update

December 4, 2006

Hi, Just wanted to reply and say that you have a point. If you want

something done you usually have to do it yourself. On that note,

Perhaps this is a calling for you in your life. A man once told me

everything happens to you for a reason, maybe this is your reason.

You should take that desire in a positive way, and go with it. Maybe

you can change something one day. Good luck! =)

>

> Hey all,

>

> Just wanted to give everyone an update. I've gone from 1050mg of

> lithium carbonate down to 600mg and have not experienced any

change

> whatsoever.

>

> I've been going out with my friends to party in New York City,

> basically testing out how sexual functioning is by dancing with

girls

> etc. Things have not improved at all and it just seems like I am

> dead in every way when dancing with girls even very closely. I

have

> to pretend that I am happy. Again, I remind you that since the

> introduction of Prozac in September 1997, I have had PSSD.

>

> If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.

There

> is nothing more true than that statement. After a lot of thought,

I

> have made a final decision to change careers and become a research

> scientist. I will be going back college for biochemistry and

> psychology as early as January 2007. I realize that I am seeking

to

> do the impossible...create a drug that reverses the damage that

> psychiatric drugs do to people. But if I don't try, who else will?

>

> Regards,

>

April 18, 2009

Hi Becky, thanks for the update. I agree, blessing in disguise for grandparents

to actually see Nick's OCD, plus he did end up calling you two to help get him

through it so g'parents needed to see that too. Hope you're not close to the

flooding in your state.

>

> Our 12 yr. old son with OCD has been pretty stable for now. Husband and I

were on a business trip to Washington D.C. the first week of April. Nick had a

small OCD episode that his grandparents had to handle while we were away. We

talked Nick through it via telephone while bus touring the Washington mounuments

(ha ha). I think it was a blessing in disguise for husband's parents to see

Nick flare, they don't remind him to take meds and I think they minimize the

OCD.

May 23, 2009

Hi,

I've not posted for sometime. We were involved in quite a battle with the

school. I spent endless hours researching special ed law, as they took his

IEP illegally. Finally after months of fighting with them to get it back,

we hired a special ed attorney. Things got moving pretty quickly, and

finally they gave it back. He went the entire year without services they knew

he

needed.

The lexapro isn't working as well as it had, it had been a miracle drug

for him. But his OCD started coming back, so we had to increase to 15 mg

about a month ago. Still no improvement. I don't know where we will go from

here.

we bought him a new bed, so yesterday when I was taking out the old, I

found clumps of hair. He has been pulling it out, and hiding it under his bed.

He has bald patches on his head the size of a pencil eraser.

The touching is back, as is the need for symmetry. The few months we had

our son back was sooooooo nice. I have to admit I'm afraid it will be as it

was before.

I hate this d... disease!

Tourettes, OCD, ADD, fetal anticonvulsant syndrome, and being tested for

PDD.

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May 23, 2009

That makes me sad and angry. As if dealing with the illness isn't bad enough,

you have to fight for everything they need in school. Our district has been

fairly good about giving what I have asked for with Matt, but still I have to

police them to make sure they don;t slack off. I just hate it.

I hope that when school starts again in September, your son will have what he

needs and will struggle less in school - perhaps his OCD will improve. In the

meantime, perhaps a different SSRI or the addition of something like Abilify or

another AP for a bit will help. I guess I don't have to tell you about ERP.

Hope things get better soon.

Bonnie

>

> Hi,

> I've not posted for sometime. We were involved in quite a battle with the

> school. I spent endless hours researching special ed law, as they took his

> IEP illegally. Finally after months of fighting with them to get it back,

> we hired a special ed attorney. Things got moving pretty quickly, and

> finally they gave it back. He went the entire year without services they knew

he

> needed.

>

> The lexapro isn't working as well as it had, it had been a miracle drug

> for him. But his OCD started coming back, so we had to increase to 15 mg

> about a month ago. Still no improvement. I don't know where we will go from

> here.

>

> we bought him a new bed, so yesterday when I was taking out the old, I

> found clumps of hair. He has been pulling it out, and hiding it under his

bed.

> He has bald patches on his head the size of a pencil eraser.

>

> The touching is back, as is the need for symmetry. The few months we had

> our son back was sooooooo nice. I have to admit I'm afraid it will be as it

> was before.

>

> I hate this d... disease!

>

> Tourettes, OCD, ADD, fetal anticonvulsant syndrome, and being tested for

> PDD.

> **************A strong credit score is 700 or above. See Yours in Just 2

> Easy Steps!

