Lost my sex drive...can't seem to find it.

[CrazyDaisy]

I am currently on 30 mg of Celexa for my depression & anxiety which seems to be an effective dose for me. My doctor added Wellbutrin XL 300 mg to help counteract the sexual side effects I was complaining of. The wellbutrin doesn't help!! I've noticed an increase in my energy and overall I'm feeling pretty good, but I have absolutely no sexual desire anymore and less physical sensations and reactions from sex when I do have it.

 

HELP ME - I'm frustrated and my husband is frustrated. We had a great sex life pre-meds and I don't want to go off medication because I do need it, but I want to be able to have sex with my husband again.

 

What have you done to deal with the effects? Any suggestions?

 

[koa]

This is something to work out with your psychiatrist.  I think you need to ask if you might lower your dose of celexa now that you're on wellbutrin, or maybe switch to a different antidepressant, or go off of celexa entirely.  I have no idea what your depression was like, though, so you have to weigh out the risks vs rewards. 

[jt07]

Celexa absolutely killed my sex drive, but it is the only SSRI that helps me with anxiety. As with you, Wellbutrin never did anything to help me, but I take two meds in my cocktail that seem to offset the sexual side effects of Celexa to some extent: Abilify and Remeron. However, I'm not sure that your doctor would be keen on adding yet another med just to deal with this issue.

 

I agree that you should talk with your pdoc about this. Maybe there is another AD that would help you but wouldn't have this side effect. From what I understand, it's a crap shoot as to whether you will get this side effect with a med or not so maybe it's worth trying other meds. Talk to your pdoc.

[Stickler]

Given buspirone a try?

 

Still another option is buspirone (BuSpar), which may restore the ability to have an orgasm and increase libido.

http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/depression/dealing-with-sexual-side-effects-1

 

MSN doesn't count as a scholarly reference, but I have read elsewhere some people find it( Buspirone, that is ) cancels out the sexual side effects of SSRI's.  Not everybody though.

(edit for clarity)

Edited March 18, 2014 by Stickler

[water]

I am currently on 30 mg of Celexa for my depression & anxiety which seems to be an effective dose for me. My doctor added Wellbutrin XL 300 mg to help counteract the sexual side effects I was complaining of. The wellbutrin doesn't help!! I've noticed an increase in my energy and overall I'm feeling pretty good, but I have absolutely no sexual desire anymore and less physical sensations and reactions from sex when I do have it.

 

HELP ME - I'm frustrated and my husband is frustrated. We had a great sex life pre-meds and I don't want to go off medication because I do need it, but I want to be able to have sex with my husband again.

 

What have you done to deal with the effects? Any suggestions?

 

 

How long have you been taking Wellbutrin?  My sex drive stayed firm when I added Lexapro to the Wellbutrin.  Now I take Aplenzin which is basically the same as Wellbutrin. Both are bupropion but Aplenzin has sodium bromide instead of chloride.

 

There are times I cannot really come but I am still horny pretty often. :-}  And I am up there in age, menopaused early. 

 

Talk to your pdoc about Lexapro vs. Celexa.  Some people have less sexual side effects with Lex. Also mention the Aplenzin option.  I hesitate to recommend you increase your dose of Wellbutrin because 450 XL is the highest.  This is the benefit of Aplenzin btw.  I can take ONE pill at 450 XL which I believe helps with the lack of drop off at night.

 

You are not alone. It will be fine. One day at a time.

[CrazyDaisy]

Thanks! I have another appt. coming up soon as my follow up to see how the wellbutrin is working for me. Will talk to my doctor about these other options you guys have suggested and see what he thinks is worth a try next. It's definitely frustrating that in all other aspects I feel so much better but this is the one thing that hasn't been resolved yet. 

[water]

a little funny sidenote:

 

someone posted on freecycle.

"Looking for a sex drive.  Mine seems to be missing"

[CrazyDaisy]

hahaha! Wasn't me, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has this problem!

[Bizzartist]

I really, really hope you can fix it, and bravo to you for wanting to fix it...my guy was on celexa for about 8 months and it killed his sex drive, too- and it's pretty much destroyed our relationship. He stopped taking it about two months ago and now he's totally off-meds, and still no sex drive. I've read from a lot of celexa users that it can take a while for it to return; I hope you have better luck. Keep us posted!!