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AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy: taken off paroxetine - left with PSSD?


AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy

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Hello,

I am 24 years old, male and have suffered from anxiety disorder since childhood. The slightest excitement makes me nauseous, causing me to vomit. Over time it got worse and worse until I decided at 18 that I would start therapy.

I did this for 3 years, unfortunately without success.

At 23 (late 2019) I started taking Paroxetine (20 mg) because I had extreme university stress and was about to graduate.

Within a few weeks I was feeling fabulous. The anxiety and nausea were just gone. I found my first job, my first girlfriend, and was able to do things I had never done before. I also had no side effects whatsoever. Anyway, I didn't really notice any changes. The side effects that occurred when I started paroxetine are gone (numb penis).

 

However, I decided to stop paroxetine again and was hoping that I could go on without medication. Within 2-3 weeks, I stopped paroxetine. That was December 2020, however, within a few days I started to suffer of premature ejaculation. But after a few weeks, this side effect was gone. I was then perfectly fine without the drug for the next 6 months.

Until I panicked again.

 

So I took paroxetine again. But this time 10 mg. I took this for 2 months and slowly stopped. From 10 mg to 5 mg and then completely stopped after 2 weeks.

The reason I didn't want to take paroxetine anymore was that I couldn't have sex. It would have been my first time, however, I had problems to get and hold an erection. Before taking this med, I was kind of hypersexual and aroused easily. I didn't have this problem when I took paroxetine from 2019-2020.

 

The last time I took paroxetine was 08-28-2021. As the last withdrawal, I suffer from premature ejaculation. But it is still difficult to get and hold an erection. I also have the feeling that it actually got worse when I stopped. Also the desire to cuddle is not there. I feel very little love. Something like anhedonia?

 

To me it sounds like PSSD. I don't know what to do. I took paroxetine for 1 year and did not have such problems. And these 2 months have destroyed my brain. I should have never taken the drug a second time. Unfortunately, I was never aware of the side effects. I didn't know that side effects could continue after stopping.

Edited by getofflex

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a peer owned and run forum of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm sorry to hear you are having these sexual difficulties from the paroxetine.  These effects are very common with the use of SSRI drugs such as paroxetine. 

 

PSSD.

 

Can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

It sounds as though you are having some withdrawal effects from stopping the paroxetine.  Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.  

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

 Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

What is Happening in Your Brain

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 


Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

There are many men who come in here with similar complaints.  The good news is that this will eventually resolve itself, as long as you stay off the drug, and try to avoid other similar drugs.  There are other non drug ways of overcoming anxiety and panic, such as cognitive behavior therapy. Here is a success story to encourage you: 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/13023-djderek-i-had-pssd/?tab=comments#comment-246535

 

 

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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Hello @AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy, your sexual problem the 1st time is fixed overnight?  Did you suddenly wean this time around and the premature ejaculation is still there?

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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@getofflex Thanks for the fast reply. I added my signature. I hope it's okay. I read a lot on several forums. It seems like waiting and living a healthy life is the only thing I can really do. But my anxiety is back and the withdrawal gave me anhedonia. I feel nothing. Living like a zombie. No emotions, no happiness, no love. Kinda sad, but not able to cry. Not sure how to live like this. These 4 weeks were already hard. Can't imagine what people are going through that have this for years.

 

Hello @Parisien. No, the premature ejaculation didn't fix overnight. I think it took about 1-2 months. But I am not sure. It definitely got better over time. But now I have premature ejaculation, no libido and anhedonia because I took paroxetine for 2 months.

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

 

18 hours ago, AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy said:

It seems like waiting and living a healthy life is the only thing I can really do

You just hit the nail on the head.  This is the best thing to do.  Time and patience are the keys to recovery, as well as persistence. 

 

18 hours ago, AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy said:

But my anxiety is back and the withdrawal gave me anhedonia. I feel nothing. Living like a zombie. No emotions, no happiness, no love. Kinda sad, but not able to cry. Not sure how to live like this. These 4 weeks were already hard. Can't imagine what people are going through that have this for years.

