Posted by Phidippus on December 10, 2011, at 18:01:56
In reply to Re: question for phidippus » Phidippus, posted by g_g_g_unit on December 10, 2011, at 7:24:01
>Clomipramine caused intolerable anxiety and >agitation
That can happen with Clomipramine.
>Anyway, did you take it in combination with an >SRI? I was on it as monotherapy.
At one point I was on Lithium, Mirtazapine, Invega and Vyvanse. I kept on having mixed episodes which I had to quell with Seroquel. Otherwise Mirtazapine was an effective treatment for my OCD.
>I avoided medication and kept myself in a state >of near-insanity for years because I was trying >to preserve a career as a writer
It is a common assertation that medicines zap the creative spirit. What I've found is if you're on the right meds, your SYMPTOMS don't get in the way of your creativity. But, I know what's its like to be on meds that make you feel retarded. If it helps any, I find your posts to be well worded and very telling.
>I'm still at a formative age (26) and I'm scared.
There's nothing to fear except fear itself.
>I just can't write on meds, nor do I think I >could to do something requiring the intellectual >heavy-lifting of post-graduate...
Trust me, you can, it just takes a little more effort. I'm pre-med and my brain works half the time because of symptoms or meds, yet I maintain a high GPA and still have time to play Call of Duty.
Sometimes you just have to compromise.
>at least not on SSRIs alone, which really do >make my ADD a nightmare
Some folk augment their ADHD treatment by taking an SNRI, like Effexor. Have you ever been on an SNRI?
Another something I can think of is augmenting your ADHD treatment with something like Straterra or Intuniv-this might actually help with anxiety. There's also Focalin, Wellbutrin and Nuvigil.
>Maybe you could correct me on my hesitation >about meds.
Here's the secret about OCD. It makes you miserable but it does not kill you or cause any lasting brain damage. Once you know that you can look at treating the illness with less trepidation-imagine all the drugs you get to try! When I was diagnosed with OCD, the first thing I focused on was conquering my anxiety of taking medication. At one point, I just started trying everything. Some things made me more misrable (f*ck Prozac) and somethings I continue to take beccause they helped so much (Clomipramine). The one thing I kept in mind is I wasn't going to die from the OCD, even if by my own hands.
>I just feel stuck .. new country, no friends >other than one I knew from where I previously >lived, no real prospects at this point
What country are you in?
And you're not stuck. I think you're making progress with the Lexapro. You seem to be sticking it out.
>I know I am really, really sick but I just don't see meds as enabling me.
I think the OCD has you convinced you're really sick. OR you're worried sick.
>But I've just been filled with thoughts of >suicide as of late.
If I had a dollar for every suicidal ideation I've had, I'd be very rich and able to pay someone else to worry about such stupid things.
Have you ever been in therapy with a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders, OCD especially and ERP? You might do well with the right therapy.
Eric
poster:Phidippus
thread:1004285
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20111208/msgs/1004596.html