RCs lexapro sexual issues

[bakedchicken]

Sup blue lighters. I am a 19 year old fit healthy male that has just recently been put on lexapro 10mg (estclitropam) after a a few months abusing copious amounts of ritalin, dexamphetamine, meth (rarely) and ecstasy. I was depressed and the meds help heaps. The thing is I just met this girl who is just amazing and beautiful. Only issue being I pretty much avoid sex due to my limp numb 'johnny' and I really want to show her a good time.

I have only been on the medication for 20 days, and although it helps I want to be able heal my serotonin naturally without these drugs possibly causing further long-term damage to brain receptors later down the track.

Any chance I can just stop cold turkey as I have only been on em for 20 days? or could I take a short medication 'holiday' to get my 'johnny' in shape to start working again?

 

[xstayfadedx]

I suggest talking to your doctor about it. That is what they're there for. I was on lexapro before and then a few other ssri's and I never wanted to have sex (well then again having depression caused the same side effect LOL). I don't have man parts though, but have heard that it can cause that side effect with males. You could taper off (I did that and slowly cut down my doses however the medication didn't help me at all). Yet, why stop taking it if it works....? Try to see what you can do first before giving up on it. Also getting your mental health straightened out should be top priority right now. Sex is important, but shouldn't be more important than your own well being.

Good luck

 

[karambit]

Are you still taking copious amounts of your " other drugs" and if so, how much ?
How long have you been seeing this chick ? I'm surprised she's still hanging around for your fried chicken lol.

If you know it's the Lexapro for sure and not the rec drugs, then 5mgs for 4-7 days then off. If after day 4 you feel alright then you could stop at this point. OR you can/ and should stay on and add a Blueyee to get your Rock On and hopefully the Lexapro will help you drill this girl Long time before you Bust
Good Luck and let us know how you make out . No pun Intended.

 

[bakedchicken]

thanks guys, xstayfadedx I want to come off of these because I want to be completely free of pharmaceuticals and have a healthy sex drive. Karambit, I am definetly gonna try your tapering schedual, I may think about a Viagra prescription for the mean time . I have been clean from all stimulant use for roughly 22 days and feel a ton better. I still smoke pot occasionally and drink quite abit.

 

[xstayfadedx]

thanks guys, xstayfadedx I want to come off of these because I want to be completely free of pharmaceuticals and have a healthy sex drive. Karambit, I am definetly gonna try your tapering schedual, I may think about a Viagra prescription for the mean time . I have been clean from all stimulant use for roughly 22 days and feel a ton better. I still smoke pot occasionally and drink quite abit.

Well, recovery from all drugs takes more than a few months. The depression definitely lingers. Anyway, I understand the fact that you want to be free from all pharmaceutical drugs, but take one step at a time. What happens if you stop taking it and you go back to feeling like shit? Yeah, a pretty girl will make you happy for the moment, but what about after? What if she hurts your feelings? Then the depression comes back full force (maybe, maybe not...this is all hypothetical)...will you still be able to say no to drugs? Well, you will do what you want in the end. I am not one to preach the benefits of antidepressants because they never worked for me and made me even worse... but for the people they do work for... then great.

 

[bakedchicken]

Well, recovery from all drugs takes more than a few months. The depression definitely lingers. Anyway, I understand the fact that you want to be free from all pharmaceutical drugs, but take one step at a time. What happens if you stop taking it and you go back to feeling like shit? Yeah, a pretty girl will make you happy for the moment, but what about after? What if she hurts your feelings? Then the depression comes back full force (maybe, maybe not...this is all hypothetical)...will you still be able to say no to drugs? Well, you will do what you want in the end. I am not one to preach the benefits of antidepressants because they never worked for me and made me even worse... but for the people they do work for... then great.

In the spirit of harm reduction I agree with you, my depression COULD come back and has come back in those situations. But where I'm from (Perth Australia) dudes with a non functioning dick are always just assumed to be 'weird' or 'there's something wrong with them'. I honestly think I would rather be a drug fucked mess than a; fat, A-sexual and mono toned 19 year old male on Viagra.

 

[Hodor]

Sup blue lighters. I am a 19 year old fit healthy male that has just recently been put on lexapro 10mg (estclitropam) after a a few months abusing copious amounts of ritalin, dexamphetamine, meth (rarely) and ecstasy. I was depressed and the meds help heaps. The thing is I just met this girl who is just amazing and beautiful. Only issue being I pretty much avoid sex due to my limp numb 'johnny' and I really want to show her a good time.

I have only been on the medication for 20 days, and although it helps I want to be able heal my serotonin naturally without these drugs possibly causing further long-term damage to brain receptors later down the track.

Any chance I can just stop cold turkey as I have only been on em for 20 days? or could I take a short medication 'holiday' to get my 'johnny' in shape to start working again?

Quitting an SSRI cold turkey causes something called "SSRI discontinuation syndrome", a condition marked by general irritability and "brain zaps" (I've never had MDMA, but apparently people also get these "zaps" from the serotonin-depleted state following a massive dose of Molly or similar serotonin-releasing drugs). In other words: Not a good place to be in when you've just met the love of your life. The good thing is that these discontinuation symptoms typically subside after a few days. Also, a taper (going from 10 to 5 mg) would greatly lessen them.

