Really unsure about meds?

[rainbow11]

I am really unsure whether or not to try medication for my ocd, i know it wont make my ocd go away, but i find that im miserable most of the time and hardly ever have a day where im happy.
I feel like i cant enjoy anything, its like there is a permanent black cloud hanging over me and just lately i want to cry all the time and its not my hormones! lol. I used to be able to tell the different between being due on my period and other times, but its all rolled into one now and im just moody all the time.

Im just not sure whether to try meds or not, im scared of side effects and going back downhill when i come off them. Please can someone give me some help to help me make a decision?

Thanks

[KarenM]

I know some people here are against meds but my ocd and depression was so out of control that I was hospitalized. Zoloft has really helped ease the anxiety that the thoughts cause. It makes it easier to do my exposure therapy. It helps make my thoughts background noise. For me, I'm in no rush to get off the Zoloft (unless I want a third child). That's my opinion.
Good luck.

You know what, if something can help to make you happy, why not do it?? I was severely depressed at the beginning of this year, and was very unsure about meds as well. Everyone was telling me not to do it, and that I would regret it, except for my dad who I believe deals with OCD as well...So despite what everyone said, I got on 20 mg of Prozac, and I have never been happier. The Prozac has allowed me to go through therapy, and work really hard at getting my OCD under control. And now I am starting to decrease my dosage because I think I have my OCD under control...But I imagine that I will continue to take it. It keeps the cloud lifted. With the medication you can see the light, where when you don't have medication, it can be very hard. Meds are not THE answer, but they can definitely help to get to that answer. I was worried about side effects as well, but all in all, they weren't too bad. The one that has been the hardest to deal with is how tired I am during the day, but you know what, I would rather be tired and happy, than tired and unhappy. The other one that is big is sexual side effects, which I have had a little problem with, but I think there are ways of working that out. Good luck. And whatever decision you make will be the best one for you.

[october_bear]

hey!

i was really unsure about meds too. i'm a really, extremely anxious/uneasy person by nature. i've just been like that my whole life and i almost accepted a life of anxiety. i went on zoloft a couple months ago and that was a mistake. i almost didn't want to go on meds ever again. but then i started feeling SO bad and the herbal remedies i was using just were not enough. last month, i started taking a low dose of prozac, and that has really taken the edge off. it's not a magic pill, but it keeps me from getting too keyed up like i used to, and i'm satisfied. i still have my bad days/moments, but they're usually only really bad when i'm PMSing/menstruating (and those times have always been bad for me anyway).

of course, everyone's body chemistry is different as you already know and what works for one may not work for another. but make sure you see a psychiatrist you feel comfortable with and who you trust. also, if you feel comfortable, tell at least one person who is close to you that you are taking medication. that way, they can let you know of any funky changes going on w/ your behavior that you may not notice. and if you don't wanna tell anyone, keep a journal/take notes on how you feel day by day, at least in the first couple weeks. if you end up not liking it, or if it's making you feel totally nuts, talk to the doctor.

keep us updated. good luck.

[DoomSong]

Taking meds or not taking meds should be your choice alone, since you are the one taking them. I know some people are against them and that's fine, but that choice isn't always what is best for everyone. If you choose to give them a try, you can always stop if you don't like it. You might also want to make sure your doctor is willing to try different things. When I had insurance and was on meds, my doctor would have me try a med for awhile. If I didn't feel it was working, he'd fiddle with the dosage or if I didn't like it, we'd try a new med. After awhile, we did find one and proper dosage that worked for me. Just makes sure your doctor is willing to work with you if you chose to take meds.

[pacificposter]

Wow, I could have written that post about two weeks ago.

Two opposing thoughts:
Since that time, my mood has improved appreciably. If I were to take medication, it would be mostly to help with depression, but mine tends to come and go on its own.

BUT, several years ago, I had a depression (related to my OCD), that stayed around a long time. At that time I took a low dose of Prozac, and it helped a lot. It also helped me work on exposure therapy. I didn't stay on it too long, and nothing terrible happened when I went off it.

It is, of course, a very personal decision.