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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by aloe on August 11, 2003, at 8:12:20
Has anybody experienced these (specifically anorgasmia) with Effexor? And does the problem fix itself once your body gets used to the meds (225 mg/day)?
Posted by T_R_D on August 12, 2003, at 10:38:23
In reply to Sexual side effects of Effexor XR, posted by aloe on August 11, 2003, at 8:12:20
> Has anybody experienced these (specifically anorgasmia) with Effexor? And does the problem fix itself once your body gets used to the meds (225 mg/day)?
Yep, over here (raises hand.) It would be touch and go when I was on the drug...I went all the way up to 375mg per day. I've been off it for a while and have recently started up again. I've been at 75mg for about 2.5 weeks now and yep, I'm having problems achieving orgasm again. I'm hoping that it will sort itself out over time but it always seemed to be present--at least to a degree. I think it's tough because we learn to "expect" this. My suggestion would be to keep trying and also try to put the drug side effect knowledge out of your mind. That seems to add to the problem for me--like a bad case of performance anxiety.
I'm doing well on 75mg for now. My doc can't believe it since I was on such a high dose before. I do wonder if it's dose related or not...I'm not sure. I don't think so since I am on a fairly low dose and it's already happening to me. I'm hoping to stay where I am and that the problem might resolve itself once I've been on the 75mg for a long enough period...not sure but it's looking doubtful at this point.
I'm not sure if you are male or female...I am female. I know that using vibrators etc... can help. Have you tried something like that?
Best of luck...I know what you're going through!
Posted by aloe on August 13, 2003, at 10:25:45
In reply to Re: Sexual side effects of Effexor XR, posted by T_R_D on August 12, 2003, at 10:38:23
Yes, I'm female, and I've tried some of these other options. Alas, it's just not like it used to be. ;) I've gotten to the point where I actually can climax, but it takes awhile to get there, even by myself. Once I get there its over pretty quickly and I don't feel that "runner's high" kind of feeling that I used to have following climax. I, too, am hoping the situation sorts itself out once I get used to the medication. And I agree with you that part of the problem is "performance anxiety"; it happens once and we automatically assume it's going to happen the next time. A self-fulfilling prophecy, if you will. I was on lexapro for two or three weeks and switched because of the same problem. Now I'm thinking maybe I just didn't give it enough time. I figure I'll give this Effexor stuff a month or two, but if I'm still having this problem I'm trying a different medication.
My doctor gave me a sample pack of Viagra to try, but I've been too scared to try it because I read posts from other people who tried it who said they could have sex for four hours but NEVER climax. Can you imagine how frustrating that would be for four hours! oh my god!
So I just don't know. It's so stressful. I'm only 26 and I've NEVER had a problem like this before so it's really tough. I just feel so inadequate and unfeminine. ugh. All we can do is hope for the best. Best of luck to you; I can empathize. ;)
>
> Yep, over here (raises hand.) It would be touch and go when I was on the drug...I went all the way up to 375mg per day. I've been off it for a while and have recently started up again. I've been at 75mg for about 2.5 weeks now and yep, I'm having problems achieving orgasm again. I'm hoping that it will sort itself out over time but it always seemed to be present--at least to a degree. I think it's tough because we learn to "expect" this. My suggestion would be to keep trying and also try to put the drug side effect knowledge out of your mind. That seems to add to the problem for me--like a bad case of performance anxiety.
>
> I'm doing well on 75mg for now. My doc can't believe it since I was on such a high dose before. I do wonder if it's dose related or not...I'm not sure. I don't think so since I am on a fairly low dose and it's already happening to me. I'm hoping to stay where I am and that the problem might resolve itself once I've been on the 75mg for a long enough period...not sure but it's looking doubtful at this point.
>
> I'm not sure if you are male or female...I am female. I know that using vibrators etc... can help. Have you tried something like that?
>
> Best of luck...I know what you're going through!
Posted by KimMcD on August 15, 2003, at 22:10:09
In reply to Re: Sexual side effects of Effexor XR, posted by T_R_D on August 12, 2003, at 10:38:23
I am a woman and was on 300mg Effexor XR. Achieving an orgasm was difficult, but possible...I simply had to concentrate more, have my partner help and be understanding, and use an electric vibrator (Hitachi's Magic Wand is strongly recommended...). Even then, orgasms werent as intense...Hope that's not too personal for y'all...
Posted by Giovanni on August 16, 2003, at 12:24:01
In reply to Re: Sexual side effects of Effexor XR, posted by KimMcD on August 15, 2003, at 22:10:09
Hi,
have you tried breath control? it could help to reach orgasm (i'm a man). I've used a lot of anti depressant and this side effect is common almost to each i tried. Some simple technique of breath control could help.
Bye
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