You just recently did a very fast taper off of Paroxetine, which is a notoriously hard drug to wean off of for many people.  Your nervous system is still out of balance, and needs lots of time to stabilize.  It often takes many months for this to happen.  Check out the link above for non drug coping techniques.  Your emotions will return eventually.  

 

As far as anxiety, this is a hallmark symptom of a nervous system destabilized by getting off psych meds.  These links may help: 

 

Neuro Emotions

 

Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)
 
 

 

 

Your sig looks good - thanks. 

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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13 minutes ago, getofflex said:

You just recently did a very fast taper off of Paroxetine, which is a notoriously hard drug to wean off of for many people.  Your nervous system is still out of balance, and needs lots of time to stabilize.  It often takes many months for this to happen.  Check out the link above for non drug coping techniques.  Your emotions will return eventually.  

The first time, when I was on 20mg, I even tapered off much faster. I went from 20mg to 10mg for two weeks and then completely stopped. That is what my two doctors recommended me. :o I just had premature ejaculation for a few weeks.

 

Now the second time I thought I can do the same. But nope. It wasn't a good idea. Since I am off for only 4 weeks, I am sometimes thinking about reinstatement. But I also read that this can worsen symptoms.

 

I checked my blood and I have hyperthyroidism which need no therapy at the moment as my doctor says. (He says it is currently latent or hidden. Something like this).
But I have low D3 and a bit low testosterone. So I am taking vitamin d3 20.000 once a week.

 

Not sure how I should deal with my girlfriend. We want sex, but it is not possible. And I am scared to take viagra, because I don't want to make my body get used to it. I heard that Bupropion helps, but if I stop taking that, my PSSD will probably return again I guess.

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
8 minutes ago, AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy said:

I heard that Bupropion helps, but if I stop taking that, my PSSD will probably return again I guess.

I wouldn't suggest that.  Adding another psych med to the mix puts you at risk of incurring worse problems, that could take a long time to resolve.  

 

9 minutes ago, AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy said:

Since I am off for only 4 weeks, I am sometimes thinking about reinstatement. But I also read that this can worsen symptoms.

You could try a small reinstatement, say 1 mg.  But we usually suggest this only in cases of severe WD where people can't sleep, have severe anxiety, are suicidal, etc. A reinstatement may or may not help with PSSD.  Personally, I think time and patience are your best bet.  

Please do not private message me.  Only tag me for urgent questions about tapering and reinstating - thank you.  

 

***Please note this is not medical advice.  Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a doctor who understands psych meds and how to withdraw from them, if you can find one.

 

Lexapro   Started Apr 15 2010 - 10 mg;  started taper August 2017, recent taper info: Apr 2 '20  0.18 mg; Jul 16  0.17 mg, Aug 23  0.16 mg, Oct 7  0.15 mg, Nov 8 - 0.14, Jan 16 '21 - 0.13, Feb 7 - 0.12, Feb 22 - 0.11, Mar 26 - 0.10, May 21 - 0.09, June 15 - 0.08 Aug 16 - 0.07, Oct 6 - 0.06, Nov 21 0.05, Dec. 17 0.04, Jan 14 '22 0.03, Feb 19 0.02, Apr 18 0.01, May 15 0.005,  Jul 8, 0.00.  Psych Drug Free as of July 8, 2022!!  Woohoo!!!

other meds: Levothyroxine 75 mg

magnesium in small amounts at 4 AM, before bed

suppl AM: fish oil, flax oil, vit C, vit E, multivitamin, zinc

suppl 8 PM: magnesium 350 mg, extended release vitamin C, melatonin 2 mg

 

