I'm having some problems and I need outside perspective.

I have suffered from pretty severe OCD since I was about 8 (I am 20 years old now). I fall into bed every night completely exhausted from worrying and obsessing about EVERYTHING all day. I have tried both xanax and lexapro to help me relax, but both seem to make me too tired to function at the office, and I can't stand the "kick-in" period that lasts about 6 weeks.

I was recently prescribed percocet after a routine dental procedure, and the difference is AMAZING. I am completely at peace and relaxed, but still alert enough to function. The problem is that my boyfriend is convinced I am addicted to the pills and insists I throw them away. He's seen me get addicted to pills before, so his concern is not ridiculous, but how can I explain to him that I need some sort of chemical intervention to feel normal?

When I try to explain this, he rolls his eyes and says I'm just making excuses to indulge in an addiction. Is there any way I can bring up this subject without sounding like an addict? I have only been taking percocet for the past 3 days, and I'm the happiest I have been in about 10 years.

Percocet is highly addictive. It is a narcotic and chances are it will not be prescribed again. It certainly won't be prescribed for OCD.

You do need an antidepressant for OCD. I have a feeling you have been prescribed a med that may not help you, thus you continued to have problems.

The six drugs shown to be effective in OCD include: fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (Celexa), and clomipramine (Anafranil). Anafranil has been around the longest and is the best studied throughout the world. There is growing evidence that the other drugs are as effective. In addition to these carefully studied drugs, there are hundreds of case reports of other drugs being helpful. There are reports of small number of patients that suggest that venlafaxine (Effexor) may be effective; but there have been no large scale controlled trials done yet.

If you have not taken any of these six meds, you may want to bring it up with your doctor. Most of these, while they have the 4-6 week waiting period for effectiveness, don't have the side effects that you have described with your other meds.

Hello x:

Yeah, percocet's gooooood, ain't it? However, if you keep on taking it, you WILL become an addict.

Try eating pot. You can find a level where you don't feel loaded, but your OCD will be a thing of the past.

excon

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Originally Posted by excon

Hello x:

Yeah, percocet's gooooood, ain't it? However, if you keep on taking it, you WILL become an addict.

Try eating pot. You can find a level where you don't feel loaded, but your OCD will be a thing of the past.

excon

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LOL, here's my analytical medical brain kicking in...

Did you know that pot actually INCREASES symptoms of OCD? Yep, causes the brain to keep on thinking.

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Originally Posted by J_9

Percocet is highly addictive. It is a narcotic and chances are it will not be prescribed again. It certainly won't be prescribed for OCD.

You do need an antidepressant for OCD. I have a feeling you have been prescribed a med that may not help you, thus you continued to have problems.

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I know it's pretty addictive, which is probably why my boyfriend is so concerned. It just seems that the other anti-anxiety medications make me feel so tired and emotionally unstable... right now, I feel like myself but with a little bit of the edge taken off. I do have to admit, though, that I hate the feeling of being addicted and wouldn't want to live life in that way.

I haven't tried any of the anti-depressants you listed. Have you had any personal experience with them? My main fear of taking SSRIs is that most people gain a considerable amount of weight. I am really active and work out about 6 times a week to stay in excellent shape. I would rather deal with anxiety than deal with excessive weight gain.

Do you think my boyfriend has a right to be upset that his once pill-free girlfriend is now in need of medication? I feel guilty even admitting this.

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Originally Posted by J_9

LOL, here's my analytical medical brain kicking in.....

Did you know that pot actually INCREASES symptoms of OCD? Yep, causes the brain to keep on thinking.

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Ironically, I am very anti-drug and alcohol. The majority of men in my family are alocholics and everyone in my family gets addicted to substances very, very easily. I've smoked pot exactly once in my life and hated the feeling of being "slowed down". Percocet is the first drug I've ever taken that seems to have no negative side effects! I'm not tired or confused or slowed down, I'm just... relaaaaxed. I am so used to be stressed that this feels amazing.

I wish I could tell this all to a doctor and they'd just give me a permanent prescription! Not likely, I know. The SSRIs prescribed for OCD just seem to have so many negative side effects and turn you into someone you're not.

And this is all on top of the fact that my boyfriend thinks people that need pills are "psycho" and "screwed up"... :(

Sounds like you need a new boyfriend if he thinks this.

