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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on November 27, 2001, at 6:23:52
I posted a similar thread on the regular pb, but it dealt more with med control. I thought I would post the psycho-social consequences of weight gain, apathy, and lack of sexual drive from meds on here, and I would reallylike to hear gals comments, but would also love to hear guys.Depression is horrid...and meds (a.d's and antipsychotics) still even only had a 20-30 percent effectivness for me. I use my benzos, and I find now I laugh much more, am not irritable, not apathetic, etc. Heck..I LOVE to laugh...and have a wonderful sense of humour. I've also got 'alota love to give too...and the changes from the a.d's over many, many years make it time NOW to change to that self who was so happy-go-lucky, and I KNOW it is still there, and I haven't lost it...phew!:-)
Being very overweight, sluggish, and impotent is *depressing* in itself, and the drug industry BETTER start addressing these things asap...and I mean, like, TODAY! Life is too f'ing short. You would think doctors would realize the massive health threats due to obeisity(sp??..ahh!) and impotence/lack of sexual desire. I am sorry..but...NO..I WILL NOT accept those for the rest of my life.
One guy I know had to go off his a.d. just to get his wife pregnant, and that is damn sad. In the short run, yes, it is tolerable, but I want a life where I do enjoy sex (who doesn't???), look great in a nice pair of designer jeans...show off a nice ass:-) .damn...sex and health HAVE to be in good shape to have good mental health. Having a gal look at me and think...Hmmmmm..yummm...that is an antidepressant in itself! It is a basic human instinct, and feels damn great. That ISN'T manic...that is nature! I am not into vanity, but girls, don't you like a guy (nice personality too..:-) who dresses really nice, wears really nice classy cologne!!! When I put on the weight with the a.d's, I thought...what is the use. Man, that made me feel MAJOR depressed in itself. I am 32 (Dec 22, actually..:-)...and after with weight loss, I am a pretty fine looking guy who carries himself well. Tall...smart (well...humbly..:-)..sensitive...nice..FARRRR from vanity....though.
Anyhow....suggestions...comments please..:-)
Thanks...
Jay
Posted by Simcha on November 27, 2001, at 12:37:55
In reply to weight/lack of sex appetite from medsSocial Aspect, posted by jay on November 27, 2001, at 6:23:52
>Depression is horrid...and meds (a.d's and antipsychotics) still even only had a 20-30 percent effectivness for me. I use my benzos, and I find now I laugh much more, am not irritable, not apathetic, etc. Heck..I LOVE to laugh...and have a wonderful sense of humour. I've also got 'alota love to give too...and the changes from the a.d's over many, many years make it time NOW to change to that self who was so happy-go-lucky, and I KNOW it is still there, and I haven't lost it...phew!:-)
Yeah, I can relate. It's been ages since I've been "happy go lucky." I think that was before age 4 when I was sexually abused. I have found that on meds with therapy I have recaptured some of that.
> Being very overweight, sluggish, and impotent is *depressing* in itself, and the drug industry BETTER start addressing these things asap...and I mean, like, TODAY! Life is too f'ing short. You would think doctors would realize the massive health threats due to obeisity(sp??..ahh!) and impotence/lack of sexual desire. I am sorry..but...NO..I WILL NOT accept those for the rest of my life.
I am very much in agreement with this. I hate not being able to make love to my partner and having to buy larger pants. I need my meds so I cannot go off of them. I'm trying to do the gym thing but I have found that I really don't lose the weight like I used to. (Perhaps a function of being almost 32, like you. 'January 4, 2002') I tend to bulk up with muscle without really losing much fat.
