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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 34. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 24, 2006, at 11:56:10
I am a 37 year old female...Effexor has done wonders for my depression..and I guess as an added benefit...my libido has gone through the roof in the past 2 years. I'm married...and my husband is just happy as can be...BUT...
I very often experience very delayed or NO orgasm at all, no matter what I try..and it is REALLY frustrating! I kind of walk around in a constant state of arousal...with no release.
I tried Wellbutrin..can't take it. Ginko...worked for like one time...Drug holidays...nothing.
If I chase my husband around the house anymore than I already do...I think he's going to run out screaming! Going of the med. isn't an option..I tried that once, and slipped down hill fast, into a horrible depression worse than the first.
SOOOO...If there is ANYBODY out there with this same side effect...please let me know if you have found a way around this...The "sexual enhancement" is great... but anorgasmia sure isn't!!;~(
Thank you!
Posted by Racer on June 24, 2006, at 12:51:06
In reply to ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia?, posted by JerseyGirl on June 24, 2006, at 11:56:10
Posted by Maximus on June 24, 2006, at 14:45:26
In reply to ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia?, posted by JerseyGirl on June 24, 2006, at 11:56:10
Hi JerseyGirl,
You can do a search here with my nick and the subject. You will find some interesting tips.
I'm a 38 years old male and i know what you're talking about. That s**ks. SSRIs and couples don't go along.
Being said, ultimately, if you're willing to gain weight (most often than not) you should add a small dose of mirtazapine (Remeron), say 15 mg a day. Its antagonist action at 5ht2a receptors will restore for sure your orgasmic potential and maybe more... Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2006, at 14:50:06
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia? » JerseyGirl, posted by Maximus on June 24, 2006, at 14:45:26
Wish I had that problem not even interested in sex. Wish I were though. Tough to live life this way. And as the days go by I keep getting older and older. Pretty soon my cane will be my companion. Love Phillipa
Posted by Maximus on June 24, 2006, at 15:00:58
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia?, posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2006, at 14:50:06
> Wish I had that problem not even interested in sex. Wish I were though. Tough to live life this way. And as the days go by I keep getting older and older. Pretty soon my cane will be my companion. Love Phillipa
Hi Philippa,
I hear you. Low libido is often part of the illness itself. Talk about it with your doctor. It might be interesting for both of you (spouse and you). Who knows?
Posted by Karen44 on June 24, 2006, at 22:30:55
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia? » JerseyGirl, posted by Maximus on June 24, 2006, at 14:45:26
> Hi JerseyGirl,
>
> You can do a search here with my nick and the subject. You will find some interesting tips.
>
> I'm a 38 years old male and i know what you're talking about. That s**ks. SSRIs and couples don't go along.
>
> Being said, ultimately, if you're willing to gain weight (most often than not) you should add a small dose of mirtazapine (Remeron), say 15 mg a day. Its antagonist action at 5ht2a receptors will restore for sure your orgasmic potential and maybe more... Good luck.
>
>Remeron was the first antidepressant I tried, and it made me so horney and orgasmic, I could hardly stand it. I wanted sex all the time. Unfortunately it also made me goofy as hell in that I could not think straight and had to stop it. I have been on Parnate (trying to wean off of it and down to 10 mg. per day now with no depression noted). As I get down to a lower dose, I notice my sexual capacity coming back. So, I would tend to agree about the Remoran if you can tolerate it.
Karen
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 3:03:04
In reply to Cyproheptidine (Periactin) worked for me (nm) » JerseyGirl, posted by Racer on June 24, 2006, at 12:51:06
Racer~
Thanks for replying! If it works..it sounds great. I'll ask about it at my next appt, for sure!!!
So, from what I gathered in your posts...You only take it "as needed", and on that basis weight gain won't occur? My God...Does it really work? Could it possibly be THAT easy??? Does it have the benefit long term?
Thank you so much!
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 3:30:16
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia? » JerseyGirl, posted by Maximus on June 24, 2006, at 14:45:26
Maximus~
I found your old posts and responses!
