Posted by Simcha on July 11, 2001, at 17:32:17
Ok, I'm new to this site. I'm relatively new to medication. I've been in therapy on and off for the past ten years.
I was put on Effexor XR in February because I was having a major depressive episode. I stabilized at 150mg per day. This seemed to be the majic bullet for me. The veil lifted one morning and has never returned!
Now I've been trying to have a sexual/romantic relationship. My genitals get numb. I can't maintain an erection. If I do maintain an erection it takes forever and a day to climax. Then I am numb at climax. This is not very fulfilling sex.
I saw a new psychiatrist, I just moved to a new state a few months ago. He told me that more than likely I will need to be medicated for the long haul, possibly for the rest of my life. I suspected this since I've been mildly depressed my whole life and I've had several major depressive episodes in my short 31 years of life. Both sides of my family have long histories of depression and addiction. He says that I might be fine for about 6-8 months without meds but that probably I would need them again.
I do have some shame about this. I have some old beliefs that to get meds for life is to be weak even though my intellectual self knows that I have a chemical imbalance that is most likely genetic. My Mother is a constant source for shame. She is still discounting all of my feelings and my experiences. I need to stop sharing my recovery with her. She triggers me terribly.
He suggested that we gradually taper the Effexor XR while slowly introducing the Wellbutrin SR. Here is the suggested schedule:
Week 1: EffexorXR 75mg + WellbutrinSR 100mg daily
The Effexor is taken in the morning. The Wellbutrin is taken after lunch.Week 2: EffexorXR 37.5mg + WellbutrinSR 150mg daily
The Effexor is taken in the morning. The Wellbutrin is taken after lunch.Then he wants to see me to see how this is going before he decides on the next level of changes.
I started week one today. I've been reading so much here about Effexor withdrawal and Wellbutrin side effects. It kind of makes me a little scared. I tolerated Effexor very well. If it weren't for the nasty lack of sexual performance I'd stay with it. I hope that this change is for the better.
I never want to go down into the pit of depression again. If it means never having a fulfilling sex life I just hope that God will grant me the strength to accept it.
Does anyone have anything positive to say about changing from Effexor to Wellbutrin?
poster:Simcha
thread:69765
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010708/msgs/69765.html