Paxil

[rahfirst]

Does anyone know if the anti-depressent (sic) Paxil has a side effect (affect) of lowering one's libido? Is libido the right word?

If it does, I gotta get off this crap!!!!!1

 

[naudiz]

I don't know about Paxil specifically, but I do know that a number of anti-depressants can have a negative impact on sex drive, so I wouldn't be terribly surprised.

It's definitely something worth bringing up with your doctor. There might be an anti-depressant that will work just as well without taking away your sex drive. One can always hope.

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

Unfortunately...

decreased sexual desire and difficulty reaching orgasm are two very common side effects of Paxil and the other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (prozac, zoloft, luvox, etc.).

They're actually used to treat premature ejacualation in men who have that problem.

If you're having the side effects there are other new antidepressants with little to no sexual side effects. Effexor (venlafaxine), Remeron (mirtazapine), and Wellbutrin (can't think of the generic) are all good alternatives.

Good luck.

 

[naudiz]

I'm on Wellbutrin, and I must admit my sex drive isn't up to snuff, but it's doing noticeably better than when I was on amatriptyline (or however that's spelled). Then again, I'm also in pain a lot, so that could be why I'm not jumping everything that moves. Anyway, speaking as someone who's actually on the stuff: I haven't had any terribly negative side effects.

I've also heard it's used to help people stop smoking.

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

Yep...

Amitryptiline is one of the old tricyclic antidepressants and they weren't any better than the SSRI's in terms of sexual side effects (and they had other significant side effects not shared by the SSRI's which is why the SSRI's have been such a huge success).

and yes, quitting smoking can help if you have a certain level of progression of arterial disease. Smoking causes atherosclerosis in vessels throughout the body and since sexual function is largely dependent on adequate blood flow, it follows that anything that will significantly compromise your bloodflow will threaten your sexual function.

As if there weren't already enough reasons to stop smoking, right?

 

[bibphi]

.....

 

[miles]

Oliver Clozoff

Can you help?

I've got this shooting pain in my side whenever I do "this"......

(rim shot)

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[cyndiesweet]

Shouldn't the question be why do you need to take Paxil in the first place?

If you are depressed, why? Are your hormones whacked out? Do you hate your job? Are you unhappy in your marrriage or relationships in general? If so, Paxil will not fix any of these things. If there has been a death in the family or something similarly life changing then anti depessants can help short term but otherwise you need to figure out why you are unhappy.

It is like having a rubberband on your finger cutting off the circulation and putting a bandaid on it to make the pain go away or better yet pop a few tylenol to dull the pain.

Get that rubberband off!!!!

Did you know if you are taking three or more prescription meds at the same time there are too many drug interaction possibilities for you doctor to even predict or anticipate?

Also there are some more natural helps for depression again for the short term. St Johns Wort and Sam-e are two that come to mind right away.

Sorry if I am ranting. I will stop now.

 

[bluntforcemama]

cyndiesweet, there are people out there who have a permanent serotonin imbalance. Not everyone is depressed because of their job or home life. Some people can't function normally without a serotonin uptake inhibitor or other such hormonal balancers.

 

[bluntforcemama]

rahfirst

But even when SSRIs are prescribed to appropriate patients, they are not perfect. Recently, researchers have found that adverse sexual side effects may be much more common with these medicines than originally believed. So, if you're on an SSRI and you're suddenly having sex-life problems -- an inability to get aroused or difficulty reaching orgasm, for instance -- the medicine might be to blame.

http://www.paxil-side-effects.com/sexual-side-effects.html

 

[miles]

cyndiesweet

For many people their depression is caused by a chemical imbalance that can only be reversed through medication. It can be a life-long condition requiring long-term treatment. They can't get rid of their depression any more than a diabetic can get rid of their diabetes.

 

[Sweetlola]

This is so interesting to me. I've been on Paxil about six months, no noticeable affect on my libido at all, but I'm taking a relatively small dose (20mg 1X daily). However, I recently went off it because I can't afford to refill it yet (this week I'll be able to..it sucks being on a budget!) and in the week I haven't taken it I've been experiencing dizziness. Is this from not taking Paxil or just a coincidence? Since I'm sort of new to Paxil I'm not sure if there's a side effect to NOT taking it.

