long term effects of SSRI's

there was a small article in the morning paper concerning sexual side effects and SSRI's (Celexa,Effexor,Lexapro,Paxil,Prozac,Zoloft)

they all interfere with libido, arousal, block orgasm and sometimes erectile dysfucntion.....

now it is reported the sexual side effects may persist indefinintely, even after the drugs are discontinued....ughh!

(The Open Psychology Journal, Vol. 1, Pages 42-50,2008)

I just went off Prozac months ago because of the sexual side effects and started on Welbutrin instead( It's not supposed to have those effects). Well, I still have no desire for sex. None. Nada. Zip. I'm still waiting for it to kick in since I went off the Prozac and it's not happening.

well I take Wellbutrin as well and although I still have desire for sex...its not very fun when you can point but cant shoot!

My H was on Paxil for a long time. When he stopped taking it, I'd say that the opposite reaction happened. Things seem to have evened out now, but it's been quite a while since he stopped taking it.

And it's soooo fun trying to convince partner that either it's not them or it's not--it's the medicine. Good times!!

It's been a while, since the beginning of the year...none...nada...zip here as well.... Unfortunately, everyone experiences different symptoms....unfortunately pdocs don't say anything about these side effects because it does depend on the person...it sucks, however! I have only had negative experiences with my meds...none were positive, or not for very long....heavy sigh! I've really felt like a gunnea pig...

TJ

I second that, they'll make you feel like some kind of experiment. So Brian, the article said that lasted indefinitely?! Scary. I've always wondered about the long-term effects of those meds that they don't know about yet. Sometimes my boyfriend and I wonder about it because of all the negative & damaging effects the meds had on me.

Wonderfull. My pdoc says I need meds long term, but I am hoping to get off of them some day. Just what I need continuing side effects.

--splitimage

i take 30mg prozac for OCD and had these side effects at the beginning but they went away after a while. not that everything is exactly as it was, but it is ok. i had started with zoloft (sertraline), but the sexual side effects were much worse, and also i couldn't stay awake.

i think part of the problem is that i was so worried about having the sexual side effects, that worry itself caused them! but of course it was the drugs also.

anyway, just to say that you can always try another SSRI. that is what the pdoc told me. also he was pretty open about existence of sexual side effects.

Ive been a nun for 2 years with being on meds ! so I agree with the article 100% !

SO weird that this is here... I was just coming to the board to post on this right now...

Ugh. So many unanswered questions.

i was on prozac for a year, until this past May. for the first while it was very obvious to me that i no longer desired sex. but my problem was that i use(d) sex as a means of self-harm and i did it anyway, which made me feel even worse.

but when i got off it, there was some change. i new it was coming back(my 'libido') but i was really scared to have sex like i used to (i.e. liking it).. so i just kind of did it and it reminded me how i can enjoy it and not have it be something im scared of/guilty for. although i still use sex "inappropriately".

I've been taking SSRIs since 1995. Yes, they have messed with my sex life.

But ya know what?

I'm alive.

I don't think I would be without them.

So it's not so bad ...

Graystet

Just wanted to tell my fellow members out there about a website www.askapatient.com that has hundreds of medications in it, along with reviews by people who have used them.

You can add your own experiences without having to actually register, with your e-mail address, etc.

You can sort reviews by gender, age, etc. I found it helpful.

Yeah, SSRI's definitely kill your libido. It's a trade-off, but not always a good one for some people. Sure, your mood is better, but other areas of your life suffer.

Hugs to everyone who need these meds to just function in everyday life.