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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on November 4, 2003, at 17:40:20
libido. I have read and heard that the SSRI's can/do adversely affect this, but I didn't know in so many different ways (I'm not going to enumerate them!) ... yet I know someone on Zoloft (a male) who has NO PROBLEMS in this area.
Is lack of sex drive, inability to achieve you-know-what, etc., more common to WOMEN than MEN?
I can't take this, yet I'm doing well (knock on wood) on Celexa and would be afraid to make a change, like to Wellbutrin or some other Non-SSRI.
I need support, similar stories, etc. - I'm on the verge of tears.
Posted by contemplative1 on November 4, 2003, at 19:15:21
In reply to SUPPORT needed - uh, Celexa and ..., posted by Janelle on November 4, 2003, at 17:40:20
I was on Celexa for about a year and experienced fairly severe sexual SE and being a male...
I tried Paxil and had a better time but still had very little desire...I could go weeks without and I am 38 and my wife was not overjoyed by my lack of enthusiasm.
Now I am on Prozac and the sexual SE seem to be almost non-existent.
It seems from regularly reading these posts that there are no absolutes with regards to what SSRI will cause which SE. Some people suffer terribly with Prozac and change to Paxil and the sexual SEs go away to a greater extent.
So don't despair, talk to your psychodoc about trying different SSRI's
In addition, although it did not work for me, adding Wellbutrin can lessen the sexual SEs for some.
Posted by toodlebug on November 4, 2003, at 21:58:26
In reply to Re: SUPPORT needed - uh, Celexa and ..., posted by contemplative1 on November 4, 2003, at 19:15:21
At various time, I have taken Celexa, Paxil, Effexor, Prozac, and Wellbutrin. Celexa was by far the worst for sexual side effects-- I had absolutely zero interest within just a couple days and could not have an "o." On Paxil, my desire/interest seemed lower and sex was a little more difficult than it should be but it was manageable. Effexor and WB did not seem to have any adverse effects at all. I didn't notice any particularly pro-sexual effects, either. Prozac, on the other hand, had strong pro-sexual effects on me. I was very horny (for lack of a better word) all the time and had lots of fantasies. (And I did not have any orgasm problems. In fact, I think o's were a little more intense.) I thought I was just going through a phase, but within just a few weeks of quitting the Prozac I was back to normal.
Posted by cybercafe on November 4, 2003, at 23:48:04
In reply to SUPPORT needed - uh, Celexa and ..., posted by Janelle on November 4, 2003, at 17:40:20
> libido. I have read and heard that the SSRI's can/do adversely affect this, but I didn't know in so many different ways (I'm not going to enumerate them!) ... yet I know someone on Zoloft (a male) who has NO PROBLEMS in this area.
>
> Is lack of sex drive, inability to achieve you-know-what, etc., more common to WOMEN than MEN?
>
> I can't take this, yet I'm doing well (knock on wood) on Celexa and would be afraid to make a change, like to Wellbutrin or some other Non-SSRI.
>
> I need support, similar stories, etc. - I'm on the verge of tears.
i think celexa is the worst SSRI for causing blunted emotions and lack of libido... but probably one of the best for anxiety... on the other hand.... i think prozac is better for not blunting emotions or libido........like others suggest... i would consider adding a little wellbutrin.... or switching to prozac if necessary (i ended up switching to parnate myself... but heck that washout was no fun at all)
Posted by edw on November 5, 2003, at 9:27:59
In reply to Re: SUPPORT needed - uh, Celexa and ..., posted by cybercafe on November 4, 2003, at 23:48:04
I've been through Zoloft, Celexa (a watered down Zoloft), Welbutrin, Paxil, now Prozac and Welbutrin XL mix.
I can tell you Welbutrin was the best for libido. OMG was it! It was actually overkill. All the others including the Prozac just wrecked the libido and the ability to "finish" even if libido could be summoned.
I am recently on Welbutrin XL with my Prozac and the weightloss is nice and libido is fair, but there are environmental issues with that at my home effecting libido and let's just say "once a season" is about it. What is this now? Autumn? Well I'm due then.:)I'd be glad to comment on the withdraws from the various ones. Which have it which dont etc.
Posted by sfloridamatt on November 5, 2003, at 11:24:05
In reply to SUPPORT needed - uh, Celexa and ..., posted by Janelle on November 4, 2003, at 17:40:20
there is a small amount of patients taking ssri's that don't have sexual side effects and actually few that report increase in drive.
in a post i made this morning, i mentioned that sexual side effects are caused due to the rise in serotonin which in turn causes dopamine (the feel good chemical) dysfuntion. i am surprised to hear that your friend, who is on zoloft, is not having any problems....zoloft seems to cause the most sexual dysfuntion and is commonly known as so-soft (zoloft) for obvious reasons.
sometimes these side effects decrease in time..how long have u been on celexa? sometimes adding another drug like wellbutrin, buspar, or small amount of amphetamine (dexedrine, adderall, etc) can help.
many people are not aware that ssri's cause a rise in cortisol levels in the blood and in turn lead to decreased testosterone...even in women, testosterone is present and strongly affects sex drive. i am currently injecting 200mg. testosterone cypionate every other week..even though i am 26. tests done in the past few months have revealed lowering of testosterone levels. nowadays women are also receiving small amounts of testosterone therapy to increase drive...talk to your doctor about adding another medication, and if that doesn't work..ask your doctor about testosterone therapy..good luck and hang in there!!
Posted by KXo on November 6, 2003, at 11:18:04
In reply to Re: SUPPORT needed - uh, Celexa and ..., posted by contemplative1 on November 4, 2003, at 19:15:21
> I was on Celexa for about a year and experienced fairly severe sexual SE and being a male...
>
> I tried Paxil and had a better time but still had very little desire...I could go weeks without and I am 38 and my wife was not overjoyed by my lack of enthusiasm.
>
> Now I am on Prozac and the sexual SE seem to be almost non-existent.
>
> It seems from regularly reading these posts that there are no absolutes with regards to what SSRI will cause which SE. Some people suffer terribly with Prozac and change to Paxil and the sexual SEs go away to a greater extent.
>
> So don't despair, talk to your psychodoc about trying different SSRI's
>
> In addition, although it did not work for me, adding Wellbutrin can lessen the sexual SEs for some.How did you feel using Wellbutrin with a SSRI? You say Wellbutrin can lessen the SEs... Is it good for the numb feeling?
Being on Zoloft, Prozac and Effexor, I found them to be like the same in sexual SEs. Numb feeling, very hard to ejaculate, some worse on erection and libido.
Posted by edw on November 6, 2003, at 14:51:14
In reply to Re: SUPPORT needed - uh, Celexa and ... » contemplative1, posted by KXo on November 6, 2003, at 11:18:04
If your referring to my comment on Welbutrin being in the mix, it allows you to at least start, and finish and I mean finish intensly, but the in-between is still bland if I can use that word.
Welbutrin alone was crazy. Like embarrassing at work etc. When the wind would blow it would be arousing. Right now the Prozac and Welbutrin keep each other in check and I'm living with that for now. I can still take or leave the desire though and and I have a W who doesn't put me in the mood half the time anyway.
This is the end of the thread.
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