Posted by Kimbersaur on September 10, 2008, at 21:40:27
In reply to Re: Abilify for OCD? )) yxibow » Kimbersaur, posted by yxibow on September 8, 2008, at 6:09:41
> > > > Here's what's up:
> > > >
> > > > I've been on Lamictal and Seroquel for years (currently 250mg Lam and 50mg Ser) due to mood problems (they said bipolar but I have my doubts). I used to be on Effexor as well for OCD but stopped because of side effects. My mood problems have been pretty much under control for the last few years (hence the bipolar doubts) but recently my OCD has reached ridiculous heights. I've tried a number of SSRIs and SNRIs and they work but I can't tolerate them due to side effects. My doctor just prescribed me Abilify 2mg for the OCD.
> > > >
> > > > So I guess my question is, has anyone here had any luck with Abilify for OCD? I realize it is usually used to augment an SSRI (in the case of OCD) but I'm wondering if it will help on its own.
> > >
> > >
> > > Have you ever tried Anafranil (clomipramine) ?
> > >
> > > I see you have already tried Seroquel so that wasn't going to be a suggestion for an add-on. There's always Zyprexa or Geodon.
> > >
> > > Mainly the minimum dosage should be used in this case as the interaction between SSRIs and APs are unknown -- there is plenty of evidence that they can help hard cases of OCD.
> > >
> > >
> > > But then there's the theory in psychiatry that less medicine and paring down the number of medications is always better.
> > >
> > > What sort of OCD is occurring?
> > >
> > > Remember that if you do have OCD, it is a lifetime disorder for most (I do -- I fought off a bad episode at 17) but there is also CBT (behavioral therapy) that is equally effective and the right SSRI or TCA at a respectable dose along with it helps more. Once you have the tools (CBT) you can keep using them in your life.
> > >
> > > Has your doctor ever suggested or have you ever looked into the OC Foundation (http://www.ocfoundation.org/)
> > >
> > >
> > > There is no "magic cure" for OCD, a pill won't wipe it out and I don't think you want (I'm not trying to be facetious) to be one of the 100 or less patients in the US who have a cingulotomy surgery every year.
> > >
> > >
> > > -- best wishes
> > >
> > > Jay
> > >
> >
> > Hey thanks for the long response. I tried Anafranil last year but it totally wiped me out and I just couldn't afford to be incapacitated for a week while I was in the midst of college so I quit after a few days. Also, it had the same sexual side effects as the SSRIs, which is why I'm not taking an SSRI in the first place.
> >
> > As far as Zyprexa or Geodon, I always just assumed that they wouldn't do any more for my OCD than Seroquel so I stuck with the Seroquel (mostly for sleep and agitation).
> >
> > As far as what kind of OCD, I've got several. The most potent and difficult to deal with aspect of my OCD is contamination fears and cleaning. I also get disturbing intrusive thoughts, however Inositol has helped with that. I have some touching rituals which I have recently realized are more likely tics. I also get ideas in my head that I just obsess over for days. I can deal with most of that, but the contamination issue is really getting bad.
> >
> > I'm really considering CBT but I think that SSRIs and TCAs probably aren't worth it. I can't tolerate a drug that gives me those sexual side effects. Levitra has worked for me but I don't like the idea of taking it a few times a week as a 20-year-old female. I have looked at the OC Foundation, there aren't any therapists listed in my area but I'm looking for someone. And I know a pill wont cure me, but I'm hoping Abilify will help take the edge off. I know I'll have to deal with this contamination stuff no matter what I'm on. (Although when I was on Effexor the OCD almost went COMPLETELY away.)
> >
> > Well I think I've rambled enough. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me. :)
>
>
> Not a problem -- rambling is fine.
>
> I have intrusive thoughts -- although there are many different definitions of what that is. "Pure O", or whatever it is called, is one single thought that is unwanted and repeated. Intrusive thoughts can be a panoply of "word salad" for a lack of a better layman's term.
>
> I had a YBOCS (Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale) of 39 out of 40 for washing when I was about your age, and it got to 7 hour showers.
>
> I was hospitalized and in a day treatment program during and after and through CBT (I didnt actually want to take medication and I didnt start Prozac until afterwards) I have mostly eliminated that. There will always be vestiges with OCD but it is background to a major multi-diagnosis disorder which has some OC components to it, now.
>
> My point is, yes, I understand the sexual side effects issue -- there are other things that can be added, like a scant amount of Wellbutrin, yohimbine (with caution, I don't know about females) and a few other things that doctors have tried. Its whether the benefits outweigh the risks of any multi-psychotropic therapy.
>
>
> There is the possibility of taking short half life agents such as Paxil, and just removing the dose when.... the moment is needed. This is one other tactic.
>
>
> I wish you well with whatever decision you make, but don't make it lightly, taking abilify and other agents and "going on" with life will not cure you of what you ail. They are palleatives and reduce what maybe a 40 out of 40 YBOCS for you too, I don't know.
>
>
> Some form of life change has to occur as well and that is a task that is hardest to tackle. I know because I have to do it as well, to improve my chances in life along with a medication regime that needs to be pared down.
>
>
> Meditation, relaxation therapy, occasional benzodiazepine augmentation are other things that can be used, as well as propranolol.
>
>
> -- tidings
>
> JayHey, thank you for sharing about your life! My OCD isn't as bad as yours was at my age, but it definitely interferes with my daily life. The sexual side effects thing is hard... it is so frustrating to go through those side effects over and over again, and I hate the idea of taking a second drug just to counter the side effects of the first, but you have a very good point. If this whole Abilify thing doesn't work out I may just have to suck it up and take Cymbalta or Effexor again and try to find a way around the side effects. I wish there was a magic patience pill! :)
I'm wondering which SSRI's have short half lives? Last time I took Prozac it made me paranoid and Paxil made me manic...
Also, what exactly is propranolol?
Thank you so much for your time and advice, it means a lot coming from someone who knows what I'm going through. I think you are right about not being able to just take a pill and go on with life, and I am working on other avenues as well (starting with regular sleep and exercise!).
Take care,
Kim
poster:Kimbersaur
thread:850565
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080903/msgs/851424.html