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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kimbersaur on July 24, 2006, at 15:37:50
Hi, I'm Kim. Just wanted some advice. Here is my situation:
I have OCD and I'm mildly Bipolar. I was on Effexor, Lamictal, and Seroquel for a very long time. Last summer I wanted to see if I could manage without the Effexor because of sexual dysfunction. I had never had an orgasm, and had been on SSRI's since the summer before 7th grade. I got off of the Effexor much more successfully than I had anticipated. The OCD increased, but not too bad. So now, it is a year later and I am about to start college. I have a lot of bitter feelings about revolving my schedule around the Seroquel because of sedation. I decided to try to get off of the Seroquel because I have a feeling that studying and the college life will probably require a bit more flexibility. Over the past year or so I have been on a steady dose of 150 milligrams a night. During the past couple of months I have lowered my dose to 50 milligrams. Surprisingly, my moods have not been too bad. For a while I was really edgy and irritable, but that has cooled down quite a bit. My sex life is improving too, which is always a plus. The problem is my OCD. I have had all kinds of OCD issues over the years, but the one that is starting to get really bad is by far the worst: disturbing images. They pop into my mind and I can't get them out, so I do a little forehead touching ritual and they go away for a bit, but then they come back. So this is starting to really consume me, but I REALLY don't want to be on the Seroquel, or any other really sedating anti-psychotic (like Risperdal- eww!).
So finally, I have reached my question. What do you think about Abilify? Will it sedate me and will it affect my sex life? Is it a good choice for OCD, specifically the disturbing thoughts kind of OCD? My mom got me some 2mg tablets (she is a doctor) but I am kind of debating on whether or not I want to start a new med. I guess I still haven't resolved the having to stay on meds for the rest of my life issue. It is really hard for me to accept, especially the sedating kind.
Posted by fca on July 28, 2006, at 17:42:56
In reply to From Seroquel to Abilify for OCD/Bipolar, posted by Kimbersaur on July 24, 2006, at 15:37:50
Kim, congratulations on starting college--sorry the OCD has kicked up--I have had OCD off and on for 35 years--i have been overwhelmed with how helpful ERP and CBT have been in managing the intensity and duration of the OCD--for me Paxil and klonopin have provided a framework to really use the ERP--i am not burdened with Bipolar--since you are off to college you might check on the availability of a really good CBT thrapist--I tried the forhead touching ritual (what is it called ERF or something)--As I learned more about ERP and CBT I would use the ERF with some caution--Good Luck--wish I could help more on the drugs--paxil sure won't help your sex life ( I am 65)so it is only mildly annoying--bTW--there is absolutely no reason you willot be successful in college with a litle patience and experimentation on your part--good luck--PS I ws 64 when I started CBT--it is never to late
Posted by Kimbersaur on July 30, 2006, at 0:57:51
In reply to Re: From Seroquel to Abilify for OCD/Bipolar, posted by fca on July 28, 2006, at 17:42:56
> Kim, congratulations on starting college--sorry the OCD has kicked up--I have had OCD off and on for 35 years--i have been overwhelmed with how helpful ERP and CBT have been in managing the intensity and duration of the OCD--for me Paxil and klonopin have provided a framework to really use the ERP--i am not burdened with Bipolar--since you are off to college you might check on the availability of a really good CBT thrapist--I tried the forhead touching ritual (what is it called ERF or something)--As I learned more about ERP and CBT I would use the ERF with some caution--Good Luck--wish I could help more on the drugs--paxil sure won't help your sex life ( I am 65)so it is only mildly annoying--bTW--there is absolutely no reason you willot be successful in college with a litle patience and experimentation on your part--good luck--PS I ws 64 when I started CBT--it is never to late
Thanks for all of the advice! I am looking for a good therapist right now. I don't understand what you mean by ERP or by ERF. I kind of thought I was the only one with the forehead thing. Why would you be careful with it? I really hate that I do that, but I can't seem to stop. It is really annoying.
Posted by RaRa on August 7, 2006, at 14:01:25
In reply to Re: From Seroquel to Abilify for OCD/Bipolar, posted by Kimbersaur on July 30, 2006, at 0:57:51
I was just prescribed Abilify today as a matter of fact! I have OCD (I've had it since I was about 6 yrs. old... I am now 17 and in college.) and I have social anxiety disorder. I have tried EVERY SSRI (Effexor...etc) and NOTHING has helped. The side effects get to me and I hate being "wired". My doctor and I chose Abilify as a "2nd option".
I read up on it and after the first few weeks of insomnia everyone seems to respond positively. They reccommend you take it at night so you sleep better... it takes a while to absorb I suppose.
I was worried it would affect my schoolwork. I take the GRE (SATs for grad. school) in 2 weeks and I plan on being 2 weeks into the treatment. I will definitely keep you posted on how well I can concentrate and write and everything!! If you find out any new, important info. about side effects or anything.. keep me posted!! projektrara@hotmail.com
Posted by RaRa on August 7, 2006, at 14:11:49
In reply to Re: From Seroquel to Abilify for OCD/Bipolar, posted by Kimbersaur on July 30, 2006, at 0:57:51
Oh and about the therapy... it did not help me at all. The things they reccommend you can honestly find online. I've been to about 11 different CBT and it's all the same BS... lol... some people find it helpful but it was a waste of money in my opinion. I have SEVERAL OCD behaviors such as letting go of my steering wheel to adjust my rearview (safe, huh?) and checking my alarm clock a MILLION times... my last CBT reccommended I set a timer and try to distance the time I checked my alarm clock.. well... instead of checking my alarm I started constantly checking the timer!! No good. But I wish you luck! A lot of people are successful.
Posted by theo on August 8, 2006, at 13:04:35
In reply to Re: From Seroquel to Abilify for OCD/Bipolar, posted by RaRa on August 7, 2006, at 14:01:25
Are you taking Abilify in the morning or bedtime? What dose are you taking?
Thanks
Posted by RaRa on August 8, 2006, at 16:13:30
In reply to Re: From Seroquel to Abilify for OCD/Bipolar » RaRa, posted by theo on August 8, 2006, at 13:04:35
I'm taking only 2.5 at bedtime. I took it for the first time last night and it was HORRIBLE. Just as bad as all the other medications I've tried. I have been getting hot flashes all day. Plus, I woke up every 20 min. last night and I'm not even sure if I was actually asleep.. it seemed like I was having closed eye hallucinations rather then dreams... I've been falling asleep all day and I keep getting extremely hot... it's very annoying... especially since I have to go to work in 15 minutes...
Posted by theo on August 12, 2006, at 16:32:53
In reply to Re: From Seroquel to Abilify for OCD/Bipolar, posted by RaRa on August 8, 2006, at 16:13:30
> I'm taking only 2.5 at bedtime. I took it for the first time last night and it was HORRIBLE. Just as bad as all the other medications I've tried. I have been getting hot flashes all day. Plus, I woke up every 20 min. last night and I'm not even sure if I was actually asleep.. it seemed like I was having closed eye hallucinations rather then dreams... I've been falling asleep all day and I keep getting extremely hot... it's very annoying... especially since I have to go to work in 15 minutes...
So how's the Abilify going?
Posted by RaRa on August 13, 2006, at 15:45:04
In reply to Re: From Seroquel to Abilify for OCD/Bipolar » RaRa, posted by theo on August 12, 2006, at 16:32:53
hah yeah. i quit it. i wasn't able to sleep at all and it was making my days miserable. i'd rather me a nervous, obsessive wreck then be a nervous, obsessive, tired wreck.
This is the end of the thread.
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