Hi - new here

August 25, 2005

Thank you !

Annie in AZ

Eltat2mom@... wrote:

Annie -

You are right. She should follow her doctor's orders, and no one else's.

Duh.

That thought did cross my mind....I figured her doctor would tell her how to

take it.

Marilyn

August 26, 2005

In a message dated 8/26/2005 6:25:28 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

topmercedes40@... writes:

Wasn't trying to play doc. Heck, I'm busy trying to

play human.

I understand. None of us intentionally would give out advice to another

with the intent to harm, or play doctor. We answered the question. True, it

is

up to a doctor to give this kind of advice, but, none of us thought of that.

It was innocent enough.

We know better now. I say we put it behind us, and move on.....

I think valid points were made all around. I think we all agree, that for

medical advice, we speak to our doctors, and no one intentionally set out to

play doctor, or pretend to have medical knowledge.

Marilyn

August 26, 2005

In a message dated 8/26/2005 8:06:53 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

chapmn47@... writes:

When you gave her that advice, you didn't say that that was what your doctor

had you do, you said with such authority " yes, cut in half- take 5 for a

week... "

Ahhh, the power or the internet...it is difficult, when reading words, to

say anything with authority, or whatever...words in print are just that - words

in print - we cannot see the face, cannot read the emotion, understand how

the words are meant to be taken.

To belabor this is pointless. Let's just DROP IT, and move on to discussing

more productive things.

Marilyn

August 26, 2005

I agree. Always consult doc, but at the same time most of us have done

enough research on meds and their effects to sort of know what we are

talking about. At the same time each person reacts differently to each med

so a doctor's advice is always first step.

>In a message dated 8/26/2005 6:25:28 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

>topmercedes40@... writes:

>

>Wasn't trying to play doc. Heck, I'm busy trying to

>play human.

>

>I understand. None of us intentionally would give out advice to another

>with the intent to harm, or play doctor. We answered the question. True,

>it is

>up to a doctor to give this kind of advice, but, none of us thought of

>that.

> It was innocent enough.

>

>We know better now. I say we put it behind us, and move on.....

>

>I think valid points were made all around. I think we all agree, that for

>medical advice, we speak to our doctors, and no one intentionally set out

>to

>play doctor, or pretend to have medical knowledge.

>

>Marilyn

>

August 26, 2005

Annie -

I felt my reaction to the first dosage was too strong, so I wanted

to cut it in half to 5mg. I did leave a message for my doctor

yesterday with no return call (I only took 10mg for ONE night...).

Hopefully I can get a hold of him today. Of COURSE I know it's not

a drug to fool with... I did take it upon myself to take half last

night and I must admit, I feel much better today than the morning

after taking 10mg. I think that since I am just starting it, this

should cause no harm (from what I've read about it).

Tasha

>

> In a message dated 8/25/2005 3:56:26 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,

> oraidergrl@y... writes:

>

> Can I just cut the 10mg in half?

>

> Yes. I used a razor blade...they are hard to cut!

>

> Marilyn

>

August 27, 2005

I don't mean to start trouble but I think it is important for people here to

understand the difference between giving (medical ) advice and sharing their

experiences.

Sue C

-- Re: Re: Hi - New Here

In a message dated 8/26/2005 8:06:53 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

chapmn47@... writes:

When you gave her that advice, you didn't say that that was what your

doctor

had you do, you said with such authority " yes, cut in half- take 5 for a

week... "

Ahhh, the power or the internet...it is difficult, when reading words, to

say anything with authority, or whatever...words in print are just that -

words

in print - we cannot see the face, cannot read the emotion, understand how

the words are meant to be taken.

To belabor this is pointless. Let's just DROP IT, and move on to

discussing

more productive things.

Marilyn

August 28, 2005

In a message dated 8/27/2005 7:19:24 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

chapmn47@... writes:

I don't mean to start trouble but I think it is important for people here to

understand the difference between giving (medical ) advice and sharing their

experiences.

That is cool, Sue. I think we all understand what went on now. Live and

learn, right?

Marilyn

August 28, 2005

Thanks foe backing me up. I'd sent the same message weeks ago, and my suggestion

wasn't very well received. I'm a nurse, and stressed the importance of going to

the Doc for info....NOT this site. I've found some advice that has made my hair

stand on end. Even I, as a nurse, would NEVER give advice...This is what you pay

the Doc. for !!

Annie in AZ

Eltat2mom@... wrote:

In a message dated 8/27/2005 7:19:24 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

chapmn47@... writes:

I don't mean to start trouble but I think it is important for people here to

understand the difference between giving (medical ) advice and sharing their

experiences.

