10-year-old son's OCD is flaring

[Guest guest]

Hi--

Looking for advice from docs and/or parents.

Our 10-year-old son was diagnosed with OCD about 9 months ago. We are doing

CBT/ERP, he is seeing a psychologist once a week and is taking 7 ML of liquid

Prozac. He has made GREAT strides, but we have noticed that after months of

almost no rituals/compulsions, that they have returned. We don't know of any

trigger.

Our question is how much can a preteen's growth/weight gain affect OCD? Do meds

need to changed during growth spurts and how do you know? Our meds appt. isn't

until next month.

Thanks in advance,

Kathleen

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathleen, I think just in general that if OCD starts " acting up " again after

a while of having it manageable, that I would first start with increasing dosage

of current med.

I don't know that weight or just aging, puberty, etc., increases OCD or means

that dosage needs increased (though we do talk a lot here about puberty and

OCD).

You might call your psychiatrist and ask about increasing the dosage before your

appt if things are really bad, don't feel it's beneficial to wait for the appt,

or psych might get him in sooner because of that.

Is his therapy (CBT/ERP) getting any more difficult recently, working on

anything new, harder for him...? That might spike it up some too.

Also, thinking of my son, times around the holidays (T'giving, Christmas, school

break...) his OCD would act up some, got so I expected it to.

Just some thoughts,

>

> Hi--

>

> Looking for advice from docs and/or parents.

>

> Our 10-year-old son was diagnosed with OCD about 9 months ago. We are doing

CBT/ERP, he is seeing a psychologist once a week and is taking 7 ML of liquid

Prozac. He has made GREAT strides, but we have noticed that after months of

almost no rituals/compulsions, that they have returned. We don't know of any

trigger.

>

> Our question is how much can a preteen's growth/weight gain affect OCD? Do

meds need to changed during growth spurts and how do you know? Our meds appt.

isn't until next month.

>

> Thanks in advance,

> Kathleen

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your feedback, Chris. It helps to hear from other parents who have

had these experiences.

His CBT/ERP is getting more difficult in that we are really taking on his

biggest fear (vomiting). His homework has been to look at pictures of sick

people, people bent over toilets, etc. (This is after a long build up from

" easier " pictures.)

His flaring isn't terribly bad or unmanageable, just heartbreaking for us

parents who see the return of time-consuming rituals we thought our son had

dropped.

Kathleen

Re: 10-year-old son's OCD is flaring

Hi Kathleen, I think just in general that if OCD starts " acting up " again

after a while of having it manageable, that I would first start with increasing

dosage of current med.

I don't know that weight or just aging, puberty, etc., increases OCD or means

that dosage needs increased (though we do talk a lot here about puberty and

OCD).

You might call your psychiatrist and ask about increasing the dosage before

your appt if things are really bad, don't feel it's beneficial to wait for the

appt, or psych might get him in sooner because of that.

Is his therapy (CBT/ERP) getting any more difficult recently, working on

anything new, harder for him...? That might spike it up some too.

Also, thinking of my son, times around the holidays (T'giving, Christmas,

school break...) his OCD would act up some, got so I expected it to.

Just some thoughts,

>

> Hi--

>

> Looking for advice from docs and/or parents.

>

> Our 10-year-old son was diagnosed with OCD about 9 months ago. We are doing

CBT/ERP, he is seeing a psychologist once a week and is taking 7 ML of liquid

Prozac. He has made GREAT strides, but we have noticed that after months of

almost no rituals/compulsions, that they have returned. We don't know of any

trigger.

>

> Our question is how much can a preteen's growth/weight gain affect OCD? Do

meds need to changed during growth spurts and how do you know? Our meds appt.

isn't until next month.

>

> Thanks in advance,

> Kathleen

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Kathleen. I don't know about Prozac dosages, especially liquid, (our son

has always used Celexa), but is the amount he is on considered low?

Our son needed increases of medication with growth spurts, weight gain, etc. And

puberty did seem to affect his OCD too.

