Hi there, I was put on Sertreline and it REALLY helped my OCD thinking.I became very 'in the moment' in a nice way and stopped worrying about what would happen next or what had happened. It was great, BUT then after about 10 days I started to bleed - basically menses (apologies to any squeamish people who find the idea of women's monthlies distressing!). It just continued indefinitely and I had to stop. I tried again a while later with sert and the bleeding started immediately. Anyone else had this with sertreline?? He put me on pregabalin afterwards, but it was insane and made me feel very weird so now I am not on anything. I am OK at the moment and believe it or not drinking coffee is my worst trigger sometimes, which I can control by...not drinking it! But I still keep wondering about what happened with the sert and my doc was a bit rubbish.
Sertreline and Bleeding: Hi there, I was put on... - OCD Support
OCD Support
Sertreline and Bleeding
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That must have been a really horrible experience. I checked the list of side effects from the insert in my sertraline prescription and it does list menstrual irregularities and vaginal bleeding as very rare side effects. I haven't had anything like them myself, though sertraline does give me a bit of a runny nose.
It's a pity as on the whole it's a good medication. I don't know if another of the SSRI antidepressants might suit you better without the side effects. Another antidepressant, an older one which used to be the standard treatment for OCD, clomipramine, which is a tricyclic antidepressant, could help, although there are problems with supply of this.
Do get a referral to a psychiatrist if you haven't had one already. A GP generally know a little about a lot of things, rather than a lot about one thing, and they aren't usually experts on the best medication for mental problems. A psychiatrist is likely to know better.
It can't be easy doing without medication, though I take the point about coffee! I limit myself to two cups a day, or I'd be drinking loads! Caffeine is my only recreational drug and I wouldn't like to give it up altogether!
Thanks so much for the response. I have done a bit more research and found out that it should not be prescribed to people with thrombositosis - which I have. My GP missed that one, although on the whole he is good. I haven't been referred to psychiatrist, partly because I felt a bit bad that I didn't finish my CBT. I did some online with someone and it didn't help, then when I met the woman face to face she was GREST and I managed to convince her I didn't need any therapy, I know this is a kind of self sabotage, but I didn't do it on purpose - at the time I was using the law of attraction as a distraction and believed it was working! It only worked for a bit. Also I get secretive about my compulsions because I am ashamed of them so my instinct is to hide them. I am kicking myself now...I am doing OK at the moment using journalling, exercise and trying to challenge my thoughts as taught in the CBT I had in the past (many years ago before the online stuff). It is hard, but ...you know. We do what we can and I try to appreciate the good things in my life. What scares me is that periodically and sometimes without warning, I go into a crisis and can't sleep and my heart pumps like crazy and I think mad thoughts for days and it takes a lot of work to get back to earth again. Hey ho. That was a lot of words! Thanks for responding.
Don't feel bad. CBT isn't easy to do and I think most people struggle with it. It takes a lot of effort and when you have OCD it makes things such an effort anyway!
No need to be ashamed and embarrassed, though I know how that feels as well. Most people with OCD hide it as best they can, partly because it can be difficult to explain to people what it is when they've never heard of it, or think it's all about being neat and doing cleaning! But also, it's such a weird illness that makes you do weird things and they can be very embarrassing! I often retrace my steps and when I do it in the street, I often try to make out that I've forgotten something because I feel my behaviour bringing me unwanted attention! I once had someone film me on their mobile phone while I was having problems, which no doubt gave them a great laugh.
Interesting that you are doing journalling. It can be very therapeutic. There is a helpful book called Writing as a Way of Healing by Louise deSalvo that might be of interest.
Thank you for your kindness and compassion. I will look up the book. I find that when I write I am able to 'resolve' thoughts in a way I cannot when just thinking. Thinking in my mind tends to escalate to awfulness and then become rumination and I get stuck in the tumble dryer of hell!. You ares right about the secrecy and also the shame. I am MUCH better than I have been in the past though. Bless you and your step retracing. People filming should be ashamed of themselves.
It's awful, isn't it, how one's mind can spiral out of control so rapidly! Then it's impossible to think straight. I agree that writing things down helps to resolve things. It's as though having to sort feelings into words helps you to process them.
It was thrombocytopenia, not thrombocytosis! Sorry. I get low platelets...maybe connected to B12 deficiency on and off (get injections as cannot absorb in stomach). Anyway...I wish I didn't as having a rough time at the moment in my mind and want something to make the edge off. Cannot walk round half tipsy all day. Sadly.
There is a medication called clomipramine, not used as much now, which works well on OCD. The problem is that as it's an older medication which came out in the 1960s, and SSRIs have largely replaced it, there are problems in actually getting hold of it. Still might be worth enquiring. I think it should continue to be made available, as there are quite a few people who can't tolerate SSRIs. Medication can make a huge difference. The main problem with clomipramine is that it can make you feel rather dopey, but I was on it for quite a number of years, and managed to function pretty well on it nevertheless, and do a full day's work.
I've ordered some rodiola roses and bought the audio version of Brain Lock so let's see how that goes! I am so tired at the moment that the idea of anything that makes me dopey is not very appealing. I am struggling to get through a day as my sleep is pretty bad right now. I like Brain Lock a lot though...:-))
rhodiola rosea
It is a helpful book! I have it, and also Overcoming Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and The OCD Workbook. Is having it on audio rather than in book form more helpful?
I should be interested to know how you get on with the rhodiola rosea. At least it hasn't any know side effects.
I have the OCD workbook too. I got it on audible because I don't have a lot of free time for reading so I can then listen in the car on my way to work.
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