Look, if he had high blood pressure would he take HPB meds or would he let his kidneys rot away and die of kidney failure, a stroke or heart attack? Nah, he'd take the meds.

OCD is a chemical imbalance in your body just like HBP is a chemical imbalance. The balance must be maintained to live a healthy and functional life.

Have I had experience with the meds? A little myself, but I don't have OCD. I used celexa and effexor to get me over the stress of a full time job, 4 kids (one was just a baby), and going back to college at the age of 38. It was a temporary fix for me.

But OCD can be managed with therapy and drug treatment. The meds do not have to be permanent, just used during therapy to learn to control the OCD.

Most of what I posted above I got out of my medical texts.

Yes, I agree with J9

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excon agrees: I heard a Dr. say that pot was better than ritilin for kids with ADHD. So, I just figured... What do I know?

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That doctor is absolutely correct with ADHD. But OCD is a totally different animal.

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Originally Posted by xmarksthespotx

I haven't tried any of the anti-depressants you listed.

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Originally Posted by xmarksthespotx

The SSRIs prescribed for OCD just seem to have so many negative side effects and turn you into someone you're not.

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If you haven't tried them, how can you know what their effect will be on you? Everybody's different.

About your boyfriend, I'd say your first allegiance has to be to yourself and your own health. If he can't understand or won't accept the need for pharmaceutical therapy for OCD, he's not the guy for you. He's right to be concerned about the Percocet, but it sounds like he's against all pills whatsoever, and that's just ignorance. You can try to educate him, but if he refuses to be educated, kick him to the curb.

There are different doctors out there and if you are not happy with your current one, then seek one that has expertise with OCD. You may need to be referred to a specialist but it will be worth that effort. Have a really good physical done with blood levels. Make sure your body is healthy. I have taken percocet for extreme headaches and yes, it does help but it is not a long term treatment.

About the boyfriend, I can understand his concern but he is coming at this from a wrong viewpoint. Someone with OCD cannot just throw away the meds and expect to become well overnight. Either he gets the right information or you show him the door. You need someone who will take the time to understand what you are going through and how to support your health and well being. Not tear it down.

You need some education also as you have some negative ideas about the various meds for OCD. Maybe you have heard so and so took this or that drug and it did not work. That is why you need to see a doctor who can address your questions, allay your fears, and be consistent with you. There are answers out there and I truly hope you find them.

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Originally Posted by xmarksthespotx

I'm having some problems and I need outside perspective.

I have suffered from pretty severe OCD since I was about 8 (I am 20 years old now). I fall into bed every night completely exhausted from worrying and obsessing about EVERYTHING all day. I have tried both xanax and lexapro to help me relax, but both seem to make me too tired to function at the office, and I can't stand the "kick-in" period that lasts about 6 weeks.

I was recently prescribed percocet after a routine dental procedure, and the difference is AMAZING. I am completely at peace and relaxed, but still alert enough to function. The problem is that my boyfriend is convinced I am addicted to the pills and insists I throw them away. He's seen me get addicted to pills before, so his concern is not ridiculous, but how can I explain to him that I need some sort of chemical intervention to feel normal?

When I try to explain this, he rolls his eyes and says I'm just making excuses to indulge in an addiction. Is there any way I can bring up this subject without sounding like an addict?! I have only been taking percocet for the past 3 days, and I'm the happiest I have been in about 10 years.

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I can understand that the pills relieve your disorder however he has a valid point, not only do you admit to having a past addiction but in the long run you may end up addicted to these pills as well. I would suggest seeking professional assistance and possibly some type of therapy like yoga or something that may help to relax both your body and mind. I myself have a lot of experience as I was on pills for years for depression and anxiety, it is true that at times during our recovery the pills are a necessary aid however they are not always the answer and your goal should be to resolve your OCD without the dependence of chemicals.

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Originally Posted by ordinaryguy

If you haven't tried them, how can you know what their effect will be on you? Everybody's different.

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I guess that's true. I have tried two anti-anxiety medications, as I said, and they made me very depressed. I couldn't get past the "waiting period", it was just too difficult to function at work and in social situations.

I suppose I could try something else. I am thinking about just trying something without telling my boyfriend :-\... I know this is shaky ground, but he just doesn't understand.