So, from what I gathered..back in 2005, your increased Effexor dosage combined with the Ginko DID actually work some of the time with the orgasm problems? It sort of sounds like you and I have similar issues, but just from male and female perspectives...SO NOT FUN!
I'm wondering if that success didn't last, based on your Remeron suggestion...I hope that's not the case. I'm too afraid of the Remeron weight gain, but I appreciate the thought. Racer's idea seems pretty benign though, and I may give that one a try.
By the way...from the female side, I SOOOOOO agree...It does su*k!!! Oh..and I may have to check out Social Babble...It seems you all have alot of fun over there!
Hugs from your frustrated friend in NJ, Faith~
Posted by Racer on June 25, 2006, at 3:37:39
In reply to Re: Really Interesting .. » Racer, posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 3:03:04
> Racer~
>
> Thanks for replying! If it works..it sounds great. I'll ask about it at my next appt, for sure!!!Do ask. If it doesn't work for you, you've wasted pennies worth of a drug that is usually more benign than aspirin, if you come right down to it.
About the only side effects I had with it were sleepiness a while after the Main Event, and some dry mouth for a couple of hours. And all of it was gone when I woke up.
> So, from what I gathered in your posts...You only take it "as needed", and on that basis weight gain won't occur?
That was the case for me. You wouldn't want to take it more than a couple of times a week, otherwise you're likely to counteract the effects of your AD, but if it's one of those drugs that causes weight gain the old fashioned way: appetite stimulation. (In fact, my cat and I share a prescription for it: anorgasmia for me, appetite stimulation for him.) So, if you're taking it, say, twice a week, and you don't decide that Baskin Robbins is a better idea than your hubby, well, you should be fine ;-)
For what it's worth, I gained a ton of weight on SSRIs and Effexor, but the cyproheptidine didn't add anything to that.
>My God...Does it really work? Could it possibly be THAT easy??? Does it have the benefit long term?
The answers to all of those FOR ME was "yes." I've read here on this very forum that it hasn't worked for everyone. It did work for me. It made me very, very happy. I hope it does the same for you.
> Thank you so much!
>
>
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 3:45:39
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia?, posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2006, at 14:50:06
Dear Phillipa~
I am SO sorry about the lack of libido, and I certainly hope that it will improve wayyyyyy before a "cane will be your companion"!
As they say though...be careful what you wish for, because you don't want to be like me either. Being on overdrive all the time, without the ability to orgasm...is enough to drive a girl insane all by itself! :~(
Yes, the "Libido Gone Wild" is great for my husband! And upon rare occasion I do reep the benefit..but aside from that.. being constantly aroused is really distracting.
Alas...it is better than being depressed. It's just difficult to deal with this, at the cost of being happy..and now... VERY FRUSTRATED. *sigh*
Hugs from Faith~
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 3:54:59
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia?, posted by Karen44 on June 24, 2006, at 22:30:55
Hi Karen~
Thanks for replying...Well, as tempting as your description of Remeron does sound...the weight gain concerns me..as does ANY added "horney-ness"! The orgasmic effect is a nice side effect, though.
UGH!!! Why, oh why can't there just be a perfect drug ? I mean...the trade off on Effexor for me is happy and horny..with no orgasm. :~(
With Remeron,, the trade off is horny and orgasmic, but chubby?? It just s*cks!
Best of luck to you and good health, as you continue to wean off of Parnate.
Thanks Karen....Faith~
Posted by Maximus on June 25, 2006, at 12:43:40
In reply to Re: Really Interesting .. » Racer, posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 3:03:04
IMHO cyproheptadine isn't that great. It's a dirty drug. You can't make love during the morning or you will sleep during the day. You have to sleep soon after you take this pill. Very drowsy...
Posted by Maximus on June 25, 2006, at 12:55:39
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia? » Maximus, posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 3:30:16
Hi JerseyGirl,
No sorry. Ginkgo was in fact a waste of time. A placebo effect.
