I’m Having Personal Problems, What’s the Best Solution (Long Question, but Please Read)?
Question by Fluff: I’m having personal problems, what’s the best solution (long question, but please read)?
I’m currently on three medications: Adderall, Lexapro, and Risperdal. I think because I’m so drugged up on these, it’s messing with my sex drive. I’ve never had an orgasm, and I’ve never ejaculated before, even though I (try) to masturbate on a regular basis.
I told my new psychologist about my problems, and he told me that I should cut my Risperdal dosage to half a pill (I’m currently taking an entire pill). I’m not sure if this will help, but I’m tired of waiting for results. I’d like to know which medications are safe for me to wean myself off of, if I should take a smaller dosage of them, and how to best avoid parental questioning.
A description of how each medication helps me:
Adderall XR: Keeps me medicated for eight hours. Currently used to manage ADD, and has a significant impact on my performance in school. I’m not sure how my grades would be affected if I stop taking them, but when I’m on them my grades are great. Taken in the morning before school.
D-amphetamine (substitue for Adderall): A smaller dosage of adderall that lasts for approximately two hours. Used to manage ADD and to help me stay focused on homework after school. Taken approximately an hour after school, when Adderall XR runs out.
Risperdal: Used for anger management. Prior to taking this medication I would have meltdowns at least three times per week, one of which nearly resulted in me going to a mental hospital. I’ve matured a lot since I began taking this medication, so I think I might be able to survive without it, but I’m not certain. Taken at nighttime before bed.
Lexapro: Manages depression (which my parents swear I don’t have, but I don’t see why else they would have me on it). I’m very cautious as to whether or not I should wean myself off of this. Prior to taking this medication, I would get very emotional at night, crying usually every other night over insiginifcant matters. I still cry between one and two times at night each week and I’m usually very sad, anxious, and stressed, but this keeps those symptoms to a minimum. Taken at nighttime before bed and accompanied by Risperdal.
It should also be worth noting that I am addicted to these medications, but not in the sense that somebody is addicted to an illegal drug. Without Adderall XR in the morning, I get extremely sleepy throughout the day which affects my school performance (on the rare occasion that I forget to take it). Without Risperdal and Lexapro, two things happen (on the occasions which we’ve run out and haven’t been able to pick up a new prescription): I cannot sleep at night (they act as sedatives to a degree) – by which I mean zero hours of sleep per night, and not even coming close – and I also have a physical addiction to them, which means that going two or more days without them which will usually result in withdrawal (though not life-threatening withdrawal) symptoms.
Thanks for sticking through with the entire question; I know it was long and painful to read.
Best answer:
Answer by Simon
Let your doctor know that the sexual side effects are a big deal to you and you would like this concern taken seriously. Sometimes it’s easy for doctors to see the benefits of the drugs and not take into account just how much the side effects can concern people.
I would say you are experiencing a pretty major side effect, so just make sure to let them know that you want the issue resolved and ask them to work with you on that.
It’s good to go with the doctor’s first suggestion for a week or two and see if that works for you. If not, just make an appointment and go back and ask for another solution. If this doctor is unable to help you, I would recommend getting a second opinion.
Just be careful about adjusting your meds on your own, as that can cause some serious and unforseen effects as well.
Add your own answer in the comments!