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.
cm_RN gave this response on 5/17/2000:
First, my sympathies for your being faced with a difficult situation (& a difficult spouse!).
Unfortunately, your husband could be right about the Zoloft and his sexual dysfunction - it is well known that Zoloft can cause these problems. I'm not sure what the time frame is, but there is bound to be some residual effect as the drug is wearing off...
Can you persuade him to see his doctor again? There are other antidepressants available that are less likely to interfere with your husband's enjoyment of sex. Whether or not they would be as effective for him as Zoloft, I can't say, but I sure think they'd be worth a try! Alternately, perhaps the doc will be able to convince him to try Zoloft again.
I doubt that you will be successsful in talking him into the Zoloft without the help of his doctor: it sounds like he is really digging his heals in. Perhaps if you gently and repeatedly point out how much happier he was on medication, you can talk him into seeing the doc again. Also assure him that the effect of Zoloft on his sexual performance is quite common and he shouldn't be embarrassed to discuss it with his MD.
If all else fails, perhaps his dosage of St. John's Wart can be increased. St. John's Wart has been demonstrated to be effective (although less so than the prescription antidepressants). One word of caution, he should never combine the St John's with a prescription antidepressant; the combination can cause a SEVERE reaction!
Good Luck! I feel for you!
gogirl723@... asked this follow-up question on 5/17/2000:
Thank you very much for your reply and sympathy. I hope that a time will come when I can talk to him about trying something else. I'm just kind of afraid to talk to him. He doesn't want to discuss it. But thank you, maybe I can get the doctor to talk to him again.
cm_RN gave this response on 5/17/2000:
Good luck! I'll be thinking of you...
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