3d holiday Anafranil, Levitra & Big O Finally

[Guest guest]

Dear Group, After my H (age 50)gave up his 200 mg of Anafranil for 3

days (drug holiday, cold turkey w no withdrawl symptoms)he was

finally able with the assistance of Levitra 20 mg to have an

ejacutlation. The Levitra made him firm the first 2 days but not

until day 3 of no Anfranil was he able to experience an orgasism

which was his first in 3 months b/c of side effects of Anafranil (by

masturbation). It was the first time in 5 months for sexual

intercourse(having major marital & financial problems too). In the

past Lexapro, Buspar, Noratriptaline, Zolft gave such a extreme

delayed response in ejaculation that he gave up trying in the

bedroom (but would masturbate alone). Levitra was a good jump start

back to relations with his wife with no side effects. So I share

this personal info so other couples may try experimenting with drug

holidays (talk to MD 1st) or push through the anxiety and talk w MD

about induced sexual side effects b/c of antidepressants & seek

help.

Plan now to just be 100 mg of Anfranil at 18 weeks. My H reported

his OCD thoughts & behavior decreased at 14 weeks to a minimal level

at 200 mg of Anafranil. My thought is lower dose so less side

effects with delayed ejaculation, limited erection, urinary delay,

tremors, muscle spasms, extreme dry mouth, lethargy, extreme

sleepiness, weight gain. And record how the ocd symptoms are

manifested. Psy MD believes no more than 200 mg a week & we now know

the 9 side effects are too much at that 200 mg dose. So goal is to

tritrate between 100mg-125-150-175 mg to reduce ocd symptoms yet

have the minimal amount of the NINE side effects & use Levitra on

wkd with or with out a drug holiday. Crazy our Psy MD did not guide

me but the internet, my medical background, & the willingness to be

passionate w my husband facilitated a passionate weekend as if we

were 25 years younger.

I would like to hear back from the group on people who have used

Anafranil. I would also like to hear back what else has worked

besides Levitra and another ssri. Herbs, ritalin, anticonvulsants,

or mood stabilizers as adjunctive therapies. We learned seeing a

uroligist Anafranil is given to men who have premature ejaculation.

My H already had delayed ejaculation so this med made it alot worst

b/c he could not even ejaculate w masturbation. Urologist stated

most men ejaculate in 2-5 minutes. My husband took 30-60m or not at

all. What else to try in case he goes off Anfranil all together?

Main psy problem is ocd w over buying electronics & hoarding them

debt), hand washing, symmetry, sexual thoughts with more anxiety &

avoidance then depression because he is an intovert. Thank you

group. I find Psy MD has 10 m for mtg every 2-3 months & has no time

for such detail, especially on our sex lives. He directs us back to

couples therapist where SW believes it is not ocd but a relationship

problem. My H had ocd since he was age 8. I married him at 30. Got

the picture? SW not in line w Psy MD on diagnosis. Thank you in

advance for any email responses. Grace (with a smile:)