too make a long story short,Effexor=only semi-erections + can only orgazim,if i masterbate(sometimes,it takes an hour or more)...you know this is some powerful stuff,when you don't even get aroused by a provider(the one i'm seeing now,is absolutely stunning)...I know all about the why's? of this med,was even thinking about trying to get off it all together(since the stress levels in my life are way down)(divorced the wicked witch from the east,after 30 yrs of pure hell)...Any suggestions on a better med?
Or have any of you,that are considered,antidepressant lifer's,like myself,been able to lead a normal life without it?..Sorry,that wasn't short,after all.

Just stay away from the SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). It happens to females as well as males.

And yes, it is quite possible to live without antidepressants even after you've been on them for awhile. It's all about the mindset. -e



-- Modified on 8/17/2008 8:40:05 PM

Consider the natural alternative, no side effects

http://www.sam-e.com/

off of!!!!  The effects from getting off are worse than what you have now.  It takes a VERY long, and slow downward titration of the dose to not start having the "electrical" shocks in the head and extremities.  Anyone who tells you to just stop taking SSRI's is a moron...and should not make statements like that with NO medical background!!!  NO there IS no better antidepressant out there than Effexor, it works when the others wont...most carry side effects much greater than effexor does.
Number 2.....get some Viagra...not only will it help with the erections, it is now being used (experimentally) to help with the problem of not being able to orgasm.  Number 3....STOP masturbating, and get your stimulation from a provider, or other woman.  With this problem, you have now gotten yourself into the situation where masturbation is the only way you can climax....STOP IT!!!...you NOW have to learn all over!!!!  I saw a post to take natural drugs, no side effects....Bullshit!!!  Go eat tree bark...it will do the same for you...Nothing! Poison Oak is also natural, put some in your cereal!  And Natural medicines are NOT all that safe, and interact with many prescription medications!
HOW do I know all of this, and why am I saying this?  I am in the medical field...and have been on effexor for years and beat this problem!!!!!
It is MUCH easier to do than to get off of the effexor....believe me!!!

I was on effexor for over three years.  I am amazed you could experience orgasm,  I could not.  The I replaced effexor with wellburtrin over a 6 month period and now I am off of both.  This was done with medical supervision.  The withdrawal from the effexor was very, very slow.  When I started I was at the max dose of 225mg/day.  I started to withdraw by dropping my daily dosage 75mg each week.  That was way to fast.  After some consults and trial and error I was able to withdraw by dropping my dose in 20mg increments over 3 week periods.  I was actually pulling capsules apart and counting granules to lower the dose.

The withdrawal symptoms for me were flu like symptoms.  Chills, hot flashes, nausea, diarrhea, and shock like flashes of tunnel vision.

Please be careful.  It is hard work to get off of this stuff.  I did find that the Wellbutrin had no sexual side effects for me.

Good post..Thanks!...I'm also in med field(28yrs)
Effexor = saved my life!...If anyone out there has had a true clinical depression,you know what i'm talking about.For those of you who haven't,believe me,you don't want to!..Natural?..
I went that route,to no avail.I also know the effects of weaning off of Effexor,lots of dizziness...Viagra,stop spanking the monkey...Will do!..Thanks for the advice and i hope your depression is under control,as mine is.
No relapses....in almost a yr!

Thanks Boomer....i've heard the same thing about Wellbutrin.

I wish it were that easy...i suffered for 4 yrs
before i started taking meds.I'm glad to say,that i am now well.Thanks for your input though.

Free advice is worth exactly what you pay for it-Nothing!

Go see a doctor.  You may think you know what is causing your problem but it could well be a side effect of a more serious medical condition.  No one posting here is qualified to diagnose your problem. Go see someone who is.

I'm not going to try to give you advice on the medical side...I have been on anti-d meds before. Everyone is different. But until you are able to ween yourself off of it...you could maybe get an extended appt. with a provider that enjoys watching a man masturbate. Most men are visual so she could do any # of things to help you out. Plus she is an extra set of hands if you wear out.

Speaking for my own personal self...I love the visual of a man pleasing himself..and the outcome. It's almost as arousing as a few other things I can think of but won't mention here.

I know this doesn't really solve your problem but it might get you through until the meds are out of your system. Masturbation can be a very intimate thing for 2 people to share. You know...like extra long foreplay. xoxox

it's the meds!..I have spoken to my doc.Thanks for the input.

Thanks Ashlyn....sounds good!....And may i say,you are gorgeous.It think watching her masterbate,while i do,will work!...it is very erotic...especially looking at her...Damn,where were all you ladies,when i was looking for a wife?...I suppose the answer is,most of you weren't born yet....Bummer!

LOL...well I am glad I could help. I was just speaking from my own experiences. I am a pretty visual person when it comes to these things as well. Thank you for the compliment. xoxox

I am not a moron. I took Effexor as well and titrated off of it just fine. At least I'm not the one asking for medical advice on an escort board. Surely, as someone in the medical field he himself should know this.

Notice I'm not calling you a moron for furthering this nonsense by telling him to get some viagra. Are you his personal physician? -e

Hmmmmmmm. Well if you truly have a chemical imbalance in her brain chemistry, I for one am not sure how you would do off your meds.
Guessing from your moniker psychological therapy may help your respiratory problems but if you need supplemental O2 or an inhaler, you gotta have.
Similarly psychological therapy may be part of your regimen for treatment but if you need a medication and it truly works, then I would take the medication and deal with the side effects.

Just my 2 cents.
Interesting how many medical people come to this board for like patient experiences.  We get so used to asking for and getting good advise on this board.

didn't catch that Effexor is technically an SNRI (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor). I'm not calling him a moron, however. Just a jackass. -e

Not sure who's being called a jackass....sorry i didn't mean to offend anyone,by asking a medical ?...as far as medical professionals go...
i take care of premature infants for a living and i'm proud of that....next time i won't ask a ? to something i already know the answer to.
Just like to get other people's thought's on a subject.Thanks for everyone's input,i respect that.....Ok everybody,on to something non-medical!

How did you guess?....I'm a Registered Respiratory Therapist...Thanks for the input!

but I play one on tv. I'll just need to check your credentials madame. Put your feet in the stirrups and say ahhhhhhhhh! You might feel a prick

That's way to funny!...and your screen name is even funnier!(i mean that in a good way)Wish i had thought of it 1st!(lol)

ba-doom!

-- Modified on 8/19/2008 12:58:09 PM