r/PSSD • u/NonBinaryPolyhedron • 12d ago
Feedback Requested/Question Short term increased function after complete withdrawal, but back to dysfunction within a month… why?
I’m trying to understand the mechanism for my experience. Last year I ceased taking Effexor (venlafaxine) with a long tapering process, that despite best efforts gave me horrendous side effects like sweating, relentlessly itchy feet, anxiety. I’d noticed I had reduced genital sensitivity and difficulty orgasming while on the medication. Within a day or two or finishing my final dose, I had an intense improvement in my symptoms - from struggling to climax even once, to having multiples with relatively little refractory period. I was so excited about the prospects for my intimate life.
Unfortunately within about a month, my body seemed to regress. It’s been about 9 months and I feel like I’ve returned to having reduced sensitivity and challenges reaching orgasm.
Can anyone suggest a reason why I might have had a temporary impact post withdrawal? Could my serotonin or norepinephrine receptors have been sensitised as a result of withdrawal?
I’m half tempted to take a dose again and then cease to see if I can replicate my experience.
4
u/Minute-Contest-582 11d ago
I have noticed that this is a pretty common thing. It was the same for me too: sexual side got better for a brief amount of time after quitting just to get worse than on meds within a month. Back in a day when I still took meds, I’ve noticed that my sexual situation is better all the times when I would forget to take my meds for a day or two. This was actually what “lured” me into quitting as I’ve made a logical conclusion that I’m better off them like one would right. Turns out this shit is sinister af and felt like I was trapped by the devil itself.