ssri & sexual function

[Ionlyhave2hands]

Hi

I could do with some advice please.

I'm 42. Not considered anti depressants my entire life. I've had struggles or course, like anyone but have managed and been ok.

When my marriage blew apart 2 + years ago, I faced a terrible time. I found out that he was unfaithful and my world imploded.

I have tried the 3 obvious ssris- citrolplam, prozac and sertroline. I've tried them only each for a week or 2.

I know I've not given them longer to work. I had a v bad reaction to sertroline ( the 1st one I was given) with diarrhea so stopped that after a few weeks. I wasn't having sex at the time so no idea about libido on that score but I tried it 2 times and honestly, I couldn't go to work because I had to be on the toilet all the time.

Then, about 6/12 months apart, I tried citroplan and then prozac.

Both times I was seeing my new boyfriend and sex was good beforehand - I could orgasm. Within 1 week of taking either medication, I couldn't. It wasn't a head thing. I tried on my own at home without him etc and def just couldn't get there. I was numbed.

I'm still not ok mentally. I do need a bit of help. I'm anxious, on the edge permanently and ready to see the worst in any given slight conversation.

QI self medicate with wine and cigs but I know I need a better way of lifting me out of the pain I have. I'd rather take medication than drink excessively like I do.

I need to abstain from drink. That's a given. And that's something I absolutely have to tackle.

But, does anyone know of a medication that doesn't impact libido so that I can try and use that as part of me getting better, quit the wine and calm down properly?

Thanks so much if you can help.

I will call my GP on Monday to talk this through. So far, we've hit a blank as I've tried the 3 obvious ssris available.

Thanks

Honestly with lots of ssri's this is very common. Mirtazapine restored things to normal for me and I slept well on it but it can cause weight gain and for me I got athralgia which gradually got worse so had to give it up.

That's helpful. I'm generally very well in my body. I have caused myself a 1 stone + weight gain at least through the wine and not looking after myself like I used to. I think if I stop alcohol my weight would be better for it so not too concerned about that side effect.

Anyone with knowledge about these different medications I've found that don't seem to impact on libido so much?

This

Mirtazapine is good but it does cause over eating. Maybe try something for anxiety only like propananol?

Thanks so much

Sertraline at a low dose of 50 should be fine. I can definitely achieve a climax!!! I definitely got a few doses of the runs which is totally normal as your brain chemistry changes. But it really was only the first week or two. I would persevere if I were you.

Thank you - that's positive x

Hi, I had the same problem on a few of the SSRIs. Mirtazapine was the one that didn't cause it for me. As PP said, I had weight gain, but about to restart it now and see how it goes.

Buproprion is only licensed for quitting smoking in the UK, I don't think you'd be able to be prescribed it here as an AD.

@alwaysraininghere did you struggle to climax with it at a higher dose? Not everyone will have that side effect but I did even with the lowest therapeutic dose for venlafaxine (and citalopram probably, can't remember what dose I was on). I didn't try sertraline because I thought it was unlikely it would be any different for me.

I'm interested in this. I have had citalopram and it did what it was supposed to but I am feeling low again. Libido is a bit crap and I'm tired all the time.

I have just had blood tests which came back as normal.

I hate the side effects of citalopram though - shaky/tense.

PP's mentioned that low dose sertraline should be okay - but everyone is different. I know this is TMI but I couldn't even get wet let alone orgasm with it. It was incredibly frustrating and depressing for me as sex is basically one of the only things that makes me happy as it makes me feel wanted.
I'm not on SSRIs now, havent been for a year, im on propranolol now. Mirtazipine made me gain weight, i dont know whether I should try Citalopram. Sertraline was really awful for a lot of my friends but have been fine on Citalopram.

Try different ones and see what is best for you, OP. :)

I took fluoxetine for a year (and starting to take it again.) I had no problems with libido or orgasm with it. Saying that, my anxiety is currently so bad I would forego a few orgasms to get better at this point.

Duloxetine.

I've been on sertraline since January and I couldn't orgasm for the first 6 weeks. I'm fine now :). I know you won't want to try that one again but thought I'd comment anyway to show that - given time - libido can return.

Thanks for your comments. I've been prescribed Duloxetine which is an SNRI.

Will post again in a few weeks to let people with future interest in this thread see how I get on.

@Ionlyhave2hands could I ask how you got on? I'm back on mirtazpine. No sexual side effects but not sure how much it's helping me, plus I'm more irritable & some weight gain.