http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/tags/stress It's Time to Act. OCD Action provides support and information for people affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Mon, 21 May 2012 15:32:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/search.php http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53434 Sat, 07 May 2011 22:54:52 +0000 tizzkins 53434@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>p.s. ocdc whatever else you do keep that open mind regarding meds. Some work for some better than others. It really is trial and error. But please dont give up yet.</p> <p>Liz x </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53433 Sat, 07 May 2011 22:52:04 +0000 tizzkins 53433@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>OC/DC not sure if i have said something wrong or not but that is just my ocd. (i think) i am hoping my doctor will increase my dosage of prozac from 40mg to 60mg i have never before needed more than 40mg but at this moment in time i have moved house, no longer have a job, and my friends are miles away which all of which i think is affecting me so as a temporary messure i am hoping that 60mg (if my doctor agrees) will do the trick on a temporary basis until my day to day life settles.</p> <p>Liz x </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53410 Sat, 07 May 2011 14:40:23 +0000 albo 53410@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>That's a funny story - sounds like she didn't have a sense of humour!</p> <p>Mine doesn't really derive from a funny story but I suppose you could say a great band?</p> <p>O </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53392 Sat, 07 May 2011 07:15:48 +0000 Ratwomble 53392@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Brand switch and dosage are issues for your doctors. in my case my psychiatrist decides and my gp prescribes.</p> <p>Ratwomble comes from an incident some years ago when I managed to offend my mother's neighbour. She had one of those little hairy dogs, and I told my son that it waas proof that rats and wobbles could cross breed. She did not find that funny.</p> <p>OCDC is a brilliant name too....altogether now :."a whole lot of OC"</p> <p>David </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53386 Sat, 07 May 2011 00:59:34 +0000 albo 53386@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I love the name 'Ratwomble' - it's kind of a good thing (Womble) and a bad thing (Rat) coming together...</p> <p>...which is kind of like OCD!! </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53385 Sat, 07 May 2011 00:57:37 +0000 albo 53385@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>So, do I switch brand or up dose?</p> <p>Hey, I'm relatively new to meds! </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53384 Sat, 07 May 2011 00:50:52 +0000 Ratwomble 53384@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Ocdc,</p> <p>Those are all low doses. Don't give up just yet!</p> <p>D </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53383 Sat, 07 May 2011 00:47:39 +0000 albo 53383@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I have been constantly on meds since November.</p> <p>I started on Fluoxetine 20mg, then Fluoxetine 40mg.</p> <p>Then I switched to 20mg Citalopram with no gaps inbetween.</p> <p>Apart from extreme drowsiness, I don't think I have really benefited from meds so not sure which way to go next?</p> <p>I do feel a bit disillusioned by meds but keeping an open mind!</p> <p>O </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53373 Fri, 06 May 2011 23:17:51 +0000 tizzkins 53373@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Just a thought OCDC but have you been on and off meds for a while now as i dont think it is probably helping you. I know it is difficult finding the right med and i realise it is trial and error but i would have thought that if you have had to try a few even that fact maybe putting you out of sorts so to speak. I hope you find one that suits soon.</p> <p>Just my opinion. Hope i havent said anything wrong. (this is ocd kicking in now).</p> <p>Liz x </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53370 Fri, 06 May 2011 23:09:38 +0000 albo 53370@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Hi again</p> <p>I like the sound of fluvoxamine - I think I am still to find the right SSRI for me?</p> <p>I am wondering now if I should have given Prozac a chance at 60mg but not sure if that was an option?</p> <p>I am seeing my GP next week so should know what I am doing then?</p> <p>Thanks for all your advice - it is appreciated.</p> <p>Best wishes to you all!</p> <p>O </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53349 Fri, 06 May 2011 18:23:03 +0000 tizzkins 53349@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Hi O i am currently on 40mg prozac and because i am going through a stressful time in my life at the minute i am hoping that my doctor will increase my dosage to 60mg. I think everyone is different and different medications work for different people. Since i moved house last year and left friends and my job i have also discovered that where 40mg prozac worked well for me for years it is now at the stage that i need a little more help to get me through the difficult time. I am hoping that when things settle down i will once again return to 40mg and maybe even one day 20mg. I am very for medication for ocd as it does help but as i say you have to find the right medication with your doctors help and also the right dosage. Also the meds do seem to take some time to kick in so maybe when you think one may not be working make sure you have given it enough time. They may take time to kick in but when they do the benefits far outweigh anything else. I wouldnt be without my prozac.