Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• OCDDR...
• October 26, 2019

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I’ve been on Luvox for about a year and a half now, far better than Zoloft for me. Zoloft just made me feel like a zombie with anxiety and depression. Luvox has allowed me to totally stop my ruminating thoughts completely. My depression is still very real though, it feels like there is a weight on my brain. I’ve tried to augment with a few medications so far with none helping. Might switch to something different soon, but 10/10 for OCD, 2/10 for depression"

• Anxhelp
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 3, 2018

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "This was a fantastic drug for my OCD. Been taking it for over a year. I had tried SSRIs (Lexapro, Cymbalta) and they weren’t very effective. I worked my way up to 200mg of Luvox at one point (very high-had bad side effects) and slowly tapered it down to 100mg, and I still get just as good results. The only thing I have to complain about this med is the side effects- they’re quite intense! I had bad insomnia the first 2-3 weeks, the nausea persisted the entire time I’ve been on it, appetite and libido diminishes completely. However, my obsessive thoughts are far less irritating and intrusive. If they appear, they don’t bother me nearly as much and I can function so much better. This was a godsend for an uptight, OCD person like myself, though I wish there were less side effects."

• Brookie
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 27, 2019

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I’ve been taking Luvox for close to 15 years. I started on 50mg and moved to 100mg after about 3 years. I am now on 200mg (recently increased from 150mg). I take 100mg in the AM and 100mg before bed. It’s stopped me from experiencing distressing intrusive thoughts completely and helped reduce my anxiety to a manageable level. I also take seroquel and concerta on work days."

• npocko
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 18, 2018

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "Works very quickly for OCD. Was on Luvox for almost fifteen years. Went off it for four years. OCD symptoms returned, so I went back on my previous dose and got chronic insomnia. The severe OCD thoughts went away within days though so I continued use. I lowered the dose and the insomnia dissipated after about 3 weeks. Have been back on it about six weeks and feeling much better. Am currently on 100mg."

• Frey
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2019

"The first day I took fluvoxamine I felt completely relieved from these constant intrusive thoughts. I also take two other medications besides this. I really felt peace in my head and heart. I feel tired and sleep but it also could be the combination of all other meds that am taking with. I honestly can say this medication is a life saver for me. It has been only three days but I won't want to be with out it. I would rather be tired and sleepy than being absolutely miserable 24hrs and going out while dead on the inside but alive on the outside."

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2009

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "Longtime OCD sufferer has relief after 30 years. I now know what resting before bed is. There is one drawback - if I run out of medicine, I get sick. Well, the results outweigh this problem, and I do know how to handle it (try not to run out)."

• Abano
• August 30, 2018

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I've only been on this a week and it has done wonders for my OCD ,the intrusive invading thoughts have gone from an all day problem to minimal much more manageable problem to deal with because they were going out of control before and were getting out of hand. ."

• LudaC...
• September 30, 2015

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "Absolutely amazing! I was in a terrible spot with my harm OCD... And then this miracle of a drug came along! It's almost like it's a physical volume knob that turns your thoughts down... To the point where they are still there, but so quiet they're insignificant. The only reason I have it a 9/10 is because it took a while to work... But that's different for everyone. If you're reading this and are wondering if it's going to even work... I have been on it for a solid 8 weeks, and I'm just now starting to feel the effects. I literally have trouble falling asleep now, only because I'm excited about tomorrow! :)"

• kmave...
• April 3, 2010

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I was diagnosed with OCD 20 years ago and was taking Anafranil for 16 years. It helped with panic and agoraphobia but still has lingering OCD tendencies such as hoarding, impulse shopping, and trichotillomania (pulling body hairs). An example of hoarding is I am single and would have to maintain at least 30 twelve-packs of soda in my home to relieve my anxiety. Luvox has been incredible at eliminating 99% of my OCD symptoms with zero side effects. I take 100 mg in the morning and 200 mg at bedtime. I have also been diagnosed with MDD, GAD, SAD, and PTSD. Unfortunately, Luvox has not helped in any of those other areas, and I have augmented it with Wellbutrin, which has actually worsened the above conditions and has created fear and paranoia."

