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Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

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Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#181

Post by iammisc »

stimpson_j_cat wrote: post #166
iammisc wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://www.artofmanliness.com/health-fitness/health/how-to-... ^ has information on why 'normal' isn't a good range for everyone.

> I’m not a doctor or a medical expert > The Art of Manliness participates in affiliate marketing programs Seems like a terrible resource. Much better would be blood work at your PCP (and a possible referral to an endocrinologist).

Endocrinologists are terrible at knowing what hormone ranges are good for your age and sex. As a man with thyroid problems, I am thoroughly disabused of the idea that most endocrinologists have any clue what they're talking about. Certainly, for a middle aged women, must can put it together, but barring that, you're better off on facebook groups.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#182

Post by iammisc »

vettedvat wrote: post #159
iammisc wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Community, shared culture, shared religion. Exercise happens when you do those three things.

All 3 are in abundance in Ethiopia. So why are depressive disorders so prevalent there? Folksy phrases aren't a great guide to mental health.

> So why are depressive disorders so prevalent there

Because there's no such thing as 'depressive disorder'. We expect people to be happy, and when they're not, we call them diseased. Nothing is wrong with them.

Also, Ethiopia is in the midst of a civil war isn't it?

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#183

Post by mehphp »

Igelau wrote: post #65

Takes me a little longer on Zoloft. My psychiatrist and I agreed this is more of a good thing than a bad thing. The crippling anxiety I had without it was much worse for my libido. That being said, I wish we understood these drugs better, because I know the side effects and efficacy vary in the extreme. I know for some people it's like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. Continued anecdata: when I forget to get m…

I'm not a doctor, but I'd caution against trying psychedelics at all if you had crippling anxiety before.

I didn't realize just how bad my anxiety could get until after I did Psilocybin. It wasn't the root cause of my anxiety, of course, but it sure as hell exacerbated it to the point of being pretty debilitating.

I'm now on 25mg of Sertraline, which has all but wiped out my anxiety.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#184

Post by sillysaurusx »

R0b0t1 wrote: post #176
hellojesus wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you for taking the time to post this. I'll take a look at your experiences and consider taking action.

If you try anything, ask for Wellbutrin first if it is not the first thing prescribed. There are usually not any libido or lethargy issues. You may have ADHD and may want to get tested for it. I'm looking for a doctor to go to again, but being an adult the ones I've seen so far think I just want drugs. Complications from ADHD look a lot like depression.

I don’t think libido or lethargy is the most important consideration. The consideration is whether it eliminates suicidal thoughts. For me, Prozac was the only thing that worked, and this advice would’ve led me astray.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#185

Post by sillysaurusx »

R0b0t1 wrote: post #174
sillysaurusx wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was in a similar position to you (minus the murder part). The only thing that pulled me out of it was Prozac. I wrote up my experiences here: https://twitter.com/theshawwn/status/1392213804684038150 I have sex on a regular basis, and it's not nearly as bad as these side effects make it sound. It's different, sure, but you can definitely have enjoyable sex. You need to take antidepressants every single day for at le…

That last part isn't true. People report credible effects of positive mood immediately. The issue is you can't necessarily trust these self-reports and it takes roughly 1-2 weeks for someone with a clipboard to start writing down results that correlate with a perceived increase in mood. Some adverse reactions to SSRIs are so bad people will kill themselves if they go a month. If it doesn't feel right you should just…

That last part is my own experience. It was so true for my case that I nearly didn’t discover Prozac at all, because I gave up after the first week. It wasn’t until many years later that I knuckled down with the consistency, since I had nothing to lose.

As it turned out, I had everything to gain.

All of this should be done with the supervision of a doctor.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#186

Post by ljm »

neverendingsigh wrote: post #171
ljm wrote: post #160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I appreciate the concern but, honestly, it's exhausting to keep fielding 'have you tried...', 'have you looked into...', 'have you explored...' questions. I get that it comes from a good place, but I'm sharing my experience, not asking for advice. The best help you and others can offer is to just listen, instead of offering another solution. There are two replies to me in the 'have you tried' vein. I'm not aiming it…

For what it's worth, from at least one person's perspective it's exhausting to just read these replies, as if you or other OPs are eternally naive neophytes with no experience or understanding, or that providing a personal anecdote is automatically, implicitly, and irrevocably requesting advice. This tends to be the case with a lot of medical discussions online, but especially with mental health. (It would be somewha…

Thanks. I just want to share and be heard, and maybe someone can relate.

Good intentions all around, but people need to understand that you're not always someone to be helped or saved. It can feel quite disempowering at times.

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#187

Post by mattowen_uk »

hvs wrote: post #119
Jaruzel wrote: post #22

My personal anecdote: I'm on Venlafaxine which is an SNRI (also cited in the article), and I definitely suffer some of those side-effects. It sucks. At times it makes me want to shy away from sex completely. Other times I think I'm doing OK, only to find out I can't finish, or I finish weakly with no adrenalin rush. So my choices are, come off the pills, and emotionally go down a dark well I may not come out of, or k…

I had the same problem with Venlafaxine (Effexor XR). My psychiatrist had me switch to Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and my problems went away (but it worked as well as Venlafaxine for GAD and depression). FWIW I'm in my mid-40's but I had this problem about 10 years ago (when I switched).

I'm taking Venlafaxine also for GAD and depression. I think I will talk to my doctor & psychiatrist about Duloxetine at my next check-in. Thanks for the heads-up!

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#189

Post by mattowen_uk »

diskzero wrote: post #99
Jaruzel wrote: post #22

My personal anecdote: I'm on Venlafaxine which is an SNRI (also cited in the article), and I definitely suffer some of those side-effects. It sucks. At times it makes me want to shy away from sex completely. Other times I think I'm doing OK, only to find out I can't finish, or I finish weakly with no adrenalin rush. So my choices are, come off the pills, and emotionally go down a dark well I may not come out of, or k…

I am in a similar situation to mattowen_uk. Venlafaxine has been the best for me and I was eventually able to work through the side effects. Communication with your partner is key and if I find I can't reach orgasm, I can pay more attention to her. In some ways, it has been a very good thing, allowing me to be open and honest in the bedroom and out. I too am older, so I totally understand how sexual side effects coul…

Well said, that man. :)

Re: Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction

#190

Post by R0b0t1 »

sillysaurusx wrote: post #184
R0b0t1 wrote: post #176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you try anything, ask for Wellbutrin first if it is not the first thing prescribed. There are usually not any libido or lethargy issues. You may have ADHD and may want to get tested for it. I'm looking for a doctor to go to again, but being an adult the ones I've seen so far think I just want drugs. Complications from ADHD look a lot like depression.

I don’t think libido or lethargy is the most important consideration. The consideration is whether it eliminates suicidal thoughts. For me, Prozac was the only thing that worked, and this advice would’ve led me astray.

If you want to discount libido that is at least halfway excusable, but that depends on the individual. Lethargy, which almost always comes with libido issues, is more problematic, as it causes weight gain and a corresponding decrease in life expectancy.

It an be hard or impossible to combat. I've had people tell me they discontinued their medication due to weight gain (or libido issues, as in this thread).

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