I'm not anymore on Remeron. But it worked like a CHAMP in the bed department. I wasn't gaining on it, but i was very irritable. But i'm bipolar, so maybe you won't get this side effect?
I think your best bet is to try and see. Unfortunately there is no miracle solution for this plague. In order...
1- Periactin
2- Remeron
3- Loratadine
Posted by Declan on June 25, 2006, at 13:43:44
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia? » JerseyGirl, posted by Maximus on June 25, 2006, at 12:55:39
Hey Maximus
Could you explain what mirtazepine and cyproheptadine have in common, in the way they affect receptors.
Also, how come they are both good for sex and sleep?
I wish there was a short acting form of either. They are good while you're asleep, and bad when you get out of bed.
Declan
Posted by Maximus on June 25, 2006, at 14:27:54
In reply to Remeron and Periactin » Maximus, posted by Declan on June 25, 2006, at 13:43:44
> Hey Maximus
Hi Declan,
> Could you explain what mirtazepine and cyproheptadine have in common, in the way they affect receptors.To my knowledge, H1 and 5HT2a antagonists (blockers).
> Also, how come they are both good for sex and sleep?H1 antagonist induces somnolence. SSRIs/SNRIs are strong agonists (stimulators) of the 5HT2a receptors in the spinal cord. The orgasm reflex. So an antagonist just restore that function. Keep in mind that SSRIs are also vasoconstrictors. It means less blood in the penis/clitoris. Alpha 2 receptor antagonists like Remeron are vasodilatators. It promotes excitation.
> I wish there was a short acting form of either. They are good while you're asleep, and bad when you get out of bed.Yes, to my taste, Remeron has too much punch on histamine.
Bye.
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 17:33:13
In reply to Remeron and Periactin » Maximus, posted by Declan on June 25, 2006, at 13:43:44
Thanks for the questioning..and answering ...I was wondering the same thing about these 2 drugs. Seems so bizarre that 2 completely different drugs would react on the same receptor.
I guess I'll just ask for the Periactin, and hope for a miracle? I think that for a male...The timing , spontaniaty and sleepiness would be a whole different situation than for me as a female, if the drug works.
As frustrating as this situation is for me...I can see how it would very much effect a male's relationship in a whole other light, with a lot more pressure in the marriage...just guessing, but I can only imagine. ;~(
Hugs, Faith~
Posted by Maximus on June 25, 2006, at 18:03:18
In reply to Re: Remeron and Periactin » Declan, posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 17:33:13
> As frustrating as this situation is for me...I can see how it would very much effect a male's relationship in a whole other light, with a lot more pressure in the marriage...just guessing, but I can only imagine. ;~(
> Hugs, Faith~Hi Faith,
Your imagination is correct. In the long run, if you do nothing to fix this problem, it kills slowly but surely your couple. Period. I've known a lot of couples who simply lived like brother and sister. Pathetic ;-(
Hey, good luck with your quest and hail to your lucky spouse ;-)
Posted by Declan on June 25, 2006, at 18:27:30
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia? » Karen44, posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 3:54:59
Well, I'd like someone to invent a Remeron without the appetite thing, but mainly one with a halflife of 8 hours, rather than 40 to 60.
Declan
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 26, 2006, at 3:17:07
In reply to Re: Remeron and Periactin » JerseyGirl, posted by Maximus on June 25, 2006, at 18:03:18
...and from the previous posts that I read of yours...YOUR spouse is just as lucky!! My husband is "lucky" because he's been reeping the benefit of this weird side effect!
O.k., O.k., it is a little bit fun...but there is a limit to the fun, and then it's just plain annoying for both of us. My husband is only 38, thank God..but still..he can only do so much..and it's never enough, because he's not a miracle worker. :~(
You are obviously a very caring, attentive husband. I can see that you have gone to great lengths to fix a REALLY BAD side effect of a med. that we need to keep us "happy and functional" in our daily lives, and Effexor truly has done wonders for me in that department.
I too..wish you the best of luck in you continued quest!