• RWi
• February 1, 2017

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "This may be the most effective drug for OCD (or a close second to clomipramine [ANAFRANIL]). It is inexpensive, and for me, worked within a week to calm down intrusive thoughts and lifted my overall mood. I have been on and off this medication 3-4 times, and it worked each time to save me from crippling depression. That said, like all SSRIs, this medication caused sexual dysfunction (difficulty having an orgasm, delayed ejaculation, erectile dysfunction), which was a deal breaker for me, even with OCD. I will say, however, that in my experience, the sexual dysfunction caused by fluvoxamine was not as bad as the dysfunction caused by paroxetine [PAXIL], sertraline [ZOLOFT], or Anafranil."

• Foond...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 17, 2017

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I have been taking Luvox since 1998. I always knew something was strange about the way I acted growing up lol. As I grew up, married, and had a child, life became very scary to me. I worried constantly, fearing death for those around me. I suddenly had an episode of what is referred to as an anxiety attack. I thought I was dying... it was a horrible experience, and before I finally went to a social worker seeking help (and that was very hard for me to admit to myself) I'd had a couple more of these anxiety/panic attacks... So... the social worker diagnosed me with OCD. She worked along with my M.D. whom I still see to this day and trust very much & decided to give the medication she recommended to him for me a try. ... continued"

• Jerem...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 9, 2014

"Works well for obsessive-compulsive disorder. The obsessions seem to roll off, like water off a lotus pad. Obsessions are less frequent as well. A few side effects: less frequent bowel movements, some tiredness until you get used to it, lowers sex drive, and you have to work harder to motivate self. But it really does relieve the torment of the mind."

• A Vul...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 8, 2020

"While outwardly successful and happy, for 30 years I'd only known life as focussing on my deficiencies and wanton risk taking with a white hot rage against myself. On starting fluvoxamine, I had 1 week of nausea - and then the climb to awesomeness began... I can't imagine life without them now! I have *complete* control over my thoughts. I've always loathed the control my emotions had over me - I can now turn them on and off at will. On, when I should be compassionate or loving, off at all other times. I keep my head - always. Awkward social encounters make me think: "curious..." for a moment, then I can choose to discount the thought and move on. Despite the usual marital stresses of money, sex etc: I can shrug and accept events as they unfold. I can choose to discuss points with *zero* emotive content. I use my ability to regulate my emotions as the guide to my dose. I started at 100mg, spent 6 months at 200mg, and I've been at 150 for the past 2 years."

• ocdha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 27, 2024

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I absolutely love this medication. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety at 15 and tried multiple antidepressants, but none worked. I went to a different psychiatrist at 23 who diagnosed me with OCD and put me on fluvoxamine. Now it doesn't stop the obsessions or intrusive thoughts, but it's almost like I can feel my brain putting an end to it so I don't always have to do my compulsion. I no longer have to triple-check that I didn't leave harmful chemicals out in the open. The only unfortunate side effects are sometimes it makes me feel a bit hyperactive and shaky, and the first week felt like I was sedated and couldn't form a straight thought. But it works amazingly! I love fluvoxamine. NOTE: Please don't skip a pill. Sometimes if I forget to take it, I end up going crazy the next day. This is one of those medicines you have to be super diligent with."

• Luvnc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2016

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I was prescribed Zoloft for anxiety and panic attacks, and soon my OCD was out of control. I was switched to Luvox and have improved greatly. However, I'm always tired and yet still can't sleep. I've heard that some side effects can improve over time-hoping this happens for me."

• anxie...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 14, 2019

"I have been on Fluvoxamine for OCD for about 2 years now, and I can honestly say that it has given me peace that I would not have known without it. My life changed dramatically, I could now get on with my life and not be bogged down with constant obsessive thoughts that ruined my days (weeks/months if being honest!) I came off of it one time due to the strong side effects (such as nausea and decreased libido), but my anxiety went absolutely haywire and I will NOT be doing that again. No other medication has helped with my OCD quite like Luvox. It is more potent and OCD-specific in my opinion than other SSRIs and this is why I love it."

• MB14
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2022

"I'm 39 years old. I have a couple of diagnoses but most prevalently I have PO-OCD and have been struggling since I was 10-11 years old. Meds have been part of my life for quite some time. Some helped... and some made it much worse. I have tried nearly all of them and have explored the alphabet of SS/SNRI's, off-label anti convulsants, benzos, antipsychotics, (it just keeps going). Luvox was an absolute game-changer. After years of mediocre results I had just given in to the notion that meds could only get me "so-far" and while some were better than othersm- nothing was ever going to 'fix' me enough to feel beyond 'just ok' again. WELL, this was like a perfectly cut key into a brand new lock sprayed with WD-40. Within a week the clouds of rumination, intrusive thoughts, perseveration, feelings of impending doom, visual images of traumatic events happening to my family, the 5 hour long games of "what-if"-- So quiet I can barely hear their whisper. Life altering."

