What Medications Have Worked Best For Intrusive Thoughts?

[taurean]

I am working my way towards the possibility of trying medications again, since still badly suffering from intrusions and thought loops, notwithstanding CBT recently carried out..

The intrusions are my main problem and include constantly looping repetitive thoughts so that is what the meds would need to address (as well as any benefit to mood and anxiety).

Any suggestions - with dosage being utilised - folks?

I am likely to struggle with Citapopram and Fluoxetine becasue of side effects previously experienced - unless people have counters to those they can suggest? The main ones were diarrhoea and fatigue.

Edited December 19, 2014 by taurean

[Guest Tricia]

Roy, as you know medications that work for one person (even with identical obsessions) may do little or nothing for another. Dosages often need to be higher than for depression, but again, I know some people who have actually found a lower dose (than the one they had reached) had more effect.

I heard that Abilify (added to fluoxetine) 'cured' one man of very severe intrusive thoughts, but, alas, three months on the effect wore off and he is now suffering again. One of my friends found that fluoxetine (60mg) virtually eliminated her intrusive thoughts and, eight years on, she remains free of them (once they had reduced in intensity she was easily able to ignore them and within weeks they stopped altogether).

[Guest HeadAboveWater]

Roy, as you know medications that work for one person (even with identical obsessions) may do little or nothing for another. Dosages often need to be higher than for depression, but again, I know some people who have actually found a lower dose (than the one they had reached) had more effect.

I heard that Abilify (added to fluoxetine) 'cured' one man of very severe intrusive thoughts, but, alas, three months on the effect wore off and he is now suffering again. One of my friends found that fluoxetine (60mg) virtually eliminated her intrusive thoughts and, eight years on, she remains free of them (once they had reduced in intensity she was easily able to ignore them and within weeks they stopped altogether).

Wow, fluoxetine 60 mg... reduced intrusive thoughts and within weeks were gone. I wish that could be possible for all of us. I hope this new medication that I am on begins to work that way. Today is my 7th day taking it.

Edited December 19, 2014 by HeadAboveWater

[Guest HeadAboveWater]

I am working my way towards the possibility of trying medications again, since still badly suffering from intrusions and thought loops, notwithstanding CBT recently carried out..

The intrusions are my main problem and include constantly looping repetitive thoughts so that is what the meds would need to address (as well as any benefit to mood and anxiety).

Any suggestions - with dosage being utilised - folks?

I am likely to struggle with Citapopram and Fluoxetine becasue of side effects previously experienced - unless people have counters to those they can suggest? The main ones were diarrhoea and fatigue.

Can I just ask you a question - I think I have asked you before but - is looping thoughts when a new thought pops into your head (regarding the theme of your obsession) and then even when you are trying to let it be it just keeps going around and around and making you more and more anxious?

[Yrrow]

Has anyone had any success with sertraline? I haven't had much personal success yet with controlling my ruminating. I don't want to bother taking it, though, if I'm not going to see much of a difference. I tried one pill (I know it takes a couple weeks to have a difference), and I had some horrible side effects. But I'm starting to get desperate here.

I hope you don't mind me posting in the same thread. I was about to ask this anyhow, but figured it may be relevant to this discussion.

[taurean]

Can I just ask you a question - I think I have asked you before but - is looping thoughts when a new thought pops into your head (regarding the theme of your obsession) and then even when you are trying to let it be it just keeps going around and around and making you more and more anxious?

In a word, yes. But its continual unless I can manage a really strong distraction.

[Guest HeadAboveWater]

In a word, yes. But its continual unless I can manage a really strong distraction.

Yeah, I get that also.

[taurean]

Has anyone had any success with sertraline? I haven't had much personal success yet with controlling my ruminating. I don't want to bother taking it, though, if I'm not going to see much of a difference. I tried one pill (I know it takes a couple weeks to have a difference), and I had some horrible side effects. But I'm starting to get desperate here.

I hope you don't mind me posting in the same thread. I was about to ask this anyhow, but figured it may be relevant to this discussion.

I am of course mindful of what Tricia said at the head of the topic.

My doctor is keen to prescribe Sertraline but I haven't found evidence of it doing the job re thought intrusions..

I have looked through my previous notes and I find that Citalopram and the more modern Escitalopram (Cipralex) mentioned well , sometimes together with another drug like Abilify 5mg or Risperadine 2mg to tackle the thoughts better. - these latter are anti-psychotics.

Essentially I found good reports on Fluoextine (Prozac) - but I can't tolerate it.

Escatilopram is expensive so although had good reports on it re intrusions NHS may baulk at it.

Whitebeam is doing well on Chlomipramine but I concerned re weight gain on that one.

[taurean]

Yeah, I get that also.

But its episodic and I can be free of looping for long periods between episodes - suggesting a stuck brain. .

[Binxy]

I'm two weeks into a course of Chlomipramine. I'm currently at 110mg/day and this is still steadily increasing. My side effects are bearable at the moment- mainly a dry mouth. No weight gain so far.

[taurean]

Well that is good - what is the target doseage you are seeking?

[worriedjohn]

Desvenlafaxine (Prisitiq) worked best for me. Although I know this medicine is not safe and very hard to withdraw.

[Guest HeadAboveWater]

Desvenlafaxine (Prisitiq) worked best for me. Although I know this medicine is not safe and very hard to withdraw.

Why is Desvenlafaxine not safe?

I just started on Venlafaxine (Effexor), is that similar to Desvenlafaxine?

[Yrrow]

I am of course mindful of what Tricia said at the head of the topic.

