Posted by Jennie W. on March 30, 2001, at 14:41:00
In reply to Re: Newbie with question about sexual side effects, posted by Greg A. on March 30, 2001, at 14:16:33
Thanks Greg, for your honesty! I think the weight issue that you touched upon is fairly accurate for me. I have felt really awful about my appearance because since I met my husband five years ago, I have put on about 25 lbs. due to the meds and depression in general. However, a positive about Wellbutrin is that I have now lost 7 pounds, and i am feeling SO much better about myself! I'm hoping this will help in the grand scheme of things.
I must admit that he is terrificly understanding about my low libido. He insists that it doesn't matter to him. I think I now just have so much anxiety over not fitting that newlywed 'myth' of having sex all the time, that this must somehow be affecting my desire on some level. And we did used to enjoy sex before the meds and depression came into the picture, so I have hope.
I also agree that I should just be able to tweak my meds and hopefully regain some of that two week period. I'm just not sure what the right dosage would be.
Thanks again,
Jennie> Jennie,
>
> After quite a few years on various ADs my experience is that there is a range of sexual effects. Like you I am married, but for a considerably longer period. After 21 years we are hardly newlyweds. Our sex life prior to ADs was pretty good. It was something we both enjoyed. The immediate effect of SSRIs on me was difficulty in reaching orgasm, which for a male could be bad news. The effect was more pronounced with some drugs than with others. Wellbutrin does not seem to have nearly the effect on orgasm. Neither does Remeron. Both are of course non SSRI. When you say that your libido returned – that’s good news, even for a two week period because I am sure you can experiment and tweak the meds. to allow you those same feelings for a longer term. When you say you were “generally disgusted by the act” it brings to mind other problems. I know after we had our children and my wife put on weight I kind of lost interest in sex for awhile. The change in her appearance made her feel less desirable, so she did little to arouse my interest, and dealing with small kids takes a lot of the energy that used to remain at the end of the day at bedtime. Have a look at some of the other things going on in your life as well as the meds. Talk to you husband about how you are feeling. If he just feels rejected, he may decide to ignore you and then nothing will happen.
>
> Good luck
>
> Greg
poster:Jennie W.
thread:57998
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/58094.html