> One guy I know had to go off his a.d. just to get his wife pregnant, and that is damn sad. In the short run, yes, it is tolerable, but I want a life where I do enjoy sex (who doesn't???), look great in a nice pair of designer jeans...show off a nice ass:-) .damn...sex and health HAVE to be in good shape to have good mental health. Having a gal look at me and think...Hmmmmm..yummm...that is an antidepressant in itself! It is a basic human instinct, and feels damn great. That ISN'T manic...that is nature! I am not into vanity, but girls, don't you like a guy (nice personality too..:-) who dresses really nice, wears really nice classy cologne!!! When I put on the weight with the a.d's, I thought...what is the use. Man, that made me feel MAJOR depressed in itself. I am 32 (Dec 22, actually..:-)...and after with weight loss, I am a pretty fine looking guy who carries himself well. Tall...smart (well...humbly..:-)..sensitive...nice..FARRRR from vanity....though.
>
> Anyhow....suggestions...comments please..:-)
>
> Thanks...
>
> JayI like myself at this age. I do wish that the meds came with no side-effects. I do not understand why the drug companies cannot find a way to make meds that don't make us fat and impotent. Basically, at least when I was on EffexorXR, I felt like I was a Eunuch who was chemically castrated. This was no way to live. Now on my current mix, Celexa and Wellbutrin, at least I have somewhat of a sex drive. No it ain't perfect and my partner is the Energizer Bunny when it comes to sex. (A slight wind and my partner is ready!!! I used to think that was a plus, pre-medication.)
I'm taking ginseng and ginko biloba with mixed results. I think it helps somewhat, then again the buproprion boosts things too.
For me I have learned to accept my situation and attempt to make the best of it. My partner likes heavier men. I am going to the gym and I can gain muscle there by just looking at the weights even if my waist size does not shrink considerably. I'm still a handsome devil at almost 32. ;-)
The sex thing is a regret yet at least I can have sex sometimes, unlike when I was on Effexor where I was completely numb in key regions of my body. My partner and I talk about this often so that it is not a secret. We vent our frustration over this side-effect with each other. I feel very supported by my partner. Actually we have gotten even closer because we have had to deal with this issue together. It has created somewhat of a bond of emotional and spiritual intimacy that sex does not necessarily provide.
Well, I'm babbling so I will stop. I'd like to read more comments on this from others.
Thanks,
Simcha.
Posted by Roo on November 27, 2001, at 13:56:46
In reply to Re: weight/lack of sex appetite from medsSocial Aspect » jay, posted by Simcha on November 27, 2001, at 12:37:55
Out of all the frustrating side effects of these
drugs, the sexual ones frustrate me the most. Sexuality
is a very big deal to me, and important part of who
I am and a balm to my spirit. It's such a bonding
thing with a partner. To have that part of me zapped
makes me sad and frustrated to no end. However, I
can't go off my meds without getting depressed, and
that is no option either. It makes me mad that I have
to choose between two options: Be suicidal or have
great sex? What a choice. You are right. It bites.
ONly the SSRI's tend to work for my depression. Wellbutrin
doesn't work for me, nor serzone, nor remeron, nor
the tricyclics. And all the ssri's have that side
effect. However, I'm now trying Lamictal. It IS
working for my depression. I'm still on 20 mg's
of prozac and i am REALLY crossing my fingers that I
can eventually drop that once I get to a therapeutic
dose of lamictal...cross your fingers for me everybody!
This has been an issue of mine for years.Simcha, you are right though--it helps to be very
open about this with your partner. It definitely
brought me and my partner closer, even though it was
a frustration to both of us at times, it helped to
be able to vent about it together.Yeah, I've gained weight on meds too. I definitely
think they've changed my metabolism, b/c I work out
and don't get the same results. But to me it's not
nearly as frustrating as the sex stuff.
Posted by Hod Putt on November 28, 2001, at 6:46:50
In reply to weight/lack of sex appetite from medsSocial Aspect, posted by jay on November 27, 2001, at 6:23:52
I started out this summer on celexa and then switched to effexor recently. I have lost five pounds, sleep very well and am not so down on myself. As for sexual desire I was not much interested however. My doc suggested Viagra. I was skeptical however after my first experience on this new drug my sex life turned around. My new lover has been pleased to say the least and I was amazed. I felt like I was 17 again.
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