These last few days have been terrible.

TW if sex talk makes you uncomfortable... Yesterday was a struggle and today has been even worse... Yesterday, I noticed a huge difference in my arousal. My body isn't reacting the same or doing the things it can normally do. I had my antidepressants doubled a few months ago because I was going through a terrible time (right before DX). I've had these issues with SSRI's before so I touched base with my psychiatrist about going back to my regular dose since I feel like I am doing better mood wise. I didn't have these issues before upping my dose. She said it is "highly unlikely" that my SSRIs are affecting my sex life. I'm like jfc. Start downward spiral. I start Googling it and the medication I'm on may affect things like arousal and climax, which is what I'm experiencing. I decided to send a message back and be more specific in my concerns...but the damage was already done. Uncontrollable anxiety all day... I've felt on edge and like near a breakdown all day. I can't get it out of my head and the ROCD is in full effect. I just want to cry. The other day I was thinking how this hasn't shown it's ugly head in a while and I'm making it all up...then today was just absolutely unbearable. I got relief talking about it and legit deep cleaning my fridge. I know that's not what I'm supposed to do but there feels like there is something so fundamentally wrong with me. Am I doomed to be like this forever.

Anonymorphe

Date posted: 11h

Oh sweet kitten! 🐈‍⬛ I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this. :( Believe it or not, I’ve experienced something like this before when I first started my SSRI. It was really, really hard, and I struggled with connecting with my body, which was something I’d already struggled with before. I want to give you the same advice I would’ve given my past self. 🤎 First and foremost, ABSOLUTELY nothing is wrong with you. What’s happening is that your brain is adjusting to this new change in dosage and working on how to sort out this new chemistry. And while your SSRI is for your cognitive and mental health, it also interacts with other parts of your body, including your hormones. It’s not necessarily a negative or a positive thing. Your brain and body are just trying to recalibrate right now, and that may take a little time. Different things may also adjust on different timelines. What you can do to help the process is, #1, be patient, gentle, and kind with yourself while this happens, because adjusting to meds takes time. And I mean time… Like, for me, it was 4–8 weeks. Again, for me, I feel the effects around weeks 3 and 4, and then I start to kind of feel my new baseline around weeks 5–6. From there, your brain is just building the SSRI capacity to help you do what your brain and body need to do to help you function in a better way. Things that can really help with some of this stress and emotional ups and downs, and help align your head and heart, would be any kind of stretching, yoga, or deep breathing. Personally, I love to do this in bed, hehehe. Usually when I wake up and before bed. It helps me kind of ground myself and relax a bit, especially when I start to spiral. Other things that help are,regulating your nervous system, my personal fav way is sour candy! Staying extra hydrated and eating regularly, and getting extra good sleep. Know that you’re not alone. And with time, you and your body are going to adapt to this new chemistry. Your sex drive isn’t gone forever. Rather, it may just not be your body’s highest priority right now, and she may need you to really get aligned and connected with your body before you start to engage. Whether it’s deep breaths, different music, or taking longer with foreplay, giving your body and brain new stimulation after you’re grounded can help send the signal of, “It’s okay to relax and shift into a state of pleasure.” :) I really hope this helps Kitten!

kittenmittens

Date posted: 10h

Thank you so much for this! I need to do some of the stuff you mentioned...I don't do much in the way of stress relief and regulation. Still trying to find my balance. I am now wondering if I should keep going or decrease. I upped because I had a miscarriage and the OCD was legit triggered to high heavens with all the stress. That was about a month ago. Things have quieted down now...so, that's why I'm wondering. Not sure. I guess I can always go back if I realize I need some more help. Ohhhh, to need help with your brain 🙃 It's exhausting.

isacatm3

Date posted: 10h

U got this ! Talk to your doctor and see if you can add Wellbutrin? I’ve heard that helps. TMI but sometimes what helps is changing how you view sex instead of viewing it as I need to “finish” enjoy the journey and relax and you’ll get there and if you don’t it’s okay too. I was scared of starting an SSRI because of hearing about this. Thankfully I never had this side effect from my lexapro. But I hope my advice on not pressuring urself helps? You got this much love ❤️

kittenmittens

Date posted: 10h

Ha, I am actually on Wellbutrin! That's why she said it's highly unlikely...I had the same problem with my Lexapro and that's why I switched. Maybe...maybe. it is entirely possible I'm overthinking everything and it's making it a thousand times worse. I focus on sex a lot as a gauge of my relationship which is a vision spiral so it makes sense if I start to be aversive.

isacatm3

Date posted: 10h

@kittenmittens Something that helps me is seeing sex as a show I like roleplay and in corporate bondage with my partner keeping things spicy for me really really makes my sex drive go wild. Maybe drink some champagne before u do it ? I know that helps too. I’m also super into lingerie and like incorporating that. Also be kind to yourself! It sounds like you also have a lot of stress you survived a recent miscarriage of course sex is going to be difficult. Find ways to connect to your partner outside of sex that in corporate touch if physical touch is your love language like cuddling or even kissing :)

isacatm3

Date posted: 10h

@isacatm3 *incorporate

isacatm3

Date posted: 10h

Sometimes it’s normal to not be in the mood I have a hard time accepting that sometimes my ocd is like omg if I’m not in the mood does that mean I don’t like my bf tell ur self maybe it does maybe it doesn’t don’t let ocd defeat !!!

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