1

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 07/05/2009 08:11:09 »

Jdubs--
You will find a cure. You're very young, and this forum will provide you with many great ideas. You will do fine at UCLA. As Counterpoints observed, there are a lot of people with other types of disabilities. You will be at home at UCLA (I know the place quite well). I credit this forum for helping me focus. I have had general anxiety disorder and POIS for a long time (I'm 60). This forum has helped me nearly wipe out my GAD in just over 6 months! HOW? Stay focused. Be positive. Keep accurate records of how you feel. I think UCLA has some good student counseling-If you still have POIS when you get there. I won't comment about my POIS, because I think we each have to find our own way. This forum will give you the best support in the world.
Just to know that you are with others who share the same difficulties is a great help.
One last thing that is hard to accept: Progress may not be linear and continuous. There will be pitfalls and regressions. But you will eventually succeed. The most difficult thing for me is to accept and work through the pitfalls as I progress.
But my accurate record keeping tells me that the long term prognosis is quite hopeful.

2

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 21/04/2009 05:26:15 »

ajs----
I'm glad that you mentioned L Methionine. I have had it for about 6 weeks, but my success with Iron, Zinc/Copper, Manganese and increased Calcium, B6 (all this along with many other supplements) seem to have had a positive effect. I was all ready to try it, but my philosophy is if I am improving with what I have, hold off.

Hot Showers-----
Interesting, another somatic (hot skin) trigger for many ?

Demo---
Seems like Testosterone is KEY for YOU. Sorry about Benadryl. Your itching probably resulted from skin irritation rather than H1 receptors being activated from Histamine. Have you tried Cortizone-10 cream? My POIS triggers are obviously rare if we look at all the posts since inception of forum, but I suspect that each POIS sufferer has a very unique POIS profile, so to speak. What is so interestingly complex for me at least is that I have made so many modifications over the last two months that I can't attribute my improvement to any one thing. I'm comfortable with the slow and steady, because I believe (and hope/pray) that the slow steady equals more permanence rather than some anomaly--I suspect that we all have some type of neurochemical memory, that is why I think healing is almost a relearning thing for some of us. In some personal experiments that I have done, I have created POIS symptoms from non orgasmic triggers. These are short episodes and dissipate rather quickly. So for me, there is also a psychosomatic component to all this. I will try, when I am ready, to apply this to the "real deal".

3

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 20/04/2009 05:22:15 »

Demo--
I've noticed with my approach to GAD that the healing process is slow. Yet I am making steady progress. I have connected the dots from GAD to POIS. For me, it seems overwhelmingly clear that histamine and epinephrine act as triggers for both. But I know that GAD will be resolved first. My anxiety/panic episodes are clearly diminshing. Now, how do I take this progress to help solve the problem of POIS?
Well, first of all, I have finally completed my best basket of vitmains and minerals.
I have located three major areas of my body that require deep tissue massage to resolve major discomfort (This is a work in progress). I now keep Benadryl rather than Claritin by my bed (children's liquid). Electrostimulation of lower back and pelvis are fabulous. I am cautiously optimistic. I am glad things are going well for you. I wouldn't be surprised that for some of us older guys, the healing process for POIS may take a couple of years to completely disappear.

POIS-SUFFERER---As you can see, I have GAD also. My intitial symptoms are basically somatic. The depression and mild fatigue follow. I also have allergies. My psychiatrist and I both believe that it will take time for my serotonin and norepinephrine to show their full inhibitory effects. What I have learned is that this process takes time. With berries, cherries etc., supplements, the security of Claritin/Benadryl (as a blunter of POIS, but no cure), chiropractic, massage, hydration, walking instead of swimming, etc. etc. I have made steady progress. The big test will be the LEAP from GAD improvement to POIS reduction. I am confident, but can't expect a miracle. My nervous system is getting stronger, but what a slow process!! Confidence builds slowly and there is light at the end of the tunnerl. We each have to discover our own path to POIS reduction, maintenance of reduction, and finally a cure. For me I kow this will be up and down like my GAD. But ultimately it will be more up than down.

