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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lawrence S. on December 13, 2002, at 10:21:43
Anyone else experience this? It's also been a week since stopping but still nothing. Not even in the morning!!
Posted by justyourlaugh on December 13, 2002, at 10:27:45
In reply to On lexapro and no errection for a month, posted by Lawrence S. on December 13, 2002, at 10:21:43
wow lawrence!
you should have married me-
i am angry on wellbutrin and dont want to be bothered with sex.
good luck hun
shannon
Posted by ItsHowdyDudyTime on December 13, 2002, at 21:22:51
In reply to On lexapro and no errection for a month, posted by Lawrence S. on December 13, 2002, at 10:21:43
> Anyone else experience this? It's also been a week since stopping but still nothing. Not even in the morning!!
This is pretty much the norm for all the SSRIs, not just Lexapro. You can resolve the problem most of the time by adding some Wellbutrin SR, some Remeron or some Buspar to the Lexapro. Or just switching entirely to one of the ADs that doesnt have sexual dysfunction side effects like Wellbutrin SR, Remeron, Serzone.
I found the MAOI parnate was an absolutely incredible aphrodesiac and created absolutely no sexual dysfunction. I attribute this to the dopaminergic profile of Parnate.
I also found that low dose Effexor increased my libido pretty good, but once the dose hit 150 mg this went away. Others claim that Effexor worsens libido, so its an entirely individual thing.
Howdy Doody
Posted by HIBA on December 14, 2002, at 23:01:18
In reply to Re: On lexapro and no errection for a month, posted by ItsHowdyDudyTime on December 13, 2002, at 21:22:51
Hi Lawrence,
Haven't you noticed other threads in this forum ? SSRIs are notorious for destroying human sexuality. Desire phase, orgasmic phase, and ejaculation all can be impaired and worst of all these damage seem to be very long lasting, even after you quit them entirely. I am an unfortunate victim of SSRI experiment. Still on prozac, because of a psychological dependence (or call it recurrent depression)I am suffering a significant loss of libido and penile tumescence. Erection is very soft and orgasm is quite pleasureless. I have used over ten different antidepressants in my life, and nothing made my sexuality more worse like the one I am still taking. The best advise I can give you is quit the drug you are taking now before it causes any serious damage and try a quite different antidepressant(even those old faithful tricyclics worth a try in this case). I should be very cautious over this advise because, the new psychiatric strategy is "If a drug is proven effective to a patient, Don't change it at all". But at the cost of sexuality, a drug doesn't worth a try. So take care ,
HIBA
Posted by Ricardo on December 15, 2002, at 5:36:53
In reply to Re: On lexapro and no errection for a month » ItsHowdyDudyTime, posted by HIBA on December 14, 2002, at 23:01:18
Hi!
I had this problem with Paxil. I did have erections, but it felt like my penis was made out of rubber since it was as if I didn't feel it. Already through my tapering off of Paxil I got my libido back. Now I'm on Wellbutrin and doing great - better than when I did not take anything! Have said that, Paxil did a great job, depression-wise, and I'd have stuck to it if my partner had been OK with it. On the contrary, I thought that it was ruining my relationship!
Posted by ItsHowdyDudyTime on December 15, 2002, at 10:39:03
In reply to Re: On lexapro and no errection for a month » ItsHowdyDudyTime, posted by HIBA on December 14, 2002, at 23:01:18
> Hi Lawrence,
>
> Haven't you noticed other threads in this forum ? SSRIs are notorious for destroying human sexuality. Desire phase, orgasmic phase, and ejaculation all can be impaired and worst of all these damage seem to be very long lasting, even after you quit them entirely. I am an unfortunate victim of SSRI experiment. Still on prozac, because of a psychological dependence (or call it recurrent depression)I am suffering a significant loss of libido and penile tumescence. Erection is very soft and orgasm is quite pleasureless. I have used over ten different antidepressants in my life, and nothing made my sexuality more worse like the one I am still taking. The best advise I can give you is quit the drug you are taking now before it causes any serious damage and try a quite different antidepressant(even those old faithful tricyclics worth a try in this case). I should be very cautious over this advise because, the new psychiatric strategy is "If a drug is proven effective to a patient, Don't change it at all". But at the cost of sexuality, a drug doesn't worth a try. So take care ,
> HIBA
HIBA, Im sorry Im going to have to majorly disagree with you here. I dont believe that SSRI sexual dysfunction "lasts" long after you stop taking SSRIs. Frankly, that is bull. SSRIs do cause sexual dysfunction in many, that is true. They also can cause decreased libido, particularly at higher dosages. However saying that these changes last long after stopping the drug is ludicrous.I think what you are doing is confusing the fact that depression in itself causes lack of libido and sexual dysfunction. Before I got on meds, when my depression was very severe I literally couldnt get it up anymore. I was on NO DRUGS. Also, my libido totally took a hike. I even had dry orgasms ...no semen would come out during the weak, halfassed orgasms I would have during that period.