</p> <p>Take care and let us know how you get on.</p> <p>Liz </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53347 Fri, 06 May 2011 17:56:51 +0000 Ratwomble 53347@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Yes, I really think it is. But I sometimes describe OCD recovery as trying to walk up a down escalator. Some days I am tired and walk slower so the escalator carries me down. Some days I am energetic and I can make good progress. What the fluvoxamine did for me was to slow the escalator down. It let me make progress by weakening the OCD enough to I've me a chance to move forward.</p> <p>Side effects are few. I sleep less well, except, for some reason, after lunch, when I have to struggle to not go face down on my desk! I didn't drink at all for the first nine months and then started allowing myself small amounts since it seems to have a greater effect on me (which saves money!)</p> <p>Before fluvoxamine I was on all sorts of things. I was heavily sedated early on which I think might have been deliberate because I was really very anxious. On fluvoxamine I noticed a difference early on but was taking it together with another druh, mirtazapine, I think, and it knocked me out. I had to choose which one to stop taking (in discussion with my psychiatrist) and chose right.</p> <p>I know that medication is a contentious subject here, but it worked for me and gave me my life, and job, and family back, so I remain unapologetically keen on it. I know others don't feel that way and I really do respect that. But I was so low and the slope up was so steep, anything that helped was worthwhile.</p> <p>I don't know why fluvoxamine is not used commonly in the uk. Perhaps it is because it seems to have a slightly lower success rate than other ssri s and I think I'm right that it is not as powerful a drug for depression as Prozac. But I was diagnosed with depression for years before we realised it was caused by the OCD and not the other way round, so effectively it has lifted my depression.</p> <p>I've no axe to grind. We all have to find our own paths out of OCD. My path does not represent a route map for anyone but me. I used medication, and cbt, and therapy, and books, and a lot of KitKats. I don't think the Meds cured me, but I think they bought me a breathing space that allowed the other treatments to work.</p> <p>I have spent a lot of time since I joined this forum trying to work out why people are against using Meds. In some cases their symptoms or medical conditions stop them and I feel very sorry for those people. But there others who resist medication, but still drink. And smoke. And take aspirin. And caffeine. I think that for some people there is a stigma associated with medication for mental health. This is caused, I believe, by the representations of Valium addicted zombies from the seventies. Modern SSRIs are not addictive. They have relatively few side effects (certainly compared to commonly available over the counter drugs). </p> <p>My first drug for depression was one of the first generation tricyclics. It had so many powerful side effects that I still think I have some of them now, thirty years later. It was essentially a drug the evened out moods so I became not happy, not sad. A bit of a. Zombie. Also it was so toxic that it was known as "loaded gun" and depressives weren't given too many at a time. The modern ones are amazing.</p> <p>Sorry, you've triggered off a lot of things that I've been thinking about.</p> <p>I hope some of it is of interest or use</p> <p>Best wishes</p> <p>David </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53344 Fri, 06 May 2011 16:40:26 +0000 albo 53344@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>It sounds like it's doing the trick though? </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53317 Thu, 05 May 2011 20:06:47 +0000 Ratwomble 53317@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Don't mind at all. I'm on fluvoxamine. I'm thinking of buying shares. &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif&quot; title=&quot;:-)&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53307 Thu, 05 May 2011 13:47:39 +0000 albo 53307@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>That sounds like a lot.<br /> Which medication is it, if you don't mind my asking? </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53302 Thu, 05 May 2011 12:59:21 +0000 Ratwomble 53302@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>300. Six times fifty a day. Note that this is <strong>not</strong> flouxetine/Prozac!!!!!!!!, </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53292 Thu, 05 May 2011 00:12:51 +0000 albo 53292@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>300 or 30mg? </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53291 Thu, 05 May 2011 00:10:17 +0000 Ratwomble 53291@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Dear o,</p> <p>As far as I am aware I am the only one here on fluvoxamine. I believe it is an early precursor of Prozac, but is one of the few drugs the US licence for OCD. I hav Eno idea why my psychiatrist recommended it but it worked quite quickly for me. I am on the maximum dose - 300 mg a day, but not too many side effects.