That said, the more effective you found your SSRI, the worse the return to your SSRI-less depressed baseline state will feel. Again, not exactly a condition you want to be in if you're trying to show someone a good time.

As for your erectile disfunction: Are you sure you can't get hard *at all*? Not even when masturbating? Or when you're hanging out with your ladyfriend, and she says something that gives you naughty thoughts, and you suddenly feel the urge to shift into a stance that de-emphasizes your crotch?
Many young males on moderate doses of SSRI's actually experience them as a boon to their sex lives - less distracting uber-horniness, fewer awkward boners in public, and - when you do have sex - being able to last way longer ("Priligy", the anti-premature-ejaculation-drug, is just a re-purposed SSRI). It's very plausible that much of your sexual dysfunction is just psychosomatic... of course the booze doesn't help either.

Anyway, this girl you met - how much does she know about your history? If she's cool with you being an ex-druggie and supportive of you taking medication and she's really into you (oh, also: be sure that she really *is* into you. Having your heart broken while off your meds will make you feel like shit, and is pretty much a guaranteed relapse), she'd probably be understanding that you may be popping the odd Cialis.
But as I said, chances are your dick is still working fine, and it's mostly a problem with your anxiety. I've learned that as someone with chronic anxiety I sometimes have to *not* listen to my body, because I constantly keep discovering symptoms where I'm sure I've done permanent damage to myself - yet as soon as I stop thinking about it, the "symptoms" go away.

Anyway, take care, and throw yourself a few extra shrimp on the barbie for good luck

 

[d1nach]

"I have only been on the medication for 20 days, and although it helps I want to be able heal my serotonin naturally without these drugs possibly causing further long-term damage to brain receptors later down the track."

Selective seritonin reuptake inhibitors do not cause damage to the brain.

People generalize that since large doses of methamphetamine injected at super heroic doses cause dopamine receptors to down regulate resulting in tolerance and reduced dopamine functioning long term that all drugs in all doses cause brain damage and cause whatever it effects to stop working.

Depression is much more complicated then a imbalance in seritonin

There is evidence that chronic unpredictable mildnstress and genes can influence negatively the brains neuroplasticity by causing a decrease in dendritic spines and synaptic connections especially in the hippocampus.

Selective reuptake inhibitors like lexapro when given for extended peroids of time help reverse and protect against this damage by upregulating growth factors like bdnf and ngf in these areas.

Overexpression of seritonin 5 ht 2a 2c also are thought to contribute to the severity of depressive symptoms. This is partially based on autopsies of people who completed suicide and rat kearned helpless trials. It is true they damage these receptors. However, this damage unlike that of a lombotomy is benefical and selective. The down regulation ofnthese seritonin receptors is strongly correlated with the onset of antidepressant effects.

 

[bakedchicken]

Quitting an SSRI cold turkey causes something called "SSRI discontinuation syndrome", a condition marked by general irritability and "brain zaps" (I've never had MDMA, but apparently people also get these "zaps" from the serotonin-depleted state following a massive dose of Molly or similar serotonin-releasing drugs). In other words: Not a good place to be in when you've just met the love of your life. The good thing is that these discontinuation symptoms typically subside after a few days. Also, a taper (going from 10 to 5 mg) would greatly lessen them.

That said, the more effective you found your SSRI, the worse the return to your SSRI-less depressed baseline state will feel. Again, not exactly a condition you want to be in if you're trying to show someone a good time.

As for your erectile disfunction: Are you sure you can't get hard *at all*? Not even when masturbating? Or when you're hanging out with your ladyfriend, and she says something that gives you naughty thoughts, and you suddenly feel the urge to shift into a stance that de-emphasizes your crotch?
Many young males on moderate doses of SSRI's actually experience them as a boon to their sex lives - less distracting uber-horniness, fewer awkward boners in public, and - when you do have sex - being able to last way longer ("Priligy", the anti-premature-ejaculation-drug, is just a re-purposed SSRI). It's very plausible that much of your sexual dysfunction is just psychosomatic... of course the booze doesn't help either.

Anyway, this girl you met - how much does she know about your history? If she's cool with you being an ex-druggie and supportive of you taking medication and she's really into you (oh, also: be sure that she really *is* into you. Having your heart broken while off your meds will make you feel like shit, and is pretty much a guaranteed relapse), she'd probably be understanding that you may be popping the odd Cialis.
But as I said, chances are your dick is still working fine, and it's mostly a problem with your anxiety. I've learned that as someone with chronic anxiety I sometimes have to *not* listen to my body, because I constantly keep discovering symptoms where I'm sure I've done permanent damage to myself - yet as soon as I stop thinking about it, the "symptoms" go away.

Anyway, take care, and throw yourself a few extra shrimp on the barbie for good luck

Cheers for the info man, and yeh she knows I used to use allot of ecstasy and was a huge pot head, but she uses E frequently and doesn't mind weed use she has no idea (hopefully) about anything else. I actually don't know how understanding she would be about the whole cialis thing. And she's defs not "the love of my life as of yet hahaha". But I totally understand the rejection thing turning into a relapse, I used to go on huge partying benders when I felt emotionally rejected or lonely. I can masturbate and finish if I really concentrate and getting it up takes a fuck load of time, but its possible. I don't suffer too bad with anxiety, it's more the depression side of things that I struggle with.

