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Antidotes to Antidepressant Sexual Side Effects
While at the ISSWSH conference in San Diego, Anita Clayton, MD of Charlottesville, VA, presented research that will prove very interesting to me and to many of the clients in my therapy practice. She reviewed ways to reverse the negative sexual side effects of SSRI type antidepressants.
First, the ways that work for only a few people.
A small number of people who take an SSRI will simply acclimate to the medication and find that they develop a type of tolerance that allows them to function sexually while still getting the benefit of combating their depression. This can take four to six months to occur (if at all) and it works for only about 5% of patients.
Some people will try changing to another SSRI, but this, according to Dr. Clayton, only works with about 10% of patients. In addition, many people worry that if they change from the medication that is working for their depression they will wind up sacrificing the gain against their depression for the possibility (and it's a slight one) of restoring their sexual function. If a patient is willing to risk that situation and make a change, there are also non-SSRI medications that may offer relief from the depression with less likelihood of sexual difficulties: Bupropion (Wellbutrin), and Mirtazapine (Remeron).
Some research on Bupropion has included placebo-controlled trials. This means that these studies involved some patients taking a pill that looked identical to the real medication but did not contain that medication. To get an antidote effect to an SSRI, doses of 300 to 400 mgs. of Bupropion are typically used. Typically, a dose can begin with 150 mgs for one week. Then, 300 mgs. for three weeks and ultimately 400 mgs if needed to get the desired effect. In some cases, the dose of the SSRI can also be lowered when Bupropion is added on.
Buspirone (Buspar) may be selected to treat what is called anxious depression. This type of depression has a restless quality. It can also be added to an SSRI (30 to 60 mgs) to alleviate negative sexual side effects.
SSRIs tend to decrease testosterone levels in both men and women, so some supplementation of testosterone can help -- particularly with issues of sexual desire and sometimes with arousal during sexual activity. Also adequate levels of testosterone are needed for PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra) to work.
Cyproheptadine has been studied as an antidote, but it seems to have an effect that is often too sedating for patients. And, on the other end of the spectrum is the use of psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin). About 10 mgs per day is often used, but not with patients who are bipolar or possibly psychotic.
Pharmaceutical companies realize the downside of the current batch of antidepressants. No doubt, they are working to develop other medications that don't solve one problem while creating another. Until then, these are some coping strategies that are worth trying for people interested in treating their depression and maintaining their sexual interest and abilities.
Related Topics:
First, the ways that work for only a few people.
A small number of people who take an SSRI will simply acclimate to the medication and find that they develop a type of tolerance that allows them to function sexually while still getting the benefit of combating their depression. This can take four to six months to occur (if at all) and it works for only about 5% of patients.
Some people will try changing to another SSRI, but this, according to Dr. Clayton, only works with about 10% of patients. In addition, many people worry that if they change from the medication that is working for their depression they will wind up sacrificing the gain against their depression for the possibility (and it's a slight one) of restoring their sexual function. If a patient is willing to risk that situation and make a change, there are also non-SSRI medications that may offer relief from the depression with less likelihood of sexual difficulties: Bupropion (Wellbutrin), and Mirtazapine (Remeron).
Some research on Bupropion has included placebo-controlled trials. This means that these studies involved some patients taking a pill that looked identical to the real medication but did not contain that medication. To get an antidote effect to an SSRI, doses of 300 to 400 mgs. of Bupropion are typically used. Typically, a dose can begin with 150 mgs for one week. Then, 300 mgs. for three weeks and ultimately 400 mgs if needed to get the desired effect. In some cases, the dose of the SSRI can also be lowered when Bupropion is added on.
Buspirone (Buspar) may be selected to treat what is called anxious depression. This type of depression has a restless quality. It can also be added to an SSRI (30 to 60 mgs) to alleviate negative sexual side effects.
SSRIs tend to decrease testosterone levels in both men and women, so some supplementation of testosterone can help -- particularly with issues of sexual desire and sometimes with arousal during sexual activity. Also adequate levels of testosterone are needed for PDE5 inhibitors (Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra) to work.
Cyproheptadine has been studied as an antidote, but it seems to have an effect that is often too sedating for patients. And, on the other end of the spectrum is the use of psychostimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin). About 10 mgs per day is often used, but not with patients who are bipolar or possibly psychotic.