Seems the only way to know if the med change will work, is trial and error.

Hate the trial and error times. . Been there. They raise it and see if things

improve. But, there is a max of what they should take and what it can be raised

to, which I'm sure his prescribing doc is taking into account.

Have all of his rituals returned? Or just the ones associated with the " harder "

things he is working on?

It's so hard, sometimes, to know what might have set things off. Sometimes they

don't even know.

It's horrible when things are good then take a turn for the worst again. It

always feels like you've been sucker punched. . Even if you know it's likely to

happen.

Our son always had continuing rituals, even on medication. I think the meds

didn't make it go away for him, but just quieted the intensity. The CBT/ERP

used along with the meds is what helped with the ongoing rituals, which is what

you are doing.

I hope you can get things turned back around soon. We've found sometimes they

just quiet back down on their own.

Hugs,

BJ

>

> Hi--

>

> Looking for advice from docs and/or parents.

>

> Our 10-year-old son was diagnosed with OCD about 9 months ago. We are doing

CBT/ERP, he is seeing a psychologist once a week and is taking 7 ML of liquid

Prozac. He has made GREAT strides, but we have noticed that after months of

almost no rituals/compulsions, that they have returned. We don't know of any

trigger.

>

> Our question is how much can a preteen's growth/weight gain affect OCD? Do

meds need to changed during growth spurts and how do you know? Our meds appt.

isn't until next month.

>

> Thanks in advance,

> Kathleen

>

>

[Guest guest]

Can you define the difference on a scale of 1-100? When it started was it

sudden onset, or a slow build over time? When it went away, was it less than a

10? And how fast did it come back & how bad is it?

>

> Hi--

>

> Looking for advice from docs and/or parents.

>

> Our 10-year-old son was diagnosed with OCD about 9 months ago. We are doing

CBT/ERP, he is seeing a psychologist once a week and is taking 7 ML of liquid

Prozac. He has made GREAT strides, but we have noticed that after months of

almost no rituals/compulsions, that they have returned. We don't know of any

trigger.

>

> Our question is how much can a preteen's growth/weight gain affect OCD? Do

meds need to changed during growth spurts and how do you know? Our meds appt.

isn't until next month.

>

> Thanks in advance,

> Kathleen

>

>

[Guest guest]

When he was first diagnosed it was really sudden. Each day almost seem to bring

a new compulsion. After being on meds for a while (he was on 20 MG Prozac) a

lot of the compulsions seem to completely disappear. The reduced anxiety also

allowed for the CBT to be easier. In most cases we would have rated most of the

issues to under 10.

We noticed things creeping back in a few weeks ago. For example, he is back to

feeling like he has to pray in the morning . It started with just a minute.

Then a couple days later it became 2, a few days later it became 4. Our fear is

that if it keeps growing at this rate... (when things were bad this could go on

for hours) The CBT he is doing we would consider very hard for him, so we don't

know if it is the CBT which is starting to bring these things back or its

possibly the meds becoming less effective due to physical changes.

Thanks

Kathleen

Re: 10-year-old son's OCD is flaring

Can you define the difference on a scale of 1-100? When it started was it

sudden onset, or a slow build over time? When it went away, was it less than a

10? And how fast did it come back & how bad is it?

>

> Hi--

>

> Looking for advice from docs and/or parents.

>

> Our 10-year-old son was diagnosed with OCD about 9 months ago. We are doing

CBT/ERP, he is seeing a psychologist once a week and is taking 7 ML of liquid

Prozac. He has made GREAT strides, but we have noticed that after months of

almost no rituals/compulsions, that they have returned. We don't know of any

trigger.

>

> Our question is how much can a preteen's growth/weight gain affect OCD? Do

meds need to changed during growth spurts and how do you know? Our meds appt.

isn't until next month.

>

> Thanks in advance,

> Kathleen

>

>

[Guest guest]

The CBT he is doing we would consider very hard for him, so we don't

know if it is the CBT which is starting to bring these things back or its

possibly the meds becoming less effective due to physical changes.

