Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 14031

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

sexual dysfunction and Paxil

Posted by Toby on October 27, 1999, at 17:54:46

Does anyone know how to get my sex drive back after being on Paxil for four years? I feel like a freak. Any suggestions on a better med.? I have some sort of cross between major depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

 

Re: sexual dysfunction and Paxil

Posted by Carol on October 27, 1999, at 18:36:30

In reply to sexual dysfunction and Paxil, posted by Toby on October 27, 1999, at 17:54:46

> Does anyone know how to get my sex drive back after being on Paxil for four years? I feel like a freak. Any suggestions on a better med.? I have some sort of cross between major depression and generalized anxiety disorder.<

FIRST, everyone forgive if this shows up a few times, can't get it to submit!

I don't know if males are same as females, but when I was on SSRI, I read about using Ginko Biloba for sexual dysfunction, and I did find it helpful. Can't remember exact dosages, but something like: Take the regular dose (or maybe a bit more)daily, then one to two hours before...(you need it)...take a bigger dose. Wish I could remember exact doses. But hope this will at least be enough info to start you on researching the herb.

 

Re: sexual dysfunction and Paxil

Posted by Judy on October 27, 1999, at 19:15:19

In reply to sexual dysfunction and Paxil, posted by Toby on October 27, 1999, at 17:54:46

Toby -- Are you still taking Paxil? Loss of *drive* could be from the drug itself or a symptom of your depression that Paxil isn't correcting. Loss of *function* seems easier to diagnose -- if you stop the med and *it works*, you know the med was the cause. There's a thread above re: drugs that cause the least male sexual dysfunction.

Carol--Was the Gingko helpful for increased *drive* or *function*? Or both? I can function, but I seem to be in neutral drive-wise! Did Gingko cause any unwanted side effects?

Judy

 

Re: sexual dysfunction and Paxil, to Judy

Posted by Carol on October 28, 1999, at 7:41:37

In reply to Re: sexual dysfunction and Paxil, posted by Judy on October 27, 1999, at 19:15:19

> Carol--Was the Gingko helpful for increased *drive* or *function*? Or both? I can function, but I seem to be in neutral drive-wise! Did Gingko cause any unwanted side effects?
>
> Judy

Judy--No side effects, but admittedly, more helpful *function*wise. I guess it was a matter of being more *interested* knowing that there could at lease be a *payoff*(if you know what I mean, can I even say orgasm here?)

 

Re: sexual dysfunction and Paxil, to Judy

Posted by dove on October 28, 1999, at 8:18:13

In reply to Re: sexual dysfunction and Paxil, to Judy, posted by Carol on October 28, 1999, at 7:41:37

SSRI or TCA induced anorgasmia:

Gingko Biloba can help with sexual dysfunction in SSRIs, in particular Prozac.
91% of women and 76% of men reported success. Ginkgo improved all four phases of the sexual response cycle: desire, excitement (lubrication and erection), orgasm, and resolution (afterglow).
The dose range was 60mg daily to 120mg twice daily, but averaged 209mg per day. The more common side effects included headache, feeling wired, and intestinal distress.

dove

 

Re: sexual dysfunction and Paxil

Posted by Bob on October 28, 1999, at 9:09:58

In reply to Re: sexual dysfunction and Paxil, to Judy, posted by dove on October 28, 1999, at 8:18:13

If you're thinking about switching meds, wellbutrin might be a good choice based on what I've heard other says in other posts. I also remember that for me, paxil (while washing out on it) and wellbutrin was quite potent in increasing generally my energy, drive, etc.

While everyone says its only a functional aid, I think Viagra might be worth a trial (particularly if your pdoc can give you a sample). In my experience, its effect influences something rather, well, primal. I think that its quite difficult to detach any psychological arousal from such physical arousal ... it seems to bypass all those "higher cognitive function" things and get right down to some of the more primitive parts of the brain. Like I said, if you can get a free sample, it's certainly worth a shot.

Bob

 

Periactin?

