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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 30. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Nezirov on December 23, 2005, at 21:46:11
web site over here:
http://www.ssri-side-effects.com/
Nezirov
Posted by ed_uk on December 24, 2005, at 16:59:54
In reply to Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by Nezirov on December 23, 2005, at 21:46:11
Yeah, I have sexual side effects, plenty of them. I'm not planning on d/cing the SSRI to find out whether they're permanent though. That would be depressing.
Ed
Posted by jamestheyonger on December 24, 2005, at 18:27:49
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs? » Nezirov, posted by ed_uk on December 24, 2005, at 16:59:54
> Yeah, I have sexual side effects, plenty of them. I'm not planning on d/cing the SSRI to find out whether they're permanent though. That would be depressing.
>
> Ed
I wonder if there are any studies on this effect ? I find reports by "Administrator" and this web site to be anecdotal. For myself stopping the AD's brings the return of libido full force and also depression full force. Eventually depression itself carries just as many sexual side effects as the AD's do.
Posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 10:59:47
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by jamestheyonger on December 24, 2005, at 18:27:49
I can attest to this. I can also attest to a few reports from friends.
Even when I was depressed (before taking the drugs) sexual dysfunction was never a symptom. I lost interest somtimes, but things still worked.
After stopping SSRI's I had a transient rebound in sexual function, but it has almost completely gone.
The most frigtening effect I have (sorry for the detail) is an orgazmless ejaculation. On SSRI's it would be difficult to get there, but the result was still pleasurable, off them, there is no delay, but now it is just a plain waste of my time, zero pleasure, neither physical nor emotional.
Its scary, because its been almost a year off them. I'd tell more about my state, but people just try an write it off.
Linkadge
Posted by Racer on December 25, 2005, at 13:15:27
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 10:59:47
I"m sorry you're suffering, Link.
My own experience tells me, though -- and listen to me, on accounta I'm really old now ;-) -- that depression itself can cause what you're experiencing. At the risk of an overshare, I can pull out my toys and play, and have the release I am after -- but with no actual pleasure to it. THere's a physical release of tension -- I guess you can call it orgasm, but there's just no pleasure. It's just another chore, like brushing my teeth.
And a bit of advice: head for a urologist, and talk about what's going on. No matter what anyone says, that sort of sexual dysfunction -- whatever the cause -- worsens depression, and lowers the quality of life. You really do deserve better than that.
Posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 13:37:48
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs? » linkadge, posted by Racer on December 25, 2005, at 13:15:27
But heres what really scares me. OVer the last 8 months, I have taken the odd SSRI. Probably about 4 doses in the 8 months, really just to see what I've been thinking about the side effects.
Anyhow, not only do my walking difficulties improve almost immediately, so does much of the sexual dysfunction, much of the reward returns almost immediately.
I'm not really having the same syptoms of depresson that I had which started me on SSRI's in the first place. I am sleeping ok, my anxiety is low, I'm eating ok, energy is fine, and my mood is fairly good.
I would be a bit embarrased to pick up a viagra prescription at my age :)
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 13:40:01
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 13:37:48
I know what you're saying though, It could be other things, but it scares me how quickly a whole host of strange things resolve after taking even 50mg of zoloft.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on December 25, 2005, at 16:55:09
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 13:37:48
>I would be a bit embarrased to pick up a viagra prescription at my age :)
Me too Link :) Viagra might be necessary on Celexa 80mg though! At least I'm not anxious, I'm thankful for that.
Ed
Posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 18:20:49
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs? » linkadge, posted by ed_uk on December 25, 2005, at 16:55:09
I remember when I was on celexa 40mg, and I don't know if viagra would of cut it.
Maybe viagra and somebody reeeaally good looking.
Linkadge
Posted by Sarah T. on December 25, 2005, at 22:23:50
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 18:20:49
Even 5 mg of Celexa numbed my entire body, from the waist down and from the waist up.
Posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 10:11:49
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs? » linkadge, posted by Sarah T. on December 25, 2005, at 22:23:50
Thats the thing, for the first year I was completely numb. But I am sure that the force of a growing boy overcame that of the drug, cause after 7 or whatever years on SSRI's I had regained sexual function.
But now it seems that my sexual function is *dependant* on them, like the whole system has molted itself around the presence of these drugs. Cause after I stopped them, everything has gone.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on December 26, 2005, at 12:38:26
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 10:11:49
Well I'm on 80mg Celexa so what hope is there for me?!
Ed
Posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 13:21:48
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 18:20:49
Well, I think I am going to take the advice and see a urologist sometime. Even if it is reated to the SSRI use, like I suspect, maybe they have experience in that area.
I just don't want to get stuck back on an SSRI unless It is necessary. I am really against ussing a drug to reverse an effect that it caused.
