Posted by yxibow on December 21, 2006, at 1:49:39
In reply to Re: Can't stay on my antidepressant--help!!! » DannaB, posted by Quintal on December 17, 2006, at 9:56:48
> Have you tried cyproheptadine to treat the sexual dysfunction DannaB? Cyproheptadine temporarily lowers serotonin levels (abnormally high serotonin levels are believed to be the cause of sexual dysfunction) if taken an hour or so before sex.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyproheptadine
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_serotonin_reuptake_inhibitor#Sexual_side_effects
>
> Cabergoline is another drug that can counter the low libido and anorgasmia of SSRIs. It sounds unlikely that your pdoc would be willing to prescribe it as cabergoline is quite expensive and is normally used to treat Parkinson's disease. Remeron or bromocriptine are other options. I don't quite buy your pdoc's idea that you're using Celexa to distance yourself from sexual relationships. I don't think you'd be seeking treatment to reverse the sexual dysfunction if that were the case.
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> I respect what Phillipa is saying regarding sex and mature relationships, but this may not be a realistic an option for young people starting new relationships or who wish to have a more casual sex life.Its an unfortunate aspect of nearly all SSRIs, although Celexa was supposed to have less than others, but there are tradeoffs in life sometimes -- not to coin a phrase of advertising but depression hurts, a lot. I know because I have MDD concomitant with an anxiety disorder or because of the anxiety disorder. Other options include discontinuing the SSRI for a day when one wants to engage in sexual behaviour and then restarting it again.
> There are other ADs like Parnate that have few sexual side effects (though this is may be considered an extreme choice and I realise your current pdoc may not be willing to prescribe it). The possibility of using benzos to calm the fear and jitteriness of stimulating ADs like Wellbutrin may be another option. Have you considered trying a different pdoc?
What level of Wellbutrin did you reach when you tried it for sexual side effects and did you use as noted before some Valium or Klonopin ?Bromocriptine and cyproheptadine are pretty serious drugs -- bromocriptine is generally used more for prolactin sexual side effects with neuroleptics. Cyproheptadine is used in the ER to come down off of serotonin syndrome -- I hadn't really heard of Periactin being used as much orally prescribed, but I guess it is.
Keep at it, there will be a combination that works -- and I completely understand the feeling of coming off of an SSRI only to realize that the SSRI was actually working. Its an odd concept of SSRIs but I've felt that before.-- tidings
poster:yxibow
thread:714396
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061217/msgs/715363.html