>

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222585033x1201462753/aol?redir=http://\

www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072 & hmpgID=115 & b

> cd=Maystrongfooter52309NO115)

>

May 24, 2009

Hi Bonnie,

Thank you. It was emotionally exhausting, and it seriously strained out

marriage, fighting the school caused so much stress that we started fighting

each other. I'm so glad its finally over.

This is his first SSRI, so I'm not familiar with them....he has appt with

Dr. next month, I guess its time to try something else.

does the brain adjust to the med, so you constantly have to change? He's

only been on lexapro since Feb.

ERP....yes, we took him for a couple of months, but he doesn't want to

fight it..so we stopped for awhile. We just couldn't afford to take him, when

he doesn't want to fight it.

son, 12 TS, OCD, ADHD, FACS, maybe PDD.

In a message dated 5/23/2009 5:42:59 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

bhamelburg@... writes:

That makes me sad and angry. As if dealing with the illness isn't bad

enough, you have to fight for everything they need in school. Our district has

been fairly good about giving what I have asked for with Matt, but still I

have to police them to make sure they don;t slack off. I just hate it.

I hope that when school starts again in September, your son will have what

he needs and will struggle less in school - perhaps his OCD will improve.

In the meantime, perhaps a different SSRI or the addition of something like

Abilify or another AP for a bit will help. I guess I don't have to tell

you about ERP.

Hope things get better soon.

Bonnie

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May 24, 2009

Hi BJ,

the school took all the energy I had...I tried to do most of my own

research first, hours and hours a day, but in the end had to hire a special ed

attorney.

I've not called the Dr and told him about the hair pulling...it just

happened this weekend. I should call him, rather than waiting for our appt in

June, since its late in the month.

He only knew Micah was starting to repeat OCD behaviors, but didn't realize

the extent, as we didn't at the time, Micah wont tell us the OCD is

bothering him, we have to find out ourselves. I'm not sure what Dr will want to

do.

I hope you and Josh are doing well.

In a message dated 5/24/2009 11:50:10 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

BJClosner@... writes:

Hi, . ) Hey, it's been a while. I'm glad things were going better

for you and Micah. Sorry the Lexapro pooped out. Does the doc want to try a

different SSRI?

Boy, it sounds like you are still having problems with that school. Sorry

to hear that.

Yeah. . It's easy to hate this disorder. I'm with you there.

Hugs,

BJ

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May 24, 2009

Hi, . ) Hey, it's been a while. I'm glad things were going better for

you and Micah. Sorry the Lexapro pooped out. Does the doc want to try a

different SSRI?

Boy, it sounds like you are still having problems with that school. Sorry to

hear that.

Yeah. . It's easy to hate this disorder. I'm with you there.

Hugs,

BJ

>

> Hi,

> I've not posted for sometime. We were involved in quite a battle with the

> school. I spent endless hours researching special ed law, as they took his

> IEP illegally. Finally after months of fighting with them to get it back,

> we hired a special ed attorney. Things got moving pretty quickly, and

> finally they gave it back. He went the entire year without services they knew

he

> needed.

>

> The lexapro isn't working as well as it had, it had been a miracle drug

> for him. But his OCD started coming back, so we had to increase to 15 mg

> about a month ago. Still no improvement. I don't know where we will go from

> here.

>

> we bought him a new bed, so yesterday when I was taking out the old, I

> found clumps of hair. He has been pulling it out, and hiding it under his

bed.

> He has bald patches on his head the size of a pencil eraser.

>

> The touching is back, as is the need for symmetry. The few months we had

> our son back was sooooooo nice. I have to admit I'm afraid it will be as it

> was before.

>

> I hate this d... disease!

>

> Tourettes, OCD, ADD, fetal anticonvulsant syndrome, and being tested for

> PDD.

> **************A strong credit score is 700 or above. See Yours in Just 2

> Easy Steps!

>

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222585033x1201462753/aol?redir=http://\

www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072 & hmpgID=115 & b

> cd=Maystrongfooter52309NO115)

>

May 24, 2009

Hi !! Had wondered how your family was doing, glad you posted but sorry

the OCD is acting up again.

Wow, sorry you had to go thru all that with the school, recall they were giving

you a hard time a while back. Researching special ed and school/disabilities --

yep, I spent hours doing that too when 's OCD began. I swear, by the

time we parents educate ourselves we could be advocates for others!

Did the hair pulling begin after the increase in med?? Sometimes a med will

cause new behaviors like hair pulling or skin picking, etc.

I had to observe too with his OCD since he wasn't one to volunteer

information.

>

> Hi BJ,

> the school took all the energy I had...I tried to do most of my own

> research first, hours and hours a day, but in the end had to hire a special ed

> attorney.

