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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by abitscared on April 6, 2005, at 6:12:21
I'm a gay male.
I was on Celexa (80 mg/day), and things were going OK. I was celibate, so no big deal. But then, after 34 years of self-hatred, I started to feel dateable. I started building the social life I never had. A lot of this was due to my meds. I also take Depakote (2250 mg/day) and meds for hypertension and a thyroid issue. Anyway, I had major roblems with anorgasmia, but not erectile dsyfunction.
I've tried going off the Celexa, and that totally fixed the anorgasmia thing, but then I fell apart. What it boils down to is that I keep trying my meds and not being able to have sex, then going off my meds and becoming an emotional basketcase. Neither situation is conducive to a good relationship or dating situation.
I've tried Wellbutrin instead of Celexa. The anorgasmia got a little better, but not fully. Also, the Wellbutrin was not working for my depression. I've tried Gingko Biloba, with no success. Has anyone tried arginine? (ArginMax?)
Anyway, if I'm on my meds, I'm well enough to attract a guy, but I'm horrible in the sack, and that sure doesn't want to make anyone stick around. Also, "discussing" the issue and explaing your depression and med use isn't so attractive to a potential new partner either.
I don't know what to do. There's this guy I really like, but there are some emotional issues on my part. If I take my meds, I can handle these issues and be somewhat likeable, but then I can't perform. So, I go off the meds (because I want to please him) and I totally freak out and show him what a weirdo I am emotionally.
I can't live like this. Are there even any REAL treatments being developed for this anorgasmia from SSRIs?
Posted by TomG on April 6, 2005, at 11:28:38
In reply to I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by abitscared on April 6, 2005, at 6:12:21
I've heard that adding Buspar has worked for some people in your situation that have problems with orgasm. You might want to talk to your doctor about that. If there is any residual anxiety left over Buspar can help with that also. I've heard it is a fairly benign medication.(low side-effects)
Posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2005, at 14:47:14
In reply to I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by abitscared on April 6, 2005, at 6:12:21
Hi!
>But then, after 34 years of self-hatred, I started to feel dateable.
:-)
>What it boils down to is that I keep trying my meds and not being able to have sex....
Anorgasmia won't prevent you have having sex though. Do you have any other sexual side effects? Loss of libido, genital numbness, erectile dysfunction etc.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by JKL on April 6, 2005, at 15:04:10
In reply to I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by abitscared on April 6, 2005, at 6:12:21
If ssri's work for you, then I think the only significant thing that could help is to switch to a different ssri. Prozac doesn't seem to be nearly as strong an offender in the sex department with men, and actually enhances for some.
Drug remedies such as buspar don't work well enough very often it seems like.
Blocking some serotonin receptors might help, and boosting dopamine might help. Remeron is an antidepressant that is often given to help with sex because it blocks certain serotonin receptors. You could consider adding a little of that. Believe it or not, a little bit of an antipsychotic could help with all of your symptoms and the sex too, with their wide range of receptor blocking and receptor stimulating actions. All it would take is 1 to 5 days to test each possible choice to see which will work.
Posted by Racer on April 6, 2005, at 15:07:36
In reply to Re: I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by JKL on April 6, 2005, at 15:04:10
Periactin, an old anti-histimine, is also useful for some people with SSRI related anorgasmia. It worked for me, so I'm a big fan. It's a take-when-needed thing, and it will block ALL the effects of hte SSRI for a while, but again -- you take it when you need it, it wears off after a few hours and you're back where you started.
Hope that helps.
Posted by Interested on April 6, 2005, at 20:28:29
In reply to Re: I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by Racer on April 6, 2005, at 15:07:36
There are older anti-depressants, tricylics, which do not have sexual side effects. The family is nortriptyline, protriptyline, and amitriptyline. They were the greatest until Prozac was created. The main side effects are weight gain and constipation. So you really have to exercise religiously, drink lots of water, and stay on a low calorie diet (protein & salads & vegetables). But that's all healthy anyhow. The tricylics also are calming. Sometimes they are prescribed for sleep disorders.
Ask you doctor about these.
Posted by peacetoy on April 7, 2005, at 6:27:27
In reply to Re: I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by Interested on April 6, 2005, at 20:28:29
I can really empathise with your frustration. I'm also gay and have been in a relationship for 9 years.
