![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Pluto on January 28, 2007, at 22:48:24
HiI have used both Viagra and Cialis when my sex drive was low due to the use of SSRIs. Interestingly, even in the prescence of sexual stimulation, they didn't improve my erection or sexual performance.
Don't these drugs work if there is no sexual desire?
Posted by med_empowered on January 29, 2007, at 4:26:27
In reply to Viagra and Cialis: Why don't they work?, posted by Pluto on January 28, 2007, at 22:48:24
nah man. Both of these drugs will only help you react to sexual stimuli--they're not going to automatically give you an erection. Have you considered a switch, or adding something (buspar, wellbutrin) ?
Good luck.
Posted by ed_uk on January 29, 2007, at 14:01:43
In reply to Viagra and Cialis: Why don't they work?, posted by Pluto on January 28, 2007, at 22:48:24
Hi Pluto
Neither Cialis nor Viagra can 'cause' you to have an erection. Both drugs work by facilitating the process of erection in response to sexual stimulation. In the absence of libido, neither drug will work well. They will not increase your sex drive.
Ed
Posted by blueberry1 on January 29, 2007, at 14:42:32
In reply to Viagra and Cialis: Why don't they work?, posted by Pluto on January 28, 2007, at 22:48:24
Several ideas:
Viagra. Did you go up to the max dose of 100mg? Here is a technique I have used that works good. This after much experimenting, and failures like you. I discovered with this trick I can actually get an erection when I am totally disinterested in sex. And then the erection actually creates some interest.
Viagra dosing. I experimented with this when I heard there was a sublingual version but I couldn't afford it. First, very important, the stomach has to be empty empty empty. No food or drink for at least 2 hours prior. 3 or 4 hours even better. You want the stomach totally empty. Then chew the pill into little chunks. With your fingers or however you have to do it, work most of it under the tongue. Leave it there for 10 minutes. There will be some on the tongue and all over the mouth, but most of it under the tongue. Let it soak and absorb. It will turn into a white slimey mush. It doesn't taste good, but it doesn't taste repulsive either. When done, wash it down with a sip of water. No more than a 1/4 cup. Starts to kick in at about 20 minutes. Best time for lovemaking is around 60 minutes. Whatever didn't get absorbed under the tongue will get absorbed quickly and efficiently in an empty stomach. I don't know why this works so much better but it does.
Tyrosine. Cheap, fast and simple to try. 250mg to 500mg tyrosine a couple hours prior. It will convert to dopamine and help over-ride all that serotonin and spark some sexual interest. Could make for lousy sleep, but not a bad price to pay for some closeness. Use only on love nights. I have found that even just 100mg can temporarily spark some interest and boost mood also.
Herbs. Lots of them for libido. I haven't tried it, but anecdotal stuff I have read says that tonquat ali is the best of them all. Maybe placebo, maybe not, but I swear damiana gave me some libido after taking it for 3 days. Maca gave me energy but I didn't take it long enough to see if it would help with libido. A guy here a couple months back got great results by adding ashwagandha to zoloft. Don't quote me on this, but I do believe all these herbs are safe with ssris.
Try the viagra trick. If not good enough, spice it up next time with a little tyrosine. If still no luck then get the herbs.
Closeness with your partner is so important in my opinion. Skin to skin is special. I hope one of these things will help that happen. The viagra trick works for me. Tyrosine I hardly ever do, but it did work. Herbs I haven't played with enough.
Posted by Declan on January 29, 2007, at 15:21:12
In reply to Re: Viagra and Cialis: Why don't they work?, posted by blueberry1 on January 29, 2007, at 14:42:32
100mg Viagra would certainly do the trick ED-wise. I could control the nasal congestion with a spray decongestant and hope that would cover my sinuses as well. Soft lighting would conceal my red face. I haven't had the blue flashes (or of course the blindness). The effect on the heart is interesting, sort of slows it down and makes it feel heavier. I guess I'd survive.....don't want to put you off.
For some reason Cialis didn't work as well for me. I figured they had taken account of the Viagra casualties and adjusted the dose downwards.
Posted by Jimmyboy on January 29, 2007, at 16:06:42
In reply to Re: Viagra and Cialis: Why don't they work?, posted by Declan on January 29, 2007, at 15:21:12
Not that I'm advocating this but I noticed when I used to partake , that smoking marijuana would instantly up my libido and last for awhile..maybe the dopamine release or the fact that it will spike you testosterone at first , don't know and don't use anymore .
"STUDY LINKS USE OF MARIJUANA TO A FLUCTUATION IN SEX DRIVE "
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9D00E1D9163BF936A15754C0A967948260
Posted by blueberry1 on January 29, 2007, at 17:21:32
In reply to Viagra and Cialis: Why don't they work?, posted by Pluto on January 28, 2007, at 22:48:24
Jimmyboy brought up an idea that I can't believe I overlooked. Marijuana. What an awesome libido booster. Kind of dangerous though in terms of buying it. Without a good connection, quality can vary a lot too. And if there is any tendency to addiction, one would be smoking everyday in no time flat. I don't smoke anymore, but I used to love marijuana. Instant sex drive rolled up in cigarette paper.
Posted by FredPotter on February 3, 2007, at 15:17:06
In reply to Re: Viagra and Cialis: Why don't they work?, posted by blueberry1 on January 29, 2007, at 17:21:32
yeah and for me panic attacks and depersonalisation, like I couldn't rememer who I was. The past had ceased and all I had was NOW. This is what meditators aim for, but in the context of marijuana it was awful. Thank God I had some Xanax.
My greatest success was Caverject (injectable - yes at the root of the dick). You get ao erection whether you want one or not. However here in NZ all these erection aids are very expensive. The last two encounters were with post-menopausal women, and I'm 60 and taking SSRIs, well Effexor at least. Why should Evolution be "interested" in that combination?
I don't think Erectile dysfunction at age 60 is a medical condition; just Evelution's way of saying you're past it and not needed anymore
Fred
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.