Hugs, Faith~
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 26, 2006, at 3:23:06
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmi, posted by Declan on June 25, 2006, at 18:27:30
Wow..Remeron stays on your system for 40-60 hours? Yikes!
That's one thing you can definately say about Effexor. You can pretty much set your watch to it. I never have to worry about forgetting to take it, because after 24 hours...It reminds me! Some people are bothered by that..I actually prefer it that way ..Just what works for me, I suppose.
Best wishes, Faith~
Posted by Karen44 on June 26, 2006, at 22:58:09
In reply to Re: ENHANCED Sex Drive on Effexor...BUT Anorgasmia? » Karen44, posted by JerseyGirl on June 25, 2006, at 3:54:59
> Hi Karen~
> Thanks for replying...Well, as tempting as your description of Remeron does sound...the weight gain concerns me..as does ANY added "horney-ness"! The orgasmic effect is a nice side effect, though.
> UGH!!! Why, oh why can't there just be a perfect drug ? I mean...the trade off on Effexor for me is happy and horny..with no orgasm. :~(
> With Remeron,, the trade off is horny and orgasmic, but chubby?? It just s*cks!
> Best of luck to you and good health, as you continue to wean off of Parnate.
> Thanks Karen....Faith~
>Thanks for your words of encouragement. I am not sure about the weaning off of the Parnate; have been feeling somewhat more depressed but still want to take a wait and see approach. I know the next notion is to try Lamictal, and I don't want to try another "new" drug. I have had so many bad reactions to everything other than the Parnate that I also used years ago. Then, it helped a lot; now, not so much. Maybe I just need to exercise more and get the endorphens going. I am not liking being back on antidepressant medication. I was off of it for about 10 years. I wonder if just a small dose of Remeron added to Effexor is a possibility??? I have no idea as I am not a physician or pharmacist. Guess that is one to ask the doctor. Take care.
Karen
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 27, 2006, at 1:32:13
In reply to Re: Really Interesting .. » JerseyGirl, posted by Racer on June 25, 2006, at 3:37:39
Racer~
Thanks so much for all you help and advice so far...I'm just curious as to what dosage of the Periactin works for you.. I see that it comes in 4mg. tabs. and from ALL that I've read...(been reading alot)..."1-4 tabs". is the trial and error dosage, taken like an hour before the "event"? Trust me..I could care less if I sleep for 4 hours afterwards...That's the least of my problems!Anyway, I am PRAYING that this works..I just have to pick up the script and I will certainly be the first to shout from the rooftops if it does it's thing!
Thanks again for your help!!!
Faith a.k.a. JerseyGirl~
Posted by Racer on June 27, 2006, at 2:19:59
In reply to Re: Just one more question : ) » Racer, posted by JerseyGirl on June 27, 2006, at 1:32:13
I took one 4mg tablet, about an hour before The Main Event. It always worked for me, but again -- your milage may vary.
Good luck to you with it! I know how frustrating it is, but your posts have made me smile. Thank you.
Posted by joslynn on June 27, 2006, at 14:21:08
In reply to Re: Remeron and Periactin » Declan, posted by Maximus on June 25, 2006, at 14:27:54
Thanks for the info. I was just lurking and noticed this. I am on a 10 lexapro a.m./15 remeron p.m. combo (at times I have been just on lex) and this is good incentive for me to stick with it, in spite of the weight gain, which is not huge but annoying. I am not sexually active now, but I hope to be in the future, so this info is helpful and you explained it well. My pdoc said the same thing you did, but didn't explain HOW it counteracts the SSRI side fx re: sex. Now I know how! thanks.
Posted by JerseyGirl on June 27, 2006, at 19:22:16
In reply to Re: Thanks Maximus » Maximus, posted by JerseyGirl on June 26, 2006, at 3:17:07
Maximus~
I had no idea that Clariten also has the same or similar effect of the Libido/Orgasm area of the brain,that the AD's block....Similar to Periactin.
It seems so logical that it should work...Oh, please, please, please let it be this easy!
Hugs, Faith~
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