I have severe anxiety/ OCD, I need to get on a medication that will actually do something for me !
What is the best medication to help treat anxiety/ OCD ?
Question posted by xoarielle9 on 13 Nov 2009
Last updated on 7 January 2018 by yearsofocd
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
15 Answers
yearsofocd
7 Jan 2018
I have treatment refractory OCD.
Took so many drugs (proper dosages and time periods) and cocktails and none of it works.
Common side effects: Tiredness, Dry Mouth, Messed up Sexual problems.
SSRIs, SNRIs, Tryclclics and Antipyschotics do nothing good for me.
Benzos I take only every few days sometimes (and they work). But when you take them for a long time, you need to increase and increase... not good to do.
Such a shame nothing out there works for me (and probably some have this problem too). I have tried several alternatives, the only one that helped somewhat was NAC (no prescription needed). Im thinking of trying brain stimulation.
Sigh...
granny50
6 March 2012
Benzodiapines are good. Ativan, valium e.ct. But don't take them to long you can get addicted..
Jugg2112
13 Oct 2012
Been on them twenty years and am addicted but no other cure for ocd so I don't really care in end.
mywinchester
6 March 2012
Honestly, first- I have OCPD / Anxiety/Panic W/Agoraphobia;therefore, I've been on SSOOOO many meds over the last ten yrs N' the most important thing I have learn is to accept who I am N' what I need for me, how I need things and surround myself w/only people who love me for that. N' if I plan an outing that might be a lil' unpleasurable, I only go w/my spouse or Bestie (both can read me like a book N' know the signs when I am starting to not b as comfortable). I also don't over plan, this is NEVER good. Do I still have attacks, YES, but their tolerable. Do I get annoyed w/my routines (rituals)? Of course... but I accept them, N' the moments pass. You have to remember, you have Anxiety/OCD, it doesn't have u, your stronger then u may believe!!! I haven't taken meds for 7 yrs except Kava liquid if I know I can't calm myself. To many people r so medicated they don't know who they r, I've been there AND now I am in control!!! Good luck N' God Bless You!!
Nellybell83
29 Nov 2017
I have been on so many medications for anxiety,depression,schitzophrania,bipolar... currently on fluoxetine,making me worse I don't even know who I am anymore,can't focus,concentrate,think,nothing,my mood is out of control..feels like I'm all alone,constantly thinking something is wrong with me,jump at every little noise,idk... what to do anymore,feels like I am slowly losing my family..then again it could just be me..I feel so lost and alone..does anyone out there go threw this and what are you taking that helps... any suggestions please would be greatly appreciated thankyou
drkatzjr
20 Jan 2012
You should use caution if using both Luvox and Xanax together, as it increases Xanax markedly
Review the Prescribing Information for Luvox
Less Than Human
16 Sep 2011
I have GAD, MDD, OCD, a panic disorder, PTSD, etc...
I take Abilify, Cymbalta, and Klonopin and it has helped me regain my life.
caringsonbj
5 March 2011
the doctor needs to be the one who makes the decision and or psychiatrist and he needs your help, the following drugs are either for or used in combination for what you describe, they are celexa, pristiq, Wellbutrin, Prozac these alone or in combination with others work well for this problem, there are also drugs know as benzodiazepines also work well /in combination with these they are better known as xanax, ativan, klonopin, valium, every person is different, what works for me might not work for you at all, therefore it's important that a qualified physician help you decide according to your symptoms, if you need further information please feel free to write us and we will be glad to help you, take good care,
Inactive
5 March 2011
i have OCD, and i have all my life, my mom said when i was little, i had to have my toy's just in the right place. So goes the life of a person with this problem. I have tryed alot of Rx. and i felt the same way one of the other answer's. You couldn't care less about what is going on around you, it's terrible. You feel like a zombie! My life is so stressed because of ocd, it is a totally comsuming problem. my life revolves around me cleaning all the time, and yet, it's never all done, not to me, alway's see something else that is "needing to be cleaned" I put my family and husband through hell, so many thing's that drive me crazy, don't wear shoe's in the house, take off your clothes at the door, if you have dirt on them , the list is never ending., I don't enjoy family coming to my house, because, then i feel like everything need's to be cleaned, vacuumed, dusted, ETC.
qball13
9 Dec 2010
I also have severe anxiety and OCD. While I do not believe there is a "best" medication in general to treat these disorders, because everybody reacts differently to different medications, I do believe there is a right medication for you. I have been on several antidepressants and benzodiazapines to treat my symptoms, and after much trial and error, I am now on Prozac and Xanax, and I finally feel like my normal self.
hernandaz123
12 May 2010
yes! finally sum1 just like me! but hey, tell me if you find a drug for OCD and Anxity, because i really need to get off this xanax im takeing for my sever Anxity, and i need to find a medication for my OCD also! so, please, tell me if you find sumthing that works for you!
jeffreycarter70
12 July 2010
Paxil 40mg. is very good for me... OCD and Generalized anxiety.
guitaryes
28 Jan 2010
I have had ocd symptoms along with anxiety ,sleep etc.I'm on paxil now for sleep and it has helped with my ocd symptoms such as checking the stove doorlocks etc. Paxil is a great medication and has treated more than one of my mental health problems.I am able to sleep at night and feel relaxed on it.It takes a week or more to start working on patients.