That is cool, Sue. I think we all understand what went on now. Live and

learn, right?

Marilyn

August 28, 2005

You're Wecome, Annie (also my cat's name) I've worked in the Health Care

field for 25 years so it is obvious to me that there's a difference between

giving advice and just sharing what worked for that individual. I think it

s important to be careful because we seem to be getting lots of new folks

coming on here who deserve to get accurate information, be it from us or

their physician.

Sue C

-- Re: Re: Hi - New Here

Thanks foe backing me up. I'd sent the same message weeks ago, and my

suggestion wasn't very well received. I'm a nurse, and stressed the

importance of going to the Doc for info....NOT this site. I've found some

advice that has made my hair stand on end. Even I, as a nurse, would NEVER

give advice...This is what you pay the Doc. for !!

Annie in AZ

Eltat2mom@... wrote:

In a message dated 8/27/2005 7:19:24 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

chapmn47@... writes:

I don't mean to start trouble but I think it is important for people here

to

understand the difference between giving (medical ) advice and sharing

their

experiences.

That is cool, Sue. I think we all understand what went on now. Live and

learn, right?

Marilyn

August 30, 2005

Larrissa,

ok here goes.. My agaraphobia is fairly bad. I had to cancell a therapy

appointment yesterday cause I coudl not leave. Generally I am able to

force myself oout of the house after about 2 hours of panic and then I am

still shaking like a leaf. I often have panic attacks once I am out which

kinda makes me stay in a lot. fear of fear. panic about possible panic (

so mucha circular trap) Are you housebound?

I was pretty much housebound most of my life. I was 19 the last time I was

ever more than 15 miles from home, and I am now 51. I fear vomiting also as

do a few others here. The odd things about this is I havent vomited since I was

10, Ive had diarrhea maybe 3x in my life, and my family to are all very very

healthy. We are truly blessed and I am eternally grateful. I have come close

twice to vomiting and I fought it tooth n nail. I cant be around someone who is

'doing it' nor can I handle it myself. Baby spit up is not a problem or when my

cats vomit. I was driving out boat the other day with a friend and 5 kids, a 4

year old was being held over the side by the adult and I was perfectly in

control. If I saw it happen, or he did it IN the boat, then I may have freaked.

The meds I've been on is Atenolol, for 3 months due to an elevated pulse rate

because I was having an ekg done. I had 3 rare side effects with it. The next

med was Alprazolam, and Ive been on it 3 years. Had 1 hour of side effects when

I first took it, lightheadedness and sleepiness, that was it. I am still on it

at 1 1/2 mg day. It has helped me to live a little, shop, go places, the mall,

Wal Mart. I was put to the test 3 weeks ago when I had to drive 35 mins. from

home to go to court for a bounced check. My husband went he is my support

person. I made it there, and 30 mins. sitting in the courtroom I felt that warm

sensation of a panic attacking coming on and then my name was called, thank the

good Lord. I got lost going home and handled that very well, even stopped at the

market and picked up a few things so I have done better. I have 4 pks. of

Lexapro sitting in my medicine cabinet awaiting me. Its been there a year and

its still good for another year, but Monday I will start it and mu husband is

going to quit cigs the same day. He wants me to get better. :-) If I could be

guaranteed I wouldnt have vomiting or stomach upset with this med I would take

it in a heartbeat. I will kep you posted, thank you for listening. Larissa

I have been on the lex for about 6 months.. and here is where I am a bad

example... I am so drug sensitive I am only taking 4 mg. I started on

one. I use a liquid form .Because lex can intensify anxiety to start with

that is where it is good to have benzos to ward off the anxiety of going

on. the SSRI. I was terrified to even take the stuff at all and stared

at it for a month or something 1st I would cry if I even saw the box.,

.. SO because I am not at a therapudic dosage I am a bad example. I still

have horrible anxiety. Here is the thing..I still think some days it is

better.. then I tend to have a week of being a freak. I am trying hard to

up the dosage but I am still scared of the drug ( this is not entirely a

rational thing besides that messing with brain chemicals is a serious

thign in my book) Well, Larissa I think the lex is worth a try ..it is

very low on side effects in comparison to other drugs. I do also

recommend therapy. beign agoraphobic is no way to live .. I am sure you

would agree.

I am here for you whenever you need support. I am home almost all the

tiem as my anxiety is such that I cannot work right now.

do not let my current situation deter you..cause until I am on at least

10 or 20 mg there is no tellign if the lex is useful for me or not.

alison

August 30, 2005

I use a liquid form .Because lex can intensify anxiety to start with

that is where it is good to have benzos to ward off the anxiety of going

on. the SSRI. I was terrified to even take the stuff at all and stared

at it for a month or something 1st I would cry if I even saw the box

Alison did you stay on the benzos while you were beginning the Lex? Larissa

January 6, 2006

Hi, welcome!

