Do all AD's kill your sex drive?
Question:
I think so, for me, Lexapro was not so much that I couldn’t achieve orgasm, I could, I just didn’t ever care about it. Now, I"m in a bad place because in case you saw my post a few weeks ago, I abruptly stopped the Lex (long story why). Anyway, gotta say, other than triggering a manic episdoe which I think I"m still in, love the sex drive. Can you consider taking a lower dose OR I even heard with Paxil you could take a "holiday". For example, you would not trigger a panic or depressive episode if you didn’t take it for 2 days or so but would feel more sexual desire. So, there could be something to that for you. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
I am on 10mg also. I have been on this about 2 months now. What other AD’s have you tried TJ besides the lexapro? What other problems besides the sexual ones do you have? Carl
I find Lex makes my limbs weakish, makes me feel cold, makes me very sleepy, gives me a sore jaw and teeth from clenching, causes me to feel quite unmotivated. That’s all I can think of right now 
At 10mg, none of these problems are too bad though – really I find Lex to be one of the nicest drugs for side-effects! — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
How long have you been on the 20mg Anne? Does it control your panic and anxiety enough so you don’t have to supplement with benzos? Did you start on 20mg or did your pdoc titrate you upwards slowly? Carl
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Carl, I’m sorry to report that after 2 years on 20mg of Lexapro daily, the only appetite I have left is for food… and how. :-( My pdoc has added Wellbutrin to my med cocktail to try to offset the eating side-effect of the SSRI. She thinks we may be able to drop my Lexapro to 10 mg or even go off it entirely and just use Wellbutrin, but I’m skeptical — I have had excellent results with my panic and anxiety from the Lexapro and I don’t want to lose any ground there. Good luck with the med… It’s *so* good for panic, anxiety, and depression; I’m really sad that it has killed my libido and increased my appetite. :-( xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
You mean a lower dose as in 5mg? I could try it I suppose then go back up to 10 if that doesn’t work. My pdoc wants me on 20mg but I don’t like that dosage level at all. I tried it for a few days and then reduced back down to 10. Are there ppl on 5 mg of lexapro and doing ok? I think this drug comes in 5-10-20 mg strengths. Carl
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think so, for me, Lexapro was not so much that I couldn’t achieve orgasm, I could, I just didn’t ever care about it. Now, I"m in a bad place because in case you saw my post a few weeks ago, I abruptly stopped the Lex (long story why). Anyway, gotta say, other than triggering a manic episdoe which I think I"m still in, love the sex drive. Can you consider taking a lower dose OR I even heard with Paxil you could take a "holiday". For example, you would not trigger a panic or depressive episode if you didn’t take it for 2 days or so but would feel more sexual desire. So, there could be something to that for you. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Thanks for answering my questions TJ. Here is another one. Are you on lexapro primarily for anxiety, panic, or depression? Carl
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am on 10mg also. I have been on this about 2 months now. What other AD’s have you tried TJ besides the lexapro? What other problems besides the sexual ones do you have? Carl I find Lex makes my limbs weakish, makes me feel cold, makes me very sleepy, gives me a sore jaw and teeth from clenching, causes me to feel quite unmotivated. That’s all I can think of right now At 10mg, none of these problems are too bad though – really I find Lex to be one of the nicest drugs for side-effects! — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Thanks for answering my questions TJ. Here is another one. Are you on lexapro primarily for anxiety, panic, or depression? Carl
I was put on Lex for depression, but it turned out to be quite effective for anxiety too. My sister takes 20mg for depression and it works well for her too. — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
How long have you been on the 20mg Anne? Does it control your panic and anxiety enough so you don’t have to supplement with benzos? Did you start on 20mg or did your pdoc titrate you upwards slowly?
