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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by griswald on May 10, 2004, at 18:52:16
Ok, this may sound slightly odd. Does anyone have any experience with medications, other than SSRI's, that reduce sex drive. I'm bipolar and can't take ssri's and I've always had an overactive sex drive. Over the past two years it feels like it's gotten stronger and stronger.
Just curious.
Posted by KimberlyDi on May 11, 2004, at 16:55:45
In reply to Sex Drive Question, posted by griswald on May 10, 2004, at 18:52:16
I'm female. Steriods to get over terrible colds with lung congestion. I was more aggresive sexually, seeking it out from my sig other.
KDi in TX
> Ok, this may sound slightly odd. Does anyone have any experience with medications, other than SSRI's, that reduce sex drive. I'm bipolar and can't take ssri's and I've always had an overactive sex drive. Over the past two years it feels like it's gotten stronger and stronger.
>
> Just curious.
>
>
Posted by ramsea on May 12, 2004, at 13:38:16
In reply to Re: Sex Drive Question » griswald, posted by KimberlyDi on May 11, 2004, at 16:55:45
TCAs can do it, so can antipsychotics like Thorazine or Zyprexa. Too much of any sedative as well, such as any benzo or alcohol. With alcohol, the damage isn't just when using it but after an adulthood of overdrinking alcoholics reformed or still using, suffer impotence/lack of interest or capability. If you're not bipolar, in which case hypomania or mania could cause overactive sex drive, maybe you could explore this with nutrition or other alternative stuff. Just some off the cuff thoughts.
Posted by griswald on May 12, 2004, at 19:10:23
In reply to Re: Sex Drive Question, posted by ramsea on May 12, 2004, at 13:38:16
Posted by T_R_D on May 13, 2004, at 12:04:40
In reply to Sex Drive Question, posted by griswald on May 10, 2004, at 18:52:16
I was incredibly hypersexed when I was manic. Now , I seem to have lost the drive altogether.
My doc thinks it's underlying/untreated depression. I'm not sure. Now that I am starting fell better (thanks, Lamictal!) I am starting to show more interest in sex but it is fleeting and not *that* strong.
I am currently on Effexor and it gives me anorgasmia so even the rare times when I feel like engaging in sexual activity I get frustrated at not being able to get the release.
It's one of the many things I miss about my manias...
Now over to ramsea, can you tell a me a little bit more about reformed alcoholism and loss of drive? I've never heard of that before. I'm just wondring if it might be part of my problem as I self-medicated with alcohol for MANY years... I have recentlt stopped (drinking completely.) Also, I always had problems with sexual function after drinking as well. Any info you have would be great!
Posted by griswald on May 13, 2004, at 13:43:18
In reply to Re: Sex Drive Question AND ONE FOR RAMSEA, posted by T_R_D on May 13, 2004, at 12:04:40
I also self medicated for many years with alcohol and recently stopped completely. But for me, it felt like my sex drive got stronger as the alcohol comsumption went down. Now it's interfering with work. Maybe it's related to an underlying obsessive/compulsive thing? I have been noticing other obsessions too.
Posted by ramsea on May 14, 2004, at 3:42:43
In reply to Interesting T_R_D and ramsea, posted by griswald on May 13, 2004, at 13:43:18
Since alcohol dampens sexual function it makes sense that giving it up (and doing just that can be the best anti-depressant for some folks!) could possibly reawaken sex drive.
Everyone is unique and not all reformed (or still active) alcoholics end up with a sexual dysfunction, of course. But it is just one more possible side effect of long-term alcoholism, though how many years the reformed person drank, how much, and other unique psychological and physiological factors have to be weighed up too.
Have you checked your medicines for SEs like changed mental states, hypersexuality, agitation, etc? It may not say obessessions directly but maybe something close. That's another possibility.
If you have OCD, and reawakened sex drive that is pestering you, as well as other obsessions, it sounds worth a trip to your GP or pdoc. Maybe you just need more time for your CNS to settle and rebalance after years of using alcohol. But it still sounds worth talking over with the medics. How long have you been sober? How long with OCD?
Posted by ramsea on May 14, 2004, at 7:50:53
In reply to Re: Sex Drive Question AND ONE FOR RAMSEA, posted by T_R_D on May 13, 2004, at 12:04:40
Congrats on the sobriety. I empathize with you on the problems, as I have had them all. ADs like Effexor have caused this in me, so maybe that is the case with you? I don't know about Lamictal, but it's worth checking RXlist or a google search to see if it is a common SE.
Alcohol abuse or long-term over-use can cause impotence in men, and I can only assume that it also affects females in a similar way.
In the same way abuse can pickle a brain, it pickles other functions too. If an alcoholic stops drinking before too much damage is done, a lot of healing can take place on all fronts. For some very serious reformed alcoholics, they may need implants and that sort of thing--definitely some professional, medical help.
I am abstinent now as well, and have been for most of 20 years. I don't have sexual dysfunction except when on ADs, like Effexor. But you're so right, drunk people may feel like they make the best lovers, losing inhibitions and all that. Their partners in crime, lol, may beg to differ.
You deserve to have a thorough check up, with someone who appreciates your issues. Also, I recommend a book by a pdoc which talks sensitively about sexual dysfunction and ADs--Dr Hedaya, ""The Antidepressant Survival Guide". There's help for this, but it can be so frustrating, and I soooooo relate to you and wish the best!!
Posted by T_R_D on May 14, 2004, at 9:40:28
In reply to Re: Sex Drive Question AND ONE FOR RAMSEA » T_R_D, posted by ramsea on May 14, 2004, at 7:50:53
Thanks ramsea and the sobriety actually feels good. I never thought I'd ever say that! And I know that ultimately I am just going to be better and healthier.
I didn't realize that prolonged alcohol usage could do thse things but I guess it's possible in some individuals. I think I mentioned that I was hypersexed when manic...and probably in a mixed state too--I could never figure out how, sometimes I would feel sexual when depressed and other times I wouldn't. I think the answer lies in the low depressed with no mania vs. being in those crazy mixed states.
I had assumed that since my mania is pretty much in check these days, that was the reason for the blundint of my sexual drive. Interesting to note that it might be something else.
Perhaps I should look into some assistance directly relating to alcohol recovery etc... I don't know what my doctor would say about this... He's usually a pretty good guy and open to my suggestions about meds and such... Maybe it's just my current mental state (anxiety etc...) that is clouding my judgement and making me feel trepidatious.
Karen
Posted by griswald on May 14, 2004, at 19:23:28
In reply to Re: Interesting T_R_D and ramsea, posted by ramsea on May 14, 2004, at 3:42:43
I've been sober for six months. I think the lamictal can cause some agitation. I've read that here. I've been obsessive all my life, but its just now getting really bad. I see the pdoc on Thursday. Actually, I've just started on Wellbutrin and it really seems to help with the depression; however, it might causing some anxiety and even making the obessions worse. It definately is not causing any sexual side effects.
This is the end of the thread.
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