Another thing that makes him skeptical is that it is not at all evident that I have this chemical imbalance. I am very athletic and love being active... I manage a full-time college courseload as well as a full-time, 9 - 5 job. Everyone thinks my life is perfect, that I'M perfect, and no one even suspects that I'm constantly screaming inside.

I am so very tempted to lay in bed until someone believes I'm not Miss Perfect and I have something I need help with lol.

Have you been officially diagnosed with OCD? Or was this your diagnosis?

No, I was diagnosed when I was 10 by a psychiatrist. I used to wash my hands until they bled from the time I was 7 until I was 14 years old. I learned a lot of coping mechanisms when I was in therapy as a child and they help me out a lot, but I still can't kick the obsessive thoughts. I use the coping mechanisms to control the compulsions (especially with cleaning), but my brain never lets me just be at peace.

Girl he is just your boy friend. He has no right to tell you what kind of medicine you should take. If you are on the proper kind of medicine for your health and well being, he either deals with it or he's gone.

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Originally Posted by xmarksthespotx

I guess that's true. I have tried two anti-anxiety medications, as I said, and they made me very depressed. I couldn't get past the "waiting period", it was just too difficult to function at work and in social situations.

I suppose I could try something else. I am thinking about just trying something without telling my boyfriend :-\ ... I know this is shaky ground, but he just doesn't understand.

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Girl if you have to sneak and take medicine cause he doesn't understand, he does not need to be your man. Don't even start that. He either takes the real you, all of you, or no you. Let that be your mantra for life when it comes to a man.

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Originally Posted by Homegirl 50

Girl if you have to sneak and take medicine cause he doesn't understand, he does not need to be your man. Don't even start that. He either takes the real you, all of you, or no you. Let that be your mantra for life when it comes to a man.

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I think I might take your advice. We have been talking about this all day and he basically said people that need pills are "psychotic" and "weak", which I don't agree with. I have my life on track and am generally really happy, but it is evident to my doctors and even myself that there is some sort of chemical imbalance that prohibits me from dealing with stress in a normal manner. My boyfriend said that if I can't just "suck it up and get over it", he will lose all respect for me.

Very disheartening!

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Originally Posted by xmarksthespotx

I think I might take your advice. We have been talking about this all day and he basically said people that need pills are "psychotic" and "weak", which I don't agree with. I have my life on track and am generally really happy, but it is evident to my doctors and even myself that there is some sort of chemical imbalance that prohibits me from dealing with stress in a normal manner. My boyfriend said that if I can't just "suck it up and get over it", he will lose all respect for me.

Very disheartening!

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Then lose him, quickly.

Ahhh, it's so difficult! We live together and moving out would require moving back in with my parents... my momma is practically begging me to pack up and move back into my old room lol.

Thank you for your advice, though... it's very logical and frankly, the best thing to do.

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Originally Posted by xmarksthespotx

Ahhh, it's so difficult! We live together and moving out would require moving back in with my parents ... my momma is practically begging me to pack up and move back into my old room lol.


Thank you for your advice, though ... it's very logical and frankly, the best thing to do.

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Well you have to decide if your well being is more important than living with this guy and if getting better and being healthy is more important.
I'll bet he places his well being above you. Use your head girl. You have a place to go to. That is better than most. Take advantage of your mother's welcome.

Marines "suck it up" but you do not have to "suck it up" and you can tell him to take a hiike. Maybe moving home for a bit would not be a bad idea. At least until you have gotten a firmer hold on the OCD.

Sucking it up does not work with a disorder such as yours. You can suck up pain from a paper cut, you can suck up having a bad day, but you can't suck up a chemical imbalance. It is IMPOSSIBLE.

Not only did I learn this in school, but I was raised with a father who had a chemical imbalance and believed for a very long time that he should suck it up. It became apparent after many years that he was doing more harm to himself and his family by "sucking it up." He finally agreed to medication and was so much healthier after that.

If a person has diabetes they have to take insulin (well, some diabetics, just using this as an example), they can't "suck up" their illness, they need medication. And so do you.

This boyfriend does not care for you one iota. If he did he would be there to help you, support you, and love you whether you needed meds or not.

Moving home would be good for you. You will have your Mother who understands your disorder and will be there to love you, help you and support you.