Prozac and Trazadone side effects & can I go off meds???

Hi, I've been on 60/80mg Prozac and 50mg Trazadone for several years now. I feel really good but have minimal sex drive. I've had a wonderful new partner for the past year and this is hard for us both.
I don't know whether to ask the doc to switch me to something else OR can I reduce dosages and see how I do?
It is so hard to know WHY I feel so good now, have the demons been driven away because of all the therapy? or are the meds simply creating an equilibrium for me?? How do you know?

NUMBER ONE. please do not start tweaking your meds without your doctor's knowledge. if you've been on the meds for several years, your body has aclimated to them and quitting them could make you very ill.

i think that the prozac may affect your sex drive and wellbutrin is touted as not affecting it as much. as for myself, prozac didn't affect me, but i haven't taken wellbutrin long enough (and no fulltime partner) to say for sure about my experience.

NUMBER TWO. please call your doctor very soon and ask if there is something that you might be able to change. xoxoxo pat

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Yes welbutrin causes decreased sex drive. according to this even though it is less common it is more serious a side effect -- my suggestion consult your treatment professional.

As for prozac I went off it cold turkey with the help of a friend that was a registered nurse. I do NOT recommend you do so the withdrawal is filled with electric type zap head pains, among other things

the lowering and upping medications without a prescribing doctor can result in many things among others you becoming suicidal, and worse - coma, stroke and death so again consult treatment professional

I went of prozac and trazadone cold turkey and it was VERY VERY difficult and I don't recommend it.

Thanks for the responses....most suggested that I stay away from managing my own dosages and to be careful. All good advice. After 7 weeks on a reduced dosage life got edgy again and I realized that the meds really are necessary.

I still feel frustrated about the sexual side effects of Prozac/Trazadone but am going to see my doc tomorrow and spell it all out for her and see what options she can suggest.

In my original post I wondered if I was feeling good because of the meds or because of all the therapy - it's both I think.

Thanks all.

Feelings of well being vs sexuality, I personally would go for "well being", first, and the heck with concentrating on the sex area.
But, that is coming from an approaching 50, woman, has been there and done that, soooooooooo . . . the sexual thing may no longer be the priority as it is with younger folks.
Most important thing, concentrate on yourself,be kind to yourself, even borderline, worship yourself, and put your mate's needs after.
Again, this is my own opinion, based on real life experience(s) in my life, not applicable to others.
I wish you lots of luck and healing with this all.
DE

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gardengem said:
Thanks for the responses....most suggested that I stay away from managing my own dosages and to be careful. All good advice. After 7 weeks on a reduced dosage life got edgy again and I realized that the meds really are necessary.

I still feel frustrated about the sexual side effects of Prozac/Trazadone but am going to see my doc tomorrow and spell it all out for her and see what options she can suggest.

In my original post I wondered if I was feeling good because of the meds or because of all the therapy - it's both I think.

Thanks all.

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HI Mary-

Yes - all good advice from previous posters. If a med combination is helping you - STAY ON IT! I've heard too many stories of people who think they're back on track so they quit their meds only to find that they sink back into depression,etc. If your sexual side effects are your biggest concern - talk to your doctor. There are some strategies that can help. One underused med that can help with SSRI induced sexual dysfunction is BuSpar. Also, adding a small amount of a stimulant like Ritalin or Dexedrine can be very helpful. Another widely used augmentation med is Wellbutrin. I've heard from many people that just by adding 75-150mg of Wellbutrin to their meds completely brings back their sex drive/sexual desire.

So talk to you doctor and keep us posted!

Jerry