Para_Le_Gal
22 Nov 2009
I was officially diagnosed with OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and ADHD approximately 12 years ago, although I can look back on my childhood and teen years and see manifestations of all 3. I am a 36 yr old female and mother of 2 girls (13 & 6). I am currently taking 15 mg of Adderall (for ADHD), 10mg Lexapro daily (for OCD), 1-2 mg of Xanax (Alprazolam) and 1mg of Klonopin (Clonazepam) prior to going to bed (for anxiety).
Originally started with Luvox (no noticeable improvement in 4-6 weeks; then switched to Prozac without any improvement; and finally ended up taking Zoloft (max dose 200mg daily) along with trazodone (a Serotonin enhancer). I took this for about about 5 years, until I got pregnant with 2nd daughter and had to discontinue all meds. Was medication free for almost 3 years, and tried to just fight my OCD tendencies each day. However, my anxiety would manifest itself in my dreams/nightmares...
and I decided I had to go back onto medication. Tried Zoloft and trazodone again but had a severe reaction ("serotonin syndrome").
There are so many SSRI and SSNRI (antidepressants) available now. The older medications (Zoloft, Prozac and Celexa) now have generic alternatives, which are equally effective and much cheaper. I would strongly suggest you begin with an antidepressant (SSRI or SSNRI) that has been around for several years, has the least known/common side effects, least known/reported amount of withdrawal symptoms and has a generic equivalent. I have experienced withdrawal symptoms from Zoloft and Lexapro... and they are extremely unpleasant. If your Dr suggests trying Lexapro or Effexor first... "JUST SAY NO". Although Lexapro has been fairly effective for me (but not 100%) I would not suggest starting out with this medication (try generic of Celexa before Lexapro) simply because of the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Drs are quick to refuse anti-anxiety meds, such as Xanax or Klonopin, because of their potential for "abuse" and "addiction". However, no Dr has ever warned me of the "withdrawal syndrome" I would experience if I stopped taking an SSRI or SSNRI antidepressants... I had to learn that one the hard way and then research it on the internet. I can go months without Xanax or Klonopin and have no "withdrawal" symptoms... but 3-4 days without my Lexapro and I feel like I have the worst flu ever, electrical sensations ("buzzing" in my brain or "zaps" in other body parts) dizziness, migraines and total inability to function until back on it for 2+ days.
Drug companies are always finding ways to slightly modify an existing antidepressant, thereby creating a new "patent" and no generics can be produced until patent has expired. (example: Lexapro is one or two molecules bonded differently than Celexa, thereby creating a new SSRI to patent and instead of $12 month supply of generic Celexa I now pay $90 for month supply of Lexapro (some pharmacies were charging almost double this amount). Then the Drug companies' marketing reps promote and "tout" the newest and greatest medications, providing huge quantities to Dr's, who in turn recommend them to their patients and give out samples.
As others have posted, you may have to try several meds before finding the one that works for you, as everyone's body and brain chemistry are different. Once you've found one that works for you, and you've been on it for 3+ months, NEVER discontinue taking it "cold turkey"... you must gradually taper your dose over 6-8 weeks (and sometimes even longer).
Hope this helps and best of luck to you!
Inactive
23 Nov 2009
You sound like me. I take 40mg of Adderall XR in the morning along with 1 mg of Xanax. Then about mid afternoon I take 20mg of Regular Adderall with another 1mg of Xanax. I have to take 1mg of Xanax 4 times a day. But since I had that seizure my anxiety has gotten worse. I have appointment with my pshyc doctor tomorrow afternoon. I am going to let him know that. But I have found that the best way for me to sleep through the night and not wake up with a panic or anxiety attack is to take anywhere from 2-3mg of Xanax. When I first saw the Pshyc doctor he told me that Depression and Anxiety can go into hiding. It could stay gone for years. And then one day come back. And when it does come back it comes back 10x's worse. Which that is what has happened to me. So I have what I call a sleeping cocktail. My Xanax and Tylenol PM. I have tried Ambien and Ambien CR. Neither one makes me tired and of course I don't sleep.
He knew something wasn't right when Ambien CR didn't put me to sleep. So he is hoping that once he gets my Anxiety and ADHD under control I will be able to sleep. I am new at all this ADHD stuff. I am 31 years old and just found out last year I have ADHD and have had it my whole life.
Para_Le_Gal
23 Nov 2009
marriedtoamarine02: It certainly does help to know we are not alone in our struggles (with diagnosis & meds)... I had the same experience with Ambien... it did not help me fall asleep or stay asleep, and 2 weeks of massive morning headaches, Dr put me back on Klonopin and increased the Xanax slightly. Re your sleeping "cocktail", Tylenol PM contains diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine. Unisom has 2 different formulations, one contains same amount of diphenhydramine as Tylenol PM (just without the acetaminophen) and the other contains doxylamine succinate, which is also an antihistamine. I take 2 Unisoms (or generic/store brand equivalent) with the doxylamine succinate (50mg total), in addition to 3mg of melatonin and my anti-anxiety meds. And wanted to let you know that there is an equivalent alternative to Tylenol PM, minus the pain reliever, in case you were interested. The Adderall works very well in helping me focus... but sometimes aggravates my OCD.
