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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 32. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maria3667 on October 7, 2007, at 17:50:40
So I wonder, how many of us really quit AD's because of the sexual side effects?
Is it still a taboo to talk about this? Even after Dr. Ruth??
I'm volunteering to be up front & open about this subject on this message board. No one can see my face, I feel pretty safe, shielded by the anonimity of internet. Hurray! Thanks Dr. Bob.Here goes: I tried 12 AD's in all. In 11 cases, my libido got murdered. Usually within the first week. Even if the anti-depressant effect was great, the first reason was enough to quit the game.
In 1 case (Remeron) my libido was significantly hightend (but so was my weight - I quit again!).I wonder how prevelant this matter is for others? Feel free to speak frankly, no one can see you!
Maria
Posted by d0pamine on October 7, 2007, at 19:13:16
In reply to The truth about sexual side effects, posted by Maria3667 on October 7, 2007, at 17:50:40
I don't know what impact it has on anyone else, but EMSAM puts mine though the roof, and due to its prolactin reducing capacity, it also greatly improves the part prolactin normally inhibits. :)
Posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2007, at 22:07:16
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects, posted by d0pamine on October 7, 2007, at 19:13:16
Meds didn't mess mine up my mother and first husband did so something can't blame meds for. Phillipa
Posted by fuzz54 on October 8, 2007, at 12:23:27
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects, posted by Phillipa on October 7, 2007, at 22:07:16
My sex drive goes lower the higher dosage I take on SSRIs. This has been true for all SSRIs so far (paxil, lexapro, celexa, cymbalta). At 20 mg of paxil I still have some sort of sex drive, but it still keeps the depression away. I was off of the SSRIs for 2 months once and the sex drive still didn't come back, although I think it would have eventually. After about 4 or 5 months on Paxil I noticed the sexual side effects did diminish to some extent. That's my story.
Posted by Jimmyboy on October 8, 2007, at 12:37:45
In reply to The truth about sexual side effects, posted by Maria3667 on October 7, 2007, at 17:50:40
Maria
My experience is similar to yours, all the SSRI's killed my sex drive immediately and even though they may have worked , that is a huge trade off. Never having sex again is pretty damn depressing in my opinion
JB
Posted by mav27 on October 8, 2007, at 14:12:56
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria, posted by Jimmyboy on October 8, 2007, at 12:37:45
Almost wish my experiance was the same as others that have posted. What ssri's do to me is increase my sex drive beyond belief.. i feel like humping everything in sight... problem is they all also cause anorgasmia and sometimes Impotence which means i can't do anything about the labido.... it almost amounts to torture sometimes.
Posted by FredPotter on October 8, 2007, at 17:49:52
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria, posted by mav27 on October 8, 2007, at 14:12:56
Sexual side effects have been the worst of the side effects with SSRIs and MAOIs. Tricyclics were OK though
Posted by mav27 on October 8, 2007, at 18:20:43
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria, posted by FredPotter on October 8, 2007, at 17:49:52
Yeah i noticed the same thong.
Posted by Kimbersaur on October 10, 2007, at 1:36:42
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria » FredPotter, posted by mav27 on October 8, 2007, at 18:20:43
So far the meds that have caused sexual side effects for me are Prozac, Effexor, and Anafranil (although I only gave the Anafranil 2 days- as soon as I discovered the anorgasmia I quit). I suspect Paxil would have had the same effect if I had stayed on it, but it made me manic. I am thinking of trying Celexa next... I really need something for my OCD.
Has anyone had success with eliminating sexual side effects by switching from one SSRI to another?
Posted by Maria3667 on October 10, 2007, at 4:23:53
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria, posted by Kimbersaur on October 10, 2007, at 1:36:42
Hi Kim,
Well 'success' is may be overstating it, it's probably better to say I had 'the least' sexual dampening effects from an anti-depressant called Tianeptine (Stablon). However, this increased my anxiety about 10-fold so this was no option.
