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Sexual side effects coming off Ven?

Posted , 3 users are following.

watermel0n
watermel0n

So I've been on Venlafaxine for 6 years now, I'm 24 and was on 300mg a day. Over the last 5 weeks I've been lowering my dose and finally at the point where I've been off them for five days which I'm pretty happy about. Amongst dizzy-ness, feeling light headed, throwing up every now and then and just generally feeling like death ( which I was expecting ) I've also had a less than ideal side-effect in the last week or so- Premature ejaculation. Never had any issues of this regard prior to Venlafaxine, and I'm trying my hardest not to make a big deal of it in my head, but it's concerning as a bloke to say the least.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this coming off Ven, and if so - is it something that goes with time? I've never experienced this before, and I'm sure it goes without saying; it's less than ideal.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • RickHants
    RickHants watermel0n

    Posted

    SSRI's are sometimes used to treat premature ejaculation, so it would make sense, I guess, that after you've come off them, that problem might come back, or occur for the first time.

    Look at:

    http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ejaculation-problems/Pages/Introduction.aspx

    and it says: "Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are designed to treat depression, but they also delay ejaculation".

    Indeed it is often the opposite problem that people complain about when STARTING SSRI medications - anorgasmia. This is where it is hard or impossible to reach orgasm.

    I know that Venlafaxine is technically a SNRI not a SSRI, but at lower doses it works on the Sertraline systems the same as SSRI's.

  • Purpledobermann
    Purpledobermann watermel0n

    Posted

    Any reason why you tapered so very fast? Medical reason I mean?

    The fast drop could be a reason for the problem you are experiencing. If you manage to handle the withdrawal without rebounds, the issue should ease over a few months.

    • watermel0n
      watermel0n Purpledobermann

      Posted

      I'm on quite a lot of medication, and really don't enjoy it at all. Having to remember to take medication first thing, to take them to work with me, to take them before I fall asleep, the monumental chew on if I forget to bring them somewhere, or if I fall asleep early on in the evening and miss a dose, rattling when I walk, the list goes on aha.

      To me - it's a massive annoyance. I feel "different" being the guy on a load of tablets and I don't enjoy it, never have. Venlafaxine just happened to be the first on my list to get rid of, I'm finally in a position where I feel I can get rid of it, so I did!

      Just really hoping this passes. Dealing with all of the other withdrawal, but this is an unexpected kick in the teeth.

    • Purpledobermann
      Purpledobermann watermel0n

      Posted

      I can imagine. Hang in there. It should ease over a few weeks to a couple of months. Just try to make sure you keep your other meds stable, regular and at roughly the correct time slots smile

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