Enrique: finally off Prozac

[Enrique]

I am 54 and  I was on Prozac for nearly 20 years. I began noticing a decrease in my libido in year 15 or so but chalked it up to getting older and the stress I was under at the time. As my libido became more and more sporadic I decided to begin tapering in early November of this past year. I had been on 60mg and moved to 40 mg, then 20 mg and finally off in mid to late January. I still had some libido and arousal feelings which continued to grow as i had also stopped masturbating. I met a girl I really liked and after seeing each other for a month we had great sex with the help of 50mg of Viagra. This was at the end of February. A week later I was only able to get partially erect. Needless to say this threw me for a loop and that’s when I went on line and found this site. Reading all the stories obviously had me concerned and along with the failure to achieve a full erection last time with my new girl basically eliminated my libido. Currently I don’t even have the desire to masturbate. As I start my road to recovery I have changed my diet - no red meat, no processed sugars, no dairy but a lot of fruits, vegetables and fish. I continue to exercise but not as intense as before. I was having trouble sleeping as well so I was taking trazadone as needed which I suppose I should stop. I have started acupuncture and she recommended supplements Tribulus and Vita B which has maca and deer antler in it also. What are the thoughts on supplements for recovery Yea or Nea? Please let me know your thoughts and I am interested to hear about trazadone, supplements, exercise should it be light or heavy and morning erections which I have gotten recently thought at maybe 75%, and anything else I can do to aid my recovery. This site has given me hope - Thank you 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Enrique.

 

Did you have any odd symptoms when you went off Prozac?

 

It sounds like you're doing pretty well. It's going to take some time for your nervous system to go back to factory settings, with ups and downs along the way, see The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Other than letting your body heal, we don't know of any way to speed the improvement of your sexual response.

 

What is your sleep schedule and pattern? How often do you take trazodone, at what dosage? When did you start it?

 

See

 

Tips to help sleep -- so many of us have that awful withdrawal insomnia

 

What is the sleep cycle?

 

Melatonin for sleep: Many people find it helpful

 

TV or computer use in evening can disrupt sleep: Bright light signals the brain that it's daytime

Music for self-care: Calms hyperalertness, anxiety, aids relaxation and sleep

[Enrique]

Hi 

 

no other symptoms other than some light headedness for a few days.

 

I do need to improve my sleep schedule as I haven’t been going to bed until 11:30

im taking 50 mg of trazadone for sleep. Some nights I’m getting a deep sleep and others 2-3 hours before waking up and then 2-3 hours and waking up.

 

i started the trazadone about three weeks ago

 

i have been getting more morning erections lately. Is that a good sign?

 

supplement wise I’m taking a multi vitamin and Ashwaghanda and Rhodiola and I do acupuncture every 2 weeks.

 

i noted your recommendation to take it slow so I don’t want to overdo the supplements. My acupuncturist gave me samples of Tribulus and Vita B which had deer antler and maca in it.

 

let me know your thoughts and thanks so much 

[Altostrata]

It sounds like your nervous system is gradually improving.

 

I would be wary of any exotic herbs or potions. Withdrawal tends to make people hypersensitive in ways even alternative medicine doesn't understand. Adaptogenics such as rhodiola can backfire.

 

You may wish to gradually reduce trazodone, could be less might be as effective or more effective. See Tips for tapering off trazodone (Desyrel)

[Enrique]

Thank you I will watch the herbs as well as try to eliminate the trazadone.