I have a son who'll be 17 this month with OCD. His ordeal began in

6th grade. He's doing very well now.

I think you can describe OCD to her at her level. You know her

best. You can tell her something like her brain is sending her " junk

mail " or use another name and teach her that she has to boss it back,

not listen to it, re-train her brain or whatever you can think of,

LOL! Many young kids will name their OCD, such as " Mr. Worry " or

such. She could name it " Fred " if she wanted (that name just came to

me).

has a twin (not identical) and then an older brother, almost

4 years older. So I explained OCD to them. Oh they weren't always

sympathetic about it. But the older son did a report for school on

OCD, so he learned a bit about it himself (he's not the most

studious, do a lot of research/read, type student, so he read at

least " some " !).

Well, have to go, but here are some sites, some with books; scroll

down to find kids books that are available:

http://www.worrywisekids.org/anxiety/ocd.html

http://www.lighthouse-press.com

(books)

http://understanding_ocd.tripod.com/ocd_books.html

(books)

http://www.jjsplace.org/kids_toolbox.html

http://www.cherrypedrick.com/ocd.html

Keep us updated!!!!!!!!

>

> Hi All,

>

> I am new here and thought I would introduce myself and ask a

> question.

>

> My 6 yo daughter was recently dx with OCD. We've known she's had

> anxiety issues since about 3 yo but the confirmation of OCD came at

> the end of 2005. She was on Prozac (5-10mg) for a little over a

January 7, 2006

Hi and welcome. I am the mother of two girls and they both have OCD. I have

it as well but that is another story My youngest daughter, , was

diagnosed at seven and like your daughter, showed signs of OCD at a very young

age. I swear she was born with it. When we found out it was OCD, we were

thrilled. We did tell her immediately and explained to her that brains have

chemicals and that hers had the wrong amounts of some of them. We called it OCD

and

told her the medication would help to make the chemicals right. We told her

that not everyone had this and she was, therefore, different. We also told

her that it wasn't her fault and that the thoughts she had and the problems she

was having were not her fault and that we knew she couldn't help how she felt

and thought at that time. Her response was to look at me and say, " You mean

I'm not crazy? " I am glad we told her. Her sister, Hannah, was nine at the

time and we told her the same thing. 's OCD has always been a part of

every day conversation. Hannah was not diagnosed until almost two years later.

We had no idea she had it too. She had her onset about a month after an

emergency appendectomy and managed to hide it from us for a year. She didn't

want

anyone to know about it and it was several months before I was allowed to tell

that Hannah had it too. They are twelve and fifteen now and have their

ups and downs. We have been on a down lately because of the holidays and

because they have been off of school. I am trying some new techniques with them

and they aren't happy. We have gotten to the point in their therapy where I

really feel that it is time for them to use what they have learned and since

they would really rather not, I am not engaging in the rituals as they would

like

me to. This is not making for a fun vacation but I can already see results.

I am hoping that they will continue to improve. Both of them do take

medication for the OCD and have ever since they were diagnosed. Sorry this is

so

long. Kelley in NV

January 7, 2006

My son got OCD suddenly about a week after his 5th birthday. He was relieved to

find out what OCD was as he knew he had a big problem. We read a few books about

it and gradually added more details. We also take him to a monthly support group

where there are other kids who all have OCD. I think it helped him a lot to see

other kids dealing with it. Some are worse and some are better so I think it

made hiim try harder to fight OCD.

(in FL)

>

> From: " nna " <mdonlon@...>

> Date: 2006/01/06 Fri PM 03:06:01 EST

>

> Subject: Re: Hi - New Here

>

> Welcome to the group!

>

> My daughter was taught about OCD when she was officially diagnosed at

> 7 (2 or 3 months after her birthday). She understood it perfectly,

> when put in " kid " terms. We told her that it's something in her

> brain, and it makes her get " stuck " sometimes. A great book for kids

> is " Up and Down the Worry Hill " by Aureen Wagner; this also helped her

> understand.

>

> My daughter doesn't have alot of the internal thoughts, mostly rituals

> and clothing sensitivity, so I'm not sure if telling your daughter

> that she has something in her brain making her do things is the way to

> go. But I do feel she could understand what is going on and it would

> help her tremendously in the long run.