Only one anti-depressant so far has perked up my sex drive: Remeron (mirtazipine). Technically speaking this is not an SSRI but a NaSSA (Noradrenergic and Specific Serotonergic Antidepressant). Trouble is, for many people Remeron causes huge weight gain. However, for sex drive and depression it's was the best, IMHO.
Maria
> So far the meds that have caused sexual side effects for me are Prozac, Effexor, and Anafranil (although I only gave the Anafranil 2 days- as soon as I discovered the anorgasmia I quit). I suspect Paxil would have had the same effect if I had stayed on it, but it made me manic. I am thinking of trying Celexa next... I really need something for my OCD.
>
> Has anyone had success with eliminating sexual side effects by switching from one SSRI to another?
Posted by Bob on October 10, 2007, at 9:54:32
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria, posted by Jimmyboy on October 8, 2007, at 12:37:45
> Maria
>
> My experience is similar to yours, all the SSRI's killed my sex drive immediately and even though they may have worked , that is a huge trade off. Never having sex again is pretty damn depressing in my opinion
>
> JB
I wholeheartedly agree. Erasing sexuality for the rest of your life is a seriously, seriously disturbing thing. For me, and I suspect many others, it's not merely the inability to achieve orgasm, but eventually a significant inability to have romantic or sexual feelings in general. You become more and more nonsexual. It is indeed depressing in its own right as you fight your illness, the side effects of the drugs, and the fact that you can't feel sexual any longer.Almost ever single psychiatric drug that affected serotonin in any way has eventually crushed my sexuality. Drugs like Welbutrin, or Lamictal were different, but they also didn't work for me at all. It sometimes seems like there is no relief at all from me condition unless I crush my sexuality.
Posted by Cecilia on October 10, 2007, at 13:42:15
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria » Jimmyboy, posted by Bob on October 10, 2007, at 9:54:32
Anyone who would actually give up an effective antidepressant just because of sexual side effects isn't really depressed, in my opinion. If I were lucky enough to find a med that actually works, I could care less about sexual side effects. Who's interested in sex anyway when they're depressed? Cecilia
Posted by Jimmyboy on October 10, 2007, at 14:49:22
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-, posted by Cecilia on October 10, 2007, at 13:42:15
You are not a male, women may not be able to enjoy sex but you could still have sex. Some men are unable to have sex at all on some of these drugs, so I think the situation is a bit different when it comes to sexual side effects when it comes to men v. women.
JB
Posted by FredPotter on October 10, 2007, at 14:55:03
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria » Jimmyboy, posted by Bob on October 10, 2007, at 9:54:32
I agree Bob. Perhaps it's not so bad though as they make me fat and revolting and no-one wants sex with me anyway. I'm 61 so any relationship I might have won't be so heavily skewed towards sex, more to companionship. How dull that sounds. But for young people who are in love and want to start a family it's quite unacceptable. Does Periactin work on these sexual side effects? Or on the weight gain? Strangely I didn't have these side effects from Dothiepin ( a tricyclic).
Finally, the therapeutic effects of a permanent, loving, sexual relationship cannot be overstated.
Fred
Posted by Bob on October 10, 2007, at 20:17:55
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-, posted by Jimmyboy on October 10, 2007, at 14:49:22
> You are not a male, women may not be able to enjoy sex but you could still have sex. Some men are unable to have sex at all on some of these drugs, so I think the situation is a bit different when it comes to sexual side effects when it comes to men v. women.
>
>
> JBYes, I'll have to agree here. I've had these discussions with my mother and sister, both of whom have taken meds. They also have sexual side effects, but it doesn't prevent them from engaging in the act, but rather they don't enjoy or crave it. For a male, it basically makes it physically impossible as erections are no longer achievable or attainable.