</p> <p>One of the awful things is how long it can take to find the right drug for you. I was lucky to find mine on the third or fourth go. Been on it a year now and have no plans to stop!</p> <p>Hope you find yours soon.</p> <p>Best wishes</p> <p>David </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/citalopram-not-working-anymore#post-53289 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:24:08 +0000 albo 53289@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Hi</p> <p>I have been taking meds since November.<br /> My GP started me off on 20mg of Fluoxetine and then increased to 40mg.<br /> It did not seem to benefit me.<br /> The GP asked me what I wanted to do, so, I asked to try something else.<br /> Maybe, I should have upped the dosage to 60mg - don't know, I'm not a Dr?</p> <p>Instead, I switched to Citalopram 20mg daily, which I have struggled from tiredness with.</p> <p>I have recently been pushing through to try and overcome the tiredness. However, in the past couple of weeks I seem to be getting much worse with OCD, Anxiety, Stress, Trich, etc, etc! I've also been sleeping badly too.<br /> I don't know if the meds are wearing off or if it's me pushing myself more that is driving up these problems?<br /> Is it possible the meds have simply stopped working?</p> <p>I think I should probably go back to my GP to discuss what to do. But, I don't know whether to continue with them, stop or try a new brand?</p> <p>I have also not had CBT for 2 weeks due to the Bank Holidays, so, I feel like I am regressing back to being overwhelmed by OCD, etc!</p> <p>Any advice appreciated!</p> <p>O </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/i-feel-like-giving-in#post-49184 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:59:23 +0000 Tess 49184@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Hi Nigel<br /> Just wanted you to know there's someone out here reading your post. I don't have this particular fear myself but I know it's not uncommon, when you get so worried about losing something the mind can play tricks and make you think you've seen something when you haven't.<br /> I also understand about feeling so bad you are on the point of giving in. I have been there myself. Have you accessed any of the practical help available such as CBT or meds? Sometimes it's too hard to struggle on alone using self help books and you need some professional help. You just have to hang on to the thought that this is a treatable condition and it can and does improve. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/i-feel-like-giving-in#post-49181 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:02:24 +0000 nigel 49181@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Hi all!</p> <p>Over the last couple of days I've been consumed by the fear off losing something. I checked everything I had on me with military precision and had everything I took with me when I got back home.</p> <p>However the place where I went had a plain red clean carpet and as I walked out and turned to check the floor i thought i saw something white. I didn't want to look back incase i was seen as checking had caused people to think im strange and not understand. Also i though i may be seeing things.</p> <p>It's really bugging me and its giving me a headache and making me feel down.</p> <p>have you ever heard of this when you think you saw something and there is nothing there? I thought i saw something white and as the time goes on then i think it was like a feather or a piece of paper and my memory of it is foggy. i cant even say if i saw something for definately. it was a plain matt carpet and it was clean so i cant imagine it to be a light reflection. i keep thinking i took something stuck to me and dropped it and by not asking i will never know.</p> <p>i was minutes from giving in today.</p> <p>Please let me know if you have had this sort of visual occurance.</p> <p>Regards</p> <p>Nigel </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/opening-up-1#post-42419 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:41:03 +0000 Anonymous 42419@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>That's really good!! </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/opening-up-1#post-42418 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:47:50 +0000 asuvorov 42418@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I did not on that particular day, and I unfortunately had one of the most intense periods of distress yesterday. But today I feel much better, I drove home today (my first time driving for about 5 weeks now) from work with a passenger and I was able to cope just fine.</p> <p>I feel much better because of it, I have proven to myself that I'm able to overcome this condition without practising avoidance. I'm not mobile again by any means but I feel like I'm on track. