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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fairnymph on June 26, 2002, at 14:37:51
My bf suffers from mild to moderate depression...fatigue, lethargy, moodiness, low sex drive, general discontent etc.
He is going to see a doc very soon...and I'm thinking that the best drug for him to try would be Wellbutrin.
I do NOT want him on a drug with sexual side effects or I will go insane...Wellbutrin shouldn't inhibit his sex drive, right? We are pretty sure that his libido is dampened because of his depression, and that once he starts treating his depression his sex drive will increase.
Another thing I am thinking of is reboxetine or maprotiline, which increases sex drive (at least it did for me)....he doesn't have any anxiety issues or other psychoses, just straight depression. Of course, the drawback with the NARIs are that they aren't available in this country and we would have to import them...
Any other suggestions? I dont think he would want something sedating....meds that cause weight gain wouldn't be a problem though as he is quite thin.
Thanks!
~fairnymph
Posted by katekite on June 26, 2002, at 18:23:31
In reply to what AD for my depressed, low sex-drive bf?, posted by fairnymph on June 26, 2002, at 14:37:51
Posted by Sleepy Lizard on June 27, 2002, at 10:36:53
In reply to what AD for my depressed, low sex-drive bf?, posted by fairnymph on June 26, 2002, at 14:37:51
I would avoid anything that increases Seretonin. I have used Paxil, Celexa, and Effexor and they all caused me sexual side effects. That leaves the following:
Wellbutrin or Wellbutrin SR (150-450 mg/day), Remeron (15-45 mg/day)
I would avoid Serzone and Kava Kava because they has been shown to cause liver damage or failure.
Remeron is sedating and Wellbutrin is activating (insomnia).
Posted by Sleepy Lizard on June 27, 2002, at 10:51:13
In reply to what AD for my depressed, low sex-drive bf?, posted by fairnymph on June 26, 2002, at 14:37:51
I was wrong is one thing I said, Remeron does increase seretonin, but just specific receptor sites so it does not have the save side effects as other drugs. See
http://www.nami.org/helpline/remeron.html
Posted by Tap on June 27, 2002, at 13:50:09
In reply to what AD for my depressed, low sex-drive bf?, posted by fairnymph on June 26, 2002, at 14:37:51
Here's my 2c:
Serzone - I took it for 6 months, up to 450 mg, didn't work for me. As I understood reading the posts on this site, it commonly had bothersome side-effects, and little therapeutic value. This was true for me. Some people, though, were doing well with it. Busbar took away some of the side effects. Serzone had no sexual side-effects on me.
Wellbutrin - This worked great for me. I was taking 2*150mg, in combination with Buspar 2*15mg. The sexual side effects were that I wanted more, and my depression was virtually gone, so I was able to go out and get some ;o)
Had to stop wellbutrin as I moved to a country where it is not available.
I am now on third day of Remeron, and I haven't noticed any sexual side effects (Unlike for example Effexor that slaughtered me sexually, if I recall correctly, within hours of firs dose).
I was very unhappy for not being able to get Wbutrin, but I am growing more content with Remeron as hours go :-)Also, my old pdoc told me that some people can take Effexor w/o sexual side effects. As I said, it killed my erctions like a knife & was probably the worst medicine I've tried.
Buspar is said to help sex problems. I am taking it, and I've noticed no difference. (I've taken it for years, and it's hard to remember) It didn't help with effexor, though.
(But if your bf is getting off Effexor -- you better take a day or two off work, for he's gonna need you home!!! Ykwim !)Good luck
Tap
Posted by Roo on June 27, 2002, at 14:34:40
In reply to Re: what AD for my depressed, low sex-drive bf?, posted by Tap on June 27, 2002, at 13:50:09
Tap--Will you keep us posted on how you're doing
on Remeron in regards to sexual side effects and
weight gain? I'm interested in it, but really scared
of the weight gain...
Posted by Tap on June 27, 2002, at 15:24:04
In reply to Re: what AD for my depresse TAP, posted by Roo on June 27, 2002, at 14:34:40
Were you around fall 1999, or am I confused?
Anyway... I got a gym membership to go with Remeron - worried about pounds as well. I'll let you know.
Tap
Posted by Roo on June 28, 2002, at 8:41:44
In reply to Hi Roo?, posted by Tap on June 27, 2002, at 15:24:04
Yeah, I've been around for a good long while. I
think in 1999 my posting name was "Ruth" though, which
is my real name. I hope you don't gain weight! I have
heard of a few people who don't....and there may even
be more out there but we don't tend to hear from people
who are having great experiences on their drugs without a lot
of side effects, b/c of course they don't really have a need
to post....I try to remember that when I get dragged down
by so many horror stories.
Posted by Essence on June 28, 2002, at 9:00:39
In reply to Re: Hi Roo? TAP, posted by Roo on June 28, 2002, at 8:41:44
Here is a link to a message board specifically for Remeron if your interested in others experiences with it.
http://www.dispace.com/message_boards/drugs/Remeron/default.htm
Posted by suji on June 30, 2002, at 13:58:00
In reply to Re: what AD for my depresse TAP, posted by Roo on June 27, 2002, at 14:34:40
When I started Remeron I thought I'd finally found MY AD...unfortunately that didn't last very long (maybe 3 months, then fizzled)--and, even worse, I gained more than 20 lbs...it seemed like overnight!
I'm sorry to add to the "horror" stories and, of course, everyone is different...I just wish I'd known ahead of time that quite a lot of people had significant weight gain on Remeron--maybe I would have been more aware of it instead of being taken by surprise...
I hope your experience is more positive!
Best of luck,
suji
Posted by Tap on June 30, 2002, at 17:23:22
In reply to Re: Remeron weight gain ?'s, posted by suji on June 30, 2002, at 13:58:00
Just started on Remeron. Crecked my jaw - I am in almost constant pain, which makes excercise unthinkable. Mushy-soft foods like Big Mac w/o pickles and a shake suits REALLY well with an aching jaw. Taking sick-leave from my job, which is pretty physical, climbing lots of stairs etc. Then my bicycle got stolen - and riding bike is the ONE excercise I really enjoy.
Given all that, what are the odds that I'll gain weight. Hmmm... let me think!
Still smiling ;o)
Tap.
On the serious note, I have been feeling so bad lately, that weight gain seems almost trivial. Of course I will think differently when it actually hits me!
Posted by Essence on June 30, 2002, at 19:09:29
In reply to What are the odds I'll gain weight?, posted by Tap on June 30, 2002, at 17:23:22
I have not gained weight on Remeron (been on it going on 7 mos), infact, I've lost weight. But others that I have talked to have noticed an increased appetite immediately, usually after the first dose they take and the end result is significant weight gain. Some say the increased appetite subsides in time, others say it doesn't. I suspect if your noticing an increased appetite right away after starting Remeron, you might have the weight gain side affects.
Posted by suji on June 30, 2002, at 20:39:58
In reply to What are the odds I'll gain weight?, posted by Tap on June 30, 2002, at 17:23:22
Tap, so sorry to hear about your jaw--and your bicycle...Sounds like a lousy time for you right now--my sympathies... And, yeah, weight gain would seem pretty low on the list of concerns right now!
Also, as everyone points out, we're all different anyway, so who knows? At least you're aware of the possibility...
BTW, I actually didn't have an increased appetite and eat more--I just gained weight! It's like my metabolism changed completely....
Anyway, you've definitely got more important things to deal with than a few pounds...
Pls let me know how you do--
Best of luck,
:=)suji
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