I have comorbid bipolar disorder and OCD. I can’t take SSRIs or SNRIs because they destabilize my bipolar disorder and act against the meds I’m taking for that. Does anyone have experience with non-serotonin-based medication for OCD that has worked for you?

I haven't used any non-serotonin-based meds, but here is something that might be of interest. There is a new study out for a new pill for OCD and it works differently in that it affects glutamate in the brain. Here is a link to the study if you're interested https://ocdtrial.org/ I messaged them yesterday!

Aww☹️ I ultimately decided not to go through with it because I didn't want the chance of being on placebo, because my OCD is at its peak right now. Have you considered any anti-psychotics? I am currently on fluvoxamine, but haven't had any effects yet. But since my OCD is technically defined as "OCD with psychotic effects" I am going to be augmenting my fluvoxamine with an anti-psychotic as soon as I level out on my new dose of fluvoxamine (currently at 250 mg). Though usually anti-psychotics are augmented with an SSRI for OCD, there are some studies suggesting that certain antipsychotics can be useful by themselves for OCD.

Have you tried Abilify (aripiprazole)? It appears that this certain antipsychotic has been shown to have promising results. Also, some of the studies mention combining mood stabilizers with Abilify. Here is a quote from one of the articles "Aripiprazole augmentation to lithium carbonate seemed to be the best option in treatment-resistance comorbid patients." It appears the articles all point to this , but take a read for yourself! Here are the articles I found. Take a look!(I know it's a lot of them, but it'll be a good read to get a better understanding!) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15669888/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032719304227?via%3Dihub http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5545;year=2016;volume=58;issue=3;spage=259;epage=269;aulast=Kazhungil https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032714003140 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4621290/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6343407/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4621291/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30743017/?i=4&from=/28066002/related https://www.researchgate.net/publication/11405042_Bipolar_obsessive-compulsive_disorder_confirmation_of_results_of_the_ABC-OCD_survey_in_2_populations_of_patient_members_versus_non-members_of_an_association http://www.indianjpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5545;year=2019;volume=61;issue=7;spage=51;epage=57;aulast=Thamby

You are welcome!

As an update, I was screened for the trial but deemed ineligible because of my bipolar disorder. Super frustrating because the whole reason I need a non-serotonergic med for OCD is because of the bipolar disorder. Very disappointed :/

I see! I am currently doing a bit of research myself trying to find a good one to suggest to my psychiatrist (we already decided to augment with a anti-psychotic). Give me a little bit and I'll find that medical article I read earlier about the specific anti-psychotic that was used by itself in the treatment of OCD. It would be awesome if you can knock out both with one pill! Also, I think I came across an article that used certain supplements alongside the anti-psychotics to better affect the OCD. You'll hear back from me in a bit!

Also, I haven't had the chance to get the studies on natrual supplements. I will tomorrow when I get a chance! But just to let you know, the supplement I am thinking of is NAC. But, I am unsure of how it plays out in bipolar and anti-psychotic use. I will let you know tomorrow.

*the last article I cited wasn't for you I think. It was an article for myself because I don't think it looks at the bipolar dilemma. But the rest of them are strictly related to OCD and bipolar comorbidites.

Wow, you are incredible. Thank you so much for looking into all this literature — I’ll definitely start reading these articles tonight. I haven’t tried aripiprazole yet but I think it’s the next one on the list if my current antipsychotic doesn’t work out. I’m still frustrated by my ineligibility for the clinical trial, but encouraged by all of these resources you sent. Seriously, a huge thank you!

You are more than welcome☺️ I'll be trying aripiprazole or risperidone for my augmentation (haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning more towards aripiprazole). I know, the OCD trial thing sucks, especially because we probably won't see the pill for several years? But! We can definitely try to use what we can now, plus therapy! I really hope the information I shared helps you out in some way!!

That’s awesome, thank you!

Thanks for the sympathy. I actually am on an antipsychotic (quetiapine), but it’s for bipolar depression. I didn’t realize it may have an effect on OCD as well. Maybe I’ll be able to kill two bird with one stone!

Thank you so much! That would be awesome if you could send along some articles! I’m all about empirically-supported treatments ?

Any new info on how these worked?