Pharmaceutical companies realize the downside of the current batch of antidepressants. No doubt, they are working to develop other medications that don't solve one problem while creating another. Until then, these are some coping strategies that are worth trying for people interested in treating their depression and maintaining their sexual interest and abilities.
Related Topics:
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37 Comments:
I have completely taken myself off of anitdepressants. One of the reasons was due to the sexual side effects. I had been on some type of antidepressant since my son was killed 10 years ago. I slowly weaned myself off of the med, the last one I took was Effexor. I had also been on Prozac, Zoloft, I can't say if any of them worked, but I'm still here on the planet so maybe they have. Anyway, I slowly got off of the Effexor, and it took about 5-6 weeks to get rid of the terrible physical withdrawl symptoms. I still experience that "shocking" feeling, where I get bursts of shocks, that is the only way I can describe it, I feel like I'm being 'Zapped" by these surges of tingling energy. Sounds goofy, but I can't put it into any other words. That has been the worst side effect for me. I still get these bursts, but not so bad. I also noticed that things that used to be so important in my life now are back, such as my love for music, playing the violin, sex, and laughing. I feel re-born, re-newed. I'm sure sex would be great once again, but since I've been off the antidepressants, my love and I have split up, not because of getting off the meds. It's been a long time coming. I do cry more often and I noticed that the crying is now related to happy things, I'm emotional anyway, but I cry now because I'm happy about things, I know that sounds crazy, but really it's good crying. I have more energy, feel life and now see the light at the end of the tunnel.My family says I even sound better. Can you imagine, I even sound better to my family. I don't know if it is because I got off the meds or if I just mentally changed my attitude. I have not done anything different. I had gone thru counseling, and I have not started again. Prior to leaving his office my doctor gave me yet another prescription for another antidepressant. He was not too keen on my stopping them in the first place. I have the Rx, just in case. I recommend to others ask your Dr. first before you decide to discontinue taking your antidepressants. There are ways to help with the sexual side effects of antidepressants, and using them helps. I have used marijuana (I'm not recommending it, just sharing) Trying to be more intune with your body, letting your partner know of the side effects, that is an important one, then your partner can help even more in other ways.
I have a question for you.I am 29 years old. I had sex for the first time with my boyfriend. I am bleeding that means I lost my virginity. Is it normal that I get cramps and my stomach hurts a little bit? What are the side effects of losing your virginity?
I'm not quite sure this blog is describing antidotes to the sexual side effects caused by the antidepressant. At least not for me. About the only thing I really saw was to supplement with testosterone, but I heard that if there's a high incidence of prostate cancer in the family that taking testosterone could significantly increase the risk of the cancer.
So how do I resolve this issue?
Thank you so much for posting this information. I am going to print it out and bring it to my doctor for my next visit. I am taking Cymbalta for depression/anxiety/chronic back pain and it has taken a serious toll on my sex life. I have trouble becoming aroused now and I cannot reach climax without a GREAT deal of effort. This is very frustrating and depressing in itself!
I am wondering if I need a testosterone supplement. Is there a way to tell if your testosterone levels are low (blood test, for example)? I had no idea that anti-depressants affected a man's testosterone level before reading this article.
The sexual side effects of anti depressants, the SSRI's in particular can be dose related, there are a few anti depresants with a much lower incidence of sexual related side effects too. such as Wellbutrin and Mirtazapine.
Sometimes the timing of your dose...there are multiple variables and it is trial and error.
Yohimbe and ginsing are options yet they can cause side effects and should be researched before trying as they are drugs just not regulated by the fda.
Always discuss with your health care provider..as sexual dysfunction can only add to a persons depression. and there are multiple alternatives one should consider before considering testosterone.
I AM CURRENTLY USING WELLBUTRIN XL, AND ZOLOFT. IT REALLY DOES WORK. PLUS WELLBUTRIN HELPED ME STOP SMOKING. I REALLY BELIEVE FROM EXPERIENCE THAT SEEING A PSYCHIATRIST IS FAR BETTER FOR YOU THAN SPEAKING TO YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR,LOT'S OF LUCK,AND LOT'S OF LOVING.
I am one of those people who have experienced the negative side effects and am leary of changing meds. I was prescribed Zoloft so many years ago I cannot remember the year! It was like a light switch was turned on for me. Gone was the anger, being constantly irritated by everyone and everything, and I found a very pleasant life. What I did not realize, until about 6 months ago, was the toll taken on both my sex drive and ability to reach climax. I took myself off of my meds for about 3 months (yes this is a VERY stupid thing to do). I rediscovered the anger, paranoia, irritation, etc. But I discovered a healthy sex drive and orgasms that didn't take a marathon session to achieve!