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/opening-up-1#post-42399 Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:47:52 +0000 truddles 42399@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Did you manage to go out for a drive after your exam? </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/opening-up-1#post-42361 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:46:22 +0000 Anonymous 42361@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I am so pleased to hear that, about the exam and going for a drive. It's a beautiful day here, I hope it's the same where you are and that you can go out in your car. Tricia x </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/opening-up-1#post-42360 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:32:54 +0000 asuvorov 42360@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>You didn't worry me, I worried myself. I already knew that there have been accidental deaths due to electricity, but there are so many variables to consider it's tricky to determine what constitutes a lethal shock. All this talk is not relevant, it's just pointless rationalising as I always seem to do, in my perpetual quest for certainty.</p> <p>I finished the exam, it went very well and I feel much better, my general feelings of anxiety are lower and I am considering going out for a drive in a bit. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/opening-up-1#post-42356 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:33:47 +0000 Anonymous 42356@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I think exam stress is likely to make your OCD worse, any stress does. Good luck with your exams, by the way.</p> <p>As Teresa said, CBT, at least the exposure part, makes things worse to begin with, because we are facing fears head-on.</p> <p>I’m truly sorry for worrying you so much about electrocution. I was just concerned that you believed electricity in the home to be so safe. That doesn’t mean anyone is at risk using appliances correctly. Wet hands are probably the main thing to avoid. My friend’s brother was an electrician and he made an error while working. Also, as I said, like you, I have had a belt off the mains and I came to no harm. In my case I was washing a dusty cable that ran behind kitchen appliances. What I didn’t realize was that mice had chewed part way through it and exposed the wires. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/opening-up-1#post-42355 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:25:00 +0000 swan 42355@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Yes it is common for things to get worse before thye get better but dont be put off. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/opening-up-1#post-42350 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:41:31 +0000 asuvorov 42350@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I have heard about people being towed and forgetting to put the key in, it does look frightening, at least I know I am never likely to make that mistake in the future!</p> <p>I'm sorry but I must be honest in saying that I am deeply alarmed by hearing of somebody you know lost a brother due to electrocution. When I read that I felt all my old fears hurrying back to me and I was stopped dead in my tracks, I had a sudden rush of dread which I am only just recovering from 2 hours or so later.</p> <p>I am now in quite a state, having switched off the main outlets at the wall in my room. I will go to sleep soon because I have an exam in the morning, perhaps I will feel better tomorrow, I think I may force myself to go for a short drive tomorrow afternoon, It's crucial that I at least attempt to make progress.</p> <p>I'm beginning to think that all these symptoms are due to exam stress manifesting itself as OCD. Looking back, many of previous episodes have coincided with periods of change or social upheaval.</p> <p>Is it correct that I may have read somewhere that it is normal for OCD symptoms to become worse for a short time when beginning a CBT program?</p> <p>Anyway thanks for the responses, I'll keep providing updates. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/opening-up-1#post-42337 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:11:24 +0000 Anonymous 42337@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Suvorov, I agree with you. I have read all your messages and it certainly doesn’t sound as if you would ever do anything which would cause obvious harm to yourself or others. I have been thinking about your message and I realized that I have also felt compelled to do things which could be a little risky but are not necessarily so. I am still concerned about your removing the key, though, even in a relatively safe area. Probably because I experienced something similar myself and the incident really alarmed me. (I was being towed when my car wouldn’t start and I left the key on the back seat, forgetting the steering would be locked!).</p> <p>The feeling you are going to shout out ‘bomb’ or ‘terrorist’ is common. Many with OCD experience the same. I refer to it as my ‘Tourette’s‘, but I have never shouted out any inappropriate words and I suppose I can safely say I am unlikely to begin doing so at my age (unless senility takes a hold).</p> <p>Like you, I have had a belt off the mains and survived. I hoped the strength of the shock might fix the wiring in my brain, but alas there was no change. Pease don’t assume you would always be so fortunate. A friend of mine lost her brother due to accidental electrocution. </p> <p>I do appreciate your comments about CBT seeming archaic. If you’ve read some of my recent messages you will know I share your view. However, it does seem to be the best treatment available for us at the present time. Hopefully, such methods will be obsolete before long!</p> <p>Please let us know how you are doing and I’d be interested to hear what you think of the book you have ordered. </p>