Possible PSSD symptoms

Have you had any improvement? This is a real problem. I’m on the pssd forum as I have been having similar issues. I was taking viibryd(Vilazodone) for a couple of years. I got switched to it from sertraline as it has less side effects. The whole reason I got on sertraline was anxiety from a sick spouse and honestly the main reason was PE. When I was on the viibryd I never had any side effects . However, June of this year I quit it cold turkey. I didn’t realize how big of a deal that was. I just stopped once prescription needed to be filled as I didn’t think I needed it. I’m happily married and happy. About a week after stopping it I had erectile dysfunction, my scrotum shrivels up drastically a lot like I’m cold but predominately stays that way, I have lossed the same pleasurable sensations down there and I have zero libido. I’ve noticed I don’t even respond to sexual stimuli such as nudity. I never had any issues prior. I tried buspirone to help and I did indeed get a week long window of Complete improvement about three weeks in but then it went right back away to baseline. After a few more weeks I tapered off slowly and stayed off everything a couple of months with no change. My dr then suggested wellebutrin. I tried it for a month and had no change, yet it was extended release so as I went to every other day to start tapering I noticed on off days my libido and erection quality came back. I slowly tapered the wellebutrin and had significant improvement for almost a month. Then just like previously the everything went back to being bad again. I’m not sure what mechanism would give me temporary improvement but I know that it’s related to levels in the brain with some of the meds helping for a time, I just don’t understand why it can’t be corrected. It’s now been nine months and I’m no better. I’ve actually started to have some shrinkage and I’m not sure if that’s tied to lack of libido or what. The only thing that helps is Viagra or cialis temporarily ofcourse.

@markc2008 it was the same for me. I accidentally quit cold turkey because I had no idea how serious it was. I thought id resume whenever I got around to picking up my medication.

you can look me up on the pssd forum for more detail (username: sovietxrobot). my impression is that whatever damage withdrawal did, its permanent. it can be mitigated with medication but I can't function without it.

what does of buspirone were you on? its pretty common to get a boost the first few days, and then it levels off. did you try increasing the dosage? its strange that Wellbutrin had a negative effect on you, I have no explanation for that. If viagra helps you, thats actually a good sign- when I was at my worst, I had no response to stimuli, so viagra wasn't able to do anything.

I think you should go have a physical exam by a urologist, and they can order a hormone panel for you. that should be the starting point. see how increased dosage of buspar effects you. you can also try nitric oxide or related supplements (l-citruline, l-arginine)- PSSD and SSRIs can deplete NO, which is an important part of sexual response.

Thanks yeah I’m on the pssd forum as well. I do take citrulline but not sure what it is doing to help. The buspirone did not help at all at first. It took several weeks and then the effects of it helping lasted a week. The wellebutrin sort of made what was already weak attempts of an erection worse, but on days I wouldn’t take it to start tapering everything was way better. I can’t explain what caused this though. I have very very little response to stimuli. Somehow the viagra and cialis is enough to work with manual stimulation. What medication helps you? Has your reactions to stimuli or libido improves with time? I hope it’s not permanent.

I was taking 5mg twice a day which is low. I didn’t try to increase the dose after it quit working. I gave it another week and then started tapering. I also have not tried to reinstate the viibryd. Both of these options I have considered but I’m also scared to make the situation worse. I see small improvements at times but it’s not always the same. I have good days and bad it seems. If things get worse or doesn’t improve I will probably give buspirone a chance again and try a higher dose, if nothing improves reinstating viibryd would be last thing

I take a whole stack. Buspar, lexapro, Wellbutrin, and many other supplements. My thread on pssdforum has details on each substance, dosage, effects, and backing research.

Has Mayo evaluated you for Chronic Pain Syndrome and Central Sensitization Syndrome?

Unfortunately this does sound like PSSD. People have reported developing it from 5HTP. And indeed, its very difficult to get a doctor to even hear you out. The first step is to get a physical examination by a urologist and a hormone panel. You should also start seeing a therapist. If you can say you have tried all of these, other doctors will be more likely to help you. After that, see a psychiatrist. In my experience, the only way to recover from PSSD is with more medication. Wellbutrin and buspirone are both helpful in treating PSSD, and some people benefit from SSRI reinstatement.

I would agree anything that messes with 5ht1a I would assume can cause same things. Definitely check hormones and make sure everything is in line. Some improve naturally but unfortunately it’s usually with extended time. I’m at nine months. Buspirone and wellebutrin each both helped me some temporarily but positive effects went away. We are all hoping drs start recognizing and finding fixes for what is happening.

I wanted to post here because it is very rare to find someone else who was on Viibryd, let alone on a low dose, and is having similar symptoms. I’ve noticed via other PSSD forums and the comment sections of PSSD articles that those of us who took Viibryd seem to have the worst of sexual dysfunction appear after discontinuation. Others with PSSD from traditional SSRIs simply have a continuation of symptoms that were present while on their medications. I am not sure if this is in some way related to the 5HT1a partial agonist function of the medication.

I was on 10mg for 10 months and it was sufficient despite my very serious acute depression due to the loss of my partner (by the way, 5mg is the lowest I’ve heard anyone take..that’s literally half the pill of the starter dose). While on it, I had on and off issues with insomnia, the common gastro issues, and pretty mild sexual dysfunction (noticeably numb penis when erect with pleasureless orgasm for the first few weeks, then an ~80% return to baseline for the remaining 9 months). I tapered for 2 months, cutting pills, and came off the Viibryd without any difficulty.

3 months later, my symptoms started to worsen. Instead of returning to baseline from 80% functionality, I’ve dropped to ~50% functionality. I have no libido, significant reduced semen volume, and while I am able to orgasm with manual stimulation, I have a very hard time maintaining an erection during intercourse. Even with manual stimulation, the second I stop, I lose the erection within a few seconds. I’m trying to be balanced and consider psychological factors such as stress not anxiety, but I am actually in a good place in my life right now.

By the way, did you have any periods of itchiness/stinging sensation after discontinuation? I had a couple of such windows and it was hell!

Given the low prevalence or at least disclosed low prevalence of our symptoms, and the complexity of the symptoms, I doubt any major work will be done. Mayo is know to have a great publicity machine, hence this forum and many other Mayo interfaces, but our concerns will just get lost. I live in NYC and have attempted to work with neurologists and neuropsychiatrist affiliated with Cornell Weill and they looked at me like I was making things up.

That does indeed sound like PSSD. Your experience with medical professionals is unfortunately the norm, most doctors are completely dismissive and will tell you that what you are experiencing doesn't happen. Its truly disheartening.

I never had any itching or stinging.