Paxil 2002 - 2010, switched to Lexapro 2010 

Trazodone 50 mg. 2002 - 2019, fast tapered in 2019 

Xanax 0.5 mg as needed 2002 - 2019, up to 3x weekly 

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Hello @AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy, so if I understand correctly for you premature ejaculation had disappeared after your first stopping and weaning from your antidepressant?  One thing is certain even if I do not know anything about it is that to stop it and to resume it is not good.  I have done the same several times and I have the impression that I have disturbed my nervous system

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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Besides, I ask myself the question concerning antidepressants whether paroxetine or another AD ssri which has almost the same mode of action.  Me for example when I took lescitalopram I had the ejaculation delay I could make love 1 hour or more without finishing or very difficult.  You weren't your case?  You said you had numb sex.  In fact I wonder if for example the effects that we identify when we take an antidepressant for example loss of libido or on the contrary like me I had an increase in libido play on the symptoms when the drug is permanently stopped.  antidepressant and about the cure?  If anyone knows the answer

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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Okay, I guess I will wait then.

 

@Parisien I think I have expressed myself wrongly.
Before I took an antidepressant for the first time in 2019, I did not have any sexual dysfunction.

When I started the antidepressant, my penis was numb at first. The feeling disappeared for the most part after a few days. However, it took longer to ejaculate. However, not in such a way that it was problematic.

Then when I stopped the antidepressant, I suffered from premature ejaculation for a few weeks. I also felt my penis a little better again, which may be related to this. My premature ejaculation then normalized to the pre-antidepressant state.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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@AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy Okay I got it, so your premature ejaculation was really gone?  And there she came back to the stop because you have resumed the treatment .. I hope for you that her will come back.  When you say it came back did you come back during sex or masturbation?  Sorry if I'm indiscreet and your progress has gone from how many minutes to how much?  I have the same concerns after 3 weeks of abrupt stop, hence my questions.  And level of mental symptoms have you had dizziness headaches?  Feeling of anxiety?

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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@Parisien Only masturbation. Unfortunately, I never had sex to this date. I tried a few times when I was on paroxetine, but it didn't work.

Until ejaculation during masturbation always depended. I could delay quickly (in less than 1 minute) to several minutes.

But now it's only a few seconds. Often I come after barely 30 seconds.

 

I (only) have premature ejaculation, no libido and anhedonia because of the withdrawal. I also have anxiety, but that is normal since I am not taking any meds anymore.

 

I hope that you get well as soon as possible!

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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@AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy Thank you, that's kind, I hope you will be better as soon as possible too.  Do you play sports?  Like you, I took a treatment for more than a year then I stopped them and then I resumed them.  I hope that there are people who are recovered from the fact after several stops / resumes.  Now I'm afraid of having done wrong and I tell myself that if I would have taken nothing back after my first stop, things would be different.  But we don't know, so we have to be strong, I think time will do things.  You have to eat healthily have the most normal life possible and put this problem down until it goes away even if it is very hard to do.  Concerning your emotions I am also confronted with it but I personally find the best in the perception of things I am less in the fog my memory has returned to normal and I manage to be sad and "happy".  Do you think that we can still recover even though we have stopped and then resumed the treatment?  Hope this didn't aggravate our nervous system and that it won't take too long for us to heal.  Courage to you, you have to be positive

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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@Parisien Thank you ! No I am not doing sports, but I think I have to. I also very often think that I should never have taken the tablet the second time. I regret it extremely.

But yes. Living healthy and waiting is the only thing that we should do I guess. I will still go to a urologist and neurologist and see what they tell me.

I really pray to god that these symptoms go away. They are really life destroying. That was the last time I took antidepressants. To hell with that stuff.

 

Sadly, I feel that my penis has become even more deaf.

