I FEEL FAT!
I'm 183 pounds and I am 5 ft 5. I lost my sex drive and I feel ugly. I am bipolar and I thought I lost my sex drive due to my meds so I stopped taking them. I have yet to bear the repercussion of not being on my meds. I am fine. So fine that my PDOC thinks I am still taking them. I have been off my meds for about a month. My husband thinks my sex drive is gone because I am not as active as I used to be. What do you all think. Do you think my husband is right? Being off my meds didn't make a difference in my sex drive it's still gone. I don't get any feeling at all when my husband makes sexual advances towards me and I feel horrible! HELP!
Replies
I think loss of libido is one of the worst side effects of this disorder. It can be a combination of several things that cause it, most likely any of the things that you have mentioned. I noticed most that I loose my libido with an antipsychotic or mood stabilizer. However, I know I cannot live any quality of life without them. My husband and I just try to communicate very openly and although I dont feel like it, I make love to him for him. You might try a female enhancement med. You can get them over the counter and they seem to work some for me. It is important to exercise regularly as it helps stimulate natural chemicals that enhance libido. Also, thinking about your husband throughout the day in that way and focusing on him helps too. I am not a fan of porn, but reading some soft porn might help you to think more in that direction.
The one thing I would not do, is give up my meds. Not for any reason. I know too well the brain damage that can be done if I go into another episode of mania or depression. Not only that, but, it is more difficult to get it under control each time I stop meds. The risk is just too great when I can find other ways to help the situation. I hope you can find what works best for you. Hugs
Abilify robbed me of personality and sexuality in just FOUR DAYS. Felt like someone with no libido or emotions! Fortunately I did not feel as \"dead\" on Zyprexa, but after I was stabilized, I got off it because of obesity and blood sugar side effects. Went back on an old anti-psychotic, Mellaril, very small dose for maintenance. Also on Cymbalta, which has helped my depression and given me wonderful erotic dreams (at age 63)! I was also schizophrenic and bipolar; so I know the hell you went through.
I think that you should be really careful about not taking your meds! It sometimes takes a while, but you can have a relapse. I am worried for you. You look great in your picture, but if you feel really fat then maybe start an exercise program or try to diet. I know it is hard, but that might help your sex drive.
LOTS of love, k.k.
I know that because I feel the same way you do that my sex drive has to do with how I feel about myself. My hubby even told me so. He told me one time when I actually felt good that\" he thought it was sexy when I FELT sexy\". Im 5\'4 and 168. Ive just lost some weight though. I was 191. Topamax made me lose my weight. I still feel unattractive though. It\'s easier said than done to just \"exercise and be happy\". My mind takes over and doesnt\' let me. I\'ve become very determined as of late though so I bet that if I can do it, you sure can too. I\'ll be your buddy!xoxo
I hate to say it, but you have to force yourself to feel \'sexy.\' That\'s the only way to keep your relationship alive. I have to do that, but once my bf and I get into it, I\'m glad I forced myself to do it. AND GET BACK ON YOUR MEDS!!!
Sexiness is a state of mind. I know that sounds cliche\', but it\'s true. Along with bp I have MS, and when I was DX\'ed with MS I felt about as sexy as a cardboard box. The longer I ignored that part of myself, the less sexy I felt.
I had to push myself to get my groove back. No panties (not always a good idea when I went into a hypersexual mania) but it worked.
And please, talk to your doc about your meds. xoxo Jen
Well,i think that feeling sexy has a lot to do with how you feel about yourself.If you don\'t feel healthy,you won\'t feel it and if you feel fat and ugly you won\'t want to.It could be depression of everything going on and quitting meds does mess you up.some of my meds make me have no sexual interest at all and that is hard.if you keep at it and trying you will find the right combination.my main thing is to say you need to work on your self-esteem because you are a beautiful person and you deserve to feel loved.just because you have illnesses,that doesn\'t take away the beauty you have as a person,it just makes it a little harder to feel good about yourself.you can do it.it takes time