If thats not a physical symptom of severe depression, I dont know what is. Of course, these sexual changes went along with other major physical changes such as severe insomnia (and I mean SEVERE insomnia here to the point of not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep). And loss of appetitute with loss of weight without trying.
Remeron restored many of these problems, including sexual dysfunction and libido. I think you could be more careful saying things like "SSRIs cause permanent sexual changes" cause its just not true.
Also, to be honest there are some cases of depression that are so severe and debilitating, that living with some SSRI sexual dysfunction maybe totally necessary in order to be able to sleep, keep one's weight up and generally be able to function and not die from a catatonic stupor.
Most of these SSRI sexual problems can be overcome with well known and easy to carry out psychopharmacology "tricks" like adding Remeron or Wellbutrin SR to the SSRI. Viagra also would help many.
Howdy Doody
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 15, 2002, at 21:04:53
In reply to Re: On lexapro and no errection for a month, posted by ItsHowdyDudyTime on December 15, 2002, at 10:39:03
> Frankly, that is bull... saying that these changes last long after stopping the drug is ludicrous.
Please be sensitive to the feelings of others and don't post anything that could lead them to feel put down. The last time you were blocked, it was for 1 week, so this time it's for 2.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration, thanks.
Posted by Bill L on December 16, 2002, at 14:09:28
In reply to On lexapro and no errection for a month, posted by Lawrence S. on December 13, 2002, at 10:21:43
You will definitely return to normal (sexually), probably within a few weeks. These drugs do not cause permanent sexual side effects. I have been on Lexapro for over 3 months at 20 mg per day. Although the sexual side effects are not as bad for me as when I was on Prozac a few years a go, it's still there. I personally would rather be free of depression. It's a shame that one must make this choice. But when depressed, I'm just not happy, so that's not an option.
There are options. You could stay on Lexapro and add one of several drugs to counteract the side effects (eg Wellbutrin, Remeron). I sometimes take yohimbine (an over the counter herb; but also available in prescription form)an hour before sex (10 mg) and it always works for me. The problem is that with some people, it can elevate blood pressure. I take GNC brand. If you have sex frequently, you could take yohimbine 5 mg three times a day every day. If you are an old married guy like me and don't have sex every day, then you would take 5 to 10 mg about an hour before sex. But check with your doctor first because of the blood pressure issue.
Viagra is an excellent and safe option. The different dosage pills all cost the same (about $10 per pill). So a lot of people get their docs to prescribe the most potent dose, and then the patient will cut them in half or in thirds. They even sell a Viagra cutting knife on the internet custom fitted for Viagra's irregular shape.
Was the Lexapro working for your depression? If it was, I would definitely start it up again. If it wasn't, try Wellbutrin or Remeron or maybe even Serzone since these antidepressants rarely have negative sexual side effects.
Posted by HIBA on December 17, 2002, at 1:53:57
In reply to Re: On lexapro and no errection for a month, posted by ItsHowdyDudyTime on December 15, 2002, at 10:39:03
It is unfortunate, you are blocked because of an offence. Anyway, I hope you may read this thread.
I am not against SSRIs or any other antidepressants. But what I wrote is the fact I gained from my own experience. SSRIs cause significant impairment of sexual function and even after discontinuance, an instant return to pre-ssri level is very unlikely. I have seen patients who could never retrieve their normal sexual desire even months after quitting prozac and similar ssris. True, there could be many exceptions. Some people become hypersexual on SSRIs. But exceptions are only exceptions and should not be generalized. What we hear more is about SSRI sexual dysfunction and many websites are there primarily created to seek the possibilities of how to overcome it. Periactin, amantadine, buspar, wellbutrin.... the list antidotes are fairly long. For me it is just like adding insult to injury. After trying all these antidotes, I myself surrendered to the awesome powers of SSRI to create a deep, very deep impact on my sexuality. I am definitely not alone. There are many and the number is still increasing. So once an SSRI has this adverse sexual effect, it doesn't go away with time or with antidotes. (I don't forget the exceptions). The more you use them harder it will be to retrieve the normalcy of your sexuality.