Kathleen, I guess I would try an increase in dosage. Should, hopefully, help

either way, whether it's the therapy or he just needs a bit more now. I don't

think any of the medications are prescribed with dosage relating to age, weight,

etc., just sort of trial & error and use the least amount that is effective,

etc.

I know was on liquid Celexa (did I say this already?) and I would

sometimes give him a bit more when I anticipated his OCD might increase due to

anxiety (the good & bad kind). Then I'd go back down to regular dosage. For

some reason I seemed to have a bit extra liquid left before each refill so

didn't run out when I did this. Anyway, just saying an increase might help if

he's been doing well on current med.

>

> When he was first diagnosed it was really sudden. Each day almost seem to

bring a new compulsion. After being on meds for a while (he was on 20 MG

Prozac) a lot of the compulsions seem to completely disappear. The reduced

anxiety also allowed for the CBT to be easier. In most cases we would have

rated most of the issues to under 10.

>

> We noticed things creeping back in a few weeks ago. For example, he is back

to feeling like he has to pray in the morning . It started with just a minute.

Then a couple days later it became 2, a few days later it became 4. Our fear is

that if it keeps growing at this rate... (when things were bad this could go on

for hours) The CBT he is doing we would consider very hard for him, so we don't

know if it is the CBT which is starting to bring these things back or its

possibly the meds becoming less effective due to physical changes.

>

> Thanks

> Kathleen

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks BJ. I always find your posts insightful. We will speak with his doc about

the med dose. Part of me hates increasing it, but the CBT/ERP doesn't seem to be

enough. Not all the rituals have returned but a lot of time consuming ones have.

We are getting into tough stuff in his therapy so that may be a trigger. Seems

everyone on this list talks about flares and waxing and waning. Just got spoiled

for a while, I guess.

Kathleen

Re: 10-year-old son's OCD is flaring

Hi, Kathleen. I don't know about Prozac dosages, especially liquid, (our son

has always used Celexa), but is the amount he is on considered low?

Our son needed increases of medication with growth spurts, weight gain, etc.

And puberty did seem to affect his OCD too.

Seems the only way to know if the med change will work, is trial and error.

Hate the trial and error times. . Been there. They raise it and see if things

improve. But, there is a max of what they should take and what it can be raised

to, which I'm sure his prescribing doc is taking into account.

Have all of his rituals returned? Or just the ones associated with the

" harder " things he is working on?

It's so hard, sometimes, to know what might have set things off. Sometimes

they don't even know.

It's horrible when things are good then take a turn for the worst again. It

always feels like you've been sucker punched. . Even if you know it's likely to

happen.

Our son always had continuing rituals, even on medication. I think the meds

didn't make it go away for him, but just quieted the intensity. The CBT/ERP used

along with the meds is what helped with the ongoing rituals, which is what you

are doing.

I hope you can get things turned back around soon. We've found sometimes they

just quiet back down on their own.

Hugs,

BJ

>

> Hi--

>

> Looking for advice from docs and/or parents.

>

> Our 10-year-old son was diagnosed with OCD about 9 months ago. We are doing

CBT/ERP, he is seeing a psychologist once a week and is taking 7 ML of liquid

Prozac. He has made GREAT strides, but we have noticed that after months of

almost no rituals/compulsions, that they have returned. We don't know of any

trigger.

>

> Our question is how much can a preteen's growth/weight gain affect OCD? Do

meds need to changed during growth spurts and how do you know? Our meds appt.

isn't until next month.

>

> Thanks in advance,

> Kathleen

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kathleen,

We have had to increase my DD's Prozac dosage many times over the

years. She started on 10 mgs., which was ineffective and did very well

on 30 mgs, then 50, then 60, and now 80 mgs. But, this is over the

course of 7 1/2 yrs. She's now nearly 15 and has grown alot, gone

through puberty, etc. Hopefully an increase works well. I know how you

feel about increasing, I always hate it, but then I am so happy we did

it when I see her relief weeks down the road. This time it took 6-7

weeks to see improvement.

