OCD Medications

Hello, all. I've just joined and am anxious for some feedback.

I decided to pursue therapy (not for the first time) because my insomnia is out of control. I was just so determined to make progress this time that I mentioned everything that was causing me anxiety -- no matter how silly it seemed -- and was promptly diagnosed with OCD, something that had never occured to me. I thought only people who washed their hands over and over had OCD, and I thought everybody counted, alphabetized and chewed the inside of their mouths raw -- who knew? I have been referred to a psychiatrist to begin drug therapy. My appointment is in 6 days and I'm terrified of the prescriptions I've seen most often prescribed for OCD. The drugs which have shown up most frequently in my research are Anafranil, Celexa, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft.

I have been prescribed probably 15 different anti-depressants over the past 20 years, more often in an effort to control migraines rather than major depression (I have much more profound trouble with anxiety than with depression -- any depression is usually a result of chronic migraine, sleep deprivation and the resulting plummet in my quality of life), and my experience with anti-depressants has been abysmal. Of the six medications most often discussed in the treatment of OCD, I have tried Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft, each with the same debilitating results: INCREASED insomnia, mania and anxiety which exacerbate the migraines, and even suicidal ideation with Prozac. I am truly terrified of beginning another regimen. I'm wondering who has had success with these or other OCD drugs? Which of them are the least likely to worsen my insomnia, anxiety and hypermania? Even drugs like Seroquel and such which warn of drowsiness have a paradoxic affect on me. Another concern is weight gain, not just for vanity's sake but because I have Type II Diabetes and Familial Hyperlipidemia (my triglycerides are 3,000 -- not 300 -- and are a result of genetics, not diet), both of which demand that I try to stay within a target weight range. But I most concerned about the sleeplessness, anxiety and "climbing the walls" which has accompanied every attempt at antidepressants.

Any information is appreciated, so I'll be better prepared on Monday.

Thanks.

Hi Enigma,

I was misdiagnosed for ten years. I was told that I have everything from general anxiety disorder to depression. I've also been on Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft...all which have only made me worse. I recently got another doctor, and I think he got it right. I have a severe case of obsessive compulsive disorder. There are a lot of different symptoms of OCD, and insomnia is one of them. I have insomnia as a result of OCD. It is like I just lay in bed worrying about things...no matter what I did, I always had something to worry about. I would check everything 277 times before I went to bed (stove, locks on doors, make sure everything was unplugged- yes, EVERYTHING). I also washed everything (hands, dishes, clothes, floors, toilets) three times to make sure it was no longer "contaminated". I also am very anxious about a lot of things.

I take 100mg twice a day of Luvox and 1mg of Risperdal at night to help me sleep. Luvox is an antidepressant, but it works very well in a lot of OCD patients. It helps with both the obsessive and compulsive behaviors. The Risperdal is a schizophrenia medication that helps other medications work better and induces drowsiness in most people. I do not have schizophrenia, but take it to help the luvox work better and to induce drowsiness. Sometimes the Risperdal does not put me to sleep, however, so I talked to my doctor and he gave me Ambien CR to take at bedtime with the Risperdal. The two medications combined makes me go to sleep and sleep well all night.

The medication that I am on helps me quite a bit...I went from checking everything 277 times to checking it three times, and I now leave the TV and radios plugged in at night. I also go to sleep and sleep all night, every night as well. I am very pleased with the effect that my meds have had on me.

Hope this helps!

Take Care,
Angel