4

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 10/04/2009 06:23:02 »

Demo--
I definitely think there is light at the end of the tunnel. This forum has shown the individuality and complexity of POIS. There are ways to diminish POIS, and this forum gets a hell of a lot of credit!! It truly is amazing what collective effort can do. However, plenty of work remains. Even if there are chemical therapies that are effective, it probably still takes a long time to re-introduce the nervous system to a normal, healthy post orgasmic experience. And because something may appear to be helpful, something else may be better and safer yet.

5

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 10/04/2009 06:03:52 »

I'm still digesting my Claritin/Histamine experiment of nearly 3 weeks ago. My early POIS symptoms are clearly first felt in my skin. I have to assume that the histamine receptors in my skin were interfered with. The mild depression I felt for a few days I attribute to Claritin. Claritin is not a cure for POIS, but it may show in some of us that histamines play a role in POIS. If so, it seems logical that any blunting of POIS triggers of any kind will be desireable. I think that careful observation of very early signs of any physical discomfort or subtle change post "O" will be helpful in providing clues as to how this thing (POIS) unfolds in each of us and how it can be effectively neutralized. A little good news in our fight against POIS goes a long way. I did not mention in regards to my Claritin experiment that I had also added the following to my supplements a few days before that experiment: Iron 25mg--Manganese 50mg--Zinc 30mg--B6 100mg (I also kicked up my Calcium intake)--These could have played a part along with my conscious effort to eat a lot of blueberries and cherries.

6

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 01/04/2009 06:42:46 »

Congratulations Tarkington-*-*-*-*-*
Hoorah for Relora
I think I will do some research on it

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New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 26/03/2009 23:35:50 »

Demo--
If you must return to the teenage years, by all means, enjoy them. I'll trade any day of the week. Too bad I didn't make the most of them when I was there. But "wow", do you remember all those fantastic teenager songs of the early 60's? Some great melodies!

8

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 26/03/2009 21:53:53 »

John--
I initially bought Claritin for my allergies. I was getting lightheaded when my sinuses swelled. I still have this problem,although it may also be related to anxiety. I tried it and it helped a bit.
Since I have lately considered Histamine a possible POIS culprit, I kept this by my bed "just in case". I figured it was an antihistamine, so why not give it a try if I ever get another NE. Well, lo and behold, a week after I bought it, and three days after I used it for my lightheadedness, I got my NE. I said to myself, "Just do it you chickenshit"; so I did. I did an experiment that confirmed that my H1 receptors were being blocked: I got an itch on my shoulder a couple hours after "O". If I ever get an itch on my shoulder in bed and I scratch it, I'm in big trouble, because it will flare up like crazy and cause me to scratch, and it will get worse, and I will itch like mad. etc. So I scratched real hard. I just got relief!!!! This never happens.

9

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 26/03/2009 20:56:06 »

Observations Re: Claritin and POIS
It seemed to significantly interfere with the onset of POIS, especially with symptoms connected to my skin. These would be tingles, needles, sweat, hot/cold sensations etc. Also, I never got a panic/anxiety type of jolt that I usually get. Without those initial sensations, I guess POIS never got started. However a sensation that always shows up in POIS- back and perineum discomfort- did show up. But it was 80% shorter in duration than usual. This is the most important factor for me, as this is an awful feeling. No cognitive issues or fatigue. However, I probably have a mild depression as side effects from the Claritin, as I noticed this the previous two times I took it earlier in the week. I believe this is just one little experiment, but maybe it can help direct my thinking toward a more permanent solution to my POIS and GAD. The symptoms of both, for me, overlap. Again, I thank Demo and this forum for helping me take a little step in this long journey toward a cure for both POIS and GAD.

