A MAN'S SEX DRIVE DURING CELEXA/LEXAPRO WITHDRAWALS

Thank you so much Matt...

He never had any positive effects from the SSRI meds. But I read over and over how it takes everyone all different amounts of months to work, so I stuck it out. But it just made him crazy.

At this point his anxiety is much better, but now he's really really really angry / frustrated. Isn't there an herb that can help that? His doctor said the only thing he can do is give him something that will stop him feeling that, but I don't want to do that.

What would a doctor be looking for with a testosterone test?

Jojo

I have my own reservations about giving SSRI's and similar to those further on the autistic spectrum as it has been known to have profound effects. I am surprised your doctor went with the Citalopram group before another.

This is sounding like it could be low testosterone levels now you have mentioned the angry outbursts. This along with the lack of sex drive are the two key symptoms of low testosterone. This is usually far more prevalent in older men, but it can be from a number of other hormone related factors, infection or virus "down there", lower GI issues... and so forth.

I'd get it checked out when you can. Please keep me posted as I would be interested to know how it checks out.

Hope he will be ok getting his blood work done. Might be worth checking for iron levels as I believe that high levels can also have these symptoms.

I really appreciate you being so candid with me on a personal subject.

He was (aside from autism) a very healthy young male who I taught that this is something private and he did what he did at bedtime. It all stopped when he started the SSRI, and yes his doctor at that time stated that he will only prescribe him this and if it doesn't work he can't help him anymore. Forget him...... anyway, I'd say within 3-4 weeks it came back to him.

I am waiting for his Neurologist to get back to me. Having his levels checked is very smart.

He got that feeling back but it's leaving him unfinished and yeah I can see any male being very angry and frustrated.

Ah - right I am with you now... the "unfinished" part caught me up.

I would therefore put good money on this being a case of PSSD. So many cases have passed by our forum with this complaint as a result of withdrawal and/or reason for tapering. I can well imagine the poor guy being frustrated. I have had brief spats of exactly the same thing, but fortunately, it only lasted a couple of weeks at the most.

However, given that this is continuing, I would still advise tests.

Such a shame that doctors can be so ignorant. I have a close friend whose middle child is very high on the spectrum, so I can empathise with your situation and again, it is lovely to see a parent so dedicated to their child's well-being. God bless you.

Thank you Matt...

I did everything and still will do anything for him. I am unsure if he's having pain or discomfort or it's what I said. It's not easy to tell. All I know is that he keep touching it at all times of the day now over and over and over when it used to be something I never had to see.

Absolutely - this type of situation calls for so much patience and understanding.

You are more than welcome for help. I am just happy I can share my knowledge with such people, and again, please keep me posted on how you get on.

Matt

Good morning Matt,

From looking into it more last night, I wasn't aware how painful this is for men. This is like blue balls. I've only heard of that terminology, but never knew the extent of it. This is serious.

Still waiting for his doctor to call me back. I really don't know what I can do, but something has to be done. He's become so irritable.

If this doesn't come back to him, is he better off not feeling ... not going through that at all??

Joann

I agree that something has to be done. Adding to his existing level of anger due to his condition is not good. Such a shame that this is not understood in greater detail. Poor thing. And the worst part is that he probably doesn't comprehend all that is going on.

From all that you read with all the other men here, what's the normal? Does one come back and not the other, do they come back at separate times?

The issue here is that due to the subjective nature of each individual, the very concept of "normal" loses all meaning. The only normality is what pertains to the individual, not so much with what normal is for others. So, in the case of your son, it is difficult to say what will happen...

So every guy had different results. I really appreciate what you've taught me these last 2 days. I did a lot of reading and this is actually scarier then the anxiety he initially started with. What concerns me is that he may never go back to his normal again.

That you know of, is there an herb that may help?

From my opinion as a herbal enthusiast, your best herbs would be maca root and horny goat weed (that is honestly the name!!). They are both perfectly safe and can be bought as capsule supplements or as raw ingredients and made into a tea or smoothie. I would much rather see him try this than trust him to the medical profession again.

He will go back - what we know of neuroplasticity tells us that he will. What changes... can change back. It is a case of working out the best way to do it.

Wow! I wish it was that easy...

Can you tell me how these herbs mix with certain meds he's on? And does it mix with pot?

So do I!! I wish someone would tell me how to cure my depression. Bad day today and although I struggled through work, all I wanted to do is get in the car and come home and feel sorry for myself....

Neither of the herbs will interact with the AD. Is he on anything else?

And neither need be combined with pot, although again, there would be no interaction. Have you tried CBD at all?