PSSD from 1 month Escitalopram in 2015

Welcome to our community. Please fill in the following template as a way of introducing yourself, and helping others to understand your background and situation.

Where are you from (country)? United States

How did you find this forum (Google search – if so, what search terms? Via link from a forum or website – if so, what page? Other?) Discord server for PSSD

What is your current age, height, weight? 31, 6’ 2’’, 175

What specific drug did you use (finasteride, dutasteride, saw palmetto, isotretinoin/Accutane, fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, leuprorelin, etc…)? Escitalopram generic

What dose did you take (eg. 1 mg/day, 1 mg every other day etc.)? 10-15 mg

What condition was being treated with the drug? situational depression

For how long did you take the drug (weeks/months/years)? 1 month

How old were you, and WHEN (date) did you start the drug? 2015, I was 27

How old were you when you quit, and WHEN (date) did you quit? 27

How did you quit (cold turkey or taper off)? taper over two weeks

How long into your usage did you notice the onset of side effects? almost immediately

What side effects did you experience that have yet to resolve since discontinuation? pleasureless orgasm, decreased libido, erectile issues but not total dysfunction, some emotional anhedonia possibly but not sure

Check the boxes that apply. You can save your post first, then interactively check/uncheck the boxes by clicking on them. If your symptoms change, please update your list.

Sexual
[*] Loss of Libido / Sex Drive
[*] Erectile Dysfunction
[ ] Complete Impotence
[*] Loss of Morning Erections
[*] Loss of Spontaneous Erections
[*] Loss of Nocturnal Erections
[ ] Watery Ejaculate
[*] Reduced Ejaculate
[*] Inability or Difficulty to Ejaculate / Orgasm
[ ] Reduced Sperm Count / Motility

Mental
[*] Emotional Blunting / Emotionally Flat
[*] Difficulty Focusing / Concentrating
[ ] Confusion
[ ] Memory Loss / Forgetfulness
[*] Stumbling over Words / Losing Train of Thought
[ ] Slurring of Speech
[*] Lack of Motivation / Feeling Passive / Complacency
[ ] Extreme Anxiety / Panic Attacks
[ ] Severe Depression / Melancholy
[ ] Suicidal Thoughts

Physical
[*] Penile Tissue Changes (narrowing, shrinkage, wrinkled)
[ ] Penis curvature / rotation on axis
[ ] Testicular Pain
[*] Testicular Shrinkage / Loss of Fullness
[*] Genital numbness / sensitivity decrease
[ ] Weight Gain
[ ] Gynecomastia (male breasts)
[ ] Muscle Wastage
[ ] Muscle Weakness
[*] Joint Pain
[*] Dry / Dark Circles under eyes

Misc
[ ] Prostate pain
[ ] Persistent Fatigue / Exhaustion
[ ] Stomach Pains / Digestion Problems
[ ] Constipation / “Poo Pellets”
[ ] Vision - Acuity Decrease / Blurriness
[ ] Tinnitus (ringing or high pitched sound in ears)
[ ] Hearing loss
[ ] Increased hair loss
[*] Frequent urination
[ ] Lowered body temperature

[ ] Other (please explain)

What (if any) treatments have you undertaken to recover from your side effects since discontinuation of the drug? many natural supplements including berberine, amino acids, oxytocin

If you have pre or post-drug blood tests, what hormonal changes have you encountered since discontinuing the drug (please post your test results in the “Blood Tests” section and link to them in your post)? Low DHT High Estradiol ratio, like that of an old man

Anything not listed in the above questions you’d like to share about your experience? Its hell

Tell us your story, in your own words, about your usage and side effects experienced while on/off the drug.

I took it for situational depression in 2015 for only a month. It was a mistake to do so. Immediately noticed that I was wiped out tired by it and I spent that month in a depressive and tired state, too tired and depressed to have any libido at all. I decided to leave it behind and tapered over 2 weeks. After that I began to realize that much of my sexual function was just GONE. That was five years ago.

2 Likes

Thank you for signing up and telling your story @SufferingfromSSRI , I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been dealing with this for 5 years and counting now. From here, I’d advise you to have a read of the following thread and follow some of the actions outlined therein

Of particular importance is taking the Post-Drug Syndrome Survey. Your participation will contribute to an ever growing data set which is finally painting the full picture of what is happening to patients at the clinical level.

1 Like

Also generic escitalopram damaged here, also since 2015.

1 Like

Welcome. We are here for you.