Posted by ghuber on February 3, 2005, at 20:00:51
Well for the third time in three years I'm starting another round of SSRI's.. First time I took Zoloft, second time Celexa/Wellbutrin then changed over the Lexapro/Wellbutrin. Now I started Celexa again.. I take these drugs for OCD mainly, as well as the depression and anxiety that occurs with the OCD. Anyway, I previously stopped taking the SSRI's both times before, not because I didn't feel great, but because they killed my ability to perform *well* in bed -- In the higher dosages (20+ mg of Celexa) they killed my libido as well. Without being too graphic, lets just say my tool worked and all, but not like it did before. I could still finish the job without too much of a problem, but I found it embarrassing and rather annoying when my girl made comments how it isn't like it use to be..
I tried Wellbutrin augmentation last time around as I heard it might help, which it did, but only mildly. I actually think it made me happier more then hornier. I also tried Ginko Biloba, but unfortunately I don't think that did all too much.
As I mentioned before, I started taking Celexa about 2.5 months ago.. The dreaded SSRI sex syndrome has started to reappear. I'm getting frustrated quick and don't know if I can deal.
I'm thinking of asking my pdoc for a script for some Vigra, Levitra, or Cilais. Anyone tried these drugs? I tried Viagra when I was off SSRi's but was not too big of a fan of the stuffy nose, headache and flushing it caused.
Have any of you men who had this problem ever had any success in switching to another SSRI? I was considering switching to Cytmbalta or Effexor - My friend took high dosages of Effexor for quite a long time, and he swears he never experienced any sexual side effects. He actually claims his member worked better. I figure a drug that is a reuptate inhibitor of NorE as well as serotonin would probably have less of a chance of inducing sexual dysfunction as NorE is involved in sexual response -- That's one of the reasons Yohimbe works so well. Speaking of Yohimbe, has anyone ever taken it when they're on an SSRI? I've read that the combination can be dangerous, as Yohimbe is an inhibitor of MAOI.
Finally, I'd like to say previous to going on back on Celexa, I was playing with the supplement L-Tyrosine. I read it that it converts to NOrE and Dopamine which I deducted would enhance my levels of these two chemicals, increasing my sex drive. All I can say is -- WOW!! After about 5 weeks my drive and performance was awesome!! Bad thing is, it seems the higher levels of dopamine made me obsess more, which winded up being BAD!! That's why I'm back on drugs... For anyone interested in trying, I don't think it's safe to take L-Tyrosine with any SSRi either..
Oh well, that's enough psycho babbling for me. Anyone have any comments/thoughts?
G
poster:ghuber
thread:452682
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050202/msgs/452682.html