Screw ocd. I was doing so well

[wanttohelp97]

I believe that my medication has had time to kick in. Now my mind is creating terrible scenarios. Most of them I've been able to stop in their tracks, but one remains.
    I constantly think: what if the oraquick tests that my girlfriend and I were expired. I bought them from cvs and figure there's no way, but my mind can't let it go

[JGF25]

I should also mention that I have never taken Luvox and I honestly don't know the normal amounts prescribed for OCD.  I.e., I don't know if 100 mg is low or high so I need to clarify my statement of "I don't think a higher dose is what you need" since now that I think on it, I don't know the dosing for this medication.  You need to talk to your doctor.  

[JGF25]

Hi there.  Sometimes the medication can make symptoms worse in the beginning.  If you are on a medication for 4 to 6 weeks and you still feel this way, then the medication isn't for you.  I don't think a higher dose is what you need.  Maybe wait one more week and then if you don't feel any different, contact your prescribing doctor to discuss a switch in medication.  Unfortunately not all meds work for all people and so it is kind of trial and error but you do need to give it a good 4 to 6 weeks before you throw in the towel on it.  For me and Wellbutrin it was about the 4 week mark when the light bulb went off and I felt better again.  

[grizzlybear847]

Have been on 100 mg of Luvox for 3 weeks...I feel so much worse than before i started it for OCD...constant racing thoughts and no sleep  will it ever work for me?  should I go to higher dose?  Or am I resistent to luvox

[wanttohelp97]

Thank you all so much! You have all been a much bigger help than you could ever imagine! Everyone on here does great things for nothing in return, and I respect all of you for that, yall are truly amazing people! Again thank you!!

[JGF25]

It is really informative and so I suggest when you are at a regular computer that you give it a read through.  

[wanttohelp97]

I'm on my phone, so I do not think that the link worked correctly, just the same as I can't find a way to Chang my profile from female to male, I have no clue how that got set. I'm actually a male! I tried to copy and paste the link, but that wouldn't work either

[JGF25]

Did you read the link I posted or did you skip over that part of the message?  

[nursegirl6572]

"I retested due to my fears. Checked the expiration, and followed instructions according to booklet. But my concern is that the test was done in a moving vehicle, with the dome light on, as it was night. Would this effect the test? Can I rely on this result? Or would the bumpy road cause the test to be invalid? "

Do you see how the actual FACTS are irrelevant?  Of course your first test wasn't expired (I'd bet money on it), and of course a bumpy car ride wouldn't invalidate your result, but your mind will not let you accept that.  If you took another test right now, you'd find something else to "what if" about to invalidate the test results.

This is why instead of continuing to test needlessly, you need to start working with a therapist to learn how to dismiss those what if thoughts, and the compulsions (like the compulsion to test).  Do not test anymore, as that's only keeping you stuck in the cycle.

[wanttohelp97]

The problem is that I had a risk event. A scary one at that. I was worried that I infected my girlfriend. Then it turned on me after our first tests. Saying that the test could have been expired. She also was not a virgin before me which is now worrying me

[123tushar07]

dont do any more tests, basically what u have to do is to learn therapy and wait for few weeks before symptoms get in control, testing wont help u, exposure exercises will help u a lot and remember recovering fully from ocd takes 6 months - 1 year, hence in this time u have to motivate urself a lot, be happy and keep others around u also happy

[wanttohelp97]

I retested due to my fears. Checked the expiration, and followed instructions according to booklet. But my concern is that the test was done in a moving vehicle, with the dome light on, as it was night. Would this effect the test? Can I rely on this result? Or would the bumpy road cause the test to be invalid?

[wanttohelp97]

I retested due to my fears. Checked the expiration, and followed instructions according to booklet. But my concern is that the test was done in a moving vehicle, with the dome light on, as it was night. Would this effect the test? Can I rely on this result? Or would the bumpy road cause the test to be invalid?

[JGF25]

We cannot answer your question.  Call CVS and ask if you want to but I'm sure that these places keep up on their inventory and their expiration dates.  You are asking us a question that we cannot answer other than to tell you that this is an irrational fear (we have all been there) and doubt is a big part of OCD.  Read the link below.  

http://www.wsps.info/index.php?catid=0:&id=82:ten-things-you-need-to-know-to-overcome-ocd&option=com_content&view=article

[wanttohelp97]

When were they released to the U.S. public? They have a two year shelf life. Help me with this so I can determine whether it could have been expired

[wanttohelp97]

Thank you. So cvs is good about checking their inventory?

[nursegirl6572]

Well, IF the test(s) were expired, then it would be advised to retest.

That being said, the chances that your test(s) were expired are about nil.  Remember that the oraquick tests were JUST recently approved for retail sale to the public, and I'm pretty sure the shelf life of a test is at least a year, if not two.  PLUS, and most importantly, stores have protocols in place to assure that they're not stocking expired medications, devices.  Those things are checked regularly.

This is another "what if" that just isn't a concern.  

[wanttohelp97]

I guess what I really want to know is if the tests were expired, would they give false negatives, or be invalid, and not read anything?

[wanttohelp97]

I understand, but is it even truly irrational to think what I'm thinking in this particular situation? We both tested negative, nothing weird happened with the tests, but I don't know whether I checked the expiration or not. Basically I wanna know if an expired oraquick would give a false negative to one of us. And if I'm really thinking irrationally

[nursegirl6572]

What medication?  If an antidepressant, they take EASILY 4-6 weeks (or longer) before they make a significant difference.  It's WAY too early to be noticing improvements, and actually, since you JUST started taking them, it's not at all unusual to see an increase in anxiety initially.

You have to give them some time.

[wanttohelp97]

I'm learning, on medication since two or three days before my last post, but I just want to know why this has latched on out of nowhere

[JGF25]

How long have you been on your medication?  Medication helps you to let things go but sometimes you do need to rely on cognitive behavioral therapy to give your medication a boost.  Did you ever learn CBT?