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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lawrence S. on December 21, 2002, at 1:23:00
I've been off lexapro for over 2 weeks and I still have'nt had an erection. Not in the morning, not in the middle of the night. I still have a sex drive strong as ever and I get aroused physically except for the erection. I'm worried that it's something serious. I won't be able to get in to see a Dr. until after Chistmas meanwhile I'll be preoccupied with this problem. Seems like something always has to ruin my holidays
Posted by linkadge on December 21, 2002, at 9:23:12
In reply to I'm scared that I'm ruining myself with meds, posted by Lawrence S. on December 21, 2002, at 1:23:00
It is quite common to suffer sexual problems on withdrawl from AD's. There is no permanant dammage done. Whenever I try an decrease Celexa,
I'm good sexually for the first few days, and then it seems to go down-hill.Believe it or not, this problem - if persists for more than a month - can be representitive of
lingereing depression. You may be fully aroused, but sex may feel dirty or unworthwile etc.You may want to try St. John's wort, if the depression is mild-moderate - I found it to be
very pro sexual.Linkadge
Posted by sjb on December 22, 2002, at 7:27:32
In reply to I'm scared that I'm ruining myself with meds, posted by Lawrence S. on December 21, 2002, at 1:23:00
I stopped Lexapro in the middle of November. I was able to achieve an orgasm after a few weeks, but I, too, wonder if my drive will ever be the same. I just hardly EVER think about sex. Some of could be age, of course, but I wonder what these drugs have done to us.
I would give a bit more time, though, and relax. Maybe you want it too bad right now.
Posted by lauren12345 on December 24, 2002, at 22:58:38
In reply to Re: I'm scared that I'm ruining myself with meds, posted by sjb on December 22, 2002, at 7:27:32
I took Zoloft for about a year and had those "sexual side effects" they speak of. I didnt think about or want sex at all. I couldnt even be touched it was so unbearable. ( when i say touched, hugs were even disgusting to me) I could not orgasm and sex seemed like a task.
I take Buspar now and my libido is back. All "sexual side effects" are gone, which is a very good thing. I am still wary of these medicines though. Zoloft was a horrible drug that did more harm than good for me, and Buspar is doing what I need it to except it makes me fall asleep.i am also afraid that these medications are addictive. The manufacturers say that they arent and that they dont contain addictive substances, but I did some research. They change the way your brain secretes and responds to chemicals such as Dopamine and Seratonin. Some meds increase these chemicals artificially which may help Depression and Anxiety temporarily, but the body adapts and eventually becomes desensitized to the higher levels of these chemicals. Which in turn means that more drugs are needed. The body begins to need the excess chemicals to be happy or calm, etc. This means that trying to get off of meds will be really hard and if you stay on them you will just need more and more to achieve the same results.
Posted by sjb on December 27, 2002, at 10:41:28
In reply to Re: I'm scared that I'm ruining myself with meds, posted by lauren12345 on December 24, 2002, at 22:58:38
I share your fears.
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 27, 2002, at 23:55:35
In reply to Re: I'm scared that I'm ruining myself with meds, posted by lauren12345 on December 24, 2002, at 22:58:38
>The manufacturers say that they arent and that they dont contain addictive substances, but I did some research. They change the way your brain secretes and responds to chemicals such as Dopamine and Seratonin.
I've had similar concerns. It's tough, though, considering that I had life-impairing ocd off meds. But I do feel concerned that my feelings are being dampened, that my 'happiness' is not as happy as it would have been naturally. Where did you do this research? I'd be interested in looking at it, in the interest of deciding what to do about my health long-term.
Posted by viridis on December 28, 2002, at 0:16:23
In reply to Re: I'm scared that I'm ruining myself with meds, posted by bookgurl99 on December 27, 2002, at 23:55:35
Good or bad, that's how these drugs are supposed to work -- they alter the way your brain functions, ideally so that it sends and receives chemical messages more normally. So, this shouldn't come as a surprise; the meds wouldn't have any effect if they didn't cause these changes.
The real trick is to find the ones that cause the right changes for you, which can take some (or a lot of) trial and error.
This is the end of the thread.
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