I understand when someone is having a breakdown with unbelievable anxiety, depression and whatever else. Then the relief provided by a drug is incalculable. However, months or years down the road when sex can no longer be part of your life, it get's to be a drag. To say someone is not really depressed because they have a problem with drugs that make them obese, nonsexual, and physically unhealthy for the rest of their lives is a little extreme in my opinion. I've personally been to the edge of sanity and the depths of suicidality and dispair many times, but it still doesn't mean I like taking drugs that erase my sexuality. If you're a young man who would like to meet a girl, have a relationship and maybe even start a family someday, it's all but impossible. Of course, SSRIs take away even this drive in life eventually (at least for me). Maybe when I'm older and I've missed the boat on all this then it will be a less bitter pill to swallow, but I doubt it. Then I will resent the life I wasn't able to lead.
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 11, 2007, at 0:59:56
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-, posted by Cecilia on October 10, 2007, at 13:42:15
> Anyone who would actually give up an effective antidepressant just because of sexual side effects isn't really depressed, in my opinion.
Please be sensitive to the feelings of others (such as those who want to avoid sexual side effects and consider themselves really depressed).
But please don't take this personally, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please first see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Cecilia on October 11, 2007, at 2:43:29
In reply to Re: please be sensitive » Cecilia, posted by Dr. Bob on October 11, 2007, at 0:59:56
I apologize for being insensitive, Dr. Bob. I just get so jealous of all the people who antidepressants actually work for, when I've tried everything there is to try (except ECT) without benefit. But I understand that everyone had different priorities. Cecilia
Posted by Sigismund on October 11, 2007, at 16:03:52
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects- » Jimmyboy, posted by Bob on October 10, 2007, at 20:17:55
>Maybe when I'm older and I've missed the boat on all this then it will be a less bitter pill to swallow, but I doubt it. Then I will resent the life I wasn't able to lead.
That's about it.
Posted by infectedmushrooms on October 11, 2007, at 16:24:36
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-, posted by Sigismund on October 11, 2007, at 16:03:52
the truth about sex drive is that sometimes it doesn't come back on its own after stopping the drugs...I am an example...I lost it at 21 years old after a short bout of risperdal even though i took ssris for 2 years prior to that and still managed to have a huge sex drive before taking risperdal.. and now i just turned 23 and its still absent since my bout of risperdal...If i run for an hour and take a bunch of supplements i get a hint of it back for a very short while but its horrible that now i have brain damage from drugs and my depression was exacerbated from this which makes it even harder to recover so its like a paradox im in...I'm hoping to recover from the damages these drugs did to my brain and the only one that can help me is myself now and maybe some help from above b/c doctors can't do sh*t and i can't sue b/c there is no proof that my drive is gone although my prolactin is not a good range for my age neither is my free T..I am hopeful however that i am on a regimen right now that will spark a recovery but besides that...
The pharmacuetical industry should be sued b/c there are no warnings about long term sexual side effects they just keep it generalized by saying sexual side effects without saying its possible it doesn't come back after one discontinues the drug due to permanent or semi-permanent brain alterations...
Posted by elanor roosevelt on October 11, 2007, at 21:12:22
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria » FredPotter, posted by mav27 on October 8, 2007, at 18:20:43
celexa and lexapro were great for me and my sexife
but then drugs like parnate were a strange generic sex drive
many others lessened my libido
i have found that when meds first snap me out of a depression i have a strong sex driveif only i could keep social life and level of libido coordinated
it seems difficult to know if ssri's cause long term libido blues because of the parallel effects of long term depression
Posted by twinleaf on October 11, 2007, at 21:39:08
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria, posted by elanor roosevelt on October 11, 2007, at 21:12:22
I completely agree with the posters on this thread who have lost their sex drive, and are still suffering from that loss years after stopping the medications. No-one ever mentions this. For me, the SSRIs were the most damaging; it is three years since I've taken any, but it is only now that I am beginning to recover anything like the sex drive I previously had- and it's not nearly as strong as it was when I first got depressed! I am finding that all the neuroprotective things I can do- low dose lithium, enough Cytomel so that my TSH is below 1, fish oil, B-vitamins, phosphadatyl-serine. yoga and exercise are, I think, helping me slowly get back towards normal. I don't know if I'll ever get there, but I'm trying to count on my brain's plasticity and recovery powers!