To be honest, the trade off wasn't worth it. I went back on meds, found the happier me, but no libido.
After reading this article I will speak with my doc about steps to take to combat the sexual side effects. I do not want to feel the way I do when I am off my meds (and again - don't be as dumb as I was - don't self-medicate), but now I can speak with my doc. Thanks for the article.
i have been on seroxate for a year now before that i was on prozac and i found although my anger crying all the time and genrally being down vanished i started to go off sex in a major way . today i went to my dr to talk about this explaining councelling did nothing but make me understand my childhood and i needed for confidence nothing has helped me regain my sex drive so my dr had percripeed me a book to read today so im off to get that in a mo its called over coming relationship problems (now my relationship is fine apart from the sex side) im going to read this book and see if it has any benifits so i shall keep u all informed . WISH ME LUCK
I'm 57, just starting Bupropion for mild background depression.
The N.P. at the V.A. who prescribed said it causes increased sexual feelings and increased erections in older men.
Is this true?
I can't find that in the side effects.
Current Depression Medications: Do The Benefits Outweigh the Harm?
Presently, for the treatment of depression and other what some claim are mental disorders, as they are questionable, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the drugs of choice by most prescribers. Such meds, meds that affect the mind, are called psychotropic medications. SSRIs also include a few meds in this class with the addition of a norepinephrine uptake inhibitor added to the SSRI, and these are referred to SNRI medications. Examples of SNRIs are Cymbalta and Effexor. Some consider these classes of meds a next generation after benzodiazepines, as there are similarities regarding their intake by others, yet the mechanisms of action are clearly different, but not their continued use and popularity by others.
Some Definitions:
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter thought to be associated with mood. The hypothesis was first suggested in the mid 1960s that this neurotransmitter may play a role in moods and emotions in humans. Yet to this day, the serotonin correlation with such behavioral and mental conditions is only theoretical. In fact, the psychiatrist’s bible, which is the DSM, states that the definite etiology of depression remains a mystery and is unknown. So a chemical imbalance in the brain is not proven to be the cause of mood disorders, it is only suspected with limited scientific evidence. In fact, diagnosing diseases such as depression is based on subjective assessment only, as interpreted by the prescriber, so one could question the accuracy of such diagnoses.
Norepinephrine is a stress hormone, which many believe help those who have such mood disorders as depression. Basically, with the theory that by adding this hormone, the SSRI will be more efficacious for a patient prescribed such a med.
And depression is only one of those mood disorders that may exist, yet possibly the most devastating one. An accurate diagnosis of these mood conditions lack complete accuracy, as they can only be defined conceptually, so the diagnosis is dependent on subjective criteria, such as questionnaires. There is no objective diagnostic testing for depression. Yet the diagnosis of depression in patients has increased quite a bit over the decades. Also, few would argue that depression does not exist in other people. Yet, one may contemplate, actually how many other people are really depressed?
Several decades ago, less than 1 percent of the U.S. populations were thought to have depression. Today, it is believed that about 10 percent of the populations have depression at some time in their lives. Why this great increase in the growth of this condition remains unknown and is subject to speculation. What is known is that the psychiatry specialty is the one specialty most paid to by certain pharmaceutical companies for ultimately and eventual support of their psychotropic meds, as this industry clearly desires market growth of these products. Regardless, SSRIs and SRNIs are the preferred treatment methods if depression or other mood disorders are suspected by a health care provider. Yet these meds discussed clearly are not the only treatments, medicinally or otherwise, for depression and other related disease states.
Over 30 million scripts of these types of meds are written annually, and the franchise is around 20 billion dollars a year, with some of the meds costing over 3 dollars per tablet. There are about ten different SSRI/SRNI meds available, many of which are now generic, yet essentially, they appear to be similar in regards to their efficacy and adverse events. The newest one, a SNRI called Pristiq, was approved in 2008, and is believed to being promoted for treatment for menopause. The first one of these SSRI meds was Prozac, which was available in 1988, and the drug was greatly praised for its ability to transform the lives of those who consumed this medication in the years that followed. Some termed Prozac, ‘the happy pill’. In addition, as the years went by and more drugs in this class became available, Prozac was the one of preference for many doctors for children. A favorable book was published specifically regarding this medication soon after it became so popular with others.
