Posted by JonW on February 1, 2004, at 23:12:28
In reply to Re: Any good meds for combatting SSRI sexual effects?? » JonW, posted by SPhobia on February 1, 2004, at 17:26:41
> Jon,
> How is the Lexapro working for your SA? I started Lex just recently and was thinking of switching to Zoloft b/c I have heard so many good things about that med with respect to SA. Lexapro is giving me anorgasmia (unfortunately) and Paxil certainly did, so I expect the same from Zoloft if I go there. But since I expect I will have this effect from each of these meds (hence the post), I am also trying to find the most effective SSRI for SA, and one that won't heavily sedate me and kill my motivation. You seem like you may have a lot of experience with them, so any thoughts would be very helpful.Everyone is different, but I think most people would say that Paxil is the best SSRI for SP. The impression one gets from reading the literature and individual posts on the internet is that Paxil is the best SSRI for most anxiety disorders. The other SSRIs don't seem to stand out as much, but all of that may be more a result of marketing than anything else... who knows. As for Zoloft, I think it's definitely worth a shot. Dr. Liebowitz of Columbia thinks well of Zoloft for SP. It's the least selective of the SSRIs, and effects more than just serotonin. I'll tell you that, ironically, zoloft gave me very few sex side-effects. I say ironically, because it seems that most people do have problems with zoloft, but I did not and you may not. It did make me sweat way too much, though. All other SSRIs gave me intollerable anorgasmia. As for Zoloft's effect on social anxiety, I personally clump it with the rest of the SSRIs. Just reporting my own experience, but it was one that really killed my motivation. Here's how I would rate the SSRIs in terms of efficacy for SP: Paxil > Luvox or Zoloft > Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac. I also found Zoloft and Prozac more likely to make me agitated, irritable, etc. I found Paxil, Luvox, and Celexa to be the gentlest and kindest to my anxiety while starting them. Zoloft, Lexapro, and Prozac were really tough on my anxiety in the begining. It's interesting that Celexa was easier to adjust to than Lexapro. I like Lexapro the best because it is comparable to the other SSRIs, but has fewer side-effects for me. So basically, everyone's different, but that's been my experience and my impression. Are side-effects the only thing limiting you??? I mean, are the SSRIs effective for you? If not, look to other classes of meds. Are you involved with CBT? CBT has changed everything for me. Search this site for CBT and my name if you want to read my thoughts on that. In any event, don't stop searching for a solution. Persistence pays very well!
Jon :)
poster:JonW
thread:307831
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040131/msgs/308351.html