all those events of rejection in my life and so on.....And thats the only way I guess. I have to make new, the right interconnections in my brain. So my brain releases enough chemicals and does not have to rely on drugs. I still take them and will for a long long time... as long as I need them. as long as my brain does not function on its own..
So if CBT made you almost psychotic, you have to agree that its quite powerfull actually. I think just something went wrong, maybe memories of unprocessed painful events, feeling popped out of your unconciousness...And CBT takes at least 3 years to show beneficial results...
well, good luck
Roland
Posted by john berk on May 28, 2005, at 16:16:17
In reply to If you have OCD, please read this, posted by tampagirl70 on May 22, 2005, at 18:17:12
HI TAMPA GIRL, I'M SORRY I AM RESPONDING A BIT LATE TO YOUR POST! I WANT TO WISH YOU MUCH LUCK WITH CBT. IT HAS HELPED ME QUITE A BIT, THAT AND PROZAC/KLONOPIN COMBO.
I HAD A CHANCE TO GLANCE AT THE "OCD WORKBOOK" AT BARNES AND NOBLE THE OTHER DAY,[ WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT, BUT CASH FLOW IS LIMITED RIGHT NOW, LOL] AND IT REALLY SPECIFIES "ERP" AS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR OCD. I WOULD ASK YOUR THERAPIST ABOUT THAT AT YOUR SESSION. I SUPPOSE THAT IS PART OF ANY GOOD CBT THERAPISTS AGENDA, BUT I HAVE HAD 2 THERAPISTS WHO CLAIMED TO BE CBT THERAPISTS, WITH KNOWLEDGE OF OCD, WHO DIDN'T APPLY ERP. I AM GOING TO LOOK INTO AN EXTENSIVE ERP PROGRAM AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY IN PHILLY WHERE I LIVE, I THINK IT MAY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. GOOD LUCK...JOHN BERK
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 29, 2005, at 11:46:15
In reply to Re: If you have OCD, please read this, posted by john berk on May 28, 2005, at 16:16:17
> I WANT TO WISH YOU MUCH LUCK WITH CBT...
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding CBT to Psycho-Babble Psychology. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050528/msgs/504694.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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