Hi all.

I've been dealing with depression for the last several years and I'm on medication. My doctor just recently changed my meds because it seems the benefits had plateaued.  

While having sex or masturbating while on the old meds, it would take me forever to climax. We're talking 45 minutes minimum. And I was pretty much one and done. With the new meds, it's the polar opposite - I cum in about 5 minutes and can cum again within about 30 minutes or so.  

Ideally, I'd like to find some middle ground. Has anyone else dealt with this issue?

-- Modified on 3/19/2017 7:22:07 AM

Talk to your doctor. Never seek that level of medical advice here.

Seeking out others experiences as a starting point for you and your doctor, okay. But if your doctor truly wants to help you, sexual function and fulfillment must be part of the treatment.

I have a follow up with the doc tomorrow. But I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this.

Have you asked your doctor about adding Wellbutrin to augment your current antidepressant? It is  awesome! That is one med I stayed on because it makes me horny as fuck and I can now get off multiple times in a very short timeframe. I know you're not female do it could be different, but I would at least look into it. Best of luck. Depression is a real bitch!

-- Modified on 3/19/2017 7:17:37 AM

Ha! That's the new med the doc switched me to. Horniness is no problem. It's the quick release I'm not used to all of a sudden.

Than a male

Damn! Wellbutrin never did that to me. Effects are very much a function of the individual & dosage.
I did find that ditching the meds and switching to sex and exercise did wonders.

Paranoia and suicidal thoughts.  It happened to a friend.  He killed himself.

I took this mixed in with another medication.  I still had issues having an orgasm but was able to get turned on.  Perhaps try mixing with a low dose of another medication?  Aside from that, I quit antidepressants because the side effects were terrible and the withdrawal is even worse.  If you have low to moderate low depression please think about trying to mitigate it from a nutritional standpoint.  Antidepressants can permanently alter the chemistry of your brain thus increasing the need for them which can become a lifelong thing.

Going to break it down kind of deep, but this stuff isn't as simple as meds will make it all better.

The key is finding out the trigger(s) to the neurological imbalance in the first place. There are so many studies lately showing a connection between the gut & the brain. So gut inflammation, if you have food allergies or a poor diet, can trigger inflammation in the brain, giving you depression, anxiety etc. I always suggest to those with similar symptoms, to change the diet first, if necessary.  

Then, you also need to look at emotional stuff because lets face it, the vast majority of people are the walking wounded in some aspect. So those experiences, can cause neuro imbalances too. Think of PTSD, for example. The person goes into survival mode and that changes the pathways of the brain, resulting in emotional dysfunction. Which then, throws off all the other functions of the body.  

I see a functional neurologist (not to be confused with a neurologist) to help rebalance my brain from PTSD resulting from post-partum depression and chronic stress. Yes, even chronic stress alone rewires the brain. Think of FN like physical therapy, but for the brain. You know like how it takes 21 days to create a habit? That's because you are rewiring your brain. No meds, no therapist visits, no rehashing events etc. Just instant results that fix the problem over the long run. Because like you have already experienced, the body gets used to the medication, so you and your body can never be in a state of balance.

Happy to answer any questions you or anyone else has, either here or via PM. FN has changed my life, but no one knows that it exists. They just go to the doctor and do the western medicine dance for the rest of their life. I read/study about Functional Neurology & Functional Medicine for fun, it's definitely a huge part of my career path in the next year or so too.  

Good luck to you! There are definitely solutions, it just depends on what you are willing to do.

...and was diagnosed with sub-clinical depression in 1996. Fortunately, my doctor at the time got me into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and it helped me immensely. I became able to recognize triggers, head off the downward spiral (even though I'm a big Nine Inch Nails fan! and even cut down the rumination.

Coupled with strict attention to diet (higher protein, lower complex carbs, little simple carbs, PLENTY of hydration); regular and structured exercise (3-4 days a week in the gym, with weights, machines and cardio/core days); time in the great outdoors (which I love); reasonable supplementation (daily vitamins, etc.) and trying to get enough rest (this one is still an issue for me) -- well, it takes a major problem to derail me now and when it does happen, the effects aren't as severe and don't last as long.

I've never done antidepressants just because of the issues mentioned here -- seems to me it's a roll of the dice as to how they MIGHT work (yes, I understand meds are individauted and it might take YEARS to find "the right combination") and then the side effects? No thanks.

Works for me, but I have no idea whether any of this would work for you -- but my sexual function is pretty damn good for being 63 (the exercise works wonders for stamina and blood flow).

Depression isn't my problem, but I do have others

In college, I had a lot of trouble concentrating and finishing tasks (STILL DO) and decided to go to a psychologist.  She prescribed me something for ADD.  The good part was I had hyper-focus.  I was super efficient and could sit down and complete my work without my eyes glazing over or going into lala land.

The bad part was it made me a crazy biatch.  The slightest provocation (say, someone cutting me off in traffic) would absolutely send me into a rage.  I'd get so angry, I'd be shaking and crying.  I was aware that I was completely overreacting but couldn't control it either.  I also couldn't sleep more than 3 hours at night.  Long story short, those meds were short lived!

I've known some over the years where I didn't really notice how fast they came because they made me cum/pleasured me first.  

In fact, I would even try a longer date to see if you can go three times. Never know!!

Good luck. You're fine. In my opinion if you're happier on the meds and still cumming, you've got a better quality of life. I wouldn't skip the meds over it. Medication changes can be brutal if done over and over again. Maybe just enjoy the happiness and double pop for a while.  

P.S. I've dealt with and met many who have dealt with this issue. It sucks. (Obviously my issue was libido and staying wet.) Def talk to your doctor first and foremost, or maybe see if you can make the best, if not better, of it for some time?  

Just a thought. 💋

-- Modified on 3/20/2017 12:57:09 AM

I too have battled depression much of my life.  I've always just been a very low energy person who has to work 2x-3x harder to get things accomplished.  Most don't understand that depression isn't really feeling sad all the time as much as it is just being tired and unmotivated all the time.  I've had success with meds but at a great price.  I had a hard time sleeping, my stomach always hurt the first couple of months leading to a suppressed appetite and it screwed with my vision and gave me panic attacks.  I also found it hard to orgasm and this sounds weird but it completely killed my creative thinking process.  One to two days off and I immediately went into withdrawal which was the worst feeling ever.

I experimented with diet and supplements and found they work a great deal.  As for exercise I have to find a happy medium because going too hard makes me want to take a nap.  It's hard doing it from a nutritional standpoint not to mention expensive but I had positive effects in other areas as well.  I went somewhat paleo and was eating 8-9 servings of fruits and veggies a day and taking a multi as well as B stress complex, vitamin D, fish oil and turmeric.  

END OF MESSAGE

Sorry to hear that!! Unfortunately, it's a potential side effect of all psych meds. Like I said, depression/mental illness is a real bitch!!!

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful words. I really appreciate it.