[Catgotmytongue]

So I just started taking Latuda and it seems like it could be s good drug, if it weren’t for this one thing. I’ve noticed a difference in how I climax, which is underwhelming. Has anyone had this side effect and has it got better eventually?
I’ve been looking to switch medications for years, I’m taking Seroquel for just over a decade but I don’t like the excessive drowsiness or the weight gain, but I am very sensitive to drugs and often have side effects. Feels like a disappointment.
What mess have you had success with?

[Rajjing]

So first things first, I'm a guy so our experiences may be different as I don't know your gender. On effexor I began to have difficulty climaxing around 75 to 150mg. Also sex just didn't feel as good. I kept increasing dose because the medication stopped being effective and by 187.5mg I could barely orgasm. I'm talking at least an hour up to two hours and lots of times just giving up. That was the main reason I came off of effexor and in the process of that is where we figured out it was more than just depression and along with other factors heavily pointed towards (which I agree with) bipolar II.

I had a very difficult time self justifying that going off the medication because of this issue. Once I was off it though I think for me it was worth it. I was so frustrated and miserable because of this side effect and haven't had any issue with my current med, lithium.

[childofchaos831]

I don't tremember about Latuda, when I was on it, it's been awhile. But I do remember Effexor.

I am female.

First, I had been on an antidepressant pretty much for 12 years. This is the first time I haven't been on one. Different ones over that time, but always switched right over with a reverse taper.

I had no libido, at all, for pretty much those 12 years, and orgasming was nearly impossible.

I was up at 225mg of Effexor when I started to get off of it. It took getting down to 75mg before the libido started to return. Now that I'm completely off, I feel like a person again.

Don't get me wrong, I still have days of crippling depression. Sometimes a week at a time... butf I'd much rather have that and feel human than bed where I was before.

[Catgotmytongue]

Originally Posted by Rajjing

I had a very difficult time self justifying that going off the medication because of this issue. Once I was off it though I think for me it was worth it. I was so frustrated and miserable because of this side effect and haven't had any issue with my current med, lithium.

I had a friend tell me a few weeks ago that she hasn’t had an orgasm for 4 years and I told her for me that would be a deal breaker, so I can understand why you ended up choosing against it.
Atm I’m on a very low dose and I still have functioning but I can tell it’s weaker. I definitely get your frustration. I’ll stick to latuda for a bit longer to see how it goes but I’m bummed a little.

I’ve heard with Lithium you need to get blood tests every few months?

[Catgotmytongue]

Originally Posted by childofchaos831

I had no libido, at all, for pretty much those 12 years, and orgasming was nearly impossible.
Don't get me wrong, I still have days of crippling depression. Sometimes a week at a time... butf I'd much rather have that and feel human than bed where I was before.

Wow. 12 years is a really long time! I’ve been on Seroquel for about 11 years and I’m over the side effects so I wanted to find an alternative but since I’m already sick of side effects I’m looking for something bette.
Makes sense that you’ve chosen to stop taking it. Have you looked into any
natural alternatives or are you taking something else or just coping as it is?

[Rajjing]

Originally Posted by Catgotmytongue

I had a friend tell me a few weeks ago that she hasn’t had an orgasm for 4 years and I told her for me that would be a deal breaker, so I can understand why you ended up choosing against it.
Atm I’m on a very low dose and I still have functioning but I can tell it’s weaker. I definitely get your frustration. I’ll stick to latuda for a bit longer to see how it goes but I’m bummed a little.

I’ve heard with Lithium you need to get blood tests every few months?

When it comes to lithium you do need frequent blood tests at the beginning but once settled it's one every 6 months. Honestly for no side effects and an effective medication so far I will gladly be a pin cushion!

[childofchaos831]

Originally Posted by Catgotmytongue

Wow. 12 years is a really long time! I’ve been on Seroquel for about 11 years and I’m over the side effects so I wanted to find an alternative but since I’m already sick of side effects I’m looking for something bette.
Makes sense that you’ve chosen to stop taking it. Have you looked into any
natural alternatives or are you taking something else or just coping as it is?

Mostly coping, but I do take a few other psych meds. My pdoc and I are working on lowering doses of as many as we can. Seroquel is the next one on the list. Currently at 800mg. Plan is to go to 600mg when I see him tomorrow, unless he wants to wait. I had surgery on my back recently so my mood's been a bit all over lately.

[Catgotmytongue]

Originally Posted by Rajjing

When it comes to lithium you do need frequent blood tests at the beginning but once settled it's one every 6 months. Honestly for no side effects and an effective medication so far I will gladly be a pin cushion!

I'd probably take those two things and be a pin cushion too lol. It's more the reason you need a blood test for the long term that worries me. Glad that you have found something that works for you though!

[Catgotmytongue]

Originally Posted by childofchaos831

Mostly coping, but I do take a few other psych meds. My pdoc and I are working on lowering doses of as many as we can. Seroquel is the next one on the list. Currently at 800mg. Plan is to go to 600mg when I see him tomorrow, unless he wants to wait. I had surgery on my back recently so my mood's been a bit all over lately.

Goodluck tapering with Seroquel. I started on 600mg and am on about 250mg. I notice every time I went down I do feel a little more emotional than usual so just remember that. When you aren't feeling well physically it makes sense that you would feel down as well.