Posted by Racer on October 28, 1999, at 15:40:19

In reply to sexual dysfunction and Paxil, posted by Toby on October 27, 1999, at 17:54:46

I've been using Periactin, which helps a lot. Of course, I'm a female, but the chemistry is pretty much the same. It apparently blocks the effects of the SSRI on the sexual system for a few hours, allowing one to scream with passion and delight, and then the SSRIs can go back to doing their thing...

Good luck.

 

Re: sexual dysfunction and Paxil

Posted by JohnL on October 29, 1999, at 3:38:47

In reply to sexual dysfunction and Paxil, posted by Toby on October 27, 1999, at 17:54:46

Hi Toby. My experience with helpful ideas (just MY experience) is that they can be mildly helpful but nothing to be satisfied with. As you know, mileage will vary. Of all the ideas so far, Racer has a great one. I've tried adding Wellbutrin, Remeron, Buspar, gingko, ginseng, yohimbe, and herbal formulas for libido with ingredients like L-arginine, yohimbe, muara puama, tribulus, maca root, oats...on and on...stuff touted as being good for libido.

When I was on Paxil, and later Zoloft, then Celexa, I found they were just too powerful in a negative sexual way to overcome. In my opinion, I think Paxil is the worst of the bunch for sex and Zoloft is a close second. I am still amazed Prozac doesn't give me any problems. My small dose of Remeron, which blocks certain receptors associated with sex, might be a factor. Don't know. Maybe. Doesn't make sense to me, but I'm not complaining! Anyway, of all the strategies I've tried, I think Wellbutrin and Yohimbe (health store) were the two more helpful than anything else. But with an anxiety component to your situation, both would be questionable choices. And besides, they were nothing to applaud about.

If the problem continues to be troublesome, I am intrigued with Racer's idea as a first choice. You could try the other stuff too, but I think a switch to something like Serzone would make sense. Similar to an SSRI, good for sex, good for anxiety.

 

Re: Periactin?

Posted by lynn on October 30, 1999, at 7:48:43

In reply to Periactin?, posted by Racer on October 28, 1999, at 15:40:19

Racer: I have an rx for Periactin, but I haven't tried it yet because I haven't really known how to time it right. When is the best time to take the Periactin? Are there side effects? I have heard that it can make you very drowsy or dizzy...have you experienced this? Does it work with SSRIs with very long half-lives (Prozac)?

 

Re: Periactin?

Posted by Racer on October 30, 1999, at 13:53:24

In reply to Re: Periactin?, posted by lynn on October 30, 1999, at 7:48:43

Let's see, I'm on Prozac, though only to augment Effexor so it's a very low dose. The Periactin works for me.

I take it about an hour and a half or two hours in advance, and yes, it can make you tired. I've had no dizziness. The tiredness is because it's an anti-histimine. Take it early enough that it'll wear off by the time you have to get up again.

As for the results, for me at least, EVERYTHING felt great. It's as if every nerve ending in my body is jumping up to say 'ooooh, yeah, make me feel good!' Really a whole body great experience, like a million tiny orgasms before the one big bang. First time in my life I've wanted to put off the orgasm, so that I could enjoy all the rest of it!

Experiment! Try it on a Friday or Saturday night, when you don't have to be up and at 'em the next morning. The drug is cheap enough that if it doesn't work for you, you haven't lost out. The drowsiness is the only side effect I know of, except that it also helps my allergies to my cats!

 

Re: Periactin?

Posted by david on November 1, 1999, at 19:25:28

In reply to Re: Periactin?, posted by lynn on October 30, 1999, at 7:48:43

> Racer: I have an rx for Periactin, but I haven't tried it yet because I haven't really known how to time it right. When is the best time to take the Periactin? Are there side effects? I have heard that it can make you very drowsy or dizzy...have you experienced this? Does it work with SSRIs with very long half-lives (Prozac)?
I tried periactin - which by the way is (or was - for me anyway) prescribed to relieve the side effects of the non-slow release formulation of Effexor (mostly for the headaches I think - as periactin is prescribed for vascular headaches - i was told it is also the antidote to o.d on effexor as well), it worked but made me sleep for four hours straight- this is from 11.30 am -3.30 pm!!!


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