anti-psychotics

[lilyflower]

So, my dr. wants to prescribe .5 of an anti-psychotic in addition to the cipralex I take.  I'm really fearful of the side effects of 

the drug.  Does anyone take anti-psychotic drugs for their OCD?

[PhilM]

OK just my view and I can only talk from my own experiences but I was prescribed quetipine (excuse my spelling) and it made me feel like a zombie. This was about 10 years ago. i

[PhilM]

I do not believe drugs like that are appropriate for anxiety disorders and I think a lot of long term sufferers with OCD would agree. Look into it online but at the end of the day it is your call. Best wishes Phil

[Wonderer]

I take 100mg of qietiapine in addition to mirtazipine, I noticed an amazing reduction in my symptoms with the addition of the anti-psychotic, it's different for everyone though, u won't know unless u try it. The decision is entirely yours! Good luck xx

[PolarBear]

Some people are prescribed antipsychotics in addition to an SSRI for the treatment of OCD. The jury is out on the effectiveness of this over a large group. Some people (like me) report a profound, positive change by taking them. Others don't see any change at all. There are, just like with SSRIs, possible side effects that you should be aware of.

[PhilM]

https://ocdtalk.wordpress.com/2013/10/06/ocd-and-atypical-antipsychotics/

From someone's personal experience. Obviously we are all different.

Edited June 9, 2016 by PhilM

[Guest OCDhavenobrain]

My doctor told me that you can get tics (tourettes) "for real" in the face. Got so scared i never wanted to touch them, even if i sometimes feel pretty damn psychotic when my ocd is as bad as in these periods

[PhilM]

OCD has nothing to do with psychosis but I know a common fear of sufferers is of "going mad". A common symptom of anxiety. From what I understand the major difference between sufferers of anxiety disorders and psychotic disorders is that we have insight - they generally don't unfortunately.

[Guest OCDhavenobrain]

18 minutes ago, PhilM said:

OCD has nothing to do with psychosis but I know a common fear of sufferers is of "going mad". A common symptom of anxiety. From what I understand the major difference between sufferers of anxiety disorders and psychotic disorders is that we have insight - they generally don't unfortunately.

When you think you are going to die right there because the asbestos is everywhere do you feel pretty crazy

[PhilM]

I know - honestly I know. I've had OCD for most of my adult life. I can't emphasise enough how many people with anxiety disorders think they are going "crazy". What do you think would happen if you did go "crazy"?

[Ashley]

16 hours ago, lilyflower said:

Does anyone take anti-psychotic drugs for their OCD?

I am not sure that question will help you, because everyone's response to meds will differ.

Generally though there is a train of thought by some that Anti-psychotics are no better than a placebo (from a very large US study about 3/4 years ago).  Dr Veale told me about a year ago that his research showed that there is a 4-week cut-off point.  That if anti-psychotics will help someone, it should be showing by week 4 but if no difference is detected by week 4 then chances are they won't have any effect.

As always if the Dr is not also referring you for more therapy or specialist therapy then you have to ask the question why do they want you to take more meds.

 

[PhilM]

Another question? Aren't those drugs as difficult to get off as benzos?

[Ashley]

I think any drug can have the potential to be challenging in some capacity, but no, generally they're not on the same page as benzo's.

[lilyflower]

Thank you so much for your replies.  I did take the anti-psychotic once and it did help, but I gained almost 20 pounds in maybe 2-3 months.

I read that prolactin can be affected and that scares me even though the dr says it shouldn't be a problem.   The side effects they worry

about are high sugar and cholesterol.  

[Handy]

5 hours ago, PhilM said:

I know - honestly I know. I've had OCD for most of my adult life. I can't emphasise enough how many people with anxiety disorders think they are going "crazy". What do you think would happen if you did go "crazy"?

They would not be aware of it by definition.

[PolarBear]

It should be pointed out that if you are taking anti-psychotics for OCD it doesn't mean you are psychotic or showing symptoms of psychosis. SSRIs regulate the amount of serotonin (a neurotransmitter) in the brain. Anti-psychotics regulate dopamine and other neurotransmitters. That's all.

[PhilM]

Hey I agree. But it's like yeah symptoms might be suppressed but where's the long term gain? Lifetime on drugs?

[PhilM]

Anyone's decisions regarding medication is a personal choice and I totally respect that but I - just me  - worry about those drugs. I just want my fellow OCD sufferers to be OK whatever route their journey takes them.

[Guest Alexander Ezhov]

You should lister to your psychiatrist as there won't be any long term consequences of taking a neuroleptic.  The funny thing about OCD is that medication with almost contradictory mechanism of action can have beneficial effects as both amphetamines, methylphenidate and caffeine have been shown to have positive effects on about half of all OCD sufferers.  You never know how it will affect you and if someone with 8 more years of med school and who knows how many years in residency think the possible benefits outweigh the risks then go for it.

[lilyflower]

Alexander, you sound like my psychiatrist!!! 

[PhilM]

Amphetamines? Really?