Dina

[Guest guest]

I'm glad that something I shared might have helped, Kathleen. This group helped

me a lot when we were searching for answers too. Saved my sanity to have

someplace to come and vent, and to have others who understood.

It's easy to get spoiled to those good times. I can tell you that for the most

part, it gets a bit easier with the setbacks. I think possibly we, and our

kids, get more educated over time and know what to expect and how to cope. But,

it still is horrible when things take a turn for the worst again. The time

consuming rituals are so frustrating, for both. Ugh! Been there. I hope you

can get things turned around again, quickly. Keep us updated.

Hugs and prayers,

BJ

> >

> > Hi--

> >

> > Looking for advice from docs and/or parents.

> >

> > Our 10-year-old son was diagnosed with OCD about 9 months ago. We are

doing CBT/ERP, he is seeing a psychologist once a week and is taking 7 ML of

liquid Prozac. He has made GREAT strides, but we have noticed that after months

of almost no rituals/compulsions, that they have returned. We don't know of any

trigger.

> >

> > Our question is how much can a preteen's growth/weight gain affect OCD? Do

meds need to changed during growth spurts and how do you know? Our meds appt.

isn't until next month.

> >

> > Thanks in advance,

> > Kathleen

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'm glad to hear she is doing better again, Dina. )

Have always hated the med increases too. Never knowing what to expect. But,

we've always had good results too. Thankfully.

BJ

>

> Kathleen,

>

> We have had to increase my DD's Prozac dosage many times over the

> years. She started on 10 mgs., which was ineffective and did very well

> on 30 mgs, then 50, then 60, and now 80 mgs. But, this is over the

> course of 7 1/2 yrs. She's now nearly 15 and has grown alot, gone

> through puberty, etc. Hopefully an increase works well. I know how you

> feel about increasing, I always hate it, but then I am so happy we did

> it when I see her relief weeks down the road. This time it took 6-7

> weeks to see improvement.

>

> Dina

>

[Guest guest]

svdbyhislove wrote:

>

>

> I'm glad to hear she is doing better again, Dina. )

>

>

Thanks, BJ. I'm always amazed when she really does get better with each

med. increase. Clearly a chemical imbalance. Now instead of having

constant anxiety and needing me all the time, she's back to being a

lippy teenager who constantly wants to be with her friends or update her

facebook status. I'll take regular teenage issues any day.

How's your heart? Any new testing? Have they decided on the pacemaker

or not?

Dina

[Guest guest]

Omygosh, the lippy teenager thing. lol That's a trial of it's own, isn't it.

You know they are feeling better when they act like that. lol But, you are

right, I would take that any day too, over an OCD breakdown.

My heart has, for whatever reason, calmed back down somewhat. I still have

stuff every day, but not all day long anymore. It's been a while since I've had

a " sofa " day, where I've been forced to lie down all day. So, I've been feeling

better and have more of my life back. I go to see the electrophysiologist on

Thursday to see what he wants to do from here. And whether he will okay me to

exercise again. I miss it. I hadn't realized how much it helped with my

Fibromyalgia until I had to stop exercising. I have mixed feelings about seeing

the doc. I don't want a device in my chest, but we will see what he thinks is

best, then decide from there. He mentioned a defibrillator at one point. Just

wish I could tolerate the meds, but I can't, so. . .<shrug>. . What can I do.

Thanks for asking, Dina. It's been nice to be able to participate in here more

lately. )

BJ

> >

> >

> > I'm glad to hear she is doing better again, Dina. )

> >

> >

>

> Thanks, BJ. I'm always amazed when she really does get better with each

> med. increase. Clearly a chemical imbalance. Now instead of having

> constant anxiety and needing me all the time, she's back to being a

> lippy teenager who constantly wants to be with her friends or update her

> facebook status. I'll take regular teenage issues any day.

>

> How's your heart? Any new testing? Have they decided on the pacemaker

> or not?

>

> Dina

>