Furthermore, these meds have received additional indications besides depression for some really questionable conditions, such as social phobia and premenstrual syndrome. With the latter, I find it hard to believe that a natural female experience can be considered a treatable disease. Social phobia is a personality trait, in my opinion, which has been called shyness or perhaps a term coined by Dr. Carl Jung, which is introversion, so this probably should not be labeled a treatable disease as well. There are other indications for certain behavioral manifestations as well with the different SSRIs or SRNIs. So the market continues to grow with these meds. Yet, it is believed that these meds are effective in only about half of those who take them, so they are not going to be beneficial for those suspected of having certain medical illnesses treated by such meds. The makers of such meds seemed to have created such conditions besides depression for additional utilization of these types of medications, and are active and have been active in forming symbiotic relationships with related disease- specific support groups, such as providing financial support for screenings for the indicated conditions of their meds- screening of children and adolescents in particular, I understand, and as a layperson, I consider such activities dangerous and inappropriate for several reasons.
Danger and concerns by others primarily involves the adverse effects associated with these types of meds, which include suicidal thoughts and actions, violence, including acts of homicide, and aggression, among others, and the makers of such drugs are suspected to have known about these effects and did not share them with the public in a timely and critical manner. While most SSRIs and SNRIs are approved for use in adults only, prescribing these meds to children and adolescents has drawn the most attention and debate with others, such as those in the medical profession as well as citizen watchdog groups. The reasons for this attention are due to the potential off-label use of these meds in this population, yet what may be most shocking is the fact that some of the makers of these meds did not release clinical study information about the risks of suicide as well as the other adverse events related to such populations, including the decreased efficacy of SSRIs in general, which is believed to be less than 10 percent more effective than a placebo. Paxil caught the attention of the government regarding this issue of data suppression some time ago, this hiding such important information- Elliot Spitzer specifically, as I recall.
And there are very serious questions about the use of SSRIs in children and adolescents regarding the effects of these meds on them. For example, do the SSRIs correct or create brain states considered not within normal limits, which in effect could cause harm rather than benefit? Are adolescents really depressed, or just experiencing what was once considered normal teenage angst? Do SSRIs have an effect on the brain development and their identity of such young people? Do adolescents in particular become dangerous or bizarre due to SSRIs interfering with the myelination occurring in their still developing brains? No one seems to know the correct answer to such questions, yet the danger associated with the use of SSRIs does in fact exist. It is observed in some who take such meds, but not all who take these meds. Yet health care providers possibly should be much more aware of these possibilities
Finally, if SSRIs are discontinued, immediately in particular instead of a gradual discontinuation, withdrawals are believed to be quite brutal, and may be a catalyst for suicide in itself, as not only are these meds habit forming, but discontinuing these meds, I understand, leaves the brain in a state of neurochemical instability, as the neurons are recalibrating upon discontinuation of the SSRI that altered the brain of the consumer of this type of med. This occurs to some degree with any psychotropic med, yet the withdrawals can reach a state of danger for the victim in some classes of meds such as SSRIs, it is believed.
SSRIs and SRNIs have been claimed by doctors and patients to be extremely beneficial for the patient’s well -being regarding the patient’s mental issues where these types of meds are used, yet the risk factors associated with this class of medications may outweigh any perceived benefit for the patient taking such a drug. Considering the lack of efficacy that has been demonstrated objectively, along with the deadly adverse events with these meds only recently brought to the attention of others, other treatment options should probably be considered, but that is up to the discretion of the prescriber.
“I use to care, but now I take a pill for that.” --- Author unknown
Dan Abshear
I'm 26 yr. old male with ocd i'm getting married in 3 wks. I have been taking zoloft for 8 years. I was not controlling my ocd so the dr. put me on prozac I did fine for first few weeks but as she raised the dosage i lost all interest in sex and could not function. I ask the doctor to put me back on the zoloft and add busbar i had to wait to get off the prozac and gradually start back on the zoloft I'm to start the buspar in another week, but I'm can not function sexually at all and I get a terrible headache when I try to cliamax. I hope this will pass when I take the buspar. I'm very upset. I'm getting married and I'm having sexual fustrations. Help will the buspar make this better.
