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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mogger on September 22, 2011, at 21:54:06
Hi there,
I am coming off clonzepam and down on zoloft and have been experiencing almost an aversion to sex and my girlfriend as well as being a bit mentally numb. I am mortified as she has come to visit me and just a few weeks ago I was fired up and attracted to her and ready for her visit and now for about a week I feel like perhaps she is not the right one as I can't get turned on or anything and I am mentally numb. I was wondering if anyone else has had this similar experience during withdrawals? I have partially come to a conclusion that perhaps she isn't for me however I don't really find any other women attractive right now and am wondering if it is just the withdrawals that are tricking me into being disinterested and detached? Has anyone sort of fallen out of love with someone going through withdrawals and then once it is over and you have recovered you realized it wasn't the girlfriend/boyfriend but the withdrawals that were changing your perception? Many thanks for your thoughts, I would really appreciate any experiences as I don't know what to do,
mogger
Posted by SLS on September 22, 2011, at 22:30:59
In reply to Antidepressant Withdrawal, Zero Libido, Numb, posted by mogger on September 22, 2011, at 21:54:06
> Hi there,
>
> I am coming off clonzepam and down on zoloft and have been experiencing almost an aversion to sex and my girlfriend as well as being a bit mentally numb. I am mortified as she has come to visit me and just a few weeks ago I was fired up and attracted to her and ready for her visit and now for about a week I feel like perhaps she is not the right one as I can't get turned on or anything and I am mentally numb. I was wondering if anyone else has had this similar experience during withdrawals? I have partially come to a conclusion that perhaps she isn't for me however I don't really find any other women attractive right now and am wondering if it is just the withdrawals that are tricking me into being disinterested and detached? Has anyone sort of fallen out of love with someone going through withdrawals and then once it is over and you have recovered you realized it wasn't the girlfriend/boyfriend but the withdrawals that were changing your perception? Many thanks for your thoughts, I would really appreciate any experiences as I don't know what to do,
>
> mogger
Hi Mogger.Even in the absence of mental illness, one may have their romantic feelings ebb and flow. It takes some time for a relationship to evolve to a point where making a commitment becomes a strong desire. Stability is nice, but there will always be challenges to be encountered along the way.
Depression can mute one's physical and emotional responsiveness to a partner in a relationsip. I imagine a depressive rebound caused by discontinuing an antidepressant can do the same thing. Withdrawal from clonazepam can be hell, and this might produce too much fight-or-flight anxiety to allow for a healthy libido, and perhaps feelings of romance. Even physical beauty can be perceived differently under varying affective states.
Don't be in such a rush to determine if your current girlfriend is "the one". Allow Time to help you determine that. In the meantime, I would operate under the premise that your medication adjustments might be responsible for your lack of feelings. It helps to be comfortable with uncertainty. You won't know how you will come to feel until more time passes.
Do you feel trapped under your current circumstances?
I hope things work out.
- Scott
Posted by Kathryn Lex on September 22, 2011, at 22:52:53
In reply to Re: Antidepressant Withdrawal, Zero Libido, Numb » mogger, posted by SLS on September 22, 2011, at 22:30:59
Hi,
I recently tapered off Celexa and Klonopin. (By recent I mean really recent, I'm on day 2 of zero meds.) Prior to this I was taking 40 mgs of Celexa and .5 mg of Klonopin in the morning and another .5 mg of Klonopin in the evening. I tapered off the medication slowly but I definitely feel numb. My perception of things has shifted a bit because my body is adjusting to the lack of meds. Before you make any life altering decisions I would suggest waiting a few weeks to see how you feel. Your gf may or may not be the right person, but before you decide that it's probably best to let yourself get used to the lower dose of meds.
Best of luck!
