[Sabrina_saw]

I don't know what to do anymore.

I have been on Cymbalta for 6 weeks. I started it after a suicide attempt and in that time I have gone from being suicidal and darlkly, deeply depressed, to coping on a day to day basis. So while my depression has lifted somewhat, my sex drive has all but vanished. My husband is being so patient and suffering along in silence but I can't do this to him anymore.

I have also not started to shed any of the unasked for weight that Effexor and Lamictal gave me.

I have relatively few other side effects compared to the myriad other drugs I have tried.

What to do next? Go off Cymbalta and start over? Fake it?

I adore my husband and am hopelessly attracted to him. I feel frustrated, angry, and sad at losing my sex drive. And afraid. Very afraid.

Thanks for listening

[Poppet]

Hi Sabrina, I can relate to you on this subject, although unfortunately I do not have any advice on what to do.

I have been on antidepressants for the last 3 years and I do not have a sex drive now because of it. The strain on my relationship has been heavy.

We both agree that the tablets help me so much in other ways that we have had to be 'creative' around sex - its not an option for me to come off them.

The guilt - tell me about it !!! Its not fair is it - not only is the illness awful, but something that could bring a bit of happiness gets shut off too .

I feel for you - only you can weigh things up together, but, for me losing sex drive is the lesser of 2 evils - its better than being suicidal.

I wish you both luck in whatever you do........take care, Poppet

[saudade]

I am on Effexor and felt the lack of sex drive in the beggining, too. It went back to normal after a little while.

May I suggest that you try getting it back on with your husband slowly, like you're doing with your chemical imbalance? Maybe, I dont know, start kissing one day. Just kissing. And then you will remember the love and desire and before you know it, the two of you will be enjoying each other's love again. :-)

In the beggining it might take longer for you to reach orgasm, but that can add to the moment - it can be fun and involve a lot of foreplay.

Please, don't be afraid. You are going to get over it, I'm sure :-)