Linkadge
Posted by Racer on December 26, 2005, at 13:50:31
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 13:21:48
> Well, I think I am going to take the advice and see a urologist sometime. Even if it is reated to the SSRI use, like I suspect, maybe they have experience in that area.
>
>You should be OK with many urologists by this time. Despite all the hype, the sexual side effects of SSRIs are common enough and severe enough that many, many people are seeing doctors to get things checked out. Again, a lot of people are not told about the sexual side effects that are possible - and some of us are given wrong information. (I was told, for example, that only men experienced sexual side effects from SSRIs, so I wouldn't have a problem. Hello? Doctor, the problem ain't in the naughty bits, it's in the brain -- and women have brains, too...)
Good luck, Link. Some doctors out there really do get it that the loss of a sex life isn't a fair exchange for the relief a drug might offer.
Posted by jamestheyonger on December 26, 2005, at 15:20:29
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 25, 2005, at 18:20:49
Have you had your testosterone level checked ? This would be something a GP is usually willing to check and manage if the level is too low.
j
Posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 15:23:52
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs? » linkadge, posted by Racer on December 26, 2005, at 13:50:31
I have a theory, for which I am currently looking for information to substantiate.
I think that loss of sexual function is not just a psychological bummer, I think that it may interupt normal biochemical/hormonal function of the brain, and that long term disruption of the system could take a biochemical toll on the brain.
I read that viagra promotes neurogenesis, which got me wondering whether it was viagra molecule itself, or the biochemical effects that it has.
http://stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/33/11/2675
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on December 26, 2005, at 15:37:57
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 15:23:52
Hi Link
>I think that loss of sexual function is not just a psychological bummer, I think that it may interupt normal biochemical/hormonal function of the brain, and that long term disruption of the system could take a biochemical toll on the brain.
That could well be true. In addition, loss of sexual function could lead to the loss of a relationship or the inability to start a relationship. Although I am not particularly distressed about my low libido, the long term consequences could be far reaching.
>viagra promotes neurogenesis
Interesting.
Viagra doesn't increase one's libido. It 'simply' facilitates erection in response to 'appropriate' stimulation ;-)
Regards
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on December 26, 2005, at 15:46:10
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by jamestheyonger on December 26, 2005, at 15:20:29
Hi James
>Have you had your testosterone level checked?
No. I'd like to have it measured but I imagine that my GP would refuse. I'm pretty sure he would tell me that my medication was to blame, not low testosterone.
Regards
Ed
Posted by jamestheyonger on December 26, 2005, at 16:19:29
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs? » jamestheyonger, posted by ed_uk on December 26, 2005, at 15:46:10
> Hi James
>
> >Have you had your testosterone level checked?
>
> No. I'd like to have it measured but I imagine that my GP would refuse. I'm pretty sure he would tell me that my medication was to blame, not low testosterone.
>
> Regards
>
> EdWell, there is quite a bit of research to the contrary.
I am thankful to be is the US and not the UK, at least for my medical well being.
Posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 16:27:30
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs? » linkadge, posted by ed_uk on December 26, 2005, at 15:37:57
>Viagra doesn't increase one's libido. >It 'simply' facilitates erection in response >to 'appropriate' stimulation ;-)
How effective is it for reducing SSRI induced sexual dysfunction?
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on December 26, 2005, at 16:34:28
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 16:27:30
>How effective is it for reducing SSRI induced sexual dysfunction?
It might help ED but I don't expect it would help anything else!
Ed
Posted by linkadge on December 26, 2005, at 16:34:52
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs? » linkadge, posted by ed_uk on December 26, 2005, at 15:37:57
>That could well be true. In addition, loss of >sexual function could lead to the loss of a >relationship or the inability to start a >relationship.
I know what you are saying. If crack cocaine has no effect on you, then you're not about to start robbing banks to get it.
Linkadge
Posted by ed_uk on December 26, 2005, at 16:36:05
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by jamestheyonger on December 26, 2005, at 16:19:29
Hi James
I would like to have my T level measured. I will ask at my next appointment with my GP - which won't be for a while. He can only say no. I guess I just don't want to get the 'difficult patient' expression when I ask.
Ed
Posted by jamestheyonger on December 26, 2005, at 20:35:39
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs? » jamestheyonger, posted by ed_uk on December 26, 2005, at 16:36:05
" I guess I just don't want to get the 'difficult patient' expression when I ask. "
Remember you are the consumer here, you are ***paying*** the doctors fees, even if it is by taxation.
Posted by ed_uk on December 27, 2005, at 10:40:28
In reply to Re: Permanent sexual side effects after SSRIs?, posted by jamestheyonger on December 26, 2005, at 20:35:39
Hi James
>Remember you are the consumer here, you are ***paying*** the doctors fees, even if it is by taxation.
I know what you mean but I'm seeing a National Health Service doc, if I was paying to see a private doctor it would be different. Doctors here don't see patients as consumers.
:-(
Regards
Ed
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