Thanks for any thoughts!

I took Paxil in college and it didn't appear to affect my sex drive at all. My doctor told me it affected everyone differently. For instance, I HAD to take mine in the morning. If I took it in the afternoon or evening, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. Make sure you're taking it around the same time each day. That will minimize the side effects.

As far as your dizziness, etc....

You're saying that you couldn't afford to get a refill on your perscription. Sweetie... if you don't have the money readily available when you need a refill, you need to SAVE it during the month! It's dangerous to just STOP taking an anti-depressant. When you're ready to get off Paxil, your doctor will recommend that you slowly ease yourself off the drug. You're making the chemicals in your body all screwy, hon. It may cause dizziness and drastic mood swings... not to mention, it may cause your friends to stay away until your emotions calm down. Get yourself another perscription and have perscription funds available for refills always! Paxil should make you a happier person and your life more managable... if you take them like you should. Good luck!

 

[Oliver Clozoff]

Re: Oliver Clozoff

Can you help?

I've got this shooting pain in my side whenever I do "this"......

(rim shot)

Well then, don't DO that!

No need for thanks. I'll send you my bill.

 

[miles]

Oliver Clozoff

Anytime you need a straight man, let me know.

 

[cyndiesweet]

Re: cyndiesweet

For many people their depression is caused by a chemical imbalance that can only be reversed through medication. It can be a life-long condition requiring long-term treatment. They can't get rid of their depression any more than a diabetic can get rid of their diabetes.

It's true for some prescription meds are the only way but many of us are looking for a magic pill to fix everything. It seems easier to take a pill than to look more carefully at why we feel the way we do. I've been there. I have nothing but empathy for those who are suffering from depression but I know too that taking a deeper look for many of us is a more permanant and lasting way to deal with depression.

 

[teresafannin]

My fiancee has major chemical imbalances, it took us several years to figure it out. He has been taking Paxil for about 3 years with no side effects at all. His doctor tried several other meds & he had some really bad side effects. I really don't think that he would have survived this last 2 years without them. I was put on 20mg of Paxil once a day a few months ago. I fought the depression after my son was murdered for nearly 2 years & just couldn't do it anymore. My job is going much better & I don't have as many problems going out in public as I did a few months ago. My prescription is for a year & I hope I will be able to be off them next summer, but only time will tell. I still have some really bad days, the 2 year anniversary was harder than I thought it would be. I have to be honest & say that I don't know if I will ever totally accept what happened to my son, but I am trying. As far as our sex life goes, I haven't noticed any changes.

 

[bluntforcemama]

Paxil and such drugs as Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Celexa, etc. aren't just for depression. Many people who suffer from depression also have symptoms of OCD, anxiety, and bipolar disorders. If someone wants an easy fix for a while, who are we to judge? We don't know what their life is like, we don't know all the circumstances. Depression needs to be taken care of, it's a disease of sorts, just like you would treat diabetes. It's an everyday struggle against imbalances. Many people think it's all in our heads, but for most, it's a persistant hell that we have to drudge through everyday. We can't just turn it off and buck up. Many of us who are clinically depressed would most likely have committed suicide by now without the boost of serotonin balancers. I never expected to live to see my own high school graduation, and that was 5 years ago. I'm sure that the only reason I'm still living, and still WANT to live is because of my medication. It's not a personality-altering drug, it's merely a boost to help us be who we really are.

 

[miles]

Myst

Well said.

...and some things NOT to say to someone suffering from depression:

Pull yourself together
You need to face your problems
Have a positive attitude
Stand on your own two feet
Stop feeling sorry for yourself
Cheer up
Smile
Get off your ass and do something
You will get over it

and so on ad nauseum.

 

[bibphi]

.....

 

[cyndiesweet]

Six weeks aafter I gave birth to our second child my employer terminated my employment. Yep I was fired. I hadn't even gone back from maternity leave yet.I loved my job. It gave me a sense of purpose and validated my very being, not to mention I made good money.