Ok, well I seem to be different than everyone. When I started taking effexor at 150mg I had a huge change in my sex life. I started needing sex. It has turned me into a sex addict and I'm not sure if it's a good thing. My partner has a healthy sex drive but mine far eclipses his. As a woman, I'm not sure to be thankful or worried. Help??
my wife takes porzac and buspar because she has a head injury from her childhood. she has no sex drive at all. i have asked her to talk to her DR. about this issue and she gets no where with him at all about what she can do to change this. she cant change meds cuz she has tryed that before and it did not go well. is there something that she can take to increase her sex drive? i mean there are pills so a man can get an erection isnt there anything for a woman?
Hasn't Serzone been recalled? If so, why is this author promoting it?
i have been on wellbutrin xl for years my sex drive is now zero. i want my sexual drive back now that i have someone in my life. before i did not care if i had a sexual drive at all. but i also have a heart condition and im type 2 diabetic. so, im on alot of meds. i have to get this figured out quick before i lose him. what should i do?
ok I am a 19 year old with bipolar and signs of schitzo I am on cymbalta, lithium, abilify and focalin. and my boyfriend is a 21 year old on meds for bipolar and we have living to gether for a month now and our sex life is ok but because of my moods I always tell him dont tuch me right now and when ever we do have sex I dont orgasm soo I guess what I want to know is does my medicin have anything to to with this?
I am 32 years old and started taking paxil about three weeks ago and my desire to have sex is still very strong but I can not achieve climax what should I do?
I am a healthy 47 year old wife and mother of 2. I always had a great libido and acheived multiple climaxs during sex. Here's the problem, I can't anymore! I've been on a dose of 20mg of paxol and 50 mg of trazodone for most of the summer. I feel happy but this side affect is making me feel unconnected with my husband. Its a marathon just to feel like I might climax and then it goes away. I just end up telling my husband to stop. I put a call into my Doctor's office today to discuss this let down that I feel from taking the Meds. I was going to ask her if I could possibly take viagra to get some blood pumping to my organs again.
Does anyone know of anything to take to help achieve orgasim while taking antidepressants. I spent ten years of my life becoming comfortable with myself to achieve orgasms with men and now I have only been able to mastrubate to climax once or twice a year for the last 8 years. I have been on just about all or a combination of SSRI & SNRIs'. I have tried to go off twice and it was catastrophic. Now I just swithched from Zoloft 200mg to Cymbalta 60mg. I am giving in to the feeling of no hope. (and I have given it a lot of effort.) I feel like it is time to Climax after an extended period of time and then nothing. I still get aroused but it would be nice to have one natural high. It seems as though you either must suffer from rampant uncontrollable intolerable emotions or be vegitated. How sad. Please let me know if any other women in their experience have had success with ED meds or St. John's wart? Thank you and Good Luck!
Please note that anonymous who said "Current Depression Medications: Do The Benefits Outweigh the Harm?"
is definitely wrong about this comment: (I'm paraphrasing) "SNRIs such as Cymbalta and Effexor are considered by some to be the next generation after benzodiazepines". Some may consider this to be true, but for me benzodiazapines such as ativan, have a sedative effect, but effexor made me feel worse than I have ever felt in my life, making me extremely jumpy and feeling agitated beyond belief. I avoid all medicines that effect epiniphrine because of this. I know everyone is different, and your statement is true that some believe this, but I want to get the word out about this. No offense, I know you are trying to help everyone.
Also, don't ever just go off of your meds. I did this because of sexual side-effects and have been back on them for 4 months, but I have been having terrible insomnia, even though I am back on medication. I had been taking 1 ambien cr and it worked great for sleep, now I have to take ambien cr, ativan, trazadone and restoril and wake up in the middle of the night and have to take more ativan. I also take 5 mg of melantonin one half hour before bed. I feel awful, dizzy, forgetful, my iq dropped about at least 20 points, cannot work, I smell like horrible medicine and would kill myself if it wasn't for my husband needing me. I have so much to live for - my husband is wonderful, we both had good jobs as systems analysts, just built a new house, nice neighbors, friends, church, etc. etc. but I entertain thoughts of killing myself every single day. my husband needing me is the only thing keeping me going - as a christian I don't believe in suicide, but even that wouldn't stop me. So don't go off your medication on your own PLEASE!!!!
I went off of prozac once before and didn't have these problems when I got back on it. So even if you went off of one before, don't try it again!