May 26, 2009

Hi

Thanks for thinking about us .

Yes, I agree, after all the research I did on special ed law, the attorney

said I know more than most people working for the school system.

I asked Micah, he said the hair pulling began before the increase in med,

but I looked at the bald spots, and there is no new growth. We increased the

med 4 weeks ago....so I'm not so sure he's being honest with me. I noticed

more and more he wants to hide his compulsions from me.

I don't know if I've mentioned it but he hoards food. We haven't been

allowing him to hoard (calling dibs, but then letting it rot in frig), so now he

has switched to eating what he hoards, he is eating to the point of

gagging.

Are you excited about going to college? How is he feeling about it?

In a message dated 5/24/2009 12:45:45 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

@... writes:

Hi !! Had wondered how your family was doing, glad you posted but

sorry the OCD is acting up again.

Wow, sorry you had to go thru all that with the school, recall they were

giving you a hard time a while back. Researching special ed and

school/disabilities -- yep, I spent hours doing that too when 's OCD

began. I

swear, by the time we parents educate ourselves we could be advocates for

others!

Did the hair pulling begin after the increase in med?? Sometimes a med

will cause new behaviors like hair pulling or skin picking, etc.

I had to observe too with his OCD since he wasn't one to volunteer

information.

in NC

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy

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May 26, 2009

Hi Bonnie,

Thank you.

For Micah he has a love hate relationship with his compulsions. He doesn't

like the way they make him feel out of control, but he likes the way he

feels when he does them...if that makes sense. So he doesn't want to stop.

We will continue to encourage him to attend ERP. He has a great therapist,

I'm so glad we found her. Now we just have to pay the attorneys fees for

the IEP, and other med bills, then he can go back.

Thanks so much Bonnie,

In a message dated 5/24/2009 8:14:23 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

bhamelburg@... writes:

I don't know if the meds loose effectiveness or if the OCD symptoms become

more severe and require either a larger dose or another med (the latter is

my hunch). I have heard (and it is my experience) that therapy and meds

are what helps most of the time. Don't give up on trying to persuade him into

therapy. Perhpas the exposures were just too much at once (too

overwhelming) and maybe more babyish steps can be taken. Take the opportunity

to help

explain to him again that ERP (taken in baby steps) is what helps. If that

doesn't work, perhaps just talk therapy until he's ready and getting some

relief with meds?

Bonnie

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy

steps!

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May 26, 2009

Hi , well I haven't used any special ed lawyer or advocate; did

(mentioned in the original update post). As to getting help for my son

with school issues, well it was pretty evident he was having problems. What's

the school been doing (or NOT doing) with your child??? Are the problems all

OCD related? And, yes, I was stressed too. Is there a 504 Plan or IEP set up

yet?

> >

> > Hi BJ,

> > the school took all the energy I had...I tried to do most of my own

> > research first, hours and hours a day, but in the end had to hire a special

ed

> > attorney.

>

May 26, 2009

Hi , I imagine lots of our kids want to hide any new OC behaviors (or new

trich/hair-pulling, or new other stuff) from us sometimes, just so we parents

won't be upset; or they are afraid we will be upset.

used to hoard some things too (still does somewhat). But he wouldn't

have eaten any of it, so far as " food " it would be more the shelf type items,

nothing that would go bad.

Regarding college, I go between happy and sad and anxious and concerned, LOL.

He's anxious but looking forward to it. Well, when older brother asked him if

he was looking forward to it, said " kind of. " He was all excited before

and now that he's been accepted, etc., I think that has wound down to the " kind

of. " He said he was anxious about it when I asked.

>

> Hi

> Thanks for thinking about us .

>

> Yes, I agree, after all the research I did on special ed law, the attorney

> said I know more than most people working for the school system.

>

> I asked Micah, he said the hair pulling began before the increase in med,

>

May 26, 2009

Can you use an advocate before an attorney (they're much cheaper). I did it to

show i meant business and I got what we asked for.

Bonnie

>

> Hi Bonnie,

> Thank you.

> For Micah he has a love hate relationship with his compulsions. He doesn't

> like the way they make him feel out of control, but he likes the way he

> feels when he does them...if that makes sense. So he doesn't want to stop.

>

> We will continue to encourage him to attend ERP. He has a great therapist,

> I'm so glad we found her. Now we just have to pay the attorneys fees for

> the IEP, and other med bills, then he can go back.

