OCD meds

[Plug2000]

Hi, I've had pretty bad hiv ocd fears! I restarted taking Zoloft 100 mg and was wondering if there is a better med to take for OCD. I've had this for several years. A lot of worry and anxiety over non risk situations! RubyWitch has really helped me w my fears and really has educated me that I didn't have any risks! The OCD keeps me from moving on w my life! Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

[sparky43]

If in a couple of months you still are feeling fatigue and the "brain fog" side effects, I would recommend contacting your doctor and see if you can try another drug.   There are many SSRI class drugs that work on OCD but they seem to have slightly different side effects.   Also your individual body chemistry comes into play - what works for one person may not work for another.

Here's an interesting website that has a lot of info about different psychotropic drugs.   It's written in an informal style and the author has a pretty good sense of humor:

https://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage

[JGF25]

meditation...not medication

[JGF25]

It takes a good 4 to 6 weeks to build up the medication to a therapeutic level in your system.  Even thought you took this medication before, you may still become more anxious while you are building it up.  The same thing happened to me when I went from 150 Wellbutrin up to 300.  It took a good 4 weeks to get past that jitteryness and dry mouth, etc.  What you have to know is that it will go away.  The medication worked for you before and probably will again once you get to the therapeutic level in your system.  Keep yourself busy.  I was out chopping bamboo in my yard.  Anything to keep your mind busy.  Reading, medication, yard work, anything.  Also I found that the evenings were better for me.  Do you find that as well?  What you don't want to do is stop the medication prematurely.  This is just something you have to persevere through.  

[Plug2000]

thanks for the reply! it's only been just over 2 weeks! i dont plan to ever stop taking it. been kicking myself for stopping it! I know I wouldnt be in this situation if I kept taking the zoloft, I would have not overreacted to cutting myself. I know it's the OCD! I can't stand the tired feeling and brain fog along with the exsessive sweating and nearvous feeling! but I know I have to keep taking it! thank you for your reply!!!!

[Plug2000]

yes! the evenings are better! I take it in the morning because in the past I would Have insomnia! I'm tired most of the day. yawning nonstop, mild headache, sweating and no focus! brain fog! I know this will go away. I have to be patient!!!!!

[sparky43]

Not sure exactly what kind of work you are doing, but is there any chance you could wear gloves at work?  Whenever I am working on my car or doing woodworking as a hobby, I always wear a pair of work gloves.  Most professional mechanics I know wear them on the job to keep their hands from getting coated with oil and to avoid bashed/cut knuckles.  Might help to lessen your anxiety while you are working on lessening your OCD.

[Plug2000]

I'm going to speak w my dr. I can't stand the excessive sweating all the time. And lately the nervousness and anxiety w the Zoloft. I've been on it about 2 weeks now after being off it for 6 or more months! I had good luck w it in the past.
The OCD is just consuming every minute it seems!
All over noticing a little scrape on my knuckle after putting equipment from work away after coworkers were using it and seeing Alittle dried blood on the back of my hand. Then I borrowed a metal tape measure which I pulled to far out and it sprung back! Slicing my thumb! Of course I know this isn't a risk for anything but my mind says otherwise! I know you can't be infected by hiv this way and it begins to die almost immediately and that it can't survive in the environment exposed to air and inanimate objects can't transmit hiv. But this damn OCD drives everything! I'm afraid to be w my wife and I know I don't have anything to worry about! I really hope to get this under control!
Thank you for your help!!!

[sparky43]

Everyone seems to react differently to SSRIs.   I tried just about all of them until I found that Lexapro worked best for me.  I would advise speaking to your doctor about trying a different drug if you are not satisfied with the results your are getting from Zoloft.  It's a bit of a trial and error process sometimes.