Medication - Effects

[Janey]

I am taking Luvox for my OCD. Does anyone take this? What are your side effects? i get the shakes and my moods seem to be all over the place

[goawayanxiety]

Hi Janey,
I have been on Luvox for 12 years.  Actually am on a generic for a few years because Luvox isn't available.  I feel that Luvox has given me the best 12 years of my life.  I was prescribed to take 150mg a day, but gradually went to 100mg only because I had no anxiety or OCD for years.
About 3 weeks ago, I started to get some OCD symptoms back and physical anxiety, so I increased my medication back up to 150mg per day; am also going to an OCD GAD specialist this week.
I had a great "anxiety free 12 years, and I think the Luvox was great for me.
Good luck to you.
p.s.  didn't have any adverse reactions to Luvox; just sometimes memory problems; that could be to anything though even age (i'm 56, female).

[Janey]

Hi there,

Wow i never thought i could get a hold of anyone on this medication. I am on the generic brand as well because it is cheaper. I am taking one and a half tablets a day. I can say in some areas of my OCD it has helped me, others i think will have to be addressed at behaviour therapy. It has helped completely with my anxiety except for a few occasions. You will have to let me know how you go with the specialist!! Thanks so much for your feed back.

Janey

[goawayanxiety]

Hi Janey,
You're right about not many people knowing about Luvox (fluvoxamine).  My family doctor never even heard of it.  Yes, 1 and 1/2 tablet probably is a total of 150mg.  Each of my tablets is 100 mg.

I willl let you know how I make out at doctor this week.  He is a behavior modification specialist.  I've never met him before.  Last time I even needed behavior mod was over 12 years ago and had a wonderful woman behaviorist, but unfortunately, she moved to Florida.

GOOD LUCK TO US BOTH!!
Jackie

[Janey]

Hi Jackie,

I am really pleased to be in contact with someone who has dealt with this type of disorder for a long time. I hope you don't mind if i ask you questions from time to time.

I have one now actually. With your meds do you find that some things you can't change and you have had to deal with it and try and fix them yourself?

[goawayanxiety]

I'm not sure what you mean when you ask that on my medication "there are some things I have to deal with and change myself".
If you are asking if I still have some obessions even with taking the medication, the answer is, most of the time no.  However,
when I first started the medication 12 years ago, I was seeing a behavior therapist who did help me.
My OCD problem was with obessions only, not with performing any rituals. I did have rituals as a child (so did my sister), but I understand this is fairly common as a child, and some grow out of their OCD.  My childhood rituals were checking, counting, etc.
Now my anxiety is more or less "free floating". 
I don't know if I mentioned this to you before, but there were a few books that really helped me alot.  They are:
Hope & Help for your Nerves by Claire Weeks
Peace from Nervous Suffering by Claire Weeks.   (any book by Claire Weeks is great)  Her books were all published in the 1970's, but she really understands OCD, and anxiety.
Another book is: "Stop Obessing" by Edna Foa.  This is more of a behavior modification book and is easy to understand.

Most of my thoughts that create anxiety and get "stuck" in my head are thoughts about myself that are either shameful or guilty thoughts or "what if" thoughts.

If you ever want to send me an e-mail without it being "posted" for all to view, please feel free.
I also am happy to find someone to connect with. 
Take care, and don't worry!!
Jackie

[Janey]

Hi Jackie,

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

I have been on the medication for about 4 months now and it has helped with my rituals (checking doors, stoves, lights, placing certain things a certain way etc) and anxiety, but when it comes to germs i can't help but get worried and think about it constantly. I went and saw my doctor yesterday he said that i need to go and see a therapist.

It so frustrating because i know i have this problem and it is exausting everyday to worry so much. I am just trying to do everything i can to try and go through my day without a worry and enjoy myself.

I am going to go to the bookstore and have a look for those titles you gave me.

Thanks for listening

Janey

[goawayanxiety]

Janey,
If you don't see the books at the book store, then ask if they can order them for you; or go on to amazon.com and see if you can get the books thru them.
They really do help....and believe me, i've bought many books on anxiety thru the years.
I didn't go over the edge into obsession with germs; but I worked for a company (office) for 30 years and every morning would spray my telephone with Lysol (no one used my phone but me!) It became a joke in the office that whenever anyone wanted to clean their own telephone, they would come and borrow my Lysol.  Of course, they made fun of me about always spraying my phone, but sometimes jokes help reduce the anxiety.
I also try not to touch escalator rails and when I return home from being out, the first thing I usually do is wash my hands.
These things I do I know are no where near obsessing over germs, just little quirks.
Don't worry, you'll get through the "germ thing".  Find a good behavior therapist.
take it nice and easy. 
I'm going to my gym tonite to "work off" some anxiety.
jackie

[Janey]

Yeah it has become a bit of a joke to my little brother. My doctor tells me that having OCD does have benefits. Alot of employers love people who have it because they can be perfectionists with everything they do at work.

When it comes to my work i know i am very good at what i do and always make sure everything is tidy and in it's place and everything is done that needs to be done when i leave the office.

So our disorder can be of help and benefit to some people!! saying that helps me a bit sometimes.

Hope the gym helped with the anxiety