K.> > Hi there,
> >
> > I am coming off clonzepam and down on zoloft and have been experiencing almost an aversion to sex and my girlfriend as well as being a bit mentally numb. I am mortified as she has come to visit me and just a few weeks ago I was fired up and attracted to her and ready for her visit and now for about a week I feel like perhaps she is not the right one as I can't get turned on or anything and I am mentally numb. I was wondering if anyone else has had this similar experience during withdrawals? I have partially come to a conclusion that perhaps she isn't for me however I don't really find any other women attractive right now and am wondering if it is just the withdrawals that are tricking me into being disinterested and detached? Has anyone sort of fallen out of love with someone going through withdrawals and then once it is over and you have recovered you realized it wasn't the girlfriend/boyfriend but the withdrawals that were changing your perception? Many thanks for your thoughts, I would really appreciate any experiences as I don't know what to do,
> >
> > mogger
Posted by mogger on September 22, 2011, at 23:26:44
In reply to Re: Antidepressant Withdrawal, Zero Libido, Numb, posted by Kathryn Lex on September 22, 2011, at 22:52:53
Scott and K,
Thank you so much for the responses. Scott I sometimes feel trapped and then have spots where I don't so I am forcing myself to try to push through to the other side. I have brief moments where I actually feel more intense emotions that I haven't felt in years which is amazing which gives me hope and confidence to try and stick it out. I actually had flashes of a positive change today, quick spots of good thoughts about everything which then faded back to numbness so I am keeping my fingers crossed that these thoughts will have a longer duration. K I will hold off on making any decisions as you say. Many thanks,
mogger
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2011, at 23:38:29
In reply to Re: Antidepressant Withdrawal, Zero Libido, Numb, posted by mogger on September 22, 2011, at 23:26:44
Mogger does your gf know what's going on or sense it? If so could be an indication of how she might adapt to being with a person longterm with depression? Phillipa ps good luck!!!
Posted by mogger on September 22, 2011, at 23:44:01
In reply to Re: Antidepressant Withdrawal, Zero Libido, Numb » mogger, posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2011, at 23:38:29
Phillipa,
Yes she does know which is what is incredible as she is so supportive and tries to understand in every way. All the more reason why it has thrown me a loop for all of a sudden being turned off and shutting down and not being aroused. Hoping it is my medication withdrawals as i must admit I came down on the clonazepam a bit to quickly (.25mg a week, was at 1.5mg and now down to 7.5mg) which was silly and I totally regret it and am now paying the price for it. Thank you for your reply,
mogger
Posted by Zyprexa on September 23, 2011, at 3:11:28
In reply to Antidepressant Withdrawal, Zero Libido, Numb, posted by mogger on September 22, 2011, at 21:54:06
I find I get turned on a lot better when I go off my APs, the lower the better. I got majoly turned on when I started the celexa. Didn't notice any change with zoloft. I know someone who takes zoloft and it decreases his sex drive, so he takes the lowest dose possible. Never heard of a decreased sex drive with lower zoloft. Maybe its the decrease in xanex, less dopamine flowing so you are not as aroused.
Posted by creepy on September 24, 2011, at 18:03:57
In reply to Re: Antidepressant Withdrawal, Zero Libido, Numb, posted by Zyprexa on September 23, 2011, at 3:11:28
zoloft is hell on my sexual functioning. prozac was bad, but nothing like this. celexa was very mild in comparison.
Posted by mogger on September 24, 2011, at 18:12:15
In reply to Re: Antidepressant Withdrawal, Zero Libido, Numb, posted by creepy on September 24, 2011, at 18:03:57
Thanks for responding. Was zoloft bad for your sexual functioning mentally as well? Meaning did you have sexual drive or were you turned off all the time?
Posted by creepy on September 25, 2011, at 2:45:25
In reply to Re: Antidepressant Withdrawal, Zero Libido, Numb, posted by mogger on September 24, 2011, at 18:12:15
just on zoloft I have no drive at all. When I add wellbutrin I have drive but no means to do anything with it thanks to zoloft.. ugh.
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