Lithium Battery Obsession/Medication Changes

[terrified1307]

Hi Everyone,

I have suffered with OCD off and on since childhood and was diagnosed with suspected mild serotonin syndrome in June (from Sertraline - which i had been on since 2009 and Pregabalin - since 2021). My medication was stopped cold turkey overnight.

Since june my OCD has gotten so bad to the fact I am terrified of anything containing lithium ion batteries (as i read somewhere they can leak and produce hydrofluoric acid) which has since terrified me. It has got to the stage I cannot be near any battery operated device for fear of leakage and contamination.

I am now on Olanzapine, Mirtazipine, Promethesane, Diazepam and Lorazepam on a daily basis - which does not seem to be helping as I feel I am spiralling.

I was wondering if anyone had experienced this sort of OCD Obsession before? and the best way to move forward as I feel trapped.

Thanks

[aparente001]

Could I just ask, who is prescribing? That is an extensive list. I wonder if a second opinion might be helpful, to see if the list could be streamlined a bit. Also, I had always heard that an SSRI should be ramped down slowly. I hope you feel better soon. Regards.

[terrified1307 in reply to aparente001]

Hi, a consultant Psychiatrist at my local NHS is prescribing. I was taken off cold turkey by my local hospital due to the serotonin syndrome. Thank you x

[aparente001 in reply to terrified1307]

Ah, are you in the UK? Is there a way to get a second opinion? Also, have you been hooked up with a therapist trained in ERP? The IOCD website has an international directory. Regards.

[terrified1307 in reply to aparente001]

Yes UK - I have a CPN but they just keep saying i cant start any therapy until the drugs have calmed me down...

[aparente001 in reply to terrified1307]

I would feel better if you could check your med list with your general practitioner. I read: "How dangerous is it to mix Ativan and Valium? Benzodiazepines should not be mixed. Taking Ativan and Valium together can lead to overdose." In other words, Diazepam and Lorazepam. Source: singlecare.com/blog/valium-....

Can you describe in what way you are not calm enough to focus on therapy? Also, what does CPN mean?

In the UK, how does one go about getting a second opinion?

[terrified1307 in reply to aparente001]

Hi, so in the NHS it works by having a clinical psychiatrist who prescribes and oversees who then reports back to my GP practice to actually prescribe to me. In the middle of that is a CPN (Community Pysychiatric Nurse) who i see every 3 weeks, she is then guided by psycology in how best to go ahead. I have asked for a review so at the end of next month, I am meeting with my pyschiatrist, psycology and my CPN. I guess a second oppinion would be going private which i have in the past but it tends to be the same staff who do both. As private isnt as big here, when i took acutely unwell i was advised to just stay with the NHS as it is the bigger team. I spoke about my medicine my Mirtazipine is now tapered down to 30 and I am now starting 30mg Duloxitine which i think is an SNRI to see if this helps me more... I'm still on the diazepam, lorazepam, promethesane and Olanzapine - I have set times every 2 hours throughout the day in which i take the benzodiazepines..

[MothFir]

I have obsessed about battery acid in the past. I suppose it is a form of "Contamination OCD" (although I personally don't like categorizing OCD types, as they seem to me just different and often temporary manifestations of the same disorder).

ERP therapy would likely help more than anything. You can try it on your own through workbooks, websites, etc., or you can have an OCD therapist help you. A therapist is the preferred option, if possible.

Also I agree with aparente001 that you should revisit your medications, especially if they are not working. An SSRI is standard for OCD; maybe you could find one that doesn't cause serotonin syndrome? Ask a good psychiatrist.

Good luck!

[terrified1307 in reply to MothFir]

Thank You, its nice to know I am not alone. My local nhs say they wont start therapy until i'm calmer, but i feel the medication just isnt right. Thanks x

[FloMe43]

Hello terrified1307, I have taken lithium for years now with no ill effects. I have to take a three monthly blood test to make sure that it is within treatment levels so that acts as an assurance that you are being looked after and nothing bad can happen. I agree with the other comments that say you should get your medication reviewed especially if you think it's not working and you are still obsessing a lot. My partner has OCD so I have some empathy as to what your going through, it's really draining and tiring. The thing that seemed to help him was doing cognitive behavioural therapy and being on a couple of antidepressants. I hope this helps it was a bit of a ramble but I'm here anytime if you want to chat.....

[TomFed]

Topic or subtype (in this case, contamination) doesn't matter, as it is the same OCD circuitry in your brain causing these fears. It's not real. Lithium batteries used in home devices are very safe products if you don't break them intentionally or burn them, and even then you'd have to break it and eat it or smoke it to get poisoned (which I suppose you don't plan to do). I'm working with all kinds of electronics outsourcing in China, often visiting factories where this stuff is made, so your fear is not real (well, but my assurance is not what will help you, is it? From my experience, do some ERP for yourself - touch those batteries, touch the devices that have them, take your laptop and roll with it in bed. Doesn't matter how afraid you are but do it, otherwise these OCD fears gonna continue to f up your life. Trust me, I have wasted lots and lots of time throughout a few decades, acting out on nonsense that OCD in my head made me think is real. Was it worth it? F, no. And f that overreactive amygdala and cortex, a few nutty brain circuits in your brain is not you! Learn how to calm them down, and then you will slowly see through how deranged all this is. Peace is there in you and you can heal from this.

[terrified1307 in reply to TomFed]

Thank you for your reassurance, it has helped.

[Hidden]

RN here. I agree with previous posters about the number/type of meds you're on. I don't understand being on two benzodiazipines. I would insist on discussing this with a pharmacist. Serotonin syndrome can be dangerous, but it doesn't sound like this new combination of medications is working for you. And no one has to be in perfect shape before starting therapy. That's just silly. Medication and therapy together is very powerful and they can potentiate each other. Maybe this is a very American thought, but I would consider talking with a lawyer if the NHS won't work with you. Do you have a friend or acquaintance who could give you some legal advice?

[TomFed]

Well, reassurance as you might have already learned is a trap. But if it helped this time, it's fine. I just shared with you what I know.