Any OCD medications out there that don’t cause weight gain and also don’t cause sexual side effects?

[flutelover1]

Anyone have any suggestions for a weight-neutral medication for OCD that doesn’t cause sexual side effects? I’m on fluoxetine and it has lowered my libido and ability to orgasm. I think it has also increased my anxiety.

[Joeyman]

Finally someone who is concerned about weight! I have been gaining weight steadily since being started on fluvoxamine about a year ago and it is so disheartening! Everyone tells me to control my diet and to start doing work outs but they are clueless! But ultimately I have decided to give priority to my mental health and try to deal with the weight issues.

[flutelover1 in reply to Joeyman]

I hear you. People may try and give you advice out of care, but they forget that weight is also a chemical thing. It can be hard trying to navigate weight gain when addressing mental health. My heart goes out to you! Good for you for giving priority to your mental health as you navigate the weight issues. I sincerely wish you the best with getting the clarity and answers you’re seeking. You’re not alone!

[beth196 in reply to Joeyman]

I take lexapro20mg and I find it way superior to Prozac 80 mg It also has less side effects. I also exercise everyday with weights and a trainer on you tube which is free. I find this combination helps me a lot. If I'm really stuck in a loop I'll take a clonazepam for a couple of days too.

[Sallyskins]

This is a difficult one, because different people react to different medication in different ways. I've been on sertraline, which is similar in many ways to fluoxetine (they both belong to the SSRI class of antidepressants) and the only side effect I have noticed is a bit of a runny nose.

It might be worth trying a different SSRI antidepressant in case it works better for you. The side effects you mention - loss of libido and weight gain - seriously affect one's quality of life and I don't think you should just put up with it.

I had a similar problem with weight gain some years ago when I was put on sulpiride - it's an anti-psychotic and though I'm not psychotic, it can be used in low doses to boost the effects of an SSRI antidepressant. I gained about 35 pounds rapidly and came off it before I gained any more!

If other meds don't suit you, then it might be worth trying an alternative. There is something called inositol - available over the counter in some health food shops. Studies have had good results for it - I think about 18 grams a day are needed which sounds a lot, but it isn't dangerous to take. Here are a couple of links, including one from the IOCDF.

iocdf.org/expert-opinions/o...

justvitamins.co.uk/blog/ino...

It could be a safe alternative to SSRIs.

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate]

Hey flutelover,

Do you have a psychiatrist or GP you trust who could go over different medications with you?

It's always so hard choosing medications because we never know how well they will work for us or which side effects we'll get.

It took me a long time to find a medication that actually helped me without too many side effects so I can certainly relate.

Wishing you the best,

Alex

[philomena930]

Hi flutelover1...when I got on my meds in 1993 at 33 (yes I'm old) I had no clue as to the correlation between weight gain and meds. Well, 40 pounds later I struggle with it but I will take it anyday over the hell in my head that I struggled with for almost 20 years. I know it's disheartening. I have no sexual side effects though. I'm on Clomipramine with is specifically for OCD and it's an old med. When I was 25 they put me on Tofranil (another old med) but I did not gain weight on that. Back in 1986, they didn't know I had OCD .. just diagnosed with depression..so they weaned me off Tofranil after 2 years. Getting off was the WORST thing they could have done. No internet warnings back then about getting off meds..just be cautious. Praying you find the right medicine for you. 🤗