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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 September 17, 2008, at 21:49:23
I was just wondering if there are people here with OCD who have tried multiple SSRIs or SNRIs and have (or have not) found Luvox to be the best. I've always heard Luvox is the best but I'm wondering if that is just because it was marketed for OCD and the others are just as effective, or because it really is the best SSRI for OCD. Obviously it varies from person to person, but I'd like to hear any experiences or other input anyone here has.
Posted by ricker on September 17, 2008, at 22:39:27
In reply to Is Luvox really better for OCD?, posted by Kimbersaur on September 17, 2008, at 21:49:23
Hi Kimbersaur,
From what I've heard, Luvox is recognized as the preferred choice in the "SSRI" class.
I believe the gold standard still remains to be clomipramine? It has been well proven for many years.
Rick
Posted by Phillipa on September 18, 2008, at 1:05:40
In reply to Re: Is Luvox really better for OCD? » Kimbersaur, posted by ricker on September 17, 2008, at 22:39:27
Yes luvox is an SSRI but doesn't have the side effects of anafranil and I still take low doses of it. At one time it totally eliminated any ocd now I have a lot less not counting anymore . And it's sedating and the others always hyped me up so. And now there is a Luvox CR and it's supposed to have even less side effects than regular and I don't get any from regular luvox. Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on September 18, 2008, at 6:00:40
In reply to Re: Is Luvox really better for OCD?, posted by Phillipa on September 18, 2008, at 1:05:40
Personally -- yes. Nothing will eliminate OCD -- I'm not sure what variety you have, or was there a previous posting, I forget ? Because OCD is a biochemical imbalance that waxes and wanes for life.
Luvox was only pulled off the market and made generic perhaps because of bad sales, but I think because of bad press over Columbine.
It can be dosed up to even 450 if you can stand that, but the minimum dose for relief is always best.
Yes, Anafranil is a "gold standard" but not used much any more because of the side effects of TCAs, which are plentiful. For some still, it works for them best.
The best combination though is behavioural therapy and medication, or even behavioural therapy alone. What you learn from that can help you with future episodes in life.
I was hospitalised in the early days of OCD research and I never took medication, I had handwashing and showers up to 7 hours.
Eventually things have gone to the background though my current "medical orphan" disorder which I have never dreamed of encountering in life and is a mystery, has OC components in it as well.
-- tidings
Jay
Posted by greywolf on September 18, 2008, at 18:24:48
In reply to Re: Is Luvox really better for OCD?, posted by yxibow on September 18, 2008, at 6:00:40
I've gone the Luvox route, the Anafranil route, just about every SSRI, SNRI, etc. route, for bipolar and OCD and I've never run into a single medication that did anything to help my OCD. Not one medication had even the slightest effect OCD-wise.
The only thing that has helped to any degree is years of therapy with specialists in OCD. If OCD is your only disorder, I would strongly recommend investing in a good OCD therapist.
Greywolf
Posted by desolationrower on September 18, 2008, at 19:19:10
In reply to Re: Is Luvox really better for OCD?, posted by greywolf on September 18, 2008, at 18:24:48
I hope you have tried meds other than serotonin reuptake inhibitors for OCD
-D/R
Posted by linkadge on September 18, 2008, at 19:33:08
In reply to Re: Is Luvox really better for OCD?, posted by desolationrower on September 18, 2008, at 19:19:10
Yes, I think there is some evidence to suggest that fluvoxamine is superior to SSRI's for OCD. Fluvoxamine has a higher binding at the sigma receptors. This may be relavant to its efficacy.
Linkadge
Posted by greywolf on September 18, 2008, at 20:10:38
In reply to Re: Is Luvox really better for OCD?, posted by desolationrower on September 18, 2008, at 19:19:10
> I hope you have tried meds other than serotonin reuptake inhibitors for OCD
> -D/RI won't bother to post all of the meds I have been on. I have posted them before if you care to search the site, but they are too many to keep listing. Suffice to say that any med available in the U.S. that might have even remotely had a chance of helping treat the OCD has been tried at therapeutic levels.
I'm not saying that meds can't help in OCD treatment, but to my knowledge it is relatively rare that any med would put a significant OCD problem into remission. I've got a pretty darn good group of docs working on me, and meds for OCD have always been pitched as an adjunct to intensive therapy, not as a cure in themselves.
Of course, the number and intensity of OCD behaviors would probably affect the efficacy of drugs commonly used for the disease, and in my case the behaviors pervade my days 24/7, so there's probably less of a likelihood that meds alone will do the job. Others might experience more positive results, and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from trying something that might help, even a little.
Greywolf
Posted by elanor roosevelt on September 26, 2008, at 1:08:47
In reply to Re: Is Luvox really better for OCD?, posted by greywolf on September 18, 2008, at 20:10:38
Luvox switched OCD from being a minor part of my problem to taking it all over the edge
take care
This is the end of the thread.
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