Hi, I have just registered, so I hope I am doing this right?
I suffer from OCD and Trichotillomania and I am considering SSRIs to help, but I am concerned about the possible side-effects.
Does anyone have any experience of SSRIs and should I be nervous of the possible side-effects?
Perhaps, they outweigh the symptoms and problems caused by OCD?
Any help or advice would be greatly received!
Unregistered
Welcome! I’m in a rush, but I’m sure others will reply.
In my experience of SSRIs the side-effects are generally not too bad. Most improve after a while anyway. The downside is that the positive effects take longer than the side-effects to appear, but don’t be put off by that. Also it can take 12 weeks for them to help OCD.
Tricia x
Unregistered
Hi
I agree with Tricia. You should expect SSRIs to take up to 12 weeks to take effect with regard to your OCD.
My survey suggests that some OCDers do experience side effects which they find unacceptable, others only experience mild side effects and some none at all. Most OCDers agree that SSRIs help their anxiety / depression if not their
OCD. I was personally suprised and pleased to find that a small dose of Citalopram has helped quieten my thoughts which has in turn helped me to do my CBT/ERP.
I think you should give SSRIs a try. But, I personally believe that they are best taken in conjunction with CBT/ERP.
Let us know how you get on.
Anne
Hi,
I just started taking a small dose of Citalopram too and I've found it has really helped me. I've suffered with OCD since I was young but recently the OCD was getting me so down, I started having panic attacks. I was a bit reluctant to take them at first but now I've been on them for about 3-4 months it was the best thing I did. I've only had 1-2 panic attacks since taking them and now I can manage before they take hold. I've also notived that my OCD - although is still there - is much better! I would strongly recommend you try them but like Anne said CBT is brilliant and if combined is best.
Emma
Unregistered
Agreed with Anne. Medication is good and DOES help OCD, but it works better if you're getting therapy as well. Whether or not They will give you both, idk, but it's worth fighting for. (it WILL literally be a fight. The health service is so stingy it's stupid)
Great advice! Side effects are the reason SO many do not stick with it.
Speaking from experience, yes, the side affects can be miserable, however, if you have a REAL GOOD prescriber, someone who really knows their pharmacology, he \ she will start you on a small dose, & judging how you react, if necessary, will increase the dose monthly, which was my case.
Granted, it was VERY frustrating to be experiencing the side affects & none of the benefits, however, my advice is wait it out. For me, it was appx 2.5 months.
Life can be SO much better...
Thank you for all your advice.
I am currently on the waiting list for CBT but I know that this can take a very long time on the NHS.
In the meantime, I think that I need medication to help cope.
The only thing putting me off has been the possible side effects, eg, increased anxiety, weight-gain, sexual dysfunction, etc.
I don't know if these effect everyone or if the side-effects can be permanent?
I have made an appointment to see my GP with a view to trying SSRIs whilst I wait for CBT.
Hopefully, they will be able to advise me on what would be the best medication for me?
Unregistered
I don’t believe the side-effects you mentioned are ever permanent. Everyone I know who experienced side-effects like that, or others they couldn’t tolerate, found they stopped once the medication was discontinued. With Prozac my hair fell out in handfuls (I have yet to meet anyone else who experienced this, but it is a recognized (albeit it uncommon) side effect. I was assured my hair would return to normal after I stopped the drug and this proved to be the case.
I also suffered slight weight gain, but not everyone does, and I recall the leaflet for Prozac (many years ago) saying it could also cause slight weight loss.
As Anne has already said, some experience side-effects while others do not.
One man I regularly wrote to online went into the details of his sex life after he began an SSRI (Prozac). He was delighted with the ‘side-effect’. Personally, I wanted to say ‘Too much information, Steve’!
The only thing putting me off has been the possible side effects, eg, increased anxiety, weight-gain, sexual dysfunction, etc.My suggestion is to do your "homework." I did & went to the Dr with pages of OCD meds & descriptions, & I highlighted plenty of what I thought was pertinent. I had narrowed it down to two, & the Dr had suggested them as well. Like I said, if you have a Dr with REAL GOOD pharmacology knowledge, you will be in good {or great}hands. Also, don't be shy, ASK your Dr questions. You don't want someone who prescribes one med for everybody.
HTHs & good luck.
Hi
I've been taking Seroxat for 18 years and I have found it immensely helpful. My prescribed dose is 20mg daily, at times of high stress I have increased it to 30mg but generally I manage well on just half a tablet each day with breakfast - 10mg. I have always had side effects of excess stomach acid and constipation but I consider this a small price to pay for the improvement in my OCD. I gained about half a stone in weight and then it stabilised and has not increased further. As for sexual dysfunction, I would not call it dysfunction, rather a slower response to sexual stimulii which, as Tricia mentions is not necessarily a disadvantage.
We are all individuals and we will all respond differently to meds but I certainly have no regrets about taking SSRI's. Hope this helps.
**UPDATE**
I saw my GP yesterday, who prescribed me Fluoxetine to help cope with depression and OCD.
I have started taking the medication and hope to start feeling better soon, though I realise it can take a while to take effect.
I will update on the results.
Thanks again for all the advice.
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