Posted by Shirley on November 2, 1998, at 0:10:55
Anybody here know anything about OCD and its treatment? I have found this site to be helpful with my depression-related questions, but don't see much about OCD.
I am being treated for major depression and anxiety, and currently take 150 mg Effexor XR, 30 mg Buspar, and 100 mg trazodone. Zoloft was tried first, but didn't help me at all. I do notice a huge improvement with the Effexor.
My husband, (a great guy!), has been using Anafranil for his OCD for many years, at least since it was released. It has successfully eliminated his obsessive-compulsive problems, but I think it has contibuted to a significant weight gain, and sexual side effects (don't make me explain!).
My therapist (a social-worker type: LCSW, ARPN who can prescribe meds), in an effort to help me with my marital problems (partly "intimacy" issues), wondered if perhaps the Anafranil was contributing to our intimacy problems. Of course, I know it's more than just that, but still I'm curious to know more about the Anafranil side effects. She brought up the subject of using Luvox for the OCD (perhaps augmenting with viagra?), so I asked my husband to discuss it with his Psych Doc. Mistake. My husband said his Doc seemed to take umbrage that a mere therapist would question his judgement in prescribing the Anafranil, especially since it has been effective. "Why fix what ain't broke", after all. He also said that the Luvox was introduced into the American market simply to fill a marketing niche (OCD), since the anti-depressant market was alreade saturated with all of the other SSRI's. I'm not satisfied with his response, and would like to hear from those of you who might know something about Anafranil vs. Luvox.
Also-my husband is happy to accept what this guy says, because he fears going off the Anafranil, and waiting for the Luvox to work.
Thanks for your input! ~Shirley
poster:Shirley
thread:1022
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990829/msgs/1022.html