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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by non-sexed on September 29, 2006, at 8:28:39
Can someone please give me advice or pointers on how to improve my libido. I used to have a very active libido, and loved it. Now that I have been on Effexor XR, my drive has completely dissappeared and my husband is becoming confused and hurt over this. He thinks I am no longer interested in him, and thinks it's his fault.
Any suggestions out there for me would be greatly appreciated by both my husband and myself.
Posted by bassman on September 29, 2006, at 8:47:19
In reply to Help! My sex life has bombed, posted by non-sexed on September 29, 2006, at 8:28:39
Maybe add 150 mg Wellbutrin XL? The other possibility is to miss a dose once in awhile and see if the libido comes back for day...(10% chance of working). Welcome to the HUGE family of de-sexed people on antidepressants. You're not only not alone, you're in a huge crowd! There are options...also, trying a different AD-but that is painful, to say the least. Perhaps show your husband articles on how AD's make lots of people disinterested, so he doesn't think you just don't love him anymore.
Posted by Oppycat on September 29, 2006, at 9:42:07
In reply to Help! My sex life has bombed, posted by non-sexed on September 29, 2006, at 8:28:39
> Can someone please give me advice or pointers on how to improve my libido. I used to have a very active libido, and loved it. Now that I have been on Effexor XR, my drive has completely dissappeared and my husband is becoming confused and hurt over this. He thinks I am no longer interested in him, and thinks it's his fault.
> Any suggestions out there for me would be greatly appreciated by both my husband and myself.
During the years on Parnate and other medicines, my libido was fairly low and orgasms rather ordinary. I took 45mg Remeron and 10mg Lexpro for about 6 months and thought I had found the sexual fountain of youth. Unfortunately, Remeron at that dose seemed to magnify my vices, which in turn, increased my blood sugar and cholesterol. Since I'm a diabetic and have also had a heart attack, this was not a good thing. I also gained about 15 lbs, so I went back on Parnate.Unfortunately, after about 3 weeks, I have decided to go back on Remeron because I miss the sexual desire so much. I will probably die a few years earlier because of it, but it will be worth it.
Michael
Posted by non-sexed on September 29, 2006, at 9:49:33
In reply to Re: Help! My sex life has bombed, posted by bassman on September 29, 2006, at 8:47:19
Thanks bassman for the advice. We are both at wits end with this. I have been on wellbutrin before but had a severe allergic reaction to it and had to quit taking it. That is when I was perscribed effexor. I am on a very high dose. My pills are 75mg and I take 3 a day. My doctor had upped it to 4 a day, but I was too scared to go there, and remained at 3.
Posted by bassman on September 29, 2006, at 10:32:50
In reply to Re: Help! My sex life has bombed » bassman, posted by non-sexed on September 29, 2006, at 9:49:33
Really, I know trying a different AD is harrowing, but funny things happen. Paxil and Lexapro made me into a Mental Monk. Prozac has no sexual effect whatever. Don't think anyone would have guessed that. When I was taking Paxil, the sex act seemed like a silly thing to do at best....:>} (as in, "what's the big deal?") Heck, I'm a guy and supposed to be horny whenever conscious. :>} Nah.
Posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2006, at 12:35:09
In reply to Re: Help! My sex life has bombed, posted by bassman on September 29, 2006, at 10:32:50
I gave up. Decided there were more important things in life. If I could only feel better seriously I wouldn't car. I like cuddling more anyway. Call me weird or whatever that's the way it is. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on September 29, 2006, at 20:51:13
In reply to Help! My sex life has bombed, posted by non-sexed on September 29, 2006, at 8:28:39
Vanishing of sexual desire while on antidepressants is extremely common. Every now and then someone can get lucky and find one that doesn't do that...prozac was fine for me for several years.
Anyway, as long as you are on a medication that does that to you, life isn't the same as it was and will require some changes. For example, wellbutrin is a common add-on to boost another antidepressant but also to boost sex. Ritalin can be used shortly before anticipated sex to get a boost in desire. Other than that you pretty much have to shop around for another antidepressant, but they are all pretty guilty.
Posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2006, at 21:02:53
In reply to Re: Help! My sex life has bombed, posted by blueberry on September 29, 2006, at 20:51:13
Blueberry how's it going today was what day 3? Love Phillipa
Posted by Robert35 on September 30, 2006, at 8:44:55
In reply to Help! My sex life has bombed, posted by non-sexed on September 29, 2006, at 8:28:39
> Can someone please give me advice or pointers on how to improve my libido.
Hi non-sexed,
A psychiatrist once told me (but I haven't tried it) that using a tablet of Claritine (loratadine) temporarily blocks the receptors on which serotonin affecting drugs act.
According to him the sexual side-effects of the drugs temporarily vanish.
Hope it helps for you and your husband (I know from my experience how bad it can effect you).
Best regards,Robert
Posted by Robert35 on September 30, 2006, at 9:05:08
In reply to Re: Help! My sex life has bombed » non-sexed, posted by Robert35 on September 30, 2006, at 8:44:55
>
> ... a tablet of Claritine (loratadine) ...Btw Claritine is an otc med against allergies like hayfever so you wouldn't have to bring it up at the doctor's.
R.
Posted by Declan on October 1, 2006, at 17:15:40
In reply to Re: Help! My sex life has bombed, posted by Robert35 on September 30, 2006, at 9:05:08
There was a discussion about this some time back.
From memory, it was said that claritin worked, that it didn't, that cyproheptadine worked, and that it was a pretty dirty effect, although the dose used was 4mg, which seems a lot.
Posted by wacky on October 2, 2006, at 12:23:32
In reply to Re: Help! My sex life has bombed » bassman, posted by non-sexed on September 29, 2006, at 9:49:33
I wouldn't be afraid to go to 225mg. I was taking 450 for about a year, tried to cut way back but I went into a big slump so am now back at 300mg (I take two 150s).
Posted by henryo on October 3, 2006, at 3:40:42
In reply to Help! My sex life has bombed, posted by non-sexed on September 29, 2006, at 8:28:39
You have what's called an unacceptable side effect. Find a new med. Losing your sex drive and your husbands confidence is depressing. The whole game here is to get the effect you want balanced against side effects you don't want. There are so many meds, you can find one that works for you.
This is the end of the thread.
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