I know it all comes down to individual experiences but I'd love to know how it affected you and which one turned out to work best. How many tries did it take for you to get it to work? Thanks for answering
So, Zoloft (or Sertraline) was the first medication I tried, and it's the one I'm still currently on! I started on 25mg, but personally didn't start to feel a difference until my dose was upped to 50mg. Since then, every month or so, I'd get my dose upped... I've been on 200mg for about 3 or 4 months now, and I think I'm going to be staying on this for a while! :) In the beginning of starting the medication, there was a slight increase in intrusive thoughts for about a month, but after I pushed through that, things were a lot easier to manage. It felt like I could think clearly and focus on things outside of my thoughts for once, which was nice (and allowed me the ability to focus on recovery). Obviously, I've still had flare-ups or gotten triggered by things. But with medication and the proper tools I've been given to manage OCD, I feel like I've made huge improvements. I'm not the same person I was a year ago.
I'm so happy for you that it started to work first try. How far can dosing go, I know that ocd needs a higher dose cause the brain circuit for it is very tricky, but I'm afraid it might make me numb. Can you still feel emotions or do you feel them less intensely? . I'm just at a point where my ocd breaks me down to the point that literally everything that brought me joy has now faded away and it picked apart my values and I really don't see any other option of recovering even though I'm scared of meds ( but I still have hope ). Thanks sm for answering.
@bruises Hi, I'm so sorry for replying so late! You're right about OCD usually needing a higher dose. According to my psychiatrist, the highest dosing can go is 400mg. I don't know if that varies depending on what medication you're taking, though! And as for fear of the medication making you numb, I totally get that. I was afraid of that happening, too. In the beginning, I did go through not being able to cry as easily in situations where I usually would (like if I were really anxious). But there haven't been any dramatic changes like I thought there would be! I still feel my emotions. I'd argue that I can actually feel more of my emotions now that I'm not so consumed by anxiety, shame, and guilt over intrusive thoughts lol. And remember that if you do decide to start medication and realize it's not for you, that's okay. I don't think there's any harm in trying out different solutions.
@nae nae Thank you I really appreciate it and I'm sorry to bother you with questions, I'm just worried if I go on meds will that erase me like in a personality sense? How did that work for you? Do you still have the same things you enjoy or does it let you enjoy them more? Do you consider going higher or are you fine with your current dosage? Thanks again I just like to hear out others' experiences before considering. ❤️
For those who have had success with medication for OCD/anxiety, how is your life different now compared to before starting medication?
How many antidepressants have you all tried? I’m on my fourth and possibly transitioning to a fixity because the current one isn’t working. I’ve now done Genesight testing and I was prescribed Pristiq. It hasn’t reduced my anxiety at all. I was wondering if anyone else had to try many medications? And if so, did you eventually find one that worked?
Can people please share their experiences on very low dose medications for their OCD? Maybe ones that have worked well with little side effects? Anything is helpful & thank you
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