I think Im gonna try and taper, I'll keep you guys posted. The advice is greatly appreciated!

*throws shrimp on barbie with a cold corona in hand! haha!

 

[Keif' Richards]

This is definitely a tough issue. It's easy to laugh at, but it can actually be pretty devastating to your life in general, not being able to get an erection that is. I've had semi-positive experiences with SSRI medications in the past as well. Any improvement is great when you're leaning toward suicide and your only happiness come from thrice daily injections. Around the same time, I started dating a girl that I would be with for 2 years. I was on approximately 60mg Fluoxetine (Prozac) at the time, which I believe is better known for causing ED issues.

I became completely uninterested in sex. I didn't masturbate for over a month (weird for a man, obviously) and sex with my girlfriend was quite literally viewed as physical labor. Eventually, after a few weeks, I determined that it just wasn't going to work on the medication. I quit cold turkey with not a single withdrawal symptom following about 2 months of complete usage. Well, my libido came back in force within a week or so, the relationship was saved and the people cheered.

The thing is, things have changed a little bit in the pharmaceutical world in the time since I was on my SSRI, which would've been about 5 years ago. I now understand that it's more common to maintain SSRI treatment with an adjunt treatment for the ED symptoms. Medications like Tadalafil (Cialis) or even Sildenafil (Viagra) have been shown to be effective and to my knowledge, are relatively safe in a healthy adult with not preexisting issues.

I don't know if these medications will be covered by your health network, but it might be worth a try. Tadalafil, I know, can be taken on a maintenance basis (daily), as opposed to the "pop a pill when you feel like you're about to fuck", which I've always found to be pretty weird indeed. But I digress. Have you considered these options?

 

[elstongunn39]

This is why I stopped taking lexapro, so I'm sort of a hypocrite for telling you that you might want to stay on it. There's a few things you can look into. One is that some doctors will prescribe wellbutrin, either as an alternative to an SSRI (its also an antidepressant), or as an add-on to an SSRI to treat the sexual dysfunction. Wellbutrin doesn't decrease sex drive and in fact will increase it if anything.
You could also talk to the girl totally honestly about what's going on. It's partially a function of patriarchy that males are expected to be always horny and virile. Having intercourse isn't the only way to please a woman. If you can't get hard, just go down on her for chrissakes, if she's ok with that. I mean a lot of women get off on that better than intercourse anyway. I'm not saying this particular girl will respond well to that, but if she doesn't accept that your mental health is as important as your shared sex drive, maybe she's not the girl for you...
A low dose of an SSRI shouldn't necessarily kill your sex drive. But depression can and will. You should look into other solutions besides quitting the SSRI, because that might not even help. Get healthy, stay sober, at least from the drugs that are your primary drugs of abuse, but maybe try tripping with her or smoking weed with her?
GHB is great for sex and less toxic than alcohol. That said, it could be too addictive for you if you are trying to stay clean from other things. Ketamine can help with depression which might be your main problem. Sounds like you probably have anxiety too. If you are looking for alternatives to SSRIs you could look into WEllbutrin like i said, you could look at taking inositol.

 

[elstongunn39]

stop drinking. treat yr anxiety

 

[d1nach]

I had erectile dysfunction when first started on SSRIs for the first two months been on it for like two years now and I have no problem orgasming 3-4 times per day. If your depression is where your considering suicide like I was I strongly suggest you continue taking it. If you stop it didbt you say you have a girlfriend if possible maybe she can check-in on you over text or spend the day with you to make sure you dont become suicidal

 

[LucidSDreamr]

thanks guys, xstayfadedx I want to come off of these because I want to be completely free of pharmaceuticals and have a healthy sex drive. Karambit, I am definetly gonna try your tapering schedual, I may think about a Viagra prescription for the mean time . I have been clean from all stimulant use for roughly 22 days and feel a ton better. I still smoke pot occasionally and drink quite abit.

I'm a bit older than you and have dealt with depression for a long time. drinking a few times a week always makes my depression about ten times worse. it can be as bad for depression as any recreational illigal drug. daily pot use as well makes it worse. I always felt the best either sober or on dissociatives.

 

[MDPV_Psychosis]

Obviously taking Viagra or Cialis while on SSRIs will help with erectile dysfunction but I don't suppose they will help as much in regards to the lack of desire to have sex? Or does it?

I've heard good things about adding wellbutrin intake to ones regular SSRI intake in an attempt to restore sexual desire... Haven't tried the combination myself yet.

 

[Jekyl Anhydride]

If you don't mind some risk of blood clots and heart problems the Testosterone patch/ injections are quite effective and would most likely be dynamite in combination with silden/tadal-afil. The person I knew that used it would have to flog-the-dolphin several times a day without any cialis or viagra. Before starting replacement therapy his chicken was also fried.

 

[Limited]

I always countered drug-induced ED with cialis.