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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Baba66 on July 13, 2010, at 16:34:48
Hi All. My first post on here, but have been using the forums for many years. Don't want to go into too much personal detail at the moment as I have not much time, but I wanted to join the board and try to help people, and hopefully myself at the same time, by becoming a regular on the board. I'm from the UK and suffered terribly at the hands of OCD for many, many years. It has single handedly (spelling) ruined a promising career in sport and supped out most of the very life out of me. I've particularly become fond of reading threads by Ace and Phillipa and Linkadge amongst others who I cant remember at the moment who are always well informed and very polite, and have really helped me despite their own suffering. It's kinda like I know you guys in a weird way..I have mostly been a guinea pig for treatment during the early years of my illness and eventually found some small relief in certain drug therapies which I will disclose full details later.I hope I can be as informative and helpful to you guys as you guys have been for me. Anyway, the reason that made me come on this board today is that I have had the best OCD free day for years, and thought I would share some optimism. I was pretty bad last night and have had a pretty bad last 22 year or so despite odd remmisions for a few weeks and partial help or blunting for years with medication. However last night I decided to start some experimenting of different meds. I dosed with 2 X Tramadol caplets that basically wiped out todays OCD. I would like to discuss this with the regulars and my past history if thats ok. I aim to experiment slowly and safely. Look forward to your replies and sharing some of my personal life with you guys.
Posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2010, at 16:50:50
In reply to Newbie with OCD, posted by Baba66 on July 13, 2010, at 16:35:32
Hi BaBa. Believe or not that is what my kids fully grown now used to call my Father. Welcome to babble and you're first post. And thanks for mentioning my name means a lot to me. Looking forward to hearing more. I've heard from some that do not use this forum that tramadol does work. But don't you develop tolerance? I don't know hence asking you. Phillipa
Posted by jade k on July 13, 2010, at 18:03:42
In reply to Newbie with OCD, posted by Baba66 on July 13, 2010, at 16:34:48
Hi Baba66,
Welcome. I hope you get some helpful information regarding your OCD. I look forward to reading your posts as well.
I've been on Tramadol (Ultram) on several occasions. I'm finishing a 30 day script for it now. How it would fit into your treatment for OCD, I'm not sure. I can tell you a little about the med though. It was originally used for mild to moderate pain. I like it because its not as addictive as other opiods, and causes a slight lift in mood.
I took it years ago for pain, and recently on and off for temporary uncomfortable med changes. I didn't find it as helpful for that. I think its best used on an as needed basis as efficacy wears off with daily use. I noticed your post above and it seems Suboxone is preferred by most according to one of the old posters. Not sure for OCD use.
~Jade
Posted by Questionmark on July 13, 2010, at 22:58:59
In reply to Newbie with OCD, posted by Baba66 on July 13, 2010, at 16:34:48
Posted by mogger on July 14, 2010, at 1:42:24
In reply to Newbie with OCD, posted by Baba66 on July 13, 2010, at 16:35:32
Baba667,
I found this interesting article that you might want to read! :)
Posted by Baba66 on July 20, 2010, at 7:15:30
In reply to Newbie with OCD, posted by Baba66 on July 13, 2010, at 16:34:48
Alright guys. Thanks for the responses. I know some of you guys may think my med combination is a little risky, but I am trying to be cautious. At the moment I take High Dose Citalopram (120mg) and Memantine (20mg). I also have been using Clonazepam on and off for a few years at doses up to 1mg per day. Sometimes I find that when my OCD and anxiety is really bad the clonazepam is the only way of meaningful relief. However I have started experimenting with Tramadol. I have been taking one or two capsules (50mg) daily instead of using clonazepam. I am wary of the serotonin syndrome. However, the tramadol has been a massive help this last week. Im not sure what an optimal dosage would be for me as Im using the citalopram. In terms of side effects I have noticed increased sweating. Normally about an hour after dosing. This is probably a combination of the ssri and tramadol like, but it seems tramadol has massively aggravated the sweating side effect. I have been doing a lot of reading up on tramadol, and notice that it's almost identical to venlafaxine. Apart from its effects on the opioid receptors, Its a Serotonin & Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. a serotonin releasing agent. MDNA receptor antagonist (like Memantine), and a 5ht2c receptor antagonist. It seems everything you want from an anti OCD medication. The 5ht2c blockade is very interesting, as it seems that Activation of this receptor by serotonin inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine release in certain areas of the brain. Possibly why SSRI's cause such a blunting of emotion? An overactivity of 5-HT2C receptors may contribute to depressive and anxiety symptoms in a certain population of patients. Activation of 5-HT2C by serotonin is responsible for many of the negative side effects of SSRI and SNRI medications, such as sertraline, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and others. Some of the initial anxiety caused by SSRIs is due to excessive signalling at 5-HT2C. Its all very interesting but most importantly the TRAMADOL seems to be helping me.
This is the end of the thread.
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