Ask Dr. Geller

[Guest guest]

Hello. I have a specific question for a doctor regarding allergic reactions to

Zoloft. My son had an overnight onset of OCD in January of this year. I was so

fortunate at the time to recognize what he was experiencing and was able to find

a wonderful child psychiatrist who specializes in OCD among other things. At

the crisis point in the beginning of his therapy, the psychiatrist had our

pediatrician prescribe Zoloft for my son. Within two days, my son had a huge

welt on his legs and one leg and ankle swelled up quite a bit. His OCD symptoms

became more severe and it was evident that he was having an allergic reaction.

The pediatrician immediately took him off of Zoloft and we gave him Benadryl

until his symptoms subsided. With the sudden drop off from the Zoloft, my 7

year old son began having suicidal thoughts and very bad nightmares for several

days after. Subsequently, my son, with about three months of therapy, became

almost well without the use of medications. We lowered most of our stress by

bringing him home to homeschool and to this end it has been a blessing in

disguise as we love homeschooling and plan to continue.

Still, I see OCD just under the surface in my son. There are no long-lasting

obsessions or compulsions, but he is quick to have melt downs and will start to

show OCD behavior. Since I am aware that his OCD may return full force, I want

to be better prepared in case we need to try another medication. I am terrified

of the potential allergic (life threatening?) reaction. Neither our

psychiatrist nor our pediatrician had ever encountered an allergic reaction to

Zoloft. Can you advise me on the potential risks vs. benefits of trying another

medication in the future (should we need one?) I want to have my options more

clearly defined in my mind now instead of when we may be in crisis mode. Thanks

for any insight.

[Guest guest]

,

Our 12 year old son with severe OCD has been on inositol for over a

year with some success. We purchase it from Vitamin World online.

They have 30% off sales on certain days of the month. It is very

expensive, so we wait for the sales. Tim takes 2tsp twice per day -

1/4 tsp is 1,000mg so it's 4,000mg twice a day. We did have to build

up to that dose slowly as it causes a lot of stomach upset and

diarreah until he got used to it. Good Luck!

Santa Clarita, CA

> I have read that Inositol is sometimes helpful in treating OCD

> symptoms (per Fred Penzel's book and other articles). My 11 year

> old daughter has had OCD since age 4,has successfully completed

ERP

> twice (without medication) and has had good success. Her symptoms

> have returned and it is too difficult for her to do ERP at this

> time. We are interested in trying Inositol and I am wondering

> primarily about a reliable source/manufacturer where we could

> purchase powdered Inositol - with good quality control standards,

> etc. Her pediatrician has given us the okay to try this product.

> Any help in this area would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks.

>