Last year, my partner started getting very depressed and took Citalopram. It had the paradoxical effect of vastly increasing his sex drive (while doing only a little for his depression)!
I had been on Proxac for 8 years, with fairly minimal sexual side effects (I think). I felt it wasn't working for me anymore and tried escitalopram (Lexapro). Big mistake - it made me feel like a eunuch, and exacerbated the loss of libido I already had from being depressed! And with my partner having increased libido, things became very difficult.
I'm not taking anything apart from EPA (Omega 3), and while things seem a bit better down there, the psychological effects are still there, and I've lost what sexual confidence I had. I've actually been taking a Tribulus supplement that also includes Ginkgo and Arginine, and this has helped physically at least [ http://www.libilov.com/ ]. A lot of damage to my relationship has already been done, though (it's more complicated than just the sexual stuff, but its a big factor).
Mirtazapine (Rememeron) was suggested to me as an alternative to an SSRI, and I'm going to try that if I decide I need to, despite being rather scared of the potential weight gain.
Posted by alienatari on April 7, 2005, at 8:57:02
In reply to I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by abitscared on April 6, 2005, at 6:12:21
Hey how are u? Im also a gay male and I have similar problems. Ive been treated totally as a "bottom" for years and it upsets me as it makes me feel as if Im just a bit of meat in sex where I dont really get any enjoyment out of it. Im 23 and in a relationship now with an older man (hes 40) and well yea he is impotent now so my sex life is pretty much zero lol. I dont have much information to offer but I just wanted to say that I feel for you and can really relate to your problem. Hang in there. Take care and warm regards.
Posted by alienatari on April 7, 2005, at 9:00:38
In reply to Re: I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by Interested on April 6, 2005, at 20:28:29
I kind of disagree with that, as in some people (myself included) tricyclics make me impotent.
> There are older anti-depressants, tricylics, which do not have sexual side effects. The family is nortriptyline, protriptyline, and amitriptyline. They were the greatest until Prozac was created. The main side effects are weight gain and constipation. So you really have to exercise religiously, drink lots of water, and stay on a low calorie diet (protein & salads & vegetables). But that's all healthy anyhow. The tricylics also are calming. Sometimes they are prescribed for sleep disorders.
>
> Ask you doctor about these.
Posted by ed_uk on April 7, 2005, at 9:07:49
In reply to Re: I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by alienatari on April 7, 2005, at 8:57:02
Hi,
>Im also a gay male.....
Me too, there seem to be a lot of gay people around here all of a sudden LOL!
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by Ted_Brossnan on April 8, 2005, at 10:13:25
In reply to Re: I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by Racer on April 6, 2005, at 15:07:36
> Periactin, an old anti-histimine, is also useful for some people with SSRI related anorgasmia. It worked for me, so I'm a big fan. It's a take-when-needed thing, and it will block ALL the effects of hte SSRI for a while, but again -- you take it when you need it, it wears off after a few hours and you're back where you started.
>
> Hope that helps.Hi,
I am getting it soon to help the anorgasmia I am having from Nardil. What dose of Periactin works for you? When you take it? An hour in advance or something?
Thanks,
Ted.
Posted by gromit on April 8, 2005, at 16:25:29
In reply to Re: I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by alienatari on April 7, 2005, at 9:00:38
> I kind of disagree with that, as in some people (myself included) tricyclics make me impotent.
Me too, desipramine gave me erectile disfunction, SSRI's make me anorgasmic. If I had to choose I would pick anorgasmia since at least then my wife was satisfied. Besides it's an awful feeling not being able to perform although Levitra definately works :)
My experience with arginine is that if you are able to get an erection it will improve the "quality", if not it does nothing. Either way it didn't help with anorgasmia, neither did ginko, buspar or wellbutrin.
Rick
Posted by NeilKramer on April 9, 2005, at 8:22:04
In reply to I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by abitscared on April 6, 2005, at 6:12:21
Have you tried Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis? A lot of people are helped by those. I know on Zoloft they helped me. On Lexapro, I still had anorgasmia with Viagra. 80 mg of Celexa is a high dose. You might do better with Paxil or Zoloft. Celexa and Lexapro usually are only for mild depression, and you get a better serotonin boost from Paxil and Zoloft (the best as far as serotonin for SSRI's, according to my pdoc). Prozac is in between those as far as serotonin effectiveness.
