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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Panic_Attack on July 28, 2003, at 15:27:46
I have always wondered why people make such a big deal about "Sexual Side Effects" with medication. I mean, BIG DEAL. If you suffer with major anxiety/panic and depression (like me) and find a medication that helps with that, then who cares if you cannot get a hard on or cannot have an orgasim. I struggle to find a medication that does not cause more anxiety/nausea/insomnia,etc. If I have to deal with NO SEX, so be it. Geez
Posted by djmmm on July 28, 2003, at 16:40:11
In reply to Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares?, posted by Panic_Attack on July 28, 2003, at 15:27:46
> I have always wondered why people make such a big deal about "Sexual Side Effects" with medication. I mean, BIG DEAL. If you suffer with major anxiety/panic and depression (like me) and find a medication that helps with that, then who cares if you cannot get a hard on or cannot have an orgasim. I struggle to find a medication that does not cause more anxiety/nausea/insomnia,etc. If I have to deal with NO SEX, so be it. Geez
amen! I mean , if you are sick enough to be on medication, then such side-effects shouldn't even matter. What really gets me is those who quit an effective medication because of "weight gain" (for example)....It took me YEARS to find a medication that even worked.
Posted by Sabina on July 28, 2003, at 17:17:20
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares?, posted by djmmm on July 28, 2003, at 16:40:11
of course, there are more important things in life than sex, like not feeling psychotic. i have never and would never quit taking a med that was working for just that one reason. having said that...
a side effect that robs me of FEELING, whether it be sexual drive, intense derealization, etc. is enough to make me want to try something else. the goal of seeking pharmaceutical help, as i see it, is still to feel like me, only better (not nervous, not weeping, not afraid).
speaking for myself only, when my desire for sex is diminished and my ability to climax is taken from me, then that's not a step in the right direction toward becoming the more complete and integrated person that i hope to be with the aid of medication.
Posted by KimberlyDi on July 28, 2003, at 18:15:46
In reply to Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares?, posted by Panic_Attack on July 28, 2003, at 15:27:46
Some people haven't hit *the bottom* yet. I have. My mental health is more important than sex, chocolate, and/or alcohol. Unfortunately the alcohol was the hardest to give up. Effexor saved me from me. If a person isn't afraid of himself/herself without meds, sexual pleasure may have a higher priority.
KDi in Texas
> I have always wondered why people make such a big deal about "Sexual Side Effects" with medication. I mean, BIG DEAL. If you suffer with major anxiety/panic and depression (like me) and find a medication that helps with that, then who cares if you cannot get a hard on or cannot have an orgasim. I struggle to find a medication that does not cause more anxiety/nausea/insomnia,etc. If I have to deal with NO SEX, so be it. Geez
Posted by TJO on July 28, 2003, at 19:50:34
In reply to Re: Who Cares? I do., posted by Sabina on July 28, 2003, at 17:17:20
Hi there,
If I have a choice between a med that interferes with my sex life(and works) and one that doesn't (and works)I'd pick the one that doesn't interfere.Tammy
Posted by linkadge on July 28, 2003, at 20:49:31
In reply to Re: Who Cares? I do., posted by TJO on July 28, 2003, at 19:50:34
Posted by waterlily on July 28, 2003, at 21:18:18
In reply to Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares?, posted by Panic_Attack on July 28, 2003, at 15:27:46
If you want to stay married, having sex is pretty important. Ideally you find something that works on the depression and gives you some libido and ability to climax. If I wasn't married, I wouldn't care about the sexual side effects.
Posted by jay on July 29, 2003, at 2:15:25
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares?, posted by djmmm on July 28, 2003, at 16:40:11
> > I have always wondered why people make such a big deal about "Sexual Side Effects" with medication. I mean, BIG DEAL. If you suffer with major anxiety/panic and depression (like me) and find a medication that helps with that, then who cares if you cannot get a hard on or cannot have an orgasim. I struggle to find a medication that does not cause more anxiety/nausea/insomnia,etc. If I have to deal with NO SEX, so be it. Geez
>
>
>
> amen! I mean , if you are sick enough to be on medication, then such side-effects shouldn't even >matter. What really gets me is those who quit >an effective medication because of "weight gain" >(for example)....It took me YEARS to find a >medication that even worked.Well, when you are on meds for 10-15 years, and then likely the rest of your life, I think feeling like you have a healthy sex drive is important. Gaining weight is also quite unhealthy, especially *lots* of it. From diabetes, to heart disease (these things are endemic in N. America)I think we should be more concerned. Weight and healthy weight are important quality of life factors, and sexuality is a basic part of our physiological being.
