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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janice on July 22, 2000, at 20:41:05
Hi everyone,
I notice most people have the opposite complaint to the one I do. I’m a 34 year old woman with both bipolar (under control) and ADHD, for which I recently started Wellbutrin as I can’t tolerate the stimulants well lately.
Well to make a long complicated sexual history very short, the only times I have achieved orgasm in my life (except twice) has been while taking Anafranil, Desipramine and now Wellbutrin. They all make me hypersexual. I was taken off Anafranil right away. Desipramine, I was on only 50mg (along with mood stabilizers), and Icould have multiple orgasism and have sex for hours. Unfortunately I had to go off it as it really increased my rapid cycling.
The inability to orgasm isn’t related to mania because I’ve been manic many, many times in my life without being on an AD. While I’d become hypersexual, I’d never orgasm.
So now I’ve started Wellbutrin. On day 5, Boom! There’s my sex drive again, and thank god the ability to orgasm, and thank god my boyfriend from out of town!
Any ideas?
It’s very frustrating.
Thanks Janice
Posted by Cindy W on July 22, 2000, at 22:05:53
In reply to Orgasming only on medications. help., posted by Janice on July 22, 2000, at 20:41:05
> Hi everyone,
>
> I notice most people have the opposite complaint to the one I do. I’m a 34 year old woman with both bipolar (under control) and ADHD, for which I recently started Wellbutrin as I can’t tolerate the stimulants well lately.
>
> Well to make a long complicated sexual history very short, the only times I have achieved orgasm in my life (except twice) has been while taking Anafranil, Desipramine and now Wellbutrin. They all make me hypersexual. I was taken off Anafranil right away. Desipramine, I was on only 50mg (along with mood stabilizers), and Icould have multiple orgasism and have sex for hours. Unfortunately I had to go off it as it really increased my rapid cycling.
>
> The inability to orgasm isn’t related to mania because I’ve been manic many, many times in my life without being on an AD. While I’d become hypersexual, I’d never orgasm.
>
> So now I’ve started Wellbutrin. On day 5, Boom! There’s my sex drive again, and thank god the ability to orgasm, and thank god my boyfriend from out of town!
>
> Any ideas?
>
> It’s very frustrating.
>
> Thanks JaniceJanice, count your blessings! Meds only interfere, for me (Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, and to some extent, Effexor-XR). Serzone is the only med that doesn't interfere, for me.
Posted by Janice on July 22, 2000, at 23:27:15
In reply to Re: Orgasming only on medications. help., posted by Cindy W on July 22, 2000, at 22:05:53
thanks Cindy W,
but if I add up the amount of time I've been able to have orgasms (I hope I'm spelling that word right) in total, in my life -- it probably equals about 5 months.
So for the majority of my life, I'm running around with a high sex drive and an inability to orgasm. No wonder I've been half insane for most of my life.
Maybe you should try one of these medications Cindy. Wellbutrin is great, Although I don't have multiple orgasm on it.
Hope your treefrog friend is great. I bet she likes the warm weather.
take care,
Janice
Posted by shar on July 23, 2000, at 1:29:42
In reply to Orgasming only on medications. help., posted by Janice on July 22, 2000, at 20:41:05
I hate to be really simplistic or stupid, but it seems like you would want to be sure not to run out of Wellbutrin when your boyfriend is in town.
And, he should come to town (or you should go to his place) more often.
Unless your heightened sex drive is really interfering with your daily life, would you be ok just lliving with it? It sounds like it would be helpful to do some therapy about your lack of orgasm when not on meds.
If this is all wrong, just ignore it.
Shar> Hi everyone,
>
> I notice most people have the opposite complaint to the one I do. I’m a 34 year old woman with both bipolar (under control) and ADHD, for which I recently started Wellbutrin as I can’t tolerate the stimulants well lately.
>
> Well to make a long complicated sexual history very short, the only times I have achieved orgasm in my life (except twice) has been while taking Anafranil, Desipramine and now Wellbutrin. They all make me hypersexual. I was taken off Anafranil right away. Desipramine, I was on only 50mg (along with mood stabilizers), and Icould have multiple orgasism and have sex for hours. Unfortunately I had to go off it as it really increased my rapid cycling.
>
> The inability to orgasm isn’t related to mania because I’ve been manic many, many times in my life without being on an AD. While I’d become hypersexual, I’d never orgasm.
>
> So now I’ve started Wellbutrin. On day 5, Boom! There’s my sex drive again, and thank god the ability to orgasm, and thank god my boyfriend from out of town!
>
> Any ideas?
>
> It’s very frustrating.
>
> Thanks Janice
Posted by Cindy W on July 23, 2000, at 10:55:50
In reply to Re: Orgasming only on medications. help. » Janice, posted by shar on July 23, 2000, at 1:29:42
> I hate to be really simplistic or stupid, but it seems like you would want to be sure not to run out of Wellbutrin when your boyfriend is in town.
>
> And, he should come to town (or you should go to his place) more often.
>
> Unless your heightened sex drive is really interfering with your daily life, would you be ok just lliving with it? It sounds like it would be helpful to do some therapy about your lack of orgasm when not on meds.
>
> If this is all wrong, just ignore it.
> Shar
>
Janice, I agree with Shar...keep that Wellbutrin coming! (no pun intended). As to having difficulty reaching orgasm when you're not on meds...people vary in why this happens. Depression can make it hard to feel sexual, as can inhibitions. Perhaps you're depressed when not on meds, it's hard to get sufficiently aroused. I know when I'm really depressed, the last thing I think about is sex. BTW, Phoney Frog is doing great!--Cindy
>
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I notice most people have the opposite complaint to the one I do. I’m a 34 year old woman with both bipolar (under control) and ADHD, for which I recently started Wellbutrin as I can’t tolerate the stimulants well lately.
