gogirl723@... asked this question on 5/17/2000:

My husband was diagnosed with clinical depression. He was given zoloft. It worked beautifuly. However, he doesn't think he needs it now and has been off it for about 2 months. He is taking St. Johns Wart instead. My children and I can see and feel the difference in his personality. He is a time bomb again and the least thing sets him off. He also acts depressed, and realizes he is at times but refuses to take zoloft again. He has blamed zoloft for a sexual problem (has erection but can not ejaculate) but off zoloft, he still has this problem, but says he has more feeling and is getting closer to being able to ejaculate. Is there anyway i can get hime back on this drug? He has tried others and they don't work, zoloft was perfect. Our daughter also takes zoloft(19), she had the same problem with depression. Off of zoloft he is selfish, mean, tempermental, short tempered, and generally not nice to be around. I'm getting close to wanting a divorce. Help if you can.

jillyk gave this response on 5/17/2000:

Dear gogirl, Here lies the problem, sometimes when people take anti-depressant drugs and there is a drastic improvement they think they are cured. Then read up on alternative treatments and even though they do not always work, they convince themselves that it is working..If your husband gets to the totally obnoxious stage, and by what you are telling me in the letter then he is really close, confront him with it. Try making a video of him on and off the medication, explain to him what he turns into when he is off the medication. Tell him that this is the last straw. He either takes his medication or you go, Is there any chance you could swap the St.Johns Wart with his medication or is the St.johns Wart in liquid form? I would also get in touch with his treating psychiatrist and tell him/her what he is doing and he might come up with a solution for you, don't pull the plug yet, see what he has to say.

gogirl723@... asked this follow-up question on 5/19/2000:

Hi Jillyk, thank you. I am amazed at all the people, like yourself, who have come to my aid with answers. Thank you so much. He and I have talked since the letter and it turns out the bigest point is his sexual problem. IT's been going on for years. He can't stand it anymore. Now that he's off zoloft, the problem persists. Maybe he will talk to a doctor about it if it continues. In the meantime, he thinks we just have to do it more often so he can get used to it again. ?????? Like he's gonna train it to work or something. I said I'm there for him. But hope he will talk to a doctor if it doesn't help. Then, being at the doctors I'm sure the meds thing can be approached again. He's been pretty calm lately, maybe talking about it helped him. thanks again

jillyk gave this response on 5/19/2000:

If sexual impotency is his main problem, then don't do it more often, take you time with this and concentrate on foreplay but not intercourse, he can't just view it like retraining himself. It doesn't work like that. Continue with your plan to consult your husbands psychologis or therapist, as it may possibly be a ploy to divert your attention away from the medication issue. I know you would not want to believe it but when it comes to depression and avoiding medication nothing should be left to chance. See if your husband can comine the depression medication and also compliment the effectiveness in relation to the sexual problem with the herbal additives. Glad I could be of some assitsance., that is what I am here for.

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