It's interesting that one poster, above, said that tianeptine, which takes the serotonin out of the intercellular spaces and puts it back into neurons, helped his sex drive a lot, although it made him too anxious. I had exactly the same experience with it. I was so happy that my sexual desires were coming back, but it did make me very anxious, too.
I have come to believe that serotonin is the culprit. The SSRI's flood your brain with it, and something has to give. I think it's dopamine, which is vital for all kinds of feelings of pleasure and reward- including sexual ones.
Posted by FredPotter on October 11, 2007, at 23:10:42
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects, posted by twinleaf on October 11, 2007, at 21:39:08
I think it's too much prolactin rather than low dopamine activity. I take Nardil so my dopamine should be high, but Mr Johnson is way down low
Posted by Maria3667 on October 12, 2007, at 3:55:25
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects- » Jimmyboy, posted by Bob on October 10, 2007, at 20:17:55
Hi JB,
With respect to the technical side of having sex, you are right.
But as another poster wrote before, destruction of libido, also often destructs feelings of 'being in love'. For many women (me), this quashes the romantic side of being with a partner.
So yes, I could still have sex to facilitate my partner (and that was the only pleasure it gave me), but otherwise it wasn't pleasurable for me. And hence not for him either.
I wonder, what toll do AD's really have on relationships? How many times does love end 'on the rocks' because many AD's inhibit the feeling of wanting to be sexual?Ofcourse it doesn't necessarily mean other ways of intimacy aren't possible, but it takes away the silver lining...
For me gratifying sexual interaction with my partner is paramount. This is what sets aside a partner relationship from other relationships with friends. I find libido hugely important. Just as important as many men would.
Maria
> > You are not a male, women may not be able to enjoy sex but you could still have sex. Some men are unable to have sex at all on some of these drugs, so I think the situation is a bit different when it comes to sexual side effects when it comes to men v. women.
> >
> >
> > JB
>
> Yes, I'll have to agree here. I've had these discussions with my mother and sister, both of whom have taken meds. They also have sexual side effects, but it doesn't prevent them from engaging in the act, but rather they don't enjoy or crave it. For a male, it basically makes it physically impossible as erections are no longer achievable or attainable.
>
> I understand when someone is having a breakdown with unbelievable anxiety, depression and whatever else. Then the relief provided by a drug is incalculable. However, months or years down the road when sex can no longer be part of your life, it get's to be a drag. To say someone is not really depressed because they have a problem with drugs that make them obese, nonsexual, and physically unhealthy for the rest of their lives is a little extreme in my opinion. I've personally been to the edge of sanity and the depths of suicidality and dispair many times, but it still doesn't mean I like taking drugs that erase my sexuality. If you're a young man who would like to meet a girl, have a relationship and maybe even start a family someday, it's all but impossible. Of course, SSRIs take away even this drive in life eventually (at least for me). Maybe when I'm older and I've missed the boat on all this then it will be a less bitter pill to swallow, but I doubt it. Then I will resent the life I wasn't able to lead.
>
>
>
>
Posted by sdb on October 12, 2007, at 6:18:49
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria » Bob, posted by FredPotter on October 10, 2007, at 14:55:03
'Finally, the therapeutic effects of a permanent, loving, sexual relationship cannot be overstated
I disagree. Not for everybody. I know many very old people never lived in a relationship and I do not have the impression that they are unlucky.
At the age of sixty a medical doctor died in a village and then the widow said: "the single one would have been great also actually !". The single one worked at a finance institute in a bigger city but was actually a wine farmer living in a healthy mountain region from where he was born. Some years ago he frequented New Zealand and he joins operas and discussions. Why that? Good lucking, sportive, intelligent. Somebody told me that she believes that his very intelligent, probably a little shy and "naturally" not very interested in woman but not gay. He is the oldest of over six brothers. His mum was said to be disappointed that he never married.
Everybody is different but very similar.
warm regards
sdb
Posted by sdb on October 12, 2007, at 6:50:36
In reply to Re: The truth about sexual side effects-Maria, posted by sdb on October 12, 2007, at 6:18:49
humm...i like his wine brand...
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