pssd2020 Posted April 4, 2020 Posted April 4, 2020 Hi everyone I've suffered with post SSRI sexual dysfunction for the last 7 years. This is obviously a misleading term, as there are other side effects that aren't sexual, such as anhedonia and memory loss, poor cognitive functioning. I suffered with ED while I was on citalopram, but after I tapered off it, lost all sexuality and all the other stuff. :0( I wanted to join the forum to get some support from others sufferers, but also because I want to encourage participation in patient surveys which are forming the basis of scientific research into conditions such as PSSD, Post Accutane syndrome and Post Finasteride syndrome. I'm also trying to do my best to network to raise awareness of the condition amongst researchers. I'll leave that for now, since I guess I'd better let members and moderators get accustomed to me first. :0) I wish everyone well, especially in this increasingly difficult times, and hope we can work together to make some positive changes.
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 4, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Posted April 4, 2020 Welcome to SA, pssd2020. I'm sorry you're suffering from these protracted withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, what you're experiencing is all too common even 7 years out. It has been our general experience that eventually these symptoms resolve, but we don't have any kind of timeline we can offer. PSSD, anhedonia, memory loss and poor cognitive functioning are typical withdrawal symptoms. What is withdrawal syndrome. Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list. The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization Here is some information on protracted withdrawal. Protracted Withdrawal or PAWS (post-acute withdrawal ... To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. Are you on any psychiatric drugs now? Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members. We're glad you found your way here. Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of Dec 7: 2.4mg Taper is 97% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs.
pssd2020 Posted April 12, 2020 Author Posted April 12, 2020 Hi Gridley, alas, I don't think this is going to resolve by itself, although I appreciate that in some very minor cases it can do. The first time I took SSRI, I recovered after some months, so I assumed that was what happens. The last time, I wasn't so lucky. I've made the symptoms far worse recently by briefly taking a supplement called inositol to attempt to reverse the problem. I think I have nerve damage now. If I had known this was even a slight possibility beforehand, I would never have taken this medication in a million years.
Moderator Emeritus Gridley Posted April 12, 2020 Moderator Emeritus Posted April 12, 2020 12 minutes ago, pssd2020 said: I think I have nerve damage now. We have found in our experience that the damage is not permanent. It would be better for you to think that the damage is not permanent and that you will heal. Thinking in this way is not pollyanna thinking - thinking doomsday thought puts stress on your system, which you don't need now. I would stay away from those sites that say you won't heal. In my opinion they are wrong and they are digging you a deeper hole. Gridley Introduction Lexapro 20 mg since 2004. Begin Brassmonkey Slide Taper Jan. 2017. End 2017 year 1 of taper at 9.25mg End 2018 year 2 of taper at 4.1mg End 2019 year 3 of taper at 1.0mg Oct. 30, 2020 Jump to zero from 0.025mg. Current dose: 0.000mg 3 year, 10 month taper is 100% complete. Ativan 1 mg to 1.875mg 1986-2020, two CT's and reinstatements Nov. 2020, 7-week Ativan-Valium crossover to 18.75mg Valium Feb. 2021, begin 10%/4 week taper of 18.75mg Valium End 2021 year 1 of Valium taper at 6mg End 2022 year 2 of Valium taper at 2.75mg End 2023 year 3 of Valium taper at 1mg Jan. 24, 2024: Hold at 1mg and shift to Imipramine taper. Taper is 95% complete. Imipramine 75 mg daily since 1986. Jan.-Sept. 2016 tapered to 14.4mg March 22, 2022: Begin 10%/4 week taper Aug. 5, 2022: hold at 9.5mg and shift to Valium taper Jan. 24, 2024: Resume Imipramine taper. Current dose as of Dec 7: 2.4mg Taper is 97% complete. Supplements: multiple, quercetin, omega-3, vitamins C, E and D3, magnesium glycinate, probiotic, zinc, melatonin .3mg, iron, serrapeptase, nattokinase, L-Glutamine, milk thistle, choline I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. It is information based on my own experience as well as that of other members who have survived these drugs.
