I suffer from severe OCD. I'm so so exhausted by it, it affects everything I do even my dreams.
I'm trying desperately to sort meds with my cpn and psychiatrist but I have had problems with many - either they stop working or other (serious) issues arise.
I'm currently on 30mg mirtazipine. When I started on them last summer at 15mg I loved them and was hopeful I'd found something that would work as they made me drowsy and calmed me right down.
Unfortunately this effect quickly wore off. Now I am finding they help with the depression and have calmed my temper (which is mostly triggered by panic) but my anxiety is worse than ever.
I've been saying to mh team for months "they're not working".
Initially they wanted to add pregabalin but from on here and other forums and talking to people in real life I've not heard good things indeed many have said it made their anxiety worse - which is the LAST thing I need. So despite a lot of pressure I haven't felt safe taking them.
Another meeting today, I'm starting to feel like they're starting to listen to me though it's frustrating that they seem to think I'm saying I want a drug with no side effects and were very "clear" that I needed to accept that all drugs have side effects.
I know that, what I'm wanting to avoid if at all possible is trying a drug likely to make the anxiety worse.
They've suggested basically 4 options
1 give in and try the pregabalin - I'm very wary of this as explained
2 increase the mirtazipine - could possibly work and at least it's a 'known quantity' but I also know it's a difficult drug to come off and I'm a bit worried if I'm on a higher dose that could be even harder if it's decided to take me off it altogether
3 quetiapine - would be a low dose. 25mg Never been on it before but I've read/heard good things from other people on it
4 olanzapine - I'm less familiar with. There is a side effect of low blood pressure (which is something I already have problems with) which makes me sway more toward towards quetiapine if I'm going to try a drug like this.
I'm especially interested in hearing from other anxiety sufferers (or indeed those supporting them), pharmacists & psychiatrists.
I'm finding myself wishing there were a helpline staffed by pharmacists with mh expertise. (I know rainbow coloured unicorns would be easier to find)
So what experiences have you had with these meds? What's worked for you for severe anxiety and or OCD?