[brsapp]

Hello! So I was just diagnosed yesterday with post partum OCD. I have horrible intrusive thoughts of suicide after reading an article about a woman with PPD who committed suicide. I am happy with my life and the thoughts give me anxiety and I feel like they are tricking me into thinking now I'm suicidal though it goes against everything I believe in and gives me anxiety when I think of doing that and leaving my daughter.

While I was pregnant I was obsessed with thinking I was going to die from an amniotic fluid embolism because of an article I read. And then about a week after having her I was scared of WW3/nuclear war. I am so scared of my current theme (suicide) and am even questioning if I really have OCD. Or am I psychotic/schizo.

I am starting CBT today and she told me yesterday to say (this is just the OCD talking) every time I had the thought even if it's a million times a day. And they seemed to help a little. And being around people helps some too to keep the thoughts to a minimum. The therapist wanted me to contact my OB for an AD medication. She called in Wellbutrin which I have read is one of the least effective for anxiety/OCD. I am thinking of asking for anafranil. Or maybe Luvox. Has anyone experienced this? Does it sound like OCD and what medications helped you. I just feel like I'm going crazy and really don't want to give into these thoughts. Then I will have a good moment if I think of it and think "no I would never do that" without the sinking of my heart feeling. so then it makes me question if it's really OCD. Ugh

[Miswimmy1]

I'm so glad that you've taken some steps towards getting the OCD under control!

I've heard that it's not that uncommon, with all of the hormonal shifts, for women to experience OCD symptoms after giving birth, especially with their first child. I really feel for you because I can't imagine what it would be like dealing with OCD and having a newborn baby to look after. I really commend you for seeking treatment. You are not "psychotic/schizo" as you put it and you are doing the exact right thing - you are helping yourself so that you can be the best you for your little one

As for medication, I've never heard of Wellbutrin being used to treat OCD. I have however, had extensive experience on both Anafranil and Luvox and am happy to share my experiences on both.

When I was first diagnosed with severe OCD, I started CBT and was put on Anafranil. Anafranil was not very effective for me, but is a very common go-to medication for newly diagnosed patients. It's been around for a super long time and has shown to be very effective in the majority of patients. The only thing that I had a problem with, besides its ineffectiveness, was that it messed with my blood pressure too much. I would stand up and black out. Any quick movements would bring upon a short dizzy spell. The severity of these black outs and dizzy spells lessened over time as I grew accustomed to the medication, but they never completely went away. I was also warned to stay away from hot tubs and saunas and to be careful in the shower (not to make the water too hot) because the heat can also affect blood pressure.

After about a year, I was put on Luvox. I have been on Luvox for almost four years now and it's been a much better experience for me. I had a little bit of nausea at the beginning, I think, but it quickly went away. Besides that, this medication has been very effective at helping me to keep the OCD under control. One thing that I will note is that I've had to increase the dosage in small increments, about every six months or so. I don't know if this is just my body growing accustomed to the dose and so the dose is losing effectiveness, or what? But a small bump will do the trick and I'll be good for another six months.

Lastly, for both of these medications, I found that they made me sleepy. So I switched from taking them in the morning (as originally suggested) to taking them before bed. That lets me sleep off the initial drowsiness.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just want to chat. I know how scary dealing with OCD can be and I completely understand what it's like to go through CBT treatment.

Good luck!

[GennyM]

I experienced postpartum OCD as well. I had OCD for years before, but when I was pregnant and just after was definitely the worst time for me with obsessions. Most of mine were harm related. I've taken Luvox for the past 5 years. While I was pregnant I went on a lower dose of (200 mg), but couldn't go off it completely. I never did do behavioral therapy or anything (it's a long story) but Luvox, on its own, did help. Good luck!

[brsapp]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

I'm so glad that you've taken some steps towards getting the OCD under control!

I've heard that it's not that uncommon, with all of the hormonal shifts, for women to experience OCD symptoms after giving birth, especially with their first child. I really feel for you because I can't imagine what it would be like dealing with OCD and having a newborn baby to look after. I really commend you for seeking treatment. You are not "psychotic/schizo" as you put it and you are doing the exact right thing - you are helping yourself so that you can be the best you for your little one

As for medication, I've never heard of Wellbutrin being used to treat OCD. I have however, had extensive experience on both Anafranil and Luvox and am happy to share my experiences on both.

When I was first diagnosed with severe OCD, I started CBT and was put on Anafranil. Anafranil was not very effective for me, but is a very common go-to medication for newly diagnosed patients. It's been around for a super long time and has shown to be very effective in the majority of patients. The only thing that I had a problem with, besides its ineffectiveness, was that it messed with my blood pressure too much. I would stand up and black out. Any quick movements would bring upon a short dizzy spell. The severity of these black outs and dizzy spells lessened over time as I grew accustomed to the medication, but they never completely went away. I was also warned to stay away from hot tubs and saunas and to be careful in the shower (not to make the water too hot) because the heat can also affect blood pressure.

After about a year, I was put on Luvox. I have been on Luvox for almost four years now and it's been a much better experience for me. I had a little bit of nausea at the beginning, I think, but it quickly went away. Besides that, this medication has been very effective at helping me to keep the OCD under control. One thing that I will note is that I've had to increase the dosage in small increments, about every six months or so. I don't know if this is just my body growing accustomed to the dose and so the dose is losing effectiveness, or what? But a small bump will do the trick and I'll be good for another six months.

Lastly, for both of these medications, I found that they made me sleepy. So I switched from taking them in the morning (as originally suggested) to taking them before bed. That lets me sleep off the initial drowsiness.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just want to chat. I know how scary dealing with OCD can be and I completely understand what it's like to go through CBT treatment.

Good luck!

Thank You!!

am 6 weeks post partum and was diagnosed with OCD a week ago. Well two nights ago my obsessive theme changed while my SO was showing me a video of a trans girl that was like 14. Well the thought "what if. Was trans" or something if they sort crossed my mind and j have been obsessing about it since yesterday and I am FREAKING OUT. I have never questioned my gender and have always loved being s girl and doing girly things. This feels so real and gives me so much anxiety. It would ruin my life. I have the best boyfriend and daughter and I just can't even believe I'm going through this. Is this just OCD or transgender?