Posted by sleepy lizard on September 26, 2002, at 18:57:48
In reply to sex probs coming from Effexor - please help !!, posted by ben on September 23, 2002, at 3:43:44
First I'll say sorry to hear about your difficulties. I hope you can get some relief. I wonder what is worse now, the depression/anxiety or the side effects. I don't want to give you false hope, since one solution may work for your sexual side effects, however my experience on Effexor XR with sexual side effects is not good. You said "I developed lack of libido: erectile dysfunction and delayed orgasm when it sometimes comes to a erection." This is exactly what happened to me on Effexor XR 75 mg (also up to 225 mg). I tried adding Wellbutrin SR 150 mg. and I began to panic and become emotionally unstable, and the side effects did not lift. I was on Effexor a total of 13 weeks but had previously been on Paxil and Celexa. The total time was 7 months. I have been off of Effexor XR/Wellbutrin SR combo for 3 weeks now. I get some erections at night, but have not got the libido back. I normally have a very strong sex drive so this is very abnormal for me (male, age 49). I have read much on the subject, almost an obsession with me, and have concluded that nothing works consistently to reverse the dysfunction. However, one scientific study showed the Viagra works. (I tried Yohimbe/Butcher's Broom, Horny Goat Weed/Velvet bean, Wellbutrin, L-Arginine/L-Cystine.) It is really depressing not being able to enjoy sex. I have read that the side effects lift sometimes with lower dosage, and I was able to get orgasms with a two day drug holiday, complete with nightmares and shocks and insomnia as a bonus (being sarcastic). The only thing I did not try that looked promising was Remeron or Serzone. The cause of the sexual side effects is in the inhibitory effect of the 5ht2 receptors. The effects incerease body heat and decrease libido. (I noticed that I am colder now that I am off of Effexor for 3 weeks.)
poster:sleepy lizard
thread:120793
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020922/msgs/121162.html