Hi Carl, I have been on 20 mg of Lexapro since fall 2004. I started on 10 mg in midsummer 2004. It didn’t take me very long to wean up. I had previously been on Paxil and later Celexa. I generally do not need benzos during my daily life, although I continued to take Xanax .5 mg daily for the first half-year or so that I was on Lexapro. I still take one most nights to relax me and stop the "spinning wheel" of anxious thoughts that sometimes interferes with getting to sleep. I do take a Xanax when I need to drive outside my comfort zone on the highway. Years ago, before I developed depression, I used *only* Xanax for my panic and anxiety. Now I find that an SSRI helps me tremendously with all three disorders, more than the Xanax alone ever did. With the antidepressant, I don’t feel as though I’m simply quelling my panic; I don’t start panicking to begin with. Everyone is different, of course. I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to make so much progress with meds and therapy. I just wish I didn’t have the appetite and sexual side effects. Oh well! xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
::Now, I"m in a bad place because in case you saw my post a few weeks ::ago, I abruptly stopped the Lex (long story why). Anyway, gotta say, ::other than triggering a manic episdoe which I think I"m still in, love ::the sex drive. Dear Abbey, Have you told your doctor about the mania? It`s really important that if you are manic, that you get treatment for it ASAP. Jackie ~*~Would you respect my mind more if it bounced gently when I walked?~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
::Hmm, Paxil is the abosolute WORST!!! Remember Captain Flippy. Same for ::women as well as me, generallly. I`ve had no problems on paxil! I`ve worn out my vibrator 
~~ Jackie ~*~Would you respect my mind more if it bounced gently when I walked?~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
::Try ::Paxil if you REALLY want to see Captain Floppy ruin your day Or, Mr. Softy <—- Name of the icecream truck that comes around Jackie ~*~Would you respect my mind more if it bounced gently when I walked?~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
I am on 10mg also. I have been on this about 2 months now. What other AD’s have you tried TJ besides the lexapro? What other problems besides the sexual ones do you have? Carl
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How long have you been on the lexapro? Carl I’ve been on it a few times in the past (for a few months at most). I find 10mg is about as much as I can take. Are you on more? It’s a powerful drug for sure, even 5mg gives me some sexual problems – and other problems too! — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Not all ADs. While Remeron (generic: mirtazapine) doesn’t seem to have any adverse sexual side effects at 30mg, it acts on additional neurotransmitters compared to Lexapro. One short term side-effect is the need to sleep/groggyness. This was great for me since I was suffering from longterm insomnia. The need to sleep tends to disappear as dose goes up and time passes. Another side-effect is weight gain. Talking to other folks that have been on it, they seems to crave carbs. My way around that was to do a substantial substitution of healthy protein (chicken, fish, cottage cheese) and fats (monounsaturated like olive oil, avocadoes) in place of carbs from grains, starchy veg, very sweet/starchy fruit, and table sugar. I still get plenty of carbs via green leafy veggies, red bell peppers, certain beans/legumes, and lots of berries. If Lexapro continues to be a drag on your sex life, ask your doc about Remeron and see what s/he says. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Try Paxil if you REALLY want to see Captain Floppy ruin your day
LOL! TJ, you have a way with words. (The famed "gift o’ gab" perhaps?) xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Carl, I’m sorry to report that after 2 years on 20mg of Lexapro daily, the only appetite I have left is for food… and how. :-( My pdoc has added Wellbutrin to my med cocktail to try to offset the eating side-effect of the SSRI. She thinks we may be able to drop my Lexapro to 10 mg or even go off it entirely and just use Wellbutrin, but I’m skeptical — I have had excellent results with my panic and anxiety from the Lexapro and I don’t want to lose any ground there. Good luck with the med… It’s *so* good for panic, anxiety, and depression; I’m really sad that it has killed my libido and increased my appetite. :-( xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I thought lexapro was not that bad but the longer I am on it, sex is almost impossible. I guess not having panic attacks is a lot better than worrying about your sex life. It would be great if you could have both. Carl I still do ok on Lex up to 10mg. Not sure what more than that would do. Try Paxil if you REALLY want to see Captain Floppy ruin your day
Hmm, Paxil is the abosolute WORST!!! Remember Captain Flippy. Same for women as well as me, generallly. Vicki — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
I thought lexapro was not that bad but the longer I am on it, sex is almost impossible. I guess not having panic attacks is a lot better than worrying about your sex life. It would be great if you could have both. Carl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
I thought lexapro was not that bad but the longer I am on it, sex is almost impossible. I guess not having panic attacks is a lot better than worrying about your sex life. It would be great if you could have both. Carl
How long have you been on Lexapro, Carl? I am not a doctor but I can tell you from experience that, usually, it is a side effect that eventually goes away for many. Sometimes it takes 6 months but it does pass for many. Talk to your doctor about it. I just added Lexapro in a very small dose to my Wellbutrin XL and noticed what you have. No interest at all. The doctor told me it was probably the serotonin and that it should pass. I have been on Lexapro before and, for me it did pass. Just hang in there. If the drug helps you don’t give up on it. Vicki — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
I thought lexapro was not that bad but the longer I am on it, sex is almost impossible. I guess not having panic attacks is a lot better than worrying about your sex life. It would be great if you could have both. Carl
I still do ok on Lex up to 10mg. Not sure what more than that would do. Try Paxil if you REALLY want to see Captain Floppy ruin your day — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
::I thought lexapro was not that bad but the longer I am on it, sex is almost ::impossible. I guess not having panic attacks is a lot better than worrying ::about your sex life. It would be great if you could have both. Dear Carl, Antidepressant induced sexual dysfunction is quite common. For some, the side-effect resolves itself with time. For others, it is a chronic side-effect. If it continues, talk to your doctor. You do have options. (Avoid the yohimbine, it can increase anxiety) ~*~Sexual dysfunction happens too often but is rarely asked or discussed in the clinic. Some physicians and patients feel embarrassed about this subject. When you have concerns, be open to your physician. Discuss the possibility of switching medication to an antidepressant (such as bupropion or mirtazapine) that doesn