> >
> > Well to make a long complicated sexual history very short, the only times I have achieved orgasm in my life (except twice) has been while taking Anafranil, Desipramine and now Wellbutrin. They all make me hypersexual. I was taken off Anafranil right away. Desipramine, I was on only 50mg (along with mood stabilizers), and Icould have multiple orgasism and have sex for hours. Unfortunately I had to go off it as it really increased my rapid cycling.
> >
> > The inability to orgasm isn’t related to mania because I’ve been manic many, many times in my life without being on an AD. While I’d become hypersexual, I’d never orgasm.
> >
> > So now I’ve started Wellbutrin. On day 5, Boom! There’s my sex drive again, and thank god the ability to orgasm, and thank god my boyfriend from out of town!
> >
> > Any ideas?
> >
> > It’s very frustrating.
> >
> > Thanks Janice
Posted by Janice on July 23, 2000, at 22:45:51
In reply to Re: Orgasming only on medications. help., posted by Cindy W on July 23, 2000, at 10:55:50
Hi Shar,
No I won't be running out of this Wellbutrin - it's pretty amazing stuff, not only for my sex drive, but also for my mood. He's gone back east and I've been alone with my sex drive for 2 days now. I seem to be able to handle it. We are separated because of my bipolar disorder, and the plan is that once I get stable, I will move back with him. He was reminding me last week of how bad my temper could be with him, and how I would throw his wallet at him and tell him to go to a prostitute whenever he would want sex, and I didn't (depressed, of course). Lucky, I have a convenient memory that serves me well and could just barely remember this.
I think I can handle this sex drive - as long as I don't go manic which I shouldn't. I don't think therapy could help, or I can't imagine how it could. I believe it's all to do with my biology.
I wonder what type of doctor would be able to help me?
Hi Cindy,
yes, when I am depressed I have no sex drive. I have no inhibitions that I am aware of. I have wondered if it has something to do with the ADHD, because both the Desipramine and Wellbutrin are ADs for ADHD. I really don't know. But for now, more Wellbutrin and we are taking another holiday in a couple of weeks together.
thanks for your reply,
JaniceGlad to hear Phoney Frog is good
Posted by Janice on July 24, 2000, at 22:42:35
In reply to Shar Cindy W…, posted by Janice on July 23, 2000, at 22:45:51
I was talking to my bipolar sister and asked her if she ever tried Wellbutrin. She said that she did but that it made her sex drive so high that even with her boyfriend she was unable to feel satisfied and had to go off the Wellbutrin. This must be a family thing.
Posted by dove on July 26, 2000, at 19:54:41
In reply to Shar Cindy W…, posted by Janice on July 23, 2000, at 22:45:51
Hi again Janice :-)
I kind of know what you're talking about. I've wondered about it quite a bit myself. I've formed some ideas in regard to my own moody-libido. A couple of big hindrances for me is the inability to concentrate on nothing and stay there, the inability to relax due to circumstances, or outward stimuli surrounding me (or near me), and/or any kind of emotion intensive thoughts or feelings (whether positive or negative). Now, in regard to meds, I've had a good increase in libido whenever I was even slightly manic, even agitated or aggravated (mixed) manic. But... When going from depressed to a little better under the influence of antidepressants I usually feel very flat and there is little hope of experiencing a "good time".
The meds that have given me a significant increase in orgasm ability are: Amitriptyline in the dosage of 50mgs *only*, Verapimil in any dosage, Wellbutrin with the average dosage of 150mgs, Serzone with a dosage anywhere between 100mgs-600mgs, and Neurontin (only been taking since last Thursday-7 days) in the 600mgs range. I may be forgetting a few, but these are the first ones that spring to mind. I have to go take care of screaming kids, apparently someone cheated in their life-and-death game of hide-and-seek, but will return either late tonight or tomorrow. I hope everything is still good and well with you, and I find your situation just fascinating :-) Also fascinating is the fact that you usually end up off the meds that seem to enhance that area in your life. I'll have to think on this one a little more. Talk to you soon!
dove
Posted by Janice on July 27, 2000, at 23:06:45
In reply to meds-no meds-manic-and everything inbetween, posted by dove on July 26, 2000, at 19:54:41
Hi dove : >)
I have had similar hindrances to yours, the inability to concentrate, the inability to relax, outward stimuli attracting my attention, not being able to control my thoughts. But I experienced these only sometimes and most times during sex I don't have these, nor do I orgasm. I don't remember if I tried Dexedrine during sex or if it has helped. I will try it. Most likely though, I have tried it during sex, and Dexedrine didn't helped me achieve orgasm (I'll try it again though). It certainly doesn't increase my sex drive.
My latest theory (for the past couple of days) is difficult to find the right words to explain, but here goes: I have a kind of continuous white noise going on in my body. I'm guessing it is my nervous system. It feels like teeny, weeny bolts of electricity just under the surface of my skin. It's always present except when I meditate, and if I remember correctly taking Desipramine & getting B12 shots gets rid of it too.I think this is when I orgasm - when I can get my nervous system or whatever those sensations are to calm down - they require so much of my attention.
yes, any mania is very good for your sex drive. My moody libido created a rapid cycling serial monogamous for much of my adult life - well a frustrated one!
I see that Wellbutrin helps you too. I think it may be wearing off already for me. Is Amitriptyline a TCA? Wondering if it is related to Desipramine. Sounds like alot of medications help your libido Dove. I only see people complaining about medications and their libido, maybe many medications actually help just no one is complaining about it. I am thinking maybe if worst comes to worst, I can go on 25mg of Desipramine but not until I am with a man full-time and it shouldn't make me rapid cycle at that level.
Anymore ideas?
Janice
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