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Sexual Side effects. Which drug has the least one?

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Posted 11/15/2007 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

This is my first time in the depression forum.  I am usually in the Crohn's Disease forum.  Anyway, I have struggled with depression and anxiety including PTSD since high school, and have been on Paxil, Zoloft, trazodone, and was currently started on Prozac for 2 weeks, and today I started the Wellbutrin.  My Dr had me start the prozac first so that the Wellbutrin wouldn't cause me the anxiety as much.  She intends to have me stop the prozac in a few weeks and then only be on the Wellbutrin in the AM and the trazodone at night.  I have a few questions:

1)  Does this sound like an OK plan?

2)  It seems like the prozac is causing me orgasm diffculties (I know SSRIs are infamous for this), will the wellbutrin do this? It's not listed as a side effect in my Nursing Drug handbook, but I wanted to hear from actual people who have taken the drugs!  Which drug causes the least amount of these side effects?

3)  Has anyone experienced weight gain or weight loss on wellbutrin?

Thanks everyone!  Also, I am a nurse so feel free to explain in medical terms!  I understand!

Krysta

Posted 11/16/2007 4:03 AM (GMT 0)

I have read in more than one place that Wellbutin is not known for causing problems with libido.  Members have gone both ways with the weight issues with this drug.

I am seeing my Pdoc tomorrow and was going to discuss Wellbutirn with her, however, she said Cymbalta was not known for causing weight gain...............wrong.  I am living proof.

I am sure you will hear from others.

Take care

Kitt

Posted 11/16/2007 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I hope other people reply. Maybe the SEX in the title scared them?? lol. I see you are a wife of a crohnie!! Us crohnies appreciate the shout out and the support. :-)
Posted 11/16/2007 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Krysta

I took Wellbutrin for years and did not have a problem.
Now,paxil is a different story..along with prozac those two drugs made me numb from any emotion whatsoever.


Shy
Posted 11/16/2007 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! I hope I have no issues. I hope when I go off of the prozac that the trazodone at night is enough to keep the anxiety side effect of the wellbutrin away.
Posted 11/17/2007 1:45 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Krysta

It was a good question and I am glad you brought it up as I know many people have the same problem but are afraid to talk about it hoping it will go away. 

Yes I have a Crohnie for a hubbie and I am a nurse so I have had many encounters with this disease.  My poor husband has been on the receiving end of my starting his IV's and giving him enemas until clear and he did argue with me what clear meant to me?  redface

Take care

Kitt

Posted 11/17/2007 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
lol. haha.

:-)
Posted 11/17/2007 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Zoloft and had a hard time reaching orgasm, in fact it was impossible. I told my Doc and he had me take wellbutrin too. Really helped with the orgasm problem!
Posted 11/23/2007 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Cool! I will be glad to go off of it when she gives me the ok. I like how the prozac made me feel, better than the wellbutrin does. It makes me somewhat dizzy and I get a withdrawal headache from it every morning. Well, the you-need-to-take-your-pill headache.

But, we shall see! Hopefully those side effects will go away over time. I have only been on the wellbutrin (along with the prozac) for one week, so maybe when my body adjusts to it it will be better.
Posted 11/23/2007 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Keep us posted Krysta,I hope the wellbutrin helps!



Shy
Posted 11/24/2007 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
i had to stop taking wellbutiron, it was like taking mass dose's of speed. i was only sleeping 2 hours every 3 days. i now take lexapro, but it looks like they are going to add other medication to this or change the types of medication. ampitripaline made me want to fight with everyone i saw. valium made me sleep all the time. when i was awake, i was not very friendly. i am fighting depression, and mood disorders related to low back injury. i am having a very hard time accepting that i can never work again. i think that is where my anger comes from.
Posted 11/26/2007 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Krysta--

I am a 40 year old male and have reached a point in my life where I just gotta "keep it real" and not be embarrassed or bashful about sharing my experiences with depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.

I can say from my personal experience that Wellbutrin alone didn't cause me any adverse sexual side effects. At one point in time, it did relieve my depression enough to improve my overall libido which resulted in an increase in sexual activities.

I now take Zoloft as well and there are a lot of adverse sexual side effects. The adverse side effects seem to be present regardless of whether I am with a partner or flying solo. My libido is quite reduced, erection problems are usually an issue (even with Cialis), orgasms take forever, and my overall satisfaction with the experience is substantially decreased.

My psychiatrist says that taking the Wellbutrin with Zoloft should counteract these types of effects, but that hasn't been my experience. If I stop taking the Zoloft for two to three days, the adverse sexual side effects are greatly diminished. I've done this several times over the last six months and resumed the Zoloft. However, stopping the Zoloft creates withdrawal symptoms and is a really bad idea from a mental health perspective.

I've gained quite a bit of weight (20 pounds or so) since I started taking Zoloft, but that could also be attributed to a reduction in exercise, eating too much, and/or eating too much junk. I've improved my eating habits a little bit, resumed exercising, and started martial arts classes, so I would expect to start shedding a few pounds really soon. One of the benefits of being male, I guess.

Good luck!!

Bob
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