Clatterbust Posted June 8, 2020 Posted June 8, 2020 Any proof that they are wrong and you are right? Paxil (20mg): Nov. 2012 - June 2014. CT of paxil. Severe psyhological symptoms. Reinstatement of Paxil (20mg): September 2014. Several attempts (4 or 5) of withdrawal, failing each time (due to increased symptoms:hypersensitivity to sounds, panic, anxiety) and reinstating back to 20mg. Last reinstatement was in January 2016. Symptoms still present. Stopped paxil cold turkey by the end of January, and switched to Citalopram (30mg) Citalopram (30mg): Feb 1st 2016 - March 17 2016. CT off Citalopram. Escitalopram (10mg): March 18 2016 - April 14 2016 Escitalopram (15mg): April 15 2016 - on going. Symptoms: Anxiety, Panic, Hypersensitivity to sounds, Tinnitus, Anhedonia.
Mentor Cocopuffz17 Posted June 8, 2020 Mentor Posted June 8, 2020 @pssd2020 Interesting you mention accutane. I was on accutane for a year in grade 12 and then after that I was crushed with depression/anxiety which led to going on paroxetine. How long were you on accutane? I follow The Plant Paradox lifestyle by Dr.Gundry. This lifestyle has given me my life back and I feel better than I have ever felt in my life. It has enabled me to finally get off of this medication and truly live my life. Nutrition is the key to health!!!!! 2008 to 2019 - 20 mg Paroxetine Attempted 2 CT's around the 5-6 year mark. Were absolutely terrible and reinstated. Was never explained by the doctor the seriousness of the short half life of this drug. 2017 - Attempted a tapered discontinuation of this drug and reinstated after being unsuccessful. 2019 - Feb. 12 - After a three month taper I am off of paroxetine. The 3 months were terrible, awful withdrawal feelings. I followed the doctors guidelines for the reduction of this drug and now know it was way too fast. 2019 - Oct. 12 - 8 months off paroxetine. 75% improvement since coming off the drug. Definitely have had tons of challenges along the way. Let’s go!!!! 2021 - Feb. 12 - 24 months off paroxetine. I have minor challenges now. Tinnitus/Headaches are still around but are reduced by a massive amount.
Moderator brassmonkey Posted June 8, 2020 Moderator Posted June 8, 2020 (edited) Claterbust -- Over ten thousand case studies on this site alone and as many on other sites are a very good indicator that we are correct. There are also a large number of studies on the internet that confirm this. No, I am not going to provide links, if you are seriously interested in the subject please do some research. Because of the confrontational tone of your post I will ask you to please read: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1598-what-will-get-you-warned-or-banned/?tab=comments#comment-5633 so we can avoid future problems. Edited November 3, 2020 by ChessieCat changed member name 20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013. Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks. The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better. Final Dose 0.016mg. Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017 "It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general." Stephen Hawking
pssd2020 Posted July 18, 2020 Author Posted July 18, 2020 On 4/12/2020 at 3:12 PM, Gridley said: We have found in our experience that the damage is not permanent. It would be better for you to think that the damage is not permanent and that you will heal. Thinking in this way is not pollyanna thinking - thinking doomsday thought puts stress on your system, which you don't need now. I would stay away from those sites that say you won't heal. In my opinion they are wrong and they are digging you a deeper hole. I didn't visit any of those sites for 7 years after getting PSSD because I wanted to focus on the positives and to live a healthy lifestyle to aid my recovery. I don't doubt that people naturally recover from withdrawal / PSSD etc. However, there are many people who have yet to recover over long periods of time, and their experiences are also valid. It's important to acknowledge this so as to encourage clinicians, researchers and policy makers to take the matter seriously. I agree that it is not helpful to dwell on the negatives. I think it is important to increase awareness of the conditions generally, to encourage research so that they are better understood.
pssd2020 Posted July 18, 2020 Author Posted July 18, 2020 I was on accutane for a short time, a couple of months, perhaps? I think it probably increases the likelihood of someone suffering from PSSD, as accutane itself can cause enduring sexual problems. These effects are currently being investigated bu UK pharma-covigilance and may result in further warnings. I don't think I noticed sexual affects from accutane at the time, though, only from antidepressants.
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