Rudy6897

Hello, I just came across this wonderful site via a Google search of "PANDAS & OCD". My first time here, so I'll introduce myself - I hope I can learn lots, but also contribute much of my experiences as I have fought the good battles with depression, anxiety, and OCD for 35 years of my 50 years here on earth! My very first depressive episode was at age 15 following a night of beer drinking with other teenagers. A year later, I came home from school with a severe strep throat, which is, magically, the very first time I began showing signs of OCD. Little did I know until years later, that my OCD is probably a result of that PANDAS. At 22, I discovered a name & options for treatment after seeing the Prozac pill on the cover of NEWSWEEK in 1990. Best thing I ever did as a result of reading that article was convincing myself & my parents that I needed to see a psychiatrist. Started Prozac in 1990 and I'm still taking it 27 years later! But in my never-ending quest to be the best I can be, as I still fight the good battles everyday, I have been reading up on & exploring new horizons. I've had my DNA tested with Genomind, showing I have the MTHFR mutations. One of my doctors prescribed Deplin 15mg daily for me - I'm on about Day 10 and I'm not really seeing anything yet. Placebo effect might have me thinking I'm gaining a little energy - we'll see. The psychiatrist I've been working with after having my genetic testing evaluated wants me to have several blood work tests done to check my Vitamin B12 & D levels, along with testing for lyme & inflammation. He brought up the possibility of trying antibiotic therapy. I'm currently taking a multi-vitamin, Vitamin C, EPA/DHA, and various Probiotics as my "natural" augmenting agents. I've tried all kinds of OTC snake oil to no avail. I want to believe that some of these supplements might be able to help, but I also think that my BBB (Blood-Brain-Barrier) is a solid iron fence around my brain, not letting anything get thru! I just turned 50 and I am pledging to myself that I want to improve my quality of life by exploring all measures possible - I want to enjoy my "Golden Years" with my wife & family! Glad to have found you'all! Sincerely, Rudy