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Old Jan 02, 2016, 02:06 PM
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Has anybody [U]quit[U] Lexapro after using it for at least 5 years? I've been taking 40 mg of Lexapro and 150 mg of Wellbutrin XL for about 9 years. I've also been using a small dose of Xanax ER for the last 4 years. BTW, I'm using the generic versions of all these drugs. Anyways, I've been tolerating sexual dysfunction ever since I've been on Lexapro and Wellbutrin XL. Low libido, soft erections, problems maintaining (soft) erections, orgasms not as intense, and decreased ejaculate. This is a nightmare from a healthy man's perspective, but my sense of well-being was non-existent so I had no choice at the time. This new "normal" was better than the alternative and I became complacent. I know Lexapro is a popular drug but has anybody quit Lexapro because of the sexual side effects? How long did it take for your equipment to get back to normal? What was your tapering dosages and for how long? What kind of side effects did you experience? Are you Lexapro free without feeling depressed/anxiety/insomnia? Thanks for your help.

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  #2  
Old Jan 02, 2016, 04:17 PM
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ComfortablyNumb5 ComfortablyNumb5 is offline
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I'm bp2 but I used to take lexapro. I can't recall sexual dysfunction but I did stop the med cold turkey with no problem. I get how upsetting the sexual part can be. I quit one of my meds and only take it PRN for this reason alone. My biggest fear is if you quit meds you'll become depressed again. Maybe try a diff med altogether? Good luck and I hope someone else here has more answers for you!
Thanks for this!
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  #3  
Old Jan 02, 2016, 07:56 PM
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I was on Lexapro with sometimes Welbutrin 150xl or 300xl for 7 years. Less sexual side effects from it versus Zoloft or Paxil. But I only get delayed ejaculation, which in some cases can be nice.
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  #4  
Old Jan 02, 2016, 07:58 PM
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Oh I got off Lexapro no problems w a gradual taper. No real impact to sex. Maybe get your T level checked?
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Current Status: Stable/High Functioning/Clean and Sober

Dx: Bipolar 2, GAD

Current Meds: Prozac 30mg, Lamictal 150mg, Latuda 40mg, Wellbutrin 150 XL

Previous meds I can share experiences from:
AAPs - Risperdal, Abilify, Seroquel
SSRIs - Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft
Mood Stabilizers - Tegretol, Depakote, Neurontin
Other - Buspar, Xanax

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Thanks for this!
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  #5  
Old Jan 02, 2016, 08:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moogieotter View Post
I was on Lexapro with sometimes Welbutrin 150xl or 300xl for 7 years. Less sexual side effects from it versus Zoloft or Paxil. But I only get delayed ejaculation, which in some cases can be nice.
You last longer because your erection is not as sensitive as it use to be, right?
  #6  
Old Jan 02, 2016, 08:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Moogieotter View Post
Oh I got off Lexapro no problems w a gradual taper. No real impact to sex. Maybe get your T level checked?
How many mg's were you on and for how long? That's strange you had no withdrawal symptoms, Lexapro has a ton of them. I tried quitting too abruptly once and experienced panic, like I didn't feel safe and had to go outside to get fresh air. By definition I've never experienced a panic attack, but the anxiety can have a mind of it's own.
  #7  
Old Jan 03, 2016, 08:20 AM
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Moogieotter Moogieotter is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SSRI junkie View Post
You last longer because your erection is not as sensitive as it use to be, right?
I guess that's one way of looking at it. It simply took a longer experience to reach orgasm. Erections were just as hard as before.

Could be part of aging too I guess.
__________________
Current Status: Stable/High Functioning/Clean and Sober

Dx: Bipolar 2, GAD

Current Meds: Prozac 30mg, Lamictal 150mg, Latuda 40mg, Wellbutrin 150 XL

Previous meds I can share experiences from:
AAPs - Risperdal, Abilify, Seroquel
SSRIs - Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft
Mood Stabilizers - Tegretol, Depakote, Neurontin
Other - Buspar, Xanax

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  #8  
Old Jan 03, 2016, 08:32 AM
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Moogieotter Moogieotter is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SSRI junkie View Post
How many mg's were you on and for how long? That's strange you had no withdrawal symptoms, Lexapro has a ton of them. I tried quitting too abruptly once and experienced panic, like I didn't feel safe and had to go outside to get fresh air. By definition I've never experienced a panic attack, but the anxiety can have a mind of it's own.
I was on 20mg for 3 years followed by 30mg for 4 years. I was on paxil immediately before for 3 years.

I did experience Zoloft withdrawal in 1999, and it was the classic symptoms.

For the Lexapro, I did a 3 month taper, which I ended early once I was down to 5mg I just stopped. Looking back, I was very well prepared with cognitive skills I had learned as well as amazing support from my wife. I had very low life stress without work, just living on savings. We hiked and ate right and just focused on a great deal of positivity.

You seem worried about coming off. It's a common tactic to crutch a little Prozac if needed. What about a Brintellix/Welbutrin Combo - should be less sexual side effects. Maybe even low dose Cialis or a testosterone treatment. You have options.

Good luck and keep us posted.

moogs
__________________
Current Status: Stable/High Functioning/Clean and Sober

Dx: Bipolar 2, GAD

Current Meds: Prozac 30mg, Lamictal 150mg, Latuda 40mg, Wellbutrin 150 XL

Previous meds I can share experiences from:
AAPs - Risperdal, Abilify, Seroquel
SSRIs - Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft
Mood Stabilizers - Tegretol, Depakote, Neurontin
Other - Buspar, Xanax

Add me as a friend and we can chat
  #9  
Old Jan 03, 2016, 08:35 AM
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Moogieotter Moogieotter is offline
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I reread your original post. The Xanax can be an erection killer as well - for me .5 ER with .5 PRN seemed to hurt my sex life more than any SSRI.

Just a heads up.
__________________
Current Status: Stable/High Functioning/Clean and Sober

Dx: Bipolar 2, GAD

Current Meds: Prozac 30mg, Lamictal 150mg, Latuda 40mg, Wellbutrin 150 XL

Previous meds I can share experiences from:
AAPs - Risperdal, Abilify, Seroquel
SSRIs - Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft
Mood Stabilizers - Tegretol, Depakote, Neurontin
Other - Buspar, Xanax

Add me as a friend and we can chat
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