Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sorsha on March 6, 2001, at 0:06:26
There is not really that much information out there except mostly anecdotal. Despite being off paxil for three weeks I am still basically anorgasmic. Some sensation has been restored but its still far from normal. My psychiatrist, who is very smart and compassionate, says he has heard that it can take 4-6 weeks or more for the effets to clear. This was not my experience in the past. I know one of my medications is causing this but I dont know which. The wellbutrin is not it, what about lithium? It is not supposed to have this side effect. The only other med is a blood pressure med, diovan 75, and I have seen it listed as not causing sexual side effects. This is all discouraging as I have a new boyfriend who is starting to notice. I have tried ritalin and cyproheptadine and they do not help at all. I am going to start Hormone replacement therapy and am wondering if estrogen will help? I also wonder if my low FSH and low estrogen might have something to do with the anorgasmia although I never heard this.
Posted by jb on March 9, 2001, at 16:03:12
In reply to Anorgasmia continued, posted by sorsha on March 6, 2001, at 0:06:26
Selegiline (L-Deprenyl) has, in my experience, been very good for treating anorgasmia. I've been on this at up to 40 mg/day, and it has a very, very positive effect. You can't take this with SSRI's or other MAOI's. Also, above 10-15 mg/day, it loses its selectivity for MAO-B, and inhibits both MAO-A and MAO-B.
I would give this a try if your sex life doesn't soon return to normal. I believe I noticed a strong effect at either week 3 or week 4.
Good luck.
JB
Posted by sorsha on March 10, 2001, at 15:58:17
In reply to Re: Anorgasmia continued, posted by jb on March 9, 2001, at 16:03:12
> Selegiline (L-Deprenyl) has, in my experience, been very good for treating anorgasmia. I've been on this at up to 40 mg/day, and it has a very, very positive effect. You can't take this with SSRI's or other MAOI's. Also, above 10-15 mg/day, it loses its selectivity for MAO-B, and inhibits both MAO-A and MAO-B.
>
> I would give this a try if your sex life doesn't soon return to normal. I believe I noticed a strong effect at either week 3 or week 4.
>
> Good luck.
>
> JB
Dear JB, are you a man or a woman? I have never heard of selegiline but am interested to hear about it. As I assume my anorgasmia was drug induced probably by paxil 5mgs, a very low dose, I wont have to take anything if i can stay off SSRI'S. Unfortunately four weeks after going off paxil I am getting depressed something I dont tollerate too well. I would say I no longer have anorgasmia but still have delayed orgasim. My psychiatrist says he has heard it can take four to six weeks for the sexual dysfunction side effect to go away. I am trying to hold out, wellbutrin has never worked for me this is my third trial, I would like to have my body back. Better but not cured. I am still taking a high dose of ginko, another dopamine agent.
Posted by jb on March 11, 2001, at 13:48:16
In reply to Re: Anorgasmia continued » jb, posted by sorsha on March 10, 2001, at 15:58:17
Hi, I'm a man. However, I understand that Selegiline's effect on improving sexual function, particularly improving desire and onset of orgasm, works for both sexes. I have taken selegiline at dosages of up to 40 mg/day, at which it inhibits both MAO-A and MAO-B. It's therapeutic profile is similar to Parnate, at that dosage, but without the dry mouth. It's strong dopaminergic action is supposed to be related to it's ability to increase sexual desire and orgasm.
You might want to try it first at 15 mg/day, and increase dosage up to 40 mg/day if the 15 doesn't seem to work. As a side benefit, it is supposed to enhance memory and learning, as well as prevent or delay onset of Parkinson's disease.
Let me know if I can provide you with any further information about my experience.