Suddenly I found myself unelmpoyed with a new baby.I did my best to cope but honestly if I hadn't had to take my older child to school I don't think I would have even gotten out of bed.Add to this postpartem depression and totally messed up cycles and you have me about eight months ago. When I finally couldn't cope anymore I went to see my doctor.

She said she could prescribe several antidepressants but I would have to stop breastfeeding my daughter.Ok... I am already poor with no job prospects.Anybody bought formula lately? It is expensive and I am going to have to pay for the Rx too. Luckily I have a great doctor. I told her was not willing to wean my daughter and she recommended a few other herbal things that worked great Sam-e and Chaste Tree or Vitex.

I also did some serious soul serching, grieved the loss of my job and that chapter of my life. It was a very painful process. I am not suggesting that this is any way equivalent to the loss of child. I don't think there is any greater loss. I am not saying my way is the only way but I thought someone might benefit from a different approach.

Looking back I am glad that I had to take a harder closer look at me.Some of it was ugly, all of it was stab you in the gut sadness.

Why are we here if not to grow?

 

[miles]

cyndiesweet

What you describe is one episode of depression which began with the loss of your job. Depression takes many forms, some of which are self limiting, like yours. Others can't escape it regardless of their life events and must have medication to function normally. You can't use your experience as an example for others to follow. The best treatment is to visit your doctor.

 

[Shy Tall Guy]

cyndiesweet, there are people out there who have a permanent serotonin imbalance. Not everyone is depressed because of their job or home life. Some people can't function normally without a serotonin uptake inhibitor or other such hormonal balancers.

Is a serotonin imbalance in any way possibly related to SAD? I suffer from that a little; on cloudy days (about half the year here) my energy level is down and I do not necessarily feel depressed just nowhere near as perky and my energy level is down.

I am not a super bubbly or highly energetic person - being fairly reserved, not that easily excited and not that energetic unless I am doing something exciting (sex, terrorizing the twisties on my bike, etc.). These symptoms don't have a huge deletrious or disabling effect on my lifestyle, but I would like to understand it better.

I've always wondered why that is so and if it could be a chemical imbalance. I am not into taking pills long term, especially anything that could be addictive (I am addicted to sex, I don't need to be addicted to something else). I was very careful with the pain meds when I crushed my foot - to get off them as soon as I could.

I wouldn't mind being a little more upbeat and energetic, but I don't care to go to some allopathic MD who sees every symptom as an ailment best cured by a pill.

 

[naudiz]

Happy pills.

I was on Amatryptiline, and am now on Wellbutrin, because lowering seratonin levels is just one more free service fibromyalgia has to offer. As a side note, it is my possibly flawed understanding that Amatryptiline isn't prescribed much anymore for depression, but it gets prescribed to fibromyalgia patients to aid their sleep. Personally, I've found that over-the-counter 5-HTP and GABA have done a ten times better job than Ama. ever did, without the side effects.

Am I depressed? Clinically, yes. I have the physical symptoms of depression, which is a common result of chronic illness, but it's a secondary thing brought about by another condition, neither of which can be cured. That is to say since there is no cure for fibromyalgia, the depression resulting from it is probably going to be around for awhile too, despite that aside from this pesky illness, my life pretty much rocks and I'm a fairly happy person.

My point? Huh, do I even have one? Oh, right! My point is depression is more complicated that feeling sad. When you're talking about short-term depression as a result of external circumstances, and chronic depression resulting from the powers that be taking a metaphorical weed-whacker to your biochemistry, you're comparing apples to oranges.

 

[cyndiesweet]

Yes, apples to oranges is a good way to put it.And yes, my depression was brought about by my loss of employment and postpartem depression the later of which is a bitch. I did indeed see my doctor who dutifully offered me a precription of antidepessants even though as you suggest my depression was not severe.That is what they do for the most part either write a script or refer you to someone else.

I am simply saying that not everyone who is depressed needs to be medicated. Severe depression should of course be treated medically. The tone of the question did not seem to lead in that direction. Rahfirst actually suggested getting off the Paxil. I am saying it can be done. That's all, nothing else.