But, the thing is many do not have to suffer when there are other medications that can often help with these problems. I imagine there are a number of folks who might not bring up these issues when they see their doctor, especially the sex drive one, but that is what your doctor is for. We are not going to live forever, so I think we owe it to ourselves to get the most we can out of science. Also...remember I am talking about the 'long run'..not just side effects from a few weeks. As years go by, it starts to feel somewhat de-humanizing.
Anyhow..just IMHO...
Jay
Posted by lostsailor on July 29, 2003, at 4:36:52
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares? I do..me too.. » djmmm, posted by jay on July 29, 2003, at 2:15:25
>>I imagine there are a number of folks who might not bring up these issues when they see their doctor, especially the sex drive one, but that is what your doctor is for<<
>>Well, when you are on meds for 10-15 years, and then likely the rest of your life, I think feeling like you have a healthy sex drive is important. Gaining weight is also quite unhealthy, especially *lots* of it. From diabetes, to heart disease (these things are endemic in N. America) I think we should be more concerned<<
both of the above are what docs are for. Sex, orgasm, libido can all be treated with meds, but as you said, many don't bring it up. As for ssri related sexual side effects, when I was on paxil a few years ago, that was an issue. I brought it up to him and found that an antihistamine, wellbutrin, or buspar used on a prn basis can counteract that side effect easily. Luckily, though, many of the "newer" meds don’t have such a severe effect like celexa, lexapro and effexor...maybe that's just me though. the thing is, though, you need to be frank with your doc.
As for the weight...I have went off of a med due to weight gain. I am fairly athletic and that is important to me. One med made me gain 25 lbs in a little over a month. i walked into his office, he asked about my appetite and running/cycling...it was readily apparent for him. I said no change in that but am gaining ...he took me off the med right away citing, like you said again...all the troubles re: physical health + self-esteem...meds and docs can work magic when trusted and good at what they do.
in peace,
~tony
Posted by ROO on July 29, 2003, at 14:11:13
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares? I do..me too.., posted by lostsailor on July 29, 2003, at 4:36:52
Everyone is different. No one can judge someone
else as "petty" just because sex is important to
them. And I agree with Jay...if you know you have
to take these things for _life_, then yes, sex (if
it's important to you) is going to be an issue. Personally,
I don't think it's an acceptable side effect (for _me_) to
take a drug that's going to make me asexual for the rest
of my life. I'm a young women. I like sex. It's important
for me to feel whole (as another poster said)...it helps me
to feel connected and bonded to my mate (yes there are other ways,
but this is still a very important way)...and it affects your
intimate relationship with another person (as antoher poster said).In some ways, I don't really see the point of starting a post that's
meant to put down other people because of what's important to them.
To me it says in some ways it _does_ bother you, and you do care about it
or it wouldn't bother you enough to write about it and be irritated
by other people.
Posted by kinsey on July 29, 2003, at 14:30:16
In reply to Re: Who Cares? I do., posted by Sabina on July 28, 2003, at 17:17:20
sabina - i could not have said it better! kinsey
Posted by Panic_Attack on July 29, 2003, at 18:51:54
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares? I do..me too.., posted by ROO on July 29, 2003, at 14:11:13
> In some ways, I don't really see the point of starting a post that's
> meant to put down other people because of what's important to them.
> To me it says in some ways it _does_ bother you, and you do care about it
> or it wouldn't bother you enough to write about it and be irritated
> by other people.
