[Maven]

Hi,

I'm on several meds for OCD (four of them), but my psychiatrist only sees me every two months (I have only had two appointments with him so far, since my last psychiatrist retired; she only saw me every couple of months, too), and my OCD is so SEVERE, I feel frustrated that I have to wait so long for increases. I used to have doctors who would increase my meds every week or two, but waiting two long months when I'm this severe (my OCD permeates every aspect of my life, even to the tiniest details sometimes), is stressful in a major way. I am mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted.

I plan to ask him next time if it's necessary to wait this long, but I was wondering, how long do you usually go before seeing your pdoc again, especially if you're still trying to find the right med dosage/combination? I'm on low dosages of all the meds I'm on, and I hate the side effects, and I'm getting only minimal help from the drugs.

I've felt like I'm not being heard with my latest pdocs.

[Amazonmom]

I would call the pdoc and ask to have an adjustment sooner. There is no reason to let you suffer.

My psychiatric NP is seeing me weekly and reviews medication issues at each visit! (postpartum depression, and OCD for me)

[Maven]

Thank you. I think I'll do that. I have mentioned to him (and my previous pdocs) during appointments that I hate waiting so long to see if a med will work, but I just get a nod or an "Mm-hmm," but I'll call. We're not talking about just being frustrated for the meds to work; the OCD is tremendously invasive, frustrates and burdens my boyfriend, and just makes life hell in general.

I've mentioned to family and my boyfriend my issues with waiting two months for even a tiny increase or change in meds, and they all say that maybe he's giving my body a chance to absorb or build up the meds and see if they work, but I think two months is way more than enough time; I've done a lot of reading about OCD meds and listened to pdocs who say they increase, adjust or add meds every week or two.

[ickydog2006]

Definitely talk to him about it. It does take time for medication to take full effect, but if it is still really severe and you're not having side effects keeping you from getting the dosage upped they'll probably consider reevaluating you sooner. I'm on Zoloft for OCD and Panic Disorder. It took about a month for me to start feeling the effect of the meds and I had to have it upped several times since then (two years ago) but it took three months for my side effects to ease up to nuisance only, quite a relief compared to nearly unbearable at first.

[Maven]

I see him again next week. My last pdoc retired after I'd seen her for about a year or so. I was only seeing her every couple of months, too, with very little improvement.