PDE5 inhibitors do not require a certain level of testosterone to work. They are independent of testosterone and, in fact, are prescribed in situations where low testosterone inhibits erectile quality.
Many times, the dose of the SSRI antidepressant can make it more difficult to orgasm. For example, instead of taking 20mg of Prozac, take 5mg. Many times, even though not marketed this way, the lower doses can be just as effective as the higher doses for some people. I've always taken the lowest possible dose of antidepressants. The higher doses always give me too many side effects.
hello, i've been on SSRI's for many years (can't remember how long exactly but over 18). i developed multiple sclerosis in 2000, so i have the common erectile dysfunction from ms. i now can not ejacutlate. another issue i have is frontal lobe brain damage from a car accident in 1992. with the frontal lobe damage, i am now hyper sexual. this really sucks. imagine being hyper sexual from frontal lobe brain damage, have erectile dysfunction from ms, and not being able to ejaculate from ssri's. what sucks more than that? can anyone help me?
i have been on a range of antidepressants over the last 8 years. my sex drive has been zero for those 8 years, those of which i've been married. now i'm newly divorced and hoping to have a healthy sex life again someday soon. when i was separated i didn't really care that i had zero interest in sex...but that's changed. i've now gone from a combo of cymbalta and wellbutrin to celexa just today. after reading quite a bit online, i'm frightened to start something new that might inhibit my libido more than before. any suggestions? i'm also on xanax and a myriad of other meds due to fibromyalgia and lupus-like symptoms.
I currently taken remeron I am only 24 years old with a three year little boy. I am really tired all the time. Sometimes I stay up till wee hours of the morning tosing and turning not being able to get any rest. I also have no interest in sex what so ever. I find every excuse in the book to tell my husband. I also have trouble with my temper sometimes someone in the house will ask me a question and I will just go off on them with warning. I cry aleast twice a day just by thinking about how depressed I am and I just feel like I am standing in the middle of a party screaming and no looks to see what is going on. I need some advice or some serious help.
I was on lexapro for two years for anxiety and depression and had difficulty climaxing during intercourse and masterbation. I did however, have nocturnal orgasms with out effort at least once a month. I got off lexapro for nine months, my sex drive was back with avengence and I was able to climax easily again. Unfortunately, I relapsed two months ago and had to go back onto lexapro for depression and anxiety. I am currently with a very understanding partner who is trying to help me achieve orgasm again. I have tried on my own and with much time and effort, I finally climaxed and got a slight headache afterwards. What is this mental block, or what feels like a brick wall I am hitting while trying to achieve orgasm? And what does the headache mean?
I started taking Citalopram just at a year ago and yes, it is like running a marathon to reach climax and so the desire is just to get it done for your husband and not worry about yourself, which I do not like this attitude but I think it is better than being angry and yelling at your children. That is tosay I stopped taking my 40mg last Sunday out of guilt that I can't handle life without medication. BUt, even taking the 40mg seems to not be enough but, when you can't afford to go to the doctor but once a year then what do you do. I want to get back on the Citalopram but 60mg and just see what happens. I started out a year ago with 10mg, then 20mg then stopped with 40mg but only because I didn't want to bother the doctor again about upping the mg. Anyone know anything about the different dosages of citalopram - is 60mg a high dosage or is it still pretty low?
eight years ago I started taking an anitdepressant Celxa after being depressed for two years after my father died. I went from being a very sexual wife that had orgasms each and every time we had sex, (sometimes multiple orgasms) to not being able to get aroused or have orgasms within one week of being on the drug. I still took it for six months and when I stopped I was hoping my ability to enjoy sex would come back. It didn't and it has been eight years! I miss it so much. It makes me mad and sad that I was not told this could be a permant side affect for me. I feel nueterd. Please someone help me. Is there any way to reverse this? I miss the closeness sex helped me have with my husband of 28 years. I know it was the celexa because we never had problems sexualy before, and in one week my sex life was destroyed.