[Ashley]

On ‎12‎/‎06‎/‎2016 at 11:02, Alexander Ezhov said:

You should lister to your psychiatrist as there won't be any long term consequences of taking a neuroleptic.  The funny thing about OCD is that medication with almost contradictory mechanism of action can have beneficial effects as both amphetamines, methylphenidate and caffeine have been shown to have positive effects on about half of all OCD sufferers.  You never know how it will affect you and if someone with 8 more years of med school and who knows how many years in residency think the possible benefits outweigh the risks then go for it.

Just because someone did 8 years of med school does not mean they are experts in OCD for starters!   

Some medications may have benefits for people with OCD but it is also widely reported that for many other people medication can have negative outcomes.   Your comment about amphetamines is very alarming and dangerous thing to be suggesting, and in the UK we DO NOT recommend for the treatment of OCD.

Caffeine is also widely reported to increase anxiety for people too, so I don't know where you are coming from but you are posting stuff, which is not proven.

 

[Guest Alexander Ezhov]

2 hours ago, Ashley said:

Just because someone did 8 years of med school does not mean they are experts in OCD for starters!   

Some medications may have benefits for people with OCD but it is also widely reported that for many other people medication can have negative outcomes.   Your comment about amphetamines is very alarming and dangerous thing to be suggesting, and in the UK we DO NOT recommend for the treatment of OCD.

Caffeine is also widely reported to increase anxiety for people too, so I don't know where you are coming from but you are posting stuff, which is not proven.

 

I guess we are doing this now, but ok.  Although there have not been fantastic studies on the use of dopaminergic drugs in OCD and GAD, the studies that have been done show that in most OCD sufferers they do help.  The comment about amphetamines shouldn't be alarming at all, in medicine intuition isn't really a helpful tool as it can lead you down the wrong path.  I mean who would have guessed methylphenidate would help Hyperactive people, but guess whats used to treat ADHD?? Dopaminergic drugs.....Caffeine is a good way to manage OCD in a large population but like I said before psychiatrists are the best resource.  8 years of medical school and 3-5 years of residency kinda does make them experts on OCD.....

 

 

Edited June 13, 2016 by Ashley
Removed links to external links

[whitebeam]

On 08/06/2016 at 20:35, lilyflower said:

So, my dr. wants to prescribe .5 of an anti-psychotic in addition to the cipralex I take.  I'm really fearful of the side effects of 

the drug.  Does anyone take anti-psychotic drugs for their OCD?

Hi lilyflower

I think it is perfectly legitimate to ask this question as, if it is being prescribed for OCD, it is useful to have as much knowledge as possible - even if that knowledge is from others' experiences.

As with all meds, some will suit some but not others; what helps one may not help another and so on.

My experience with anti-psychotics was not good at all. After I had been taking them for some time, I developed what I think is called hyper-kinesis. I could not be still - mentally and physically I was extremely agitated. I could not sit, lie or stand still. If sitting or lying I had to rock; when standing, I had to keep moving - I used to pace up and down - i could not be still.

My mouth used to open in an unusual way - again, I had no control over it - it just used to happen.

Mentally, to, i was agitated - but of course, I did not realise this - I just felt more and more out of control.

Once off the meds, i was fine in these respects - my OCD was still there but I didn't have the agitation.

 

I am not, however, anti-meds - after some trial and error, i was prescribed a medication that really helped the OCD and, in my opinion, was responsible for my recovery.

 

I think, as long as we are being monitored by a psychiatrist or whoever and, if possible, we can monitor ourselves and how we are reacting to vvarious meds, it is worth trying them........you never know what might help.

 

Take care

whitebeam

 

[Guest Alexander Ezhov]

12 minutes ago, whitebeam said:

Hi lilyflower

I think it is perfectly legitimate to ask this question as, if it is being prescribed for OCD, it is useful to have as much knowledge as possible - even if that knowledge is from others' experiences.

As with all meds, some will suit some but not others; what helps one may not help another and so on.

My experience with anti-psychotics was not good at all. After I had been taking them for some time, I developed what I think is called hyper-kinesis. I could not be still - mentally and physically I was extremely agitated. I could not sit, lie or stand still. If sitting or lying I had to rock; when standing, I had to keep moving - I used to pace up and down - i could not be still.

My mouth used to open in an unusual way - again, I had no control over it - it just used to happen.

Mentally, to, i was agitated - but of course, I did not realise this - I just felt more and more out of control.

Once off the meds, i was fine in these respects - my OCD was still there but I didn't have the agitation.

 

I am not, however, anti-meds - after some trial and error, i was prescribed a medication that really helped the OCD and, in my opinion, was responsible for my recovery.

 

I think, as long as we are being monitored by a psychiatrist or whoever and, if possible, we can monitor ourselves and how we are reacting to vvarious meds, it is worth trying them........you never know what might help.

 

Take care

whitebeam

 

I think you were referring to akathisia which is a need to move, which is a possible side affect of neuroleptics.