SSRIs gained awesome reputation among physicians and patients at the initial stages of marketing to the extent that physicians began to prescribe them for even mild anxiety disorders like situational anxiety. Fortunately, the scenario is slowly changing and more physicians are becoming aware of the possible hazards of antidepressant therapy. Antidepressants are not innocuous substances to try in simple psychiatric conditions like anxiety and stress. But major depression is a life threatening condition and if those SSRIs are only the way out they should be tried arbitrarily to save a life. There is no doubt at all. Sexual problems, we can deal later. The first priority should be to save a life. But after the stabilization, if the patient is experiencing a severe loss of libido and erection, chances are there for non-compliance. So it becomes equally important to deal with.
HIBA
Posted by Lawrence S. on December 17, 2002, at 10:23:22
In reply to Re: On lexapro and no errection for a month » ItsHowdyDudyTime, posted by HIBA on December 17, 2002, at 1:53:57
HIBA,
I'm not blocked. I'm sorry for not responding. I cannot post at work, I can read the posts though. I'm finally at home now and I'm on my computer. I greatly appreciate all of your responses. I agree about the disfuction with ssri's What's even worse is that my sex drive is stronger than ever.
I have tried viagra and it has helped some but I still don't get any erections like I used to. I beleive it's common for a man to get it in the morning, but that has ceased for me. I also am on wellbutrin, ritalin and have recently started mirapex. These meds should help with disfunction should'nt they?
Lawrence S.
Posted by HIBA on December 17, 2002, at 23:11:35
In reply to Re: On lexapro and no errection for a month » ItsHowdyDudyTime, posted by HIBA on December 17, 2002, at 1:53:57
Dear Lawrence,It is quite disappointing, you couldn't even get better on viagra. To know where lexapro led a healthy person to take a prescription pill for erectile dysfunction still without any benefit is really annoying. One should understand the impact of these powerful drugs. You are not alone in this world, but I know this knowledge will not relieve your sufferings. I wish you better luck with the medications you take now. Depression itself is a hell and if lexapro is helping you please don't change it without your treating physician's approval.
HIBA
Posted by sjb on December 18, 2002, at 14:08:38
In reply to Re: On lexapro and no errection for a month, posted by ItsHowdyDudyTime on December 15, 2002, at 10:39:03
Darn, your blocked again. You are Old School, Lost Boy in NCwhatever, right? I must say I was surprised to see that you support the NRA considering previous posts, if indeed you are Lost Boy in NC too.
Posted by Jerrympls on December 18, 2002, at 23:58:08
In reply to On lexapro and no errection for a month, posted by Lawrence S. on December 13, 2002, at 10:21:43
> Anyone else experience this? It's also been a week since stopping but still nothing. Not even in the morning!!
Yep - same here. I'm 30 - male - and Lexepro (most likely) has eliminated any and all feeling(s) in my penis. It's been so long, I've alsmot forgotton how to use it. I never thought I would "achieve" total and complete loss of ALL sexual feeling/desire/etc. I'm numb when it comes to sexuality. Looking at erotic photos or videos bores me and sometimes almost repulses me. It's horrible. It's horrible to constantly feel hopeless and depressed and have sex - something that almost always produces somewhat of a pleasurable result - yield an unpleasureable result - IF you get that far.
I feel your pain. What to do.........
Posted by Ricardo on December 19, 2002, at 6:28:37
In reply to Re: On lexapro and no errection for a month » ItsHowdyDudyTime, posted by HIBA on December 17, 2002, at 1:53:57
Something that crossed my mind... I've already said here that I stopped taking an SSRI (Paroxetine/Paxil) because of its side-effects, even though it did help me with my depression. What I don't understand is, didn't SSRIs become famous in the 80's for their *lack* of side-effects in comparison to tricyclics, or MAOIs? Considering all these negative experiences, can't one expect that SSRIs will stop being used in the near future? I might be wrong, but I've read that tricyclics and MAOIs could be more effective than SSRIs. Any views on that?
Thanks again,
Ricardo
Posted by HIBA on December 20, 2002, at 22:48:34
In reply to The future of SSRIs, posted by Ricardo on December 19, 2002, at 6:28:37
I think you are right here. Though SSRIs showed much supremacy over old tricyclics at the initial stages, more and more of their evils are being revealed day by day. My first antidepressant was elavil which I used over one and half year and when I myself weaned off it, those of my body functions which were stalled by elavil returned to absolute normalcy after a few days. But things are not the same with SSRIs. When I stopped my prozac intake for the first time, my libido remained stalled even after five months of stopping it. I am still on prozac, and future looks very gloomy. A life without normal sexual desire and pleasure, I think I am slowly becoming a robbot like individual. Woe SSRIs!!
HIBA
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