Posted by Judy on August 21, 1999, at 12:52:55
I did some research and the following info I found seems to address a lot of recently posted questions. I'm researching because after five weeks on Marplan, I've managed to 'achieve' the total from-the-waist-down paralysis that every AD seems to cause for me.
First, an opinion from Dr. Bob's Tips for both men and women:
>>Date: Thu, 13 Jul 1995 22:09:04 -0700 (PDT)
>>From: Ivan Goldberg
>>Subject: SSRI decreased libido in women>>On Thu, 13 Jul 1995 Hottod@aol.com wrote:
>> Can anyone shed light on management of diminished libido in female patients on SSRIs? Are there any
>> differential strategies across gender? Lowering dosage and trying cyproheptadine are two that come to
>> mind. What about buspirone and bupropion in females vs. males?>>While cyproheptadine is often useful in reversing the anorgasmia in *both men and women* taking SSRIs, it does not
>>usually have any effect on desire.>>Buspirone, bupropion, and amantadine seem to do the best at restoring desire in both sexes.
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Next, a post from Toby explaining WHY some of us can't respond while taking AD's and some possible fixes:>>Posted by Toby on October 13, 1998, at 13:32:37
>>In reply to another one for toby, posted by sue on October 13, 1998, at 12:46:47
>> If Wellbutrin does nothing for your depession, I would say you need to go back to whichever
>> medication was most helpful (Prozac or Zoloft) and then treat the sexual side effect if it happens again.>> How to treat? Several options are available, especially if the problem is mainly loss of orgasm but the
>> libido is fine. 1) Some folks do well with a drug holiday: stop the medication on Friday and resume on
>> Monday, planning the desired interlude on Saturday or Sunday. You just have to be sure and not forget
>> to start back on the medication on Monday so that the depression won't recur. 2) There are also
>> medications that do not cause this side effect (**the reason loss of orgasm occurs with SSRI's is that one
>> of the serotonin receptor subtypes is responsible for allowing an orgasm to occur and most SSRI's
>> block this receptor to some degree**): Wellbutrin, Serzone, Remeron do not block that particular
>> serotonin receptor and so sexual function remains intact. 3) There are medications that can reverse this
>> side effects, either through unblocking that receptor or overriding it by antihistamine effects. These
>> include adding Buspar 15 - 60 mg per day; adding Wellbutrin SR 150 - 300 mg per day; adding
>> Periactin (a powerful antihistamine, so a side effect may be drowsiness, but if it works like it should,
>> you may be drowsy that evening anyway) 4 - 8 mg, 1 to 2 hours before intercourse (costs about $35
>> for 60 tabs); adding an over the counter amino acid called L-arginine 500 mg, 4 tablets on an empty
>> stomach 1 to 2 hours before intercourse (cheapest: GNC stores currently have a sale on for 60 tabs for
>> $9.99 with the second bottle for $5.00). The results vary with individual people, although I am
>> beginning to hear very consistent, good results about the L-arginine, and since it is OTC you don't need
>> a prescription or a doctor's visit every time you run out. Also, the Periactin and L-arginine do not have
>> to be taken every day, just when you need it.
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Finally, another post from Tips regarding Viagra. I don't recall ever seeing any mention Viagra on this Board. Has anyone ever asked their Pdocs about it? Hopefully Dr. Bob or Toby will be aple to spare a minute to offer their learned opinions on Viagra. I'm sure it's out of the question for MAOI users (as everything else seems to be), but maybe it's a possibility for some of you SSRI users.>>Date: Sun, 07 Jun 1998 07:12:35 -0400
>>From: Ivan Goldberg
>>Subject: Sildenafil for SSRI sexual dysfunction>>While I believe that it is too soon to prescribe sildenafil (Viagra) for antidepressant-induced sexual difficulties, about
>>a dozen of my male and female patients have obtained it by various means and have tried it out. **The success rate
>>seems to be about 75% in both men and women,** and the side effects seem to be minimal, so far.
poster:Judy
thread:10465
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990814/msgs/10465.html