Current Dr strongly believes that ADHD creates a huge amount of anxiety and that getting ADD/ADHD under control, is key to reducing anxiety. However, Adderall is a stimulant and that definitely makes it difficult to fall asleep... thus MY "evening cocktail". According to Dr and my personal experience, Xanax is much shorter & quicker acting "anti-anxiety" medicine, it acts fast, but only relieves anxiety for about 4 hours. I wouldn't take Klonopin for a panic attack, but it definitely helps me fall asleep, stay asleep, my nightmares/high-anxiety dreams are now few and far between, and it seems to reduce my anxiety for most of the following day. I would ask your Dr about adding 1mg of Klonopin to your evening meds, and possibly reducing evening Xanax by 1 mg. After many years of I knowing my diagnoses, therapy and numerous rides on the "medication roller-coaster" trying to figure out which medications work best for me... I know I'm still a work in progress. Thanks for the comment, hang in there and good luck with your appt tomorrow.
AngelaEstopinal792008
11 Jan 2011
I just wanted to comment about the withdrawals that you get when you stop taking SSRI or SSNRI antidepressants. I wasn't told either about side effects from my doctors! I take Lyrica for fibromyilgia,also Cymbalta for depression. I tried to stop taking the Cymbalta at one point for about 3 days and I was getting the electrical sensations ("buzzing" in my brain or "zaps" in other body parts, dizziness, migraines") I didn't know what was wrong! I felt so weird and I kept telling my husband something isn't right!! So, I decided to do some research on the side effects and sure enough... their it was in front of me!! I was so angry, but at the same time knew it was just as much my fault for not finding out the side effects before I started taking it!! So, I got back to taking it and the horrible shocks went away about a day later!! Needless to say I research everything now before I start taking some new medication.
That was the worse feeling and I never want to experience that again!!! Now, I'm scared to ever get off of Cymbalta!! Looks like I'm forever going to be on this now!! So, I just wanted to share that with you, because I totally know what you was referring too!!!
Inactive
21 Nov 2009
I have no idea what could help with stopping the OCD. But anxiety the only thing that has helped me for years is Xanax. I have tried medications that has the depression and anxiety medicine in one pill. Yeah I can't take those I end up in the ER for having a bad reaction. Now I developed OCD when I found out by doing the 3 hour testing by my Psych doctor that I have ADHD. Out of that test I have now finally been tested and diagnosed with ADHD, Depression and Anxiety. Its in my medical records. But Adderall has made me have OCD bad. My husband's only complaint is that I am always reorganizing cabinets, draws and cleaning everything. LOL He will go get something he needs knowing where it is. He gets there and its not there. LOL
ajde
14 May 2013
hi does this xanax help you for your depression , anxiety and ocd ? like do you take just this and it helps all of them ? :)
barbles2413
21 Nov 2009
I was on Luvox and It might just be me but I experienced just being totally numb. You could have told me my house burnt down and I would have just said Okay. I did not like not having any feelings good or bad. It is just as bad as the OCD itself. Of course talk with you Doctor this was just my personal experience. Goos Luck
silmarien
15 Nov 2009
Luvox is approved for OCD, but it works the same way the other SSRIs and SSNRIs do... so your doc might prescribe Luvox first, but don't lose heart if that doesn't work, because you can try the others in the same class as well, and there are a lot of them.
Anti anxiety meds include meds in the benzodiazepine class, like Klonopin or Xanax. They aren't usually meant for long-term use, though (this isn't always followed by doctors).
hernandaz123
12 May 2010
actually, if i was told currectly (by my docter), xanax is a short-term drug.
drkatzjr
20 Jan 2012
You should avoid taking Luvox and Xanax, as it augments Xanax markedly.
Review the Prescribing Information for Luvox
2187396abc
13 Nov 2009
Hello, talk to your medical provider first for any direction or directions for effective interventions. One medication that I have seen to be very effective in alleviating the disabling symptoms of OCD is Luvox, an SSRI. I have seen it help many people be able to stabilize enough to work around their OCD symptoms and go on with their lives. Also, it is avaliable in generic form which usually costs less to purchase. There is a new form of this medication called Luvox CR, which I havn't seen do anything stellar, as far as symptom relief and costing the consumer more. Best wishes, hope this helps.
Less Than Human
3 Sep 2011
Luvox is rarely used any longer. I was on it for a period of time, my reaction to it left me with bloody stool, puking 25+ times a day, never sleeping, etc. If you have anxiety and OCD there are a plethora of newer more effective drugs at your disposal. Just because I reacted poorly to the Luvox does not mean anyone else will, but my new doctor was in shock at what I was on, and how my symptoms were ignored. I guess that is just a poor doctor problem.
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