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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@AnxiétéNauséeMonEnnemi I don't know anything about it but I think that if the first time your premature ejaculation has disappeared it is possible that it will return to normal again.  The first time you felt that premature ejaculation came back little by little?  What was your morale then compared to now

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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@AnxiétéNauséeMonEnnemi Do I mean that the premature ejaculation has gone gradually or have you seen a sudden change for a return to normal?  sorry i don't know if you understood my english is bad i'm french

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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@Parisien It is not certain that symptoms will disappear again just because they also disappeared before.
The likelihood of developing PSSD is also possible if you have not had any problems weaning off before.

My premature ejaculation I think got better slowly over time. So not overnight. However, I didn't worry much or panic about this since it was "just" one symptom. But this time it is significantly worse as I have very severe sexual dysfunction.

I also think that at that time I just had normal discontinuation symptoms and it was not PSSD.

 

I am using DeepL to translate my german to english. :D

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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@AnxiétéNauséeMonEnnemi Me Google translation is not better but have come to understand this is the main lol suddenly this time you have stopped it for how long?  I understand you this is what you feel and it is surely true but how can you know that this time it will not get better if the first time you have recovered gradually?

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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@Parisien What do you mean by "this time you have stooped it for how long?".
I don't know if I recover again like first time. But what I know is, that I have much more and harder symptoms than last time. This is what scares me.

I am also not sure, what I can do against my anxiety, since Paroxetine was the only med that helped me. Nothing else helped my anxiety. Not even benzodiazepines.

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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@AnxiétéNauséeMonEnnemi Hello how are you today?  By that I meant your antidepressant, how long have you stopped taking it?  The only thing I think I can do to get better is never to take this drug again, drink water, eat well and exercise, and try to sleep well.  The rest only time will tell.  Me, I have mornings where I wake up a bit to rest and still it's not really that, and others where I am very tired and anxious.  My libido returned a little yesterday and regarding premature ejaculation it is too early to say that it is getting better but I hope that over time I will see progress.  I hope for you too we must believe in it courage

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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  • Moderator Emeritus

@AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy I’m not on the form much, but wanted to comment on how you describe yourself as not being able to cry, not really feeling love or anything.  I know that lack of feeling all too well. While it progressed while I was taking Prozac/Fluoxetine, another SSRI, when I was in a bad period of withdrawal it was severe… it was like simultaneously feeling miserable but feeling nothing. Wanting to cry, but feeling unable to.  I’m still tapering, but I will tell you, I’m able to feel again. 
 

Recovery does take time, and several systems need to readjust. I know that’s probably frustrating to hear, and scary to be in a place where you don’t know when things will get better or think they might not. But time is your friend. I’m a cis-woman so I have no experience to share as far as achieving or maintaining an erection, but like the emotions you’re missing, I bet the PSSD is temporary, and will remit in time.  Arousal starts in the brain… and that’s what’s healing.

 

as for your response being different the second time, I think if you read other posts, you’ll find that your experience isn’t unusual.

 

have you tried the magnesium for anxiety? There’s lots of information on this site about it.  I’ll still use it for anxiety if it pops up.

 

1988-2012: Prozac @ 60mg (with a few stops and starts)

Fall 2012: Returned to 40mg after discontinuing and horrid withdrawal 

Fall 2013: 40mg Fluoxetine, added 150mg Wellbutrin to treat fatigue 

Winter 2014: Attempting to taper both (too fast)

April 2014: 9mg Fluoxetine + 37.5 Wellbutrin 

Summer 2014: 8 mg Fluoxetine + 0 Wellbutrin (way too fast a drop)

Late summer/Early Fall 2014: Debilitating Withdrawal symptoms 

Fall 2014 - Wellbutrin successfully kicked to the curb but…

Oct- Dec 2014: Panicked reinstatement of Fluoxetine ->30mg - held for 5yrs

Jan 2021: taper to 20mg Fluoxetine  then tapering by 1mg every 2-3 months

Fall 2022 - held at 10mg->December 2022: 9mg->Feb 2023: 8mg ->March 2023: brassmonkey slide begins: 7.8mg -> 7.6 -> 7.4->2 week hold (April)->7.2->7mg->6.8->2 week hold->6.6-> 1-month hold ->(June)-6.5->4-week hold-> (July)-6.4 (discontinued brassmonkey slide and slowed taper)-> (Aug)-6.2->(Sept)-6.0->(Oct)-5.9->(Nov)-5.8->(Dec)-5.7->wave!->(Jan)-5.8->(Feb)-6mg and holding.

