To feel a bit lost re. medication- which anti-depressant is best for OCD?

[Anxiouszalice]

Just that really- I have a long history of severe OCD and I would like to try an SSRI (I've only tried a tiny dose of Fluoxetine for just a week in the past but had side effects of raised blood pressure and nightmares so decided to stop taking it.)

I was just wondering if anyone had positive experience of an SSRI treatment for OCD? I would consider trying Fluoxetine again but I'd also love to have a baby in the next 5-10 years if I meet the right guy so am wondering whether Sertraline would be a good option (it seems to be safer for pregnancy). Any advice would be really appreciated!

I’m on Sertraline for OCD and have been for almost 5 years. I can’t see myself ever coming off them because I feel like they gave me my life back. Takes a while for it to go into your system and feel the benefit but I wouldn’t be without them now.

My experience of fluoxetine is v similar to willowpeach's of sertraline. Only on a low dose as the side effects were too much for me on more, and I do still experience anxiety at times but on the whole it's really good, the ocd thoughts are there to a degree but don't control me and destroy my life any more.

I've tried Fluoxetine, Sertraline & Citalopram.
I can't say any have really helped with my OCD, my anxiety yes, but maybe that's because it's so ingrained

I’ve had a brilliant experience with sertraline for anxiety & OCD, though it was combined with CBT so not the drugs alone. But it has given me my life back - my husband keeps telling me how much more relaxed I am now and how much better I seem

I was on Citalopram for years for depression, aniexty and ocd. I’ve been off it now for over ten years and can honestly say it was great and while i still have aniexty the ocd is very much a wisp in my life really than a black cloud

I take 20mg Citalopram daily for my OCD and am doing so much better. Really do recommend it, it changed my life.

Thanks guys. I think I will look into starting on an SSRI- still a bit undecided over which one to try but it sounds like they can be really helpful.

Sertraline would be the one to try for OCD. It’s the preferred medication of choice in guidelines and used by specialist centres. One issue to that for it to be effective, for many people it requires a high dose, ie higher than the usual maximum licensed dose for depression/anxiety. And not sure how this might impact on potential safety during pregnancy.

My daughter takes Sertraline and has responded really well. I have taken clomipramine for the last twenty-odd years; its an older, tricyclic but I can honestly say it changed my life.