Also, I'm finding amazing results for depression and anxiety through amino acid supplements. If you look on alternative psychobabble, Larry Hoover is a great resource and has written a lot about the subject. L-Tryptophan (not 5-htp) might be very effective in your situation, combined with some magnesium and vitamin B6, instead of the SSRI. Eric Braverman MD and Julia Ross MA are two of the numerous writers you can find on Amazon who write about amino acids. You could also make an appointment to see a naturopath after you do some research.
I hope this helps. I'd try Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, before you try anything, if you think the Celexa is effective. It's a real dillemna. I thought I had it figured out with Ginkgo but it only worked for a short time. Apparently, your body quickly buiilds up a tolerance to Gingko.
> I'm a gay male.
>
> I was on Celexa (80 mg/day), and things were going OK. I was celibate, so no big deal. But then, after 34 years of self-hatred, I started to feel dateable. I started building the social life I never had. A lot of this was due to my meds. I also take Depakote (2250 mg/day) and meds for hypertension and a thyroid issue. Anyway, I had major roblems with anorgasmia, but not erectile dsyfunction.
>
> I've tried going off the Celexa, and that totally fixed the anorgasmia thing, but then I fell apart. What it boils down to is that I keep trying my meds and not being able to have sex, then going off my meds and becoming an emotional basketcase. Neither situation is conducive to a good relationship or dating situation.
>
> I've tried Wellbutrin instead of Celexa. The anorgasmia got a little better, but not fully. Also, the Wellbutrin was not working for my depression. I've tried Gingko Biloba, with no success. Has anyone tried arginine? (ArginMax?)
>
> Anyway, if I'm on my meds, I'm well enough to attract a guy, but I'm horrible in the sack, and that sure doesn't want to make anyone stick around. Also, "discussing" the issue and explaing your depression and med use isn't so attractive to a potential new partner either.
>
> I don't know what to do. There's this guy I really like, but there are some emotional issues on my part. If I take my meds, I can handle these issues and be somewhat likeable, but then I can't perform. So, I go off the meds (because I want to please him) and I totally freak out and show him what a weirdo I am emotionally.
>
> I can't live like this. Are there even any REAL treatments being developed for this anorgasmia from SSRIs?
Posted by NeilKramer on April 9, 2005, at 8:24:57
In reply to I just can't live this way (meds vs. sex)., posted by abitscared on April 6, 2005, at 6:12:21
Also, if you go the amino acid route, you can always add L-Arginine to your cocktail to boost your libido. I'm skeptical about ArginMax, but I've read that it works for someone on remedyfind.com.
> I'm a gay male.
>
> I was on Celexa (80 mg/day), and things were going OK. I was celibate, so no big deal. But then, after 34 years of self-hatred, I started to feel dateable. I started building the social life I never had. A lot of this was due to my meds. I also take Depakote (2250 mg/day) and meds for hypertension and a thyroid issue. Anyway, I had major roblems with anorgasmia, but not erectile dsyfunction.
>
> I've tried going off the Celexa, and that totally fixed the anorgasmia thing, but then I fell apart. What it boils down to is that I keep trying my meds and not being able to have sex, then going off my meds and becoming an emotional basketcase. Neither situation is conducive to a good relationship or dating situation.
>
> I've tried Wellbutrin instead of Celexa. The anorgasmia got a little better, but not fully. Also, the Wellbutrin was not working for my depression. I've tried Gingko Biloba, with no success. Has anyone tried arginine? (ArginMax?)
>
> Anyway, if I'm on my meds, I'm well enough to attract a guy, but I'm horrible in the sack, and that sure doesn't want to make anyone stick around. Also, "discussing" the issue and explaing your depression and med use isn't so attractive to a potential new partner either.
>
> I don't know what to do. There's this guy I really like, but there are some emotional issues on my part. If I take my meds, I can handle these issues and be somewhat likeable, but then I can't perform. So, I go off the meds (because I want to please him) and I totally freak out and show him what a weirdo I am emotionally.
>
> I can't live like this. Are there even any REAL treatments being developed for this anorgasmia from SSRIs?
This is the end of the thread.
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