Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
I have a mild form of OCD, but everything I have taken has both cleared my head and made me drowsy. But the worst was fluoxetine (prozac). Soon after taking just 20-40-60 mg a day, I got severe dry mouth overnight, but the worst was the drowsiness. They gave me nuvigil which didn't really help or maybe it wasn't strong enough (125 to 225)
I don't always get a good eight hours, but even now, two weeks after dropping all SSRI meds, I slept 10 hours from Friday to Sat, started feeling dead tired at 2, took a nuvigil, but by 3 I had to lay down in bed. My wife woke me an hour later for supper, but I bet I could have slept longer.
Sorry if that's long, but could that be something other than meds? I'm only 52. Does anyone who has more severe OCD have to put up with sleeping and napping more than usual because of that side effect?
Chris
I don't always get a good eight hours, but even now, two weeks after dropping all SSRI meds, I slept 10 hours from Friday to Sat, started feeling dead tired at 2, took a nuvigil, but by 3 I had to lay down in bed. My wife woke me an hour later for supper, but I bet I could have slept longer.
Sorry if that's long, but could that be something other than meds? I'm only 52. Does anyone who has more severe OCD have to put up with sleeping and napping more than usual because of that side effect?
Chris
Your not alone.
I want that afternoon nap as well and I just turned 50.
For me, I wonder if besides the meds (I believe most of which can have that side effect) it may have something to do with depression.
I wouldn't rule out the exhaustion OCD itself can cause either.
One of my high OCD things is checking everything to make sure it is safe and problem free.
Take the simple act of leaving the house.
For me that means making sure the following are all off: stove, hair dryer, microwave, T.V., VCR, computer, dishwasher, washer and dryer, faucets-no dripping, nothing plugged in but the T.V., all windows closed, door locked and tightly closed.
I have to check these things piece by piece before I'm satisfied.
I assume the average person gives a quick glance around the house and their mind free, heads out the door. -Wow, that must be great!
This may not be your thing, but the point being OCD can be a very tiring condition.
I hope that helps answer your question.
Take Care
i agree with what theseeker1 said......but also i dont think 2 weeks is very long with these meds. i dont understand all the terminology of the meds such as "half life" etc.....but i still think its down to a mixture of our illness,s, our age, our individual reaction an mixed with other meds....... i had an anxious time with prozac and even though i stopped it, it took weeks for me to feel some relief.
As for 'half-life,' tiajackson, my psych did say it would take at least three weeks for the stuff to 'clear out'. (So much for giving two weeks' notice :} ) I don't get the dry mouth as much at night, so that helps.
I guess I just have to be patient.
As for 'depression' I would say I get easily 'discouraged'. Oddly enough (or maybe not oddly), I can be a very 'en-couraging' person for others. Then I get down on myself.
My O is easily obsessing over negative things and having unwanted thoughts. It isn't as bad lately, so maybe I have some other condition that the psych is identifying as OCD for simplicity's sake.
Any other 'super tired' people out there?