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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Desensitized / Low Lebido - Zoloft Xanax
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Desensitized / Low Lebido - Zoloft Xanax
by jimmycsayz, Sep 11, 2005 12:00AM
Hi
I posted on here before regarding my anxiety, and depression associated with this anxiety disorder. I'm now 23 years old, and lately I feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world, and it's a very unpleasant feeling, regardless of reasurance. The medication has become more of an negative factor now because of sexual performance. (Delayed ejaculation, difficulty maintaining an erection, not in the mood).
I would like to continue on medication and the talk theropy for a longer period until I can find myself as far as career and aptitude. I still feel detached and "depersonalized" based on these stress factors, and it seems a like a dark cloud that will not even give me the least bit of sun light. I'm not sure wether its the stress factors, pressures (real or not), or if its the medication causing me being desensitized and depersonalized, along with the lack of motivation and trouble focusing at certain times.
Currently, I am on:
150mg ZOLOFT daily
1.5mg XANAX ( (3) 0.5mg tablets) daily
.05mg LEVOXAL (hypothyroidism) daily
I would like to wein off the Xanax and switch to Welbutrin since I heard about the relief of sexual side effects.
Do you think its a good idea to replace the Xanax with the Welburin, and take it concurrently with the Zoloft? Or do you have other suggestions? And what do you think is causing the depersonalization and decreased lebido...the Zoloft or the Xanax? I appreciate your advice. Thanks!
I posted on here before regarding my anxiety, and depression associated with this anxiety disorder. I'm now 23 years old, and lately I feel like I'm carrying the weight of the world, and it's a very unpleasant feeling, regardless of reasurance. The medication has become more of an negative factor now because of sexual performance. (Delayed ejaculation, difficulty maintaining an erection, not in the mood).
I would like to continue on medication and the talk theropy for a longer period until I can find myself as far as career and aptitude. I still feel detached and "depersonalized" based on these stress factors, and it seems a like a dark cloud that will not even give me the least bit of sun light. I'm not sure wether its the stress factors, pressures (real or not), or if its the medication causing me being desensitized and depersonalized, along with the lack of motivation and trouble focusing at certain times.
Currently, I am on:
150mg ZOLOFT daily
1.5mg XANAX ( (3) 0.5mg tablets) daily
.05mg LEVOXAL (hypothyroidism) daily
I would like to wein off the Xanax and switch to Welbutrin since I heard about the relief of sexual side effects.
Do you think its a good idea to replace the Xanax with the Welburin, and take it concurrently with the Zoloft? Or do you have other suggestions? And what do you think is causing the depersonalization and decreased lebido...the Zoloft or the Xanax? I appreciate your advice. Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Sep 12, 2005 12:00AM
, Sep 12, 2005 12:00AM
I believe you are experiencing depersonalization as a secondary effect of the medications you are on, but of course, I can not be sure so you must experiment. Zolfot usually is the cause of sexual effects, xanax at that dosage can make you feel disconnected. Try weaning from both of them and replacing with Wellbutrin, or sticking with talk therapy alone after you wean.
Member Comments (1)
by bootz, Sep 24, 2005 12:00AM
To: jimmycsayz
I have read that zoloft is notorious for the sexual side effects, especially at higher doses. You don't say how anxiety is effecting you ,xanax can also slow down your libido, but if you have severe anxiety, that isn't exactly an aphrodisiac either! You might want to have your thyroid levels checked. Sometimes we assume right away that it must be the psych meds, when really, the psych meds are what's keeping us functioning at all. I have heard alot of good things about WellbutrinXR, and also Effexor. I was on zoloft for years and it worked really well,but now I take lexapro and it seems to have fewer side effects. The main thing with all these newer,"better" drugs is the cost difference,which at times can be hundreds of dollars difference.Please post how you make out. Good luck!
