Carlos’s Story
Carlos
Spain
PSSD for 4 years
My life was ruined by antidepressants intake and benzopadines. In December 2013 I was prescribed Mirtazapine for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Mirtazapine was chosen due to the fact it has no sexual side effects, having been on antidepressants before and knowing the effect over sexuality they have, I decided to ask for an antidepressant that has no or very low sexual side effects. Mirtazapine is not an SSRS's, it is a tricyclic antidepressant that I have mentioned has no sexual side-effect.
After tapering over one month in March 2014, I developed PSSD and suffered it for more than four years. Being able to say that I am now recovered and starting a relationship and looking for having a family. My road to recovery has been the most dramatic and scary event of my life. During that journey I have lost all my friends and part of my family. Having probably to face a life of rejection and stigma for the rest of my life. Antidepressants and benzos turned me into a completely asexual human being for the time I suffered PSSD. This altogether with lack of recognition of this disorder makes people that surround me see me like a monster.
As I mentioned above I am recovered nearly fully, 90% I would say. Starting a relationship and building a new life in the opposite corner of the world with new people and within a new environment. Escaping from daily bullying, rejection and stigma. My recovery road started using supplements like Maca and Korean Ginseng like most of the sufferers do. Situation improved but a great lack of libido and weak erections still persisted. After more than two years from tapering I decided to visit a Doctor. Checks were carried out and everything looked normal apart from high prolactin. Total testosterone was measured instead of free testosterone, a more accurate measurement based on the research I carried out on-line. reading other sufferers' stories; High prolactin is a clear indicator of a physiological problem.
The most surprising out of all these is that everything is well documented on the internet and many studies are available. How do I know all this without having a medical degree or studies in the field. The doctor, after assessing the situation and based on my petition about starting on testosterone replacement, prescribed me clomiphene citrate. Clomid is used in females to help them to ovulate for males is an off label testosterone booster that does not compromise fertility.
We started the treatment with the doctor assuring me the treatment is not going to work. The reality was completely the opposite, I took Clomid for six months and checked levels again. After six months on Clomid that skyrocket testosterone levels the measurements indicated an small increase. Another proof that total testosterone levels are not an accurate measure. The treatment restored libido and erections back near normality. Two years later I finished the treatment with Clomid I can say full recovery has happened. Now I combine Korean Red Gingseng of really high quality altogether with L-arginine and pycnogenol.. The latter two are also of great help improving male fertility based on the research I did on-line.
Summarising my road to recovery on the lines above, I am not going to go into detail about how this has affected me psychologically and in every single aspect of life. I decided to move far away from friends and relatives due to the fact that psychological bullying was starting to seriously affect me. I am hoping PSSD obtained the recognition and awareness that this disorder must have, giving the opportunity to make an informed decision before the prescription of these medicines. PSSD is a complete and serious affliction that makes people want to end with their lives. I did not have the opportunity to decide, hopefully one day patients will have it. Although the informed consent will be the end of the hugely profitable market these drugs currently have.
Kind Regards