>

> Thanks so much Bonnie,

>

> In a message dated 5/24/2009 8:14:23 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

> bhamelburg@... writes:

>

> I don't know if the meds loose effectiveness or if the OCD symptoms become

> more severe and require either a larger dose or another med (the latter is

> my hunch). I have heard (and it is my experience) that therapy and meds

> are what helps most of the time. Don't give up on trying to persuade him into

> therapy. Perhpas the exposures were just too much at once (too

> overwhelming) and maybe more babyish steps can be taken. Take the opportunity

to help

> explain to him again that ERP (taken in baby steps) is what helps. If that

> doesn't work, perhaps just talk therapy until he's ready and getting some

> relief with meds?

>

> Bonnie

>

> **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy

> steps!

>

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June 21, 2009

Hi all,

I don't know how the rest of you parents with OCD feel, but I think it is nice

to have somewhere we can be more open about it...and think about how far many of

us have come and what we could still stand to work on. You're never too old to

learn something new.

Yes, my OCD is suggestible too. I can relate to the comment about needing to

check the top of the car now, not that I have that particular problem, but

topics that are close to my obsessions/compulsions are more likely to cause me

problems. If I watch or read about OCD, I can feel my anxiety levels start to

climb if it is a problem that I have had (such as checking) and not rise as much

if it is a problem I don't have. I also still have " spreading, " things I

normally don't check, but will if my stress levels are high and am learning to

recognize what it means (ie, that my stress levels are high!).

My daughter is doing a good bit better today. Has gotten done with hand/arm

washing in about 27 minutes twice today as opposed to 45 min-1 hour each time a

few days ago. Don't know if the higher med dosages are starting to kick in or

if the environmental modifications are helping. Her ERP therapist said

yesterday that since Lynn's OCD currently qualifies as severe and her motivation

to resist is low, we needed to put away all extra soap in advance (so she can't

run from one bathroom to another in search of soap) and remove the clock from

the bathroom she has been using (so she can't say, " well, it hasn't been 50

minutes yet, so I can't/don't have to/don't want to resist. " She was even able

to come out to lunch with us on Kent Island (an hour away) when we met her

grandparents for lunch to pick up her little sister. Someone mentioned keeping

an OCD journal; I think I will start that for her because when things are bad,

she seems to truly believe that

they have always been that way and will never improve.

I also told her the most important thing I learned in Weight Watchers, which

also applies to living with OCD (and to life in general): if you have a bad

day, forgive yourself, and start fresh the next day. So often, we beat

ourselves (and each other) up for the bad days and give up on the weight loss,

the OCD treatment, or whatever other goal we have, but it doesn't have to be

that way. Forgiving yourself is a wonderful gift. I only hope it won't take

her over 40 years to learn it as it did me.

June 21, 2009

I don't have OCD that I know of, but I read your post and I think you're

terrific for sharing. It's extremely helpful to read posts from those who

suffer (ed) so that we can have some insight. My son is just now starting to be

able to describe what's going on for him and he's had trouble since he was at

least 5. I never realized how things correlated and looking back, I'm beginning

to understand what may have triggered a particularly bad episode.

Oddly enough, I am a nurse too. I have a small " thing " about cleaning the house

and I get grouchy when the house is really messy. PMS has always been really

tough for me. I have thought about taking something for that time of month, but

haven't really decided.

I was anxious a lot as a kid, but I didn't have a good upbringing and always

thought that's what it was about. I had a school phobia once when I was 16 and

were it not for my twin sister walking me to school (she'd tell mom if I didn't

go), I may have missed more school. There were times in my adulthood that I was

anxious and I knew it was a bit " overboard " . I attributed it to some stress and

post partum depression? I do have a persistent and unusual fear about driving

someone (outside immediate family) in my car. However, when someone needs help,

I can do it no problem (maybe that's where the nursing thing comes into it?)

When I recall those times, it still bugs me because it was kind of weird - I

never told anyone about it. Something to think about.....

Bonnie

>

> Hi all,

>

> I don't know how the rest of you parents with OCD feel, but I think it is nice

to have somewhere we can be more open about it...and think about how far many of

us have come and what we could still stand to work on. You're never too old to

learn something new.

>

> Yes, my OCD is suggestible too. I can relate to the comment about needing to

check the top of the car now, not that I have that particular problem, but

topics that are close to my obsessions/compulsions are more likely to cause me

problems. If I watch or read about OCD, I can feel my anxiety levels start to

climb if it is a problem that I have had (such as checking) and not rise as much

if it is a problem I don't have. I also still have " spreading, " things I

normally don't check, but will if my stress levels are high and am learning to

recognize what it means (ie, that my stress levels are high!).

>

> My daughter is doing a good bit better today. Has gotten done with hand/arm