 

My 2014 withdrawal experience: https://rxisk.org/antidepressant-withdrawal-a-prozac-story/

 

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Sorry for my late reply. Had a lot to do.

Hope you are all well.

 

First an update:
My premature ejaculation is gone. It took about 4-5 weeks. It is back to normal I think. It was similar to this the first time I took paroxetine.
Also my anhedonia is gone I think, or lessened and my penis is not really numb anymore. However, I'm not sure if I'm already used to it and just imagining an "improvement".

Unfortunately, to cause and hold an erection is still difficult. Nothing has happened there, unfortunately. Sex is therefore still not possible.

My testostorone and LH is still low. My doctor says to check my hormone levels again in 4 weeks. If they are still low, I should possibly use testosterone gel. I don't know if that's necessarily a good idea though, since that might stop/delay the healing process.

 

@Parisien I'm trying to do a little more exercise now. Glad to hear you're making progress. How are you doing now?

 

@Addax Thanks for your input. I think I am feeling a little more again as well. Unfortunately, I get extremely depressed when I can't have sex because it's not physically possible. This is currently destroying my relationship. I wonder if taking viagra or testosterone gel will help. Sure it may help, but is it likely to stop/demand the healing process as well

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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  • 3 months later...

Update:

 

My penis sensitivity has gotten a little better. But maybe I just got used to the numb penis? I do not know.


Other than that, hardly any improvement.

No libido. Still erectile dysfunction. I feel no love and little pleasure. When I listen to music, it's not like it used to be. I hardly feel anything. I also hardly feel sad. Just no emotions anymore.

I feel like I'm still taking paroxetine. I am completely anxiety free.
It feels like I've traded my mental health for my sexuality.

 

My testosterone is normal and there are no other medical findings.

 

With Cialis I get erections much easier and can keep them. This also includes spontaneous erections. I also have morning wood. I almost never have them otherwise (not even before PSSD).

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Good evening @AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy how are you ?  How long have you been off?  Do you still have premature ejaculation?  Has your penis shrunk?  Keep me informed of the evolution I will do the same I hope you will heal quickly hold on especially I will not resume the treatment we will get there

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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  • 1 month later...

Hi @Parisien,

Sorry for the late answer.

I am off for like 7 months. Sometimes premature ejaculation, but not always. Penis has normal size, maybe a little bit smaller but it changes every day. My glans is cold though.

 

So I don't have any real improvements. Anhedonia is also a thing. Not sure what to do.

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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  • 2 months later...

Hello how are you now? @AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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Hello @Parisien,

 

10 months off Paroxetine.

I have some good days and bad days. But actually I don't feel like any improvements. Still anhedonia (no love, can't feel music, can't cry) and PSSD symptoms.

 

Sometimes I can have sex, but mostly I need Cialis. That's crazy when I remember that I used to get hard just by thinking/imagine things. Now it's super difficult or impossible to get hard. It is crazy how the drug destroyed my sex life.

 

One positive thing is that I am still anxiety-free. It really feels like I am still taking the drug.

 

How are you? Any improvements?

 

 

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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Hello @AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy I hope you will improve with time you have stopped for 10 months or you have taken the antidepressant for 10 months?  Me, I'm 5 months off mentally, it's better even if it's not in great shape yet, but I see improvements in mood, and sleep, too, the work helps me a lot at this level.  I no longer have the migraines of the beginning nor the insomnia.  On the other hand, sexually still the same for me, no improvement.  How does Cialis help you?  Me I had a shrinkage premature ejaculation and orgasm without pleasure.  I manage to have emotions on the other hand my libido is not what it was.  I fight every day hoping that in two years it will be better.  Otherwise I don't know what I'll do

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi @Parisien,

sorry for the late answer.