My doctor is keen to prescribe Sertraline but I haven't found evidence of it doing the job re thought intrusions..

I have looked through my previous notes and I find that Citalopram and the more modern Escitalopram (Cipralex) mentioned well , sometimes together with another drug like Abilify 5mg or Risperadine 2mg to tackle the thoughts better. - these latter are anti-psychotics.

Essentially I found good reports on Fluoextine (Prozac) - but I can't tolerate it.

Escatilopram is expensive so although had good reports on it re intrusions NHS may baulk at it.

Whitebeam is doing well on Chlomipramine but I concerned re weight gain on that one.

Thanks Taurean. I will need to look into these options further. I don't know why sertraline seems to be frequently recommended, as I have found more evidence for it working for depression vs. Ocd. I already have a script for the sertraline, though, so I am debating whether to try it again. I just couldn't believe the side effects after one 50 mg pill!!

[PolarBear]

A combination of Cipralex (30mg) and Respiradone (1.5mg) reduced my obsessions significantly. Cipralex is expensive.

I had no side effects with the Cipralex. I had restless legs on Respiradone (went away after a couple of weeks) and minor weight gain.

[Guest HeadAboveWater]

A combination of Cipralex (30mg) and Respiradone (1.5mg) reduced my obsessions significantly. Cipralex is expensive.

I had no side effects with the Cipralex. I had restless legs on Respiradone (went away after a couple of weeks) and minor weight gain.

What is Respiradone?

[taurean]

I think Respiradone is an anti-psychotic.

Might it conceivably work with sertraline PolarBear?

[Guest HeadAboveWater]

I think Respiradone is an anti-psychotic.

Might it conceivably work with sertraline PolarBear?

Is an anti-psychotic generally prescribed for OCD?

I also have Valium, but as others have warned me here, I only take it when I REALLY need it. I took it last night.

[Guest AJ45]

Hi all, recently I have commenced chlomipramine, and " oh my god" - so far so good. The thoughts have gone ( I know my intrusive thoughts are no where near others ) but wow. My hand washing is awful , but there are moments when I am not even thinking about it. My mood is good. I have started going out a bit .

I have to say the last time I tried a new drug, I also had a few good days, then it passed and was all worse again , then side effects kicked in and it all went wrong again. So at the moment I'm just waiting for it to strike again, and side effects to be hell.

But at the moment I would say give it a try !

Only down for me is the weight issue, but that's a side effect I am prepared to suffer. I also feel very isolated, alone in the world and tearful.

Take care all trying new drugs - my thoughts and best wishes are with you. AJ

[taurean]

Hi all, recently I have commenced chlomipramine, and " oh my god" - so far so good. The thoughts have gone ( I know my intrusive thoughts are no where near others ) but wow. My hand washing is awful , but there are moments when I am not even thinking about it. My mood is good. I have started going out a bit .

I have to say the last time I tried a new drug, I also had a few good days, then it passed and was all worse again , then side effects kicked in and it all went wrong again. So at the moment I'm just waiting for it to strike again, and side effects to be hell.

But at the moment I would say give it a try !

Only down for me is the weight issue, but that's a side effect I am prepared to suffer. I also feel very isolated, alone in the world and tearful.

Take care all trying new drugs - my thoughts and best wishes are with you. AJ

Does it really have an effect on weight?

[Guest AJ45]

Does it really have an effect on weight?

Yes. It affects your metabolism and makes you want to eat . The trick I understand is to make sure you have a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and excercise if you can. So basically you control the weight. Easier said than done for me I'm afraid - but not everyone . Have a healthy lifestyle and I imagine it's controlable .

[taurean]

Well any more for any more anyone?

from what i can see,. citalopram fluoxetine and chlomipramine, cipralex(escitalopram) have some worth on intrusions for a number of people - soemtines anothe drug is needed.

I am favluring the chlomipramine but it will have resistance from my wife because of the metabolism and weight issue.

[Guest Tricia]

Wow, fluoxetine 60 mg... reduced intrusive thoughts and within weeks were gone. I wish that could be possible for all of us. I hope this new medication that I am on begins to work that way. Today is my 7th day taking it.

My friend was about to give up with fluoxetine - she was in her eleventh week when it began to work (the intrusive thoughts then reduced in intensity and it was a few weeks later when they stopped altogether). All SSRIs can take three months to be fully effective, so don't give up with your medication too soon.

[Guest Tricia]

Yes. It affects your metabolism and makes you want to eat . The trick I understand is to make sure you have a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and excercise if you can. So basically you control the weight. Easier said than done for me I'm afraid - but not everyone . Have a healthy lifestyle and I imagine it's controlable .

Although I agree that some drugs increase appetite, the altered metabolism alone can cause weight gain even if the appetite and diet remain unchanged.

[taurean]

It's a problem isn't it? My sster switched to prozac (fluoxetine) because of this.

At the moment I am back to thinking where i was last time I saw my psychiatrist in 2011. She really wanted me to stick at fluoxetine and was really sure it would help, but I couldn't function at all and had permanent diarrhoea. She might prescriebe the escitalpopram but more likely privately not on NHS

The doctor would prescibe sertraline tomorrow, but doesn't look like it has a record for dealing with intrusions.

I think i'll have to get into the local MH support team via the doctor and maybe see if he'll listen to the forum and go with a support medication to the sertraline to address the intrusive thoughts. No point in making assumptions - they are desperately keen to help me, but it may take a while - and meantime the looping may stop. and if it does, then the herbal supplements may prove to be helpful.