CLB10321: Is there late-onset PSSD?

[CLB10321]

Greetings all,

 

I took 10 mg of Prozac from September 2021 to December 2021. I tapered towards the end. Starting in January, I had highly unpleasant nerve sensations - burning, aching, and itching in my extremities, including my penis. I did not observe any loss of sexual function. The symptoms went away in April, then came back in August for two weeks. A couple times that fall, the symptoms emerged briefly after the consumption of alcohol and caffeinated beverages, both of which I’ve since quit. All this time I had excellent sexual function and regularly made love to my wife. 
In April 2023, I caught a bad flu, and the symptoms started up again. They were barely present in May but have been constant since June and frequently quite severe. I often feel like something is biting my toes or that ants are crawling all over me. My limbs, hands, and feet usually ache. Often the symptoms will go away for half a day or so. I think there might be two culprits: working outside all day in the Southern California heat, and a heavy diet of dark chocolate I was indulging in back in the spring. I have since quit chocolate and fried foods in addition to alcohol and caffeinated beverages. I rarely eat meat and I exercise almost every day. The symptoms will not let up. 
The past four nights I woke up repeatedly and had no erection. I made love to my wife yesterday morning no problem, but I know that loss of morning wood will eventually impact intentional arousal. 
Is there such a thing as very late-onset PSSD? I haven’t touched the poison in 22 months.

Thank you. 

Edited October 16, 2023 by manymoretodays
name to topic title

[CLB10321]

Update: woke up for the fifth day with no erection. I’ve never had such a bad streak before. I’m 32, not overweight, and I usually get 7 hours of sleep. I don’t drink or smoke. I take vitamins D and B, berberine, zinc, magnesium, and querecetin daily. I was on Prozac for two months in 2021 with no sexual side effects. I’ve had great sexual function up until now. What’s happening? Did the prolonged discontinuation syndrome I’ve been dealing with trigger delayed-effect PSSD? 

[CLB10321]

Also, I’m not sure if this is relevant, but lately I’ve noticed that when I’m driving, there are some days when I move my penis up and down and it creates a strong, cold sensation. Most days I can barely feel it. But that might be in my head and dependent on the temperature, how hungry and tired I am, etc. 

I don’t think I have any genital anesthesia. It hurts when I scratch the head. The problem is morning erections, which until just last week were very consistent and reliable. 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @CLB10321

 

It appears you had unpleasant genital sensation after you went off fluoxetine, possibly related to Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder, which is related to antidepressant use or discontinuation, and this perhaps has changed to PSSD.

 

We have seen that even when people taper antidepresssants without incident, their nervous systems might be sensitized for a long time afterward. Drinking alcohol, taking antibiotics or other drugs, or a bout of covid can cause a resurgence of symptoms. Overexertion, exhaustion, or heat exposure can add to this.

 

It appears that after you went off fluoxetine, you might have felt this nervous system sensitivity in your genitals, with consequent post-discontinuation vulnerability. Most likely, your current condition will gradually go away if you don't do anything else to upset your nervous system.

 

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

 

Please let us know how you're doing. (Further graphic genital description is unnecessary TMI.)

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

 

[CLB10321]

Thank you. The unpleasant genital sensation wasn’t specific to my genitals. It was the same sensation I felt in all my extremities, and my head too. Only my chest cavity was unaffected (more or less). I never had any arousal issues, and still do not. The only troubling matter was the recent lack of morning erections. 
I think the bad streak was brought on by worry and a new sleep schedule (I started going to bed earlier, which has made staying asleep difficult). 
This morning I had nocturnal tumescence. 
I added fish oil to my regimen yesterday. I might have to get a new job before spring. 
Thanks again. 

[CLB10321]

I really appreciate the help but I ask everyone not to respond for now. I’ve noticed improvement already; obsessing further over details will just provoke my anxiety. I will post again once my recovery has been fully completed.

Thank you. 

[Altostrata]

Good to hear. Before further discussion Please summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature