[BiscuitTin]

Ok.

I've been on Zoloft from 2005-2009 and now on Efexor for the last month or so.

Obviously I have the sexual side effects from Zoloft still, and now that I'm on Efexor (150 mg at the moment, and rising) I notice I still have these side effects.

I think they have abated somewhat, but it's hard to be sure.

Is there something I can do about said side effects? What methods do you use?

I'm sick of being a eunuch.

[thinker22]

I've found that Wellbutrin helps offset sexual side effects of other antidepressants. I just started Effexor 2.5 weeks ago, and yes, I'm noticing I'm not feeling as easily aroused as before, but at least I still think about sex and enjoy it. I've been on WB for 10 months now and my appetite really only declines when I'm severely depressed and with all the SSRIs I've tried, they would've counteracted WB's effects if they could have. So it must be working.

[BiscuitTin]

Originally Posted by thinker22

I've found that Wellbutrin helps offset sexual side effects of other antidepressants. I just started Effexor 2.5 weeks ago, and yes, I'm noticing I'm not feeling as easily aroused as before, but at least I still think about sex and enjoy it. I've been on WB for 10 months now and my appetite really only declines when I'm severely depressed and with all the SSRIs I've tried, they would've counteracted WB's effects if they could have. So it must be working.

Yeah I don't know if the psych will put me on wellbutrin as well though . . .

[thinker22]

Well, it wouldn't hurt to ask if there's something your dr could give you to counteract the lack of sexual interest. I mean, to be a healthy functioning adult, sex is pretty important and if your dr doesn't care, find another one. I mean, you don't necessarily need WB, it was just an idea. There are probably other things that drs know about that won't cause negative interactions. But as WB is an atypical antidepressant, it doesn't cause problems with SSRIs or SSNRIs. Hope this helps, but I'm sure other people have more stories about this very issue. Feel better soon!

[BiscuitTin]

Originally Posted by thinker22

Well, it wouldn't hurt to ask if there's something your dr could give you to counteract the lack of sexual interest. I mean, to be a healthy functioning adult, sex is pretty important and if your dr doesn't care, find another one. I mean, you don't necessarily need WB, it was just an idea. There are probably other things that drs know about that won't cause negative interactions. But as WB is an atypical antidepressant, it doesn't cause problems with SSRIs or SSNRIs. Hope this helps, but I'm sure other people have more stories about this very issue. Feel better soon!

To be honest I don't even have a partner or even friends, but I just don't enjoy feeling like a eunuch.

For this reason, I think the psychiatrist will be reluctant to put me on any other medications at this stage.

[ECHOES]

Your treatment is about you and your needs.
You don't have to tell your psychiatrist that you don't have a gf at the moment.
You have a side effect that you don't like and you want something else. Just because it's a psych med doesn't make any difference. If you were on a blood pressure med and didn't like the side effects, it would be equally reasonable to say "I don't like the side effects of this med and I would like to try something else."

You could research SSRI's and SNRI's to see if there is on you would like to try.
This is about you feeling the way you want to feel and that includes not wanting to feel the side effects of medications. You can't know what the psychiatrist thinks or would do until you tell him how you feel and what you want.

[BiscuitTin]

Thanks.

I asked the pyschiatrist today, he mentioned Viagra . . . I asked him about Welbutrin but he shook his head. He also suggested lowering the dose, but not interested in that.