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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sleepy Lizard on June 2, 2002, at 0:29:46
I have been suffering with social anxiety and depression for years, and finally decided to do something about it. My doctor recommended Paxil which I took 20 mg daily for a total of 11 weeks before switching to Celexa due to delayed orgasm. I then took 20 mg Celexa daily for 4 weeks before tapering off to begin Effexor XR tomorrow. The sexual side effects of SSRIs can certainly make them intolerable. I have had delayed orgasm with both Paxil and Celexa which was taking 20 to 40 minutes. There is the feeling of being almost there which persists, along with a kind of insensitivity to sensation. I did not experience loss of libido however as some have. The Paxil worked great for the social anxiety and depression. The Celexa was not as good as the Paxil and I was still experiencing the sexual side effects. My doctor wanted me to take only one drug at a time so did not recommend concurrent Remeron or Wellbutrin as some have done as a possible solution to the sexual side effects. It seems that there is a lot of variation in the amount of side effects that different people have with these drugs. I have experienced the strange dreams, bruxism, constant yawning, somnolence, and insomnia with the Paxil more than with the Celexa. Perhaps that was because I was using it for a longer period than the Celexa. The withdrawal from the Paxil was very difficult on days 4 and 5 (tapering to 10 mg per day). I was very depressed and having strange dreams and feelings. The withdrawal from Celexa was not as bad and occurred on day 6 (tapering to 10 mg per day). It was also a fatigue and depressed feeling. I hope this information is helpful to somebody, I have found the information on this board to be very helpful in answering my questions.
Posted by joy on June 2, 2002, at 15:08:19
In reply to Sexual Side Effects of Paxil and Celexa, posted by Sleepy Lizard on June 2, 2002, at 0:29:46
I agree with pretty much everything you've stated. Having been on both Paxil and Celexa, I too feel Paxil was more effective, but those side effects are tough.I had no sexual libido or ability with either med. Paxil was the worst, and getting off it was difficult. Thanks for your comments.
Joy
Posted by Bill L on June 3, 2002, at 12:48:40
In reply to Sexual Side Effects of Paxil and Celexa, posted by Sleepy Lizard on June 2, 2002, at 0:29:46
Your comments were vrey helpfull. Thank you. Good luck with Effexor. Hopefully that will work better for you. If it does not, maybe your doc will reconsider and add Wellbutrin, Remeron, or Trazodone to see if that helps. Are you male? If so, Viagra might also be an option.
I have never tried Paxil. I have been on Celexa (40 mg) for 2 and a half years. I get some relief of sexual side effects from Ginkgo Biloba (120 mg twice a day). The Ginkgo helps although not 100%.
In the next few weeks a new version of Celexa should be available called Lexapro in the US. I will switch to it. In trials, it definitely caused less somnolence than Celexa. I think that it also caused less sexual side effects but it did not eliminate them.
Posted by Sleepy Lizard on June 3, 2002, at 17:31:39
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects of Paxil and Celexa, posted by Bill L on June 3, 2002, at 12:48:40
So you have been able to get some good effect from the Ginko biloba. I had heard about that elsewhere. I understand it improves blood circulation throughout the body. The Lexapro sounds interesting also. The Celexa did not seem very strong for me. Perhaps I had too small of dose. The Effexor (on day 3, 37.5 mg) gives a different feeling. It is more stimulating.
Posted by Schuyler on June 6, 2002, at 11:28:25
In reply to Sexual Side Effects of Paxil and Celexa, posted by Sleepy Lizard on June 2, 2002, at 0:29:46
I had sexual side-effects, (the male kind), from Prozac, Celexa, and Effexor, but not from Wellbutrin.
Schuyler
Posted by Sleepy Lizard on June 6, 2002, at 21:30:08
In reply to Re: Sexual Side Effects of Paxil and Celexa, posted by Schuyler on June 6, 2002, at 11:28:25
I may have to eventually try Wellbutrin then to avoid the delayed ejaculation. Just now at day 6 of 37.5 mg Effexor XR. Thanks for sharing.
This is the end of the thread.
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