I have some comments on antidepressants. I'm a 45 year old female, I've tried a myriad of meds for at least 16 years. Over thos e16 years, I gained 40 -50 pounds and cannot get rid of it, no matter what I do.
forget sex- I used to have a decent libido, a long time ago , it seems, but the thought of sexual contact REPULSES me. I'm still very depressed and I feel hopeless and worthless. Wellbutrin XL ripped my stomach up at 300 mg and at 150 mg, I got the strangest headaches and brain sensations. I weaned down to 150 for @ 2 weeks and now I've stopped taking it altogether. No more headaches and abdominal pain and nausea. No sex, either. I continue to take Paxil cr @ 25 mg at bedtime and klonopin 3 times daily. Whenever I try to titrate the Paxil cr down to 12.5, I become even more depressed, consisder suicide. I'm taking lipotropic/B12 and 6 injections for weight loss as well as fish oil, a green tea and acai berry supplement and co-q 10. I have a miniscule lift in my energy, I'm still 30 pounds overweight and I am asexual. I hope and pray , sincerely, that due to my years of smoking, that a huge incurable mass will be discovered in my lungs or anywhere in my useless fat body, so that I can finally die and get off this bullshit rollercoaster. I'm a mess on the meds, when the meds are adjusted or when I'm off of them. My own adult children and several other people in my life use my depression against me whenever I say something they don't want to hear. I am sick of being told I'm crazy, sound crazy, etc...
Had I known that antidepressants would have made me worse instead of better, I would have rather killed myself. Antidepressants are not safe, effective or life enhancing. They are poison, they are a huge money maker and nothing more. The only thing they are good for is setting people up for more problems. I pray everyday for death. I am not suicidal, I do not have a plan, blah blah blah. But I will not miss this life when it ends, and I hope it's soon. I do not think I will be missed, either, because of the burden this has put on my family. And most doctors suck when it comes to treatment, too. I should have run away when I was first depressed and let the chips fall where they may.But I was stupid enough to hang in there for my children, who were horrible then and are now hurtful and horrible ' adults." all because of taking the advice of "professionals'. Shame on me. I'll never be 'normal', on or off meds. Worst thing I ever did was to think I would be ok on antidepressants. I will keep right on smoking, thank you very much, it's the means to an end. Do these comments sound like they come from someone on antidepressant meds? Think about it.
i been on antidepessants for many years and have kill my sex drive from them. i been on lexapro, effexor, many others and all have killed my sex drive and i couldnt come to climax which very frustrating for me and my husband, well i was sent to the pain clinc for my hernated disc and fibromialgia in march and the doctor there took me off my antidepresant put me on cymbalta to try said will help with my depresant and my lower back pain so i tried it with in 2 weeks my sex drive return, now me and hubby both are alot happier, never remove your self from any antidepressant on your own with out speaking to your doctor first i learn that lesson long time ago and comming from a medical feild family also, speak with your doctor if you have problems with looking your sex drive it help me plus help my depression too.
Why would a doctor perscribe cymbalta for low testosterone? My husband is taking this but i am so confused?
I am a lot older than most of you, 61, (yes, 60-year-olds are still enthusiastic about sex)but I have been "slow" with my wife of 40 years from day one. "Slow" meaning 30 to 45 minutes of intercourse before reaching orgasm. Now I am on Cymbalta, and I absolutely cannot reach orgasm, no matter what my wife and I do. She is very understanding, but it is very frustrating to me. My Dr has suggested going to 1/2 dose (30 mg)of Cymbalta, which I have just begun. After reading this article, I am also going to discuss Testosterone replacement therapy with her. The Cymbalta has also reduced my sex drive, and ED has become a minor problem just since I began the Cymbalta. Life is not fun right now.
I have been on Zoloft for several years now and always seems to have a low sex drive. I stopped taking the Zoloft about a few months ago and all of the sudden had an incredible sex drive, but my depression returned. As everyone else, I want to keep my sex drive the way it is, but also treat my depression. I have been researching and found something called Her Solution to increase your sex drive. Has anyone heard of it or know anything about it?
I also have been on different anti depressants over the years. Cymbalta, which I am on now, is the first and only to rob me of my sex drive (as in completely). I am also on replacement therapy for testosterone but even that is not helping. I keep thinking I'll look at switching but I'm very concerned about returning to the devastation that was my depression. I'm also taking Wellbutrin. Would I rather risk depression and have a "normal" sex drive or be depression free with no sex drive. For now, the latter.
Nothing has worked for me.
i was just recently put on prozac. i originally wanted off of all anti-depressants because i have no sex drive. i've spoken to my doctor about it but it's a little awkward because my doctor is a man. i dont exactly feel comfortable telling him that i want to have sex i just dont have the energy for it.
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