• mary
• July 26, 2017

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I was prescribed this medication when I was 14 for OCD and panic attacks. During my time on it I took between 150 and 200 mg and had a very negative reaction. The medicine made me unbearably tired, so much so that I experienced visual hallucinations due to such extreme exhausting. Also, I now have major gaps in my memory from that time. I think Luvox can be effective, but be careful with it, especially if you're young and/or very small (I was less than 100 pounds at the time so you can imagine how I'd react to a dose like that). It got rid of many of my anxiety and OCD symptoms, but at what cost? By far the strongest SSRI I have ever taken. Tread carefully."

• SGC
• July 7, 2014

"Try it if you have obsessive-compulsive disorder. I'm glad I did. Have taken it now for about 14 years. If OCD symptoms (ruminating and checking) were at a 9 before, they are at a 2 now. Just occasional flare-ups during more difficult periods of life. Side effects aren't unimportant - delayed ejaculation and a general sleepy feeling. The trade-offs are 1000% worth it."

• OCD
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 25, 2015

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I was having major anxiety and depression. I sought therapy for a year and nothing was helping. I tried Amitriptyline, Prozac, Lexapro, and I don't know what else I can't remember. I found a psychiatrist that immediately diagnosed me as OCD at 30(!!). Mainly O with some compulsions that are highly functioning. This drug stopped the depression in weeks at 50mg. Compulsions were so much more manageable. After two years it just stopped working. We've gone up to 100mg and I started getting blurry vision. 125mg and I was highly agitated and depressed. Not sure where to go from here."

• Qte
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2016

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "Use this drug with precaution. I am a female in my early 20's. I was prescribed luvox for severe OCD and within a week on it, my OCD spiraled out of control and impaired my ability to function. My psychiatrist initiated the weening process way too quickly and I am currently experiencing sickening withdrawal symptoms (Throwing up, vertigo, hot flashes, quivering). Everyone's body is different, so for some people it may be of help. Just be honest with your doctor about if you feel any adverse reaction and make sure you get on the medicine gradually. My psychiatrist put me on a high dose too rapidly. Good luck, guys!"

• Renee
• August 16, 2015

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I immediately noticed my anxiety went down but I had to stop taking the medication because I would sleep up to 16 hours a day, which was not practical as a law student. I also experienced severe nausea and headaches. I felt extremely frustrated that I was prescribed this medication by my doctor."

• Anna
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2023

"I have tried everything under the sun for my OCD, anxiety, and depression which all contributed to binge eating disorder as well. I've been through my fair share of side effects from other medications - even rare ones like urinary retention. Fluvoxamine was kind of a shot in the dark after having so many past failures. I experienced none of the side effects (Not common!) and I feel better than I have for years. Even the brain fog has lifted. I am now on 100mg daily. I take it at night before bed, which is much easier for me to remember to do than when I've been on morning medications. My self-control has been so much easier to manage and I'm now down 30 lbs (Purposeful weight loss, not a negative side effect). While everyone is different, I hope that it can help others just as significantly as it has helped me."

• Babyd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2020

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "I've been on Luvox for around five to six months. I'm taking 150mg and it is NOT working at all. Intrusive thoughts and OCD are worse than ever. I really am considering taking myself off this horrible medication."

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2020

Luvox (fluvoxamine) "My daughter has been on Luvox for 2 years. She started it when she was 11 years old due to extreme OCD symptoms. We didn't see a difference for about 6 to 8 weeks. She is currently on 150mg. This completely stopped all of her horrible intrusive thoughts however she was still dealing with other OCD traits for example not letting anyone touch or pat our dog for fear of germs, this would cause severe aggitation and anger disregulation so she started to take Abilify 5mg in the morning. This hit the spot perfectly and her OCD started to fade away and of course no aggitation or anger bursts. We have just started to reduce the Luvox to try and get down to 100mg and so far no problems but it is still early days. We did take her off the Abilfy for 4 months but the aggitation and OCD symptoms showed up slowly and we decided to out her back on it. We are hoping to try again soon as being more mature she can use her skills she has learned through CBT to manage her thoughts."