 

I stopped 10 months ago. Now nearly 11 months.

 

Glad to hear that you have improvements. I hope for you that it continues. Is there something you are doing or is just time that brings improvement?

 

Cialis is helping me getting and maintaining an erection. Maybe Cialis could help your shrinkage and premature ejaculation problem. More blood flow could decrease your shrinkage.

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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Now I am nearly 11 months off the drug and there are nearly no improvements.

 

What can I do next? Could reinstating Paxil (low dose) and slowly withdrawal help?

Should I maybe take Wellbutrin/Bupropion?

 

I feel hopeless.

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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  • 3 weeks later...

@AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy

  Sorry for my late reply, how are you?
Go see my topic, I made a big update on my status.  I ask myself the same question as you is that reintegrating and doing a gradual weaning will help .. I'm not so sure you suddenly stopped the treatment like me?  I don't want to touch this drug anymore.
Cialis maybe but I don't know, I don't want to be dependent on a drug to live normally.  Thinking of a single take?

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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Personally, having seen the damage that the drug has done to me, I will not advise you to resume treatment and I think that given the withdrawal time you have, it is too late to reintegrate and taper slowly.  After that only my opinion remains.  For me it takes time to set goals but I totally understand you on your doubts I have the same.  If after a while it doesn't improve, I don't know what solution will be offered to me to have a normal life and sexuality.  For cialis according to doctor taking it will solve my sexual problems but I strongly doubt it as soon as I stop it will come back to the same

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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  • 2 months later...

@Parisien sorry, I totally forgot to answer.

Nothing changed for me. I still have 0 libido, erectile dysfunction and anhedonia.

 

Yesterday I visited my neurologist and he prescribed me Trazodone. But I am not sure if I should take it or not since I heard a lot of negative experiences with it.

 

I don't want to worsen my condition but it literally kills me that nothing has improved after more than 1 year.

 

Don't know what to do

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy: taken off paroxetine - left with PSSD?
  • 2 weeks later...

No improvements after over 1 year. I don't know what to do. Nobody can help me and my mental health gets worse every day because of these symptoms.

 

What can I do? Is it worth to reinstate or try Wellbutrin? I think it can't get worse anymore. Need help :(

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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  • 2 months later...

Good morning @AnxietyNauseaMyEnemy, how are you doing ?  I understand you too, it's been a year for the day of weaning on January 1st and even if sleep and fatigue are better sexually there is no improvement and that scares me because I'm not going to wait indefinitely in this  situation I live it very badly 

Hello everyone, I was on seroplex 10mg in October 2019 for over a year and then on brintellix from March to September for maybe 8 months. I made several attempts to stop abruptly then I resumed the treatment of brintellix recently for a few weeks because it was too difficult to stop.

Symptom when stopped: premature ejaculation, ejaculation with less orgasm. Severe insomnia, transient headaches, sensitivity to noise and light.

Last intake of brintellix 5mg: Saturday, September 11, 2021

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Hi @Parisien,

 

not so good. No improvements for me unfortunately. I lost hope and I am super depressed. My whole life is **** at the moment.

 

I'm glad that you have some improvements. Keep going and avoid stress.

 

You have improvements over time or did you take something?

September 2019 - December 2020: Paroxetine (20mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 20mg to 10mg for 2 weeks. Premature ejaculation after withdrawal for 1-2 months. No other problems.

Mid of June 2021 - End of August 2021: Paroxetine (10mg). Withdrawal within 2 weeks. From 10mg to ~5mg for 2 weeks. Reason for withdrawal: Sexual dysfunction. After withdrawal, even more sexual dysfunction (no libido, premature ejaculation), anhedonia -> PSSD?

 

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