>

> Is the new psych doing CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and ERP

> (exposure and response prevention)? I agree that trying to rationalize

> with her would not work, but to respond with " that's silly talk "

> really doesn't help her IMO. To her it is not silly, and just saying

> it is doesn't make it go away. What I do is discount the thought as

> an OCD thought, and do not give any credence to it. I will only

> answer a reassurance question once and let her know that I will not

> feed the OCD by answering again. Many people on this list use

> exaggerated humor for worry thoughts. For ex, " I'm worried there's a

> monster in my room " could be answered with " Yes, and he's got gas and

> will destroy you with all his farting. " (Not appropriate probably for

> your daughter, but you get the idea, if you can get them laughing

> about it and see the silliness themselves...) Eventually the exposure

> part comes in, where you flood them with the thought/worry/fear until

> they get so used to it, it no longer is troublesome.

>

> As for your older child, once you explain things to your 6yo, yes, I

> would definitely explain it to her, too, so that she is not scared by

> the unknown and also knows that OCD is very treatable. My other child

> is younger (4) so I've never spelled it out for her, but she knows

> has OCD, although she has no idea what that REALLY is. She

> just knows it makes very irritable at times, and that it makes

> her clothing and shoes " bother " her. She also knows enough to give

> Mommy and alone time when is having one of her episodes.

>

> Hope this helped, and good luck with a newborn besides!

>

> nna.

> NY

>

> >

> > Hi All,

> >

> > I am new here and thought I would introduce myself and ask a

> > question.

> >

> > My 6 yo daughter was recently dx with OCD. We've known she's had

> > anxiety issues since about 3 yo but the confirmation of OCD came at

> > the end of 2005. She was on Prozac (5-10mg) for a little over a year

> > and we just recently took her off around Thanksgiving because she

> > has a wonderful teacher this year and we have a new psychologist and

> > thought we'd give it a try without meds. Of course, now we remember

> > why we put her on in the first place. Right now our biggest problems

> > are worries that won't go away...and looking for constant

> > reassurance. We see a dramatic increase right before bed. Rituals

> > are not that apparent but could very well be going on without us

> > seeing it. Smaller issues right now are perfectionism, good luck/bad

> > luck, reluctance to throw things away, high sensitivity to

> > smells...just to name a few.

> >

> > Since off the med, she has become very self-aware and is sad she is

> > having these worries and can't control them. Up until now the psych

> > has directed me to answer her worries with " Oh, that's silly talk "

> > and not become engaged in trying to rationalize with her. I am

> > getting good at that, but feel in my heart that she should know that

> > she has OCD (not necessary the label, maybe something more age

> > appropriate). I will be seeing the psych next week after a long

> > absence (I have a newborn) and will discuss, but was wondering how

> > much your children understand - particularly young ones - and also

> > if/what siblings know. My oldest sees what is going on and I feel

> > like I want to explain things to her too.

> >

> > Thanks in advance for any insight/advice.

> >

>

> Our list archives, bookmarks, files, and chat feature may be accessed at:

/ .

> Our list advisors are Gail B. , Ed.D., Tamar Chansky, Ph.D.(

http://www.worrywisekids.org ), Dan Geller, M.D.,Aureen Pinto Wagner, Ph.D., (

http://www.lighthouse-press.com ). Our list moderators are Birkhan,

Castle, Fowler, Kathy Hammes, Joye, Kathy Mac, Gail

Pesses, and Kathy . Subscription issues or suggestions may be

addressed to Louis Harkins, list owner, at louisharkins@... ,

louisharkins@... , louisharkins@... .

>

January 9, 2006

My daughter also had anxiety and extreme irritability since probably

birth, but we really started noticing the OCD symptoms around age 7.

I explained things to her a little at a time, as much as she could

understand as she got older (now 11). Much like the " sex talk " I

gave her what she needed to know, but not so much to overwhelm. She

has been about as severe as it gets, but is doing much better lately

with 3-5 days/week of very intensive exposure, AND is going to school

and actually getting thru with c's right now! This is amazing given

that in addition to therapy she has 30-60 min of OCD homework in

addition to schoolwork, and she missed about 1/3 of school past 3

years due to severity of OCD.

I am glad for the meds, myself, but see the therapy doing the most

good. I think the meds allow her to fully participate. We also had

to learn to extract from the rituals and reassurance, and that is

quite difficult.

Sounds like you have your hands full with a newborn, too! Good luck

and know that some of our kids do well. I didn't believe there was

any light at the end of the tunnel a year ago, and now the changes

are dramatic since we have been on the right meds and getting good

OCD-specific therapy from an OCD specialist.

>

> Hi All,

>

> I am new here and thought I would introduce myself and ask a

> question.