John
Posted by amuse on March 11, 2001, at 16:45:41
In reply to Re: Anorgasmia continued, posted by jb on March 11, 2001, at 13:48:16
> Hi, I'm a man. However, I understand that Selegiline's effect on improving sexual function, particularly improving desire and onset of orgasm, works for both sexes. I have taken selegiline at dosages of up to 40 mg/day, at which it inhibits both MAO-A and MAO-B. It's therapeutic profile is similar to Parnate, at that dosage, but without the dry mouth. It's strong dopaminergic action is supposed to be related to it's ability to increase sexual desire
Dear John, after being on a large number of anti-depressants for over seven years I never considered a MAO Inhibiter before and never did my pdoc either who is good but conservative. He mostly wants me to take lithium. Have you ever heard of s side effect from this? I am ready to try anything even a MAO if I can not have the s side effects. I was on imiprimine for a long time but need a seritonin agent. I am a bit ADD so the dopamine agent might be good . the ginko I am taking was good at first but doesnt seem to be doing much . My worse problem is I am depressed againg and dont tollerate this well. Exercise will make the depression go away for a few hours but know I am going to have to add something to welbutrin soon but not an ssri. Mary
>
Posted by jb on March 12, 2001, at 19:13:22
In reply to Re: Anorgasmia continued, posted by amuse on March 11, 2001, at 16:45:41
Hi, Mary. Unfortunately, I have no experience with Lithium. I did try Parnate (tranylcypromine), with is a non-selective MAOI. I found it activating with little or no impact on my sexual function. It's more stimulating than Nardil (phenelzine). However, I found it not to work as well for my social phobia. Phenelzine is a hydrazine MAOI, and has a greater impact on the GABA receptor complex.
That said, I think MAOI's are way underprescribed. My experience and others I know of is that there is that the dietary restrictions are quite overblown. I avoid very aged cheeses, aged wine (red), and anything pickled (also aged). I eat loads of pizza, drink lite beer, and white wine. I do avoid certain cold medications, and I do tell any other doc that I'm taking and MAOI.
By the way, I was first prescribed an MAOI in addition to Klonopin by the University of Michigan Anxiety Disorders Program chief doc. He did so without a second thought. I've since changed to a private doc, for insurance purposes, but one the university recommended. This once I'm seeing is also a true psychopharmacologist, and feels very comfortable with MAOI's as well as certain "cocktail" drug combinations.
Lastly, when I was taking Selegiline, 15 mg/day, my sexual functioning improved way beyond what it normally was, in terms of desire, intensity of orgasm, etc. You may inquire about taking this to augment whatever you end up taking. Also, you'll also find that certain AD's, particularly the newer non-SSRI's are less likely to cause sexual dysfunction. I think Remeron and Celexa may be in this category.
Good luck and let me know if I can answer any other questions.
John
Posted by amuse on March 12, 2001, at 21:57:21
In reply to Re: Anorgasmia continued - to Mary, posted by jb on March 12, 2001, at 19:13:22
> Hi, Mary. Unfortunately, I have no experience with Lithium. I did try Parnate (tranylcypromine), with is a non-selective MAOI. I found it activating with little or no impact on my sexual function. It's more stimulating than Nardil (phenelzine). However, I found it not to work as well for my social phobia. Phenelzine is a hydrazine MAOI, and has a greater impact on the GABA receptor complex.
>
> That said, I think MAOI's are way underprescribed. My experience and others I know of is that there is that the dietary restrictions are quite overblown. I avoid very aged cheeses, aged wine (red), and anything pickled (also aged). I eat loads of pizza, drink lite beer, and white wine. I do avoid certain cold medications, and I do tell any other doc that I'm taking and MAOI.
>
> By the way, I was first prescribed an MAOI in addition to Klonopin by the University of Michigan Anxiety Disorders Program chief doc. He did so without a second thought. I've since changed to a private doc, for insurance purposes, but one the university recommended. This once I'm seeing is also a true psychopharmacologist, and feels very comfortable with MAOI's as well as certain "cocktail" drug combinations.
>
> Lastly, when I was taking Selegiline, 15 mg/day, my sexual functioning improved way beyond what it normally was, in terms of desire, intensity of orgasm, etc. You may inquire about taking this to augment whatever you end up taking. Also, you'll also find that certain AD's, particularly the newer non-SSRI's are less likely to cause sexual dysfunction. I think Remeron and Celexa may be in this category.
>
> Good luck and let me know if I can answer any other questions.
>
> Dear John, thanks for your advice. By the way the new SSRI's celexa etc all cause sexual dysfunction despite what the drug companies say. I am puzzled why I am still haveing problems five weeks off a low dose of paxil and suspect either lithium or diavan for blood pressure. I already called my pdoc and left a message about MAOI. Working 25 years in mental health in Boston I havent seen them prescribed in years but for me may be something worth trying. I would like to go off the lithium but am scared and know I will have to go on another mood stabalizer. thanks Mary
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