>The way I see it is, if you are really, really ill and can barely function and feel like your dying or cannot keep a job bcuz your mental illness is so severe, and a doc prescribes you a medication that helps take away your depression, suicidal thoughts, whatever it is... and you have to deal w/ sexual side effects, then big deal. Would u rather continue to be depressed and sick, etc. but get horny? If its not sexual side effects, its something else. The reason I wrote this post, is bcuz I see So many people complaining about sexual side effects and thats the least worry on my mind. You all are a bunch of perverts! HAHA J/K.
ROO, you do have a point. I have never really been to "sexually active". Even before I developed panic/anxiety/depression, I was never really interested in sex? Weird. Im only 22 years old and have NEVER EVER had an orgasim. :(
It is impossible for me so I guess that is why I immediately DONT CARE about "sexual side effects" since my sex life already stinks.
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 29, 2003, at 22:31:12
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares? I do..me too.., posted by Panic_Attack on July 29, 2003, at 18:51:54
> You all are a bunch of perverts! HAHA J/K.
I've asked you before to be civil, even if joking, so now I'm going to block you from posting for a week.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by Hoping on July 29, 2003, at 22:38:52
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares? I do..me too.., posted by Panic_Attack on July 29, 2003, at 18:51:54
I just have to put in my two cents worth. NO medication is worth diminishing my sex life. I used to be on Prozac years ago and i loved how it made me feel, but it made orgasm so difficult and so weak. I have tried a couple of different ssri's since then, effexor did the same thing and serzone and lexapro made me feel so dopey, i have decided i'll take the wellbutrin with it's minimal benefits for depression in order to keep my sex life intact. I'm a woman in my prime and i can't see giving up that part of my life when it is the best it's ever been in my whole life.
K
Posted by lesliekay on July 30, 2003, at 4:37:04
In reply to Re: blocked for week » Panic_Attack, posted by Dr. Bob on July 29, 2003, at 22:31:12
The sad truth of the matter is that the majority of our meds have sexual side effects. I am having arousal problems as well as anorgasmia on Abilify. No fair. Maybe it is all in my mind...who knows, but I sure wish it would go away. Leslie
Posted by ROO on July 30, 2003, at 9:47:51
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects/Who Cares? I do..me too.., posted by Panic_Attack on July 29, 2003, at 18:51:54
>
> The way I see it is, if you are really, really
ill and can barely function and feel like your
dying or cannot keep a job bcuz your mental
illness is so severe, and a doc prescribes
you a medication that helps take away your
depression, suicidal thoughts, whatever it is...
and you have to deal w/ sexual side effects,
then big deal. Would u rather continue to be
depressed and sick, etc. but get horny?Of course not. If I am depressed and suicidal...(which I have been) and
my choice is either to live, be more at peace and be able to connect with
other people OR have a good sexual response....I'm going to choose the former.
And I have made that choice. But as far as it not being a big deal---there's
where I disagree with you. To some people, it _is_ a big deal. A very big
deal...to have their sexuality taken away. It feels like having a part of your
soul taken away really. It's a big deal to me...and I would fight until the
end to try and find something where I don't have to make that sacrifice...I would never
be like "Oh well...it's just sex...no big deal".
> ROO, you do have a point. I have never really
been to "sexually active". Even before I
developed panic/anxiety/depression, I was never
really interested in sex? Weird. Im only 22
years old and have NEVER EVER had an orgasim. :(Well that's probably why you don't understand. Once you've
experienced the magic you can experience with another person
sexually, you never forget it. 22 isn't that young to have
never had an orgasm...I didn't have one until I was 18 (I read
Our Bodies Ourselves and learned how to masterbate. I didn't have
one with a partner until I was 23.I'm sure on some level it does bother you...especially with all the
messages our society gives us that we're supposed to be these sexual dynamo's
at all times. I feel for you. But you are still young and I'm sure you will
have a sexual awakening at some point...then you'll understand what the fuss
is all about :-)
>
Posted by Dr. Bob on July 30, 2003, at 22:40:41
In reply to Re: blocked for week » Panic_Attack, posted by Dr. Bob on July 29, 2003, at 22:31:12
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies ... should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration
Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20030508/msgs/246900.html
Bob
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