>

> My 6 yo daughter was recently dx with OCD. We've known she's had

> anxiety issues since about 3 yo but the confirmation of OCD came at

> the end of 2005. She was on Prozac (5-10mg) for a little over a

year

> and we just recently took her off around Thanksgiving because she

> has a wonderful teacher this year and we have a new psychologist

and

> thought we'd give it a try without meds. Of course, now we remember

> why we put her on in the first place. Right now our biggest

problems

> are worries that won't go away...and looking for constant

> reassurance. We see a dramatic increase right before bed. Rituals

> are not that apparent but could very well be going on without us

> seeing it. Smaller issues right now are perfectionism, good

luck/bad

> luck, reluctance to throw things away, high sensitivity to

> smells...just to name a few.

>

> Since off the med, she has become very self-aware and is sad she is

> having these worries and can't control them. Up until now the psych

> has directed me to answer her worries with " Oh, that's silly talk "

> and not become engaged in trying to rationalize with her. I am

> getting good at that, but feel in my heart that she should know

that

> she has OCD (not necessary the label, maybe something more age

> appropriate). I will be seeing the psych next week after a long

> absence (I have a newborn) and will discuss, but was wondering how

> much your children understand - particularly young ones - and also

> if/what siblings know. My oldest sees what is going on and I feel

> like I want to explain things to her too.

>

> Thanks in advance for any insight/advice.

>

August 28, 2007

Welcome, Jenni. Glad you are here. )

BJ

>

> Hi - I just wanted to introduce myself - first i am VERY glad to have

> found this site.

>

> I have a 6 year old daughter who was recently diagnosed with OCD -

> she doesn't seem to have many of the physical manifestations of OCD -

> more of the mental/thinking manifestations - Perseverence, habitual

> sayings and of course a touch of perfectionism...add to the fact she

> has a twin sister and we deal with twin issues (I want to go

> first...she always gets to go first...). Anyway we first

> noticed " issues " when she was far younger at about age 2 (don't know

> if that is because we have always had her sister to " compare " her

> with) and used to call the things she did " Baby OCD " - when she was

> four we asked her why she would repeat things over and over...her

> response " My mind won't let me stop " ...that sort of threw us for a

> loop

>

> Right now we are working with a wonderful therapist and have been

> able to use some CBT to compact some her issues. In addition my new

> bible is Dr. Wagners book - What to do when your child has OCD - I

> actually cried when I read the first few chapters because I could see

> so much of what my daughter was doing...

>

> I can't want to delve in and read some the backposts and files here -

> I am just glad I found this site...I am getting a little tired of

> trying to explain to people when they ask what my daughter does that

> warrents an OCD diagnosis and be told " Isn't that just being a 6 year

> old? " but rather being able to " chat " with people who understand.

>

> Thanks

> Jenni

>

August 28, 2007

Hi Jenni!

I have a 6 yo boy with OCD. He was diagnosed just before his 5th

bday. He had a lot of ritualistic behaviors, but I knew it was OCD

when he would refuse to eat with his left hand b/c it was too dirty.

He has a lot of the symptoms you describe, plus some germ fears.

I can relate to this, too: " I am getting a little tired of trying to

explain to people when they ask what my daughter does that warrents

an OCD diagnosis and be told " Isn't that just being a 6 year old? "

but rather being able to " chat " with people who understand. "

Welcome!

Dawn

>

> Hi - I just wanted to introduce myself - first i am VERY glad to

have

> found this site.

>

> I have a 6 year old daughter who was recently diagnosed with OCD -

> she doesn't seem to have many of the physical manifestations of

OCD -

> more of the mental/thinking manifestations - Perseverence, habitual

> sayings and of course a touch of perfectionism...add to the fact

she

> has a twin sister and we deal with twin issues (I want to go

> first...she always gets to go first...). Anyway we first

> noticed " issues " when she was far younger at about age 2 (don't

know

> if that is because we have always had her sister to " compare " her

> with) and used to call the things she did " Baby OCD " - when she was

> four we asked her why she would repeat things over and over...her

> response " My mind won't let me stop " ...that sort of threw us for a

> loop

>

> Right now we are working with a wonderful therapist and have been

> able to use some CBT to compact some her issues. In addition my

new

> bible is Dr. Wagners book - What to do when your child has OCD - I

> actually cried when I read the first few chapters because I could

see

> so much of what my daughter was doing...

>

> I can't want to delve in and read some the backposts and files

here -

> I am just glad I found this site...I am getting a little tired of

> trying to explain to people when they ask what my daughter does

that

> warrents an OCD diagnosis and be told " Isn't that just being a 6

year

> old? " but rather being able to " chat " with people who understand.

>

> Thanks

> Jenni

>

August 28, 2007