8 replies to this topic

[5000]

Hello, my name is Alex, Ive been struggling with OCD (mainly O, little sprinkle of C), for at least 12-13 years. 24 yr old male. I'm finally at the point where I really am willing to do whatever I need to do to get rid of this or at least lessen my obsessions as it is really holding me back from pursuing what I want to pursue. 

 

So far I've tried luvox which helped but I couldn't shake the incredible fatigue, anafranil which killed my libido, gabapentin which also killed my libido, haloperidol with gabapentin which ALSO killed my libido, guess I have sensitive libido  , wellbutrin which tuned up my anxiety and obsessive thinking and topamax which didnt really do anything.

 

Im now attempting to just try NAC and will shortly be adding Inositol. Just wanted to share my experience and get any others experience who have struggled with OCD or attempted to use NAC to help. Does anyone know how long it will or should take for NAC to work? Also, I feel like once again my stupid libido is lowered lol has any one had that side effect?

[PeaceAndProsperity]

If you take too much it will worsen your ocd because at high dosages it activates the mglur5 which is responsible for glutamatergic ocd (and maybe other receptors too?).

For glutamatergic based ocd I find that creatine is a thousand times more effective and quicker working than nac. Nac works by depleting glutamate but it should take very long for this to occur and you need to dose it right - a waste of time if you ask me. Go with creatine, 1-5g daily.

[PeaceAndProsperity]

By the way note that inositol works by reducing function of the 5HT2A serotonin receptor and nac works by reducing glutamate and thus activation of the mGluR5 glutamate receptor, but inositol is weak and similarly with nac. Creatine should have some effect on both glutamatergic and serotonergic based ocd. You need to find out which receptor is causing your issue. I assume gabapentin worked and if it did it's because your issue is with glutamate.

[5000]

By the way note that inositol works by reducing function of the 5HT2A serotonin receptor and nac works by reducing glutamate and thus activation of the mGluR5 glutamate receptor, but inositol is weak and similarly with nac. Creatine should have some effect on both glutamatergic and serotonergic based ocd. You need to find out which receptor is causing your issue. I assume gabapentin worked and if it did it's because your issue is with glutamate.

gabapentin really just calmed me a little bit and gave me a tad feeling of euphoria at initial low dose, then it just ended up making me tired. Any other ways to tell whether glutamatergic or serotonergic without waiting 6 months for NAC to kick in? Do you think I would notice right away with inositol or creatine? Also, any down sides to trying creatine?

[PeaceAndProsperity]

Do you think I would notice right away with inositol or creatine? Also, any down sides to trying creatine?

 

No obvious downsides to creatine and yes you feel it right away. As said, 1-5g, preferably morning and evening or thrice a day. 

Edited by PeaceAndProsperity, 15 January 2017 - 02:13 AM.

[PeaceAndProsperity]

Creatine with inositol should in "theory" work even better but that's assuming your issue is with the 5ht2a receptor which we don't know. 

I find that you don't even need a gram to feel inositol for ocd, only few 100mg is enough to work. Obv the more effect you want the higher you dose it.

[5000]

Creatine with inositol should in "theory" work even better but that's assuming your issue is with the 5ht2a receptor which we don't know. 

I find that you don't even need a gram to feel inositol for ocd, only few 100mg is enough to work. Obv the more effect you want the higher you dose it.

from everything I've seen it usually takes 10-12g of inositol to really kick obsessions, also i thought creatine increases activity at D2 receptors which are already pretty hyperactive in OCD leading to more obsessions. Either way I don't know and am down to try. if the NAC seemed to work slightly at 1200 MGs 2ice a day does that lead to me being glutamatergic? 

[PeaceAndProsperity]

from everything I've seen it usually takes 10-12g of inositol to really kick obsessions, also i thought creatine increases activity at D2 receptors which are already pretty hyperactive in OCD leading to more obsessions. Either way I don't know and am down to try. if the NAC seemed to work slightly at 1200 MGs 2ice a day does that lead to me being glutamatergic? 

D2 receptors do not cause ocd whatsoever. No true agonist of the D2 receptor causes ocd, nor is it a feature of dopaminergic personality types. Serotonin and glutamate cause ocd as seen in psychotic spectrum and autistic spectrum disorders.

If nac can do 1 thing, creatine can do a thousand things, for ocd. I don't know why you are still talking about using it as it's so practically useless for this purpose. But if you've already bought it you might as well just use it.

Yes if the nac works it's almost certainly the case that your issue is with glutamate. Btw nac also increases dopamine concentrations considerably. Creatine never worsens my ocd and I have ocd from both serotonin and glutamate.

Look at the price of bulk creatine, it's around 3 times less than nac http://www.bulkpowde...onohydrate.html

[Catwoman]

As an 'obession veteran' with intrusive thoughts I can tell you that OCD is chronic. You can't treat it with NAC and/or inositol alone. Nor with psych meds (they just make it go away, but it doesn't do anything on the cognitive behavior part).

If you haven't done this already I would suggest: exercise 2/3 a week (or more if that fits your schedule), start with a healthy life style and try out types of relaxation like yoga, Qi Gong or meditation. Mindfulness meditation techniques are known to help people with obsessive thoughts (though it still does nothing positive for me).

Have you ever tried therapy? CBT, ERP, ACT? Or maybe MBSR?

In my experience NAC doesn't take 6 months to kick in.
Actually after two/three weeks on 2000 mg I felt a little bit better (less intrusive thoughts). When I ran out I waited a week and then bought the Jarrow sustained version (1200 mg per capsule) but it doesn't do anything for me anymore. I actually started my third SSRI in ten years time because this was the only thing that helped me (untill they poop out anyway).

@PeaceAndProsperity, I've read a lot about supplements to help with OCD. Creatine was never something I researched. I'm glad you have positive experience with it. As always, my curiosity is triggered.
It would be great if I could fine something that works on concentration, anxiety and as a mood elevator. The best thing I could ever find is something that makes me feel like I don't give a s*** anymore about the intrusive thought I'm having. Changing my feelings towards the sticky thoughts that I'm having would the best thing that could ever happen to me, but never succeeded in this (with all the therapies I had....).

 

Edited by Catwoman, 20 January 2017 - 10:43 AM.