Silverbird

Hi Silverbird here again. When I mentioned in my last post about my concerns over the anti-depressants causing problems with sexual development by "artificially raising the serotonin level", I think I may have been confusing this with something else."Artificially raising the serotonin" may have been the reason given for some other side effects, possibly with trycyclic anti-depressants. Sorry to cause confusion, but didn't want to mislead anyone.

Hi Chemar Thank you for your reply. To be honest,I hadn't even brought up the subject of how inositol works with my family doctor; as far as he is concerned, any supplements cannot be sanctioned. It feels as if I'm totally on my own, trying to work all this out. It was actually a different doctor who was talking about menopausal issues who suggested that I couldn't assume that "natural" was safe ie HRT versus herbal treatments for the menopause, so I thought that a similar thing might apply to OCD treatments. In terms of a proper plan and supportfor my son, my only other hope is the integrative doctor, but he doesn't seem terribly approachable, is terribly expensive and is a 14 hour round trip away. I suppose the warnings on the supplements - only use under the direction of a physician- have made me nervous, particularly coupled with my family doctor's attitude of "We cannot sanction their use- we don't know enough about them". Just out of interest,can you help me to understand how the inositol works? Many thanks.

Does anyone know about the risks associated with some of the supplements commonly discussed on this website for OCD? I am really desperate to help my 13 year old son, but my concerns (possibly heightened by my own OCD) over possible risks, are stopping me from giving him anything. I have always been aware that anti depressant drugs could cause problems with sexual development(something to do with artificially raising the serotonin level), but was quite happy to try inositol etc.However, a doctor I consulted with,for a completely different problem, suggested that "natural" doesn't necessarily mean safe, and that if a product is working in the same way as a drug, it may well have similar side effects. My son really felt that inositol was helping him, but if there is a chance that it could be working in the same way as anti-depressants, could that also have a detrimental effect on sexual development?In the meantime, I have taken him off it. As mentioned in a previous post, my doctor's surgery are less than helpful and would not consider any supplements that are not licensed drugs. I have consulted an integrative doctor for my own OCD, but all his literature has big disclaimers on it about everything being at your own risk (this seems to be common in the UK). Another supplement I would like to try for my son is magnesium (he has some tic behaviours), but as far as I can work out, that also takes part in the transmission of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and so would presumably also come under the category of "artificially raising the serotonin level". We are becoming increasingly desperate here as a family, but feel we are going round and round in circles on safety issues.

Thank you Chemar. I'll start investigating these alternatives and hopefully achieve some success.I'm most grateful for your positive attitude. It makes me realise that there might be some light at the end of the tunnel!

Hi, we live in the UK and after suffering for 38 years from OCD and my 13 year old showing some obsessive symptoms for the last 10 years, I am very keen to try inositol and possibly Bonnie Grimaldi's vitamins, but my family doctor says he cannot sanction anything that has not undergone extensive drug trials. Does anyone know how I can get around this problem, as I would very much like to have a doctor's guidance while taking these supplements?

Hi there I have just joined this board as a member, although I have been reading all the posts for some time. I had been looking for some supplements to help my OCD and to help my son's tics. I have scanned through your previous posts and noticed that you mention a few details about supplements, but wondered whether you had tried the supplements recommended by Bonni Grimaldi on her website. I'm sure that getting the right balance of supplements is very important to their success. You may like to read some of the testimonials on her site, which are very impressive.Anyway, just thought this might help.