10

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 26/03/2009 03:28:11 »

It's about 42 hours since "O"--
The day was fine, and I had no POIS symptoms--
The moderate back pain and associated perineum burning dissipated around 30 hrs. This is optimistic because these two problems always stayed with me the longest; at least 5 days. In fact, these two symptoms have always signaled that I'm well into POIS.
It feels like the Claritin is out of my system. And the little research that I've done on free Histamine suggests that it is gone also. It is also possible that my supplements have contributed to the results of this experiment. (If anybody is interested, I'll list them). I also have been drinking significantly more fluids the last 2-3 weeks, along with a lot of frozen cherries and other berries. I also stopped swimming a month ago, replaced with long distance walking. I need to digest what has just happened and continue to focus on improving my anxiety condition. I intend to experiment with SAMe and/or methionine in a day or two to try and help blunt my Histamine production. 

11

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 25/03/2009 17:05:19 »

Demo----
Thanks for the support
Jim_B----
I hope my experiment adds a little bit to the discussion

This whole thing seems surrealistic. I have learned quite a bit the last several months, because this forum stimulates the thought process. I would not be thinking if I were not writing. I remember reading about Waldinger a few years back and his autoimmune thesis, but it didn't mean much to me. I always figured there may be a negative response to semen or something else. I had no idea we released histamines at orgasm. This forum forces one to do research. That is good. The unfortunate thing is that we have to experiment on ourselves--ouch! I can't even believe that I once thought POIS was psychological, although I believe there is a psychological component to the symptomatology. For me, I have to wade through POIS, GAD and Allergies. It would be a miracle of miracles if Histamine -along with possibly other unknown culprits- was the source of all my conditions? I'd certainly like to find at least some relief at sixty. So far at 33 hours, no trace of POIS. Claritin seems to have worn off. I will not take another. I will post later this evening around 43 hours.

12

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 25/03/2009 14:37:20 »

Just got out of bed. This is second night, but first full night's sleep. This is report on hours 20-29 post "O". Slept like a baby. This would usually be a bad night.
Zero POIS symptoms! I can easily distinguish Claritin symptoms from POIS: There is no POIS. The Claritin symptoms are slight increase in heart rate and a mild anxiety. There was no impact on my sleep. I don't know if second Claritin was necessary. The issue is: How long do mast cell mediators operate after arousal and orgasm? How long do they have to be inhibited from binding to their sites? This experiment is about Histamine. Claritin prevents binding to H1 receptors. This means avoiding symptoms that are connected to places like skin and sinuses for example. Since I slept well, at the moment I feel well rested. I won't know about my back and perineum for awhile.
I pray and hope that the inflammatory response  has been interfered with. Cognitively, I feel my usual self as I type this. Maybe for me, I just can't handle all the histamines released to trigger ejaculation? I asked the pharmacist yesterday about other mediators like prostaglandin and leukotreine (I'm not sure about spelling), but she didn't know. She said the blockers for them are usually by prescription. But this experiment is not about medication/Claritin. It is about learning what might be POIS triggers just before or at orgasm. I think it is true that POIS is a question of hormones and neurotransmitters. Histamine, as far as I know, is classified as a neurotransmitter. In my case, with my GAD and allergies, it is hard to separate symptoms out. But I know that allergens cause allergies. Histamine is a culprit. I think that my early POIS symptoms and quite possibly some of my GAD symptoms are Histamine reactions. In fact, maybe all of my "somatic" POIS symptoms are Histamine related???

13

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 25/03/2009 04:10:58 »

Had a significant NE last night since I hadn't had an "O" in 3 months---
Immediately took an antihistamine (Claritin)---
I observed that my initial usual  POIS symptoms of sweating, tingles, hot/cold sensations did not take place. All H1 receptor sites on skin were taken out of the POIS symptomatology for ME. I also noticed no stuffed sinus or dry mouth. All this makes sense for combating allergies, but it clearly works for my initial POIS symptoms too. I made the mistake about 15 hours later of taking another Claritin.
This was a mistake. Side effects have scrambled things and have made clear analysis impossible. Right at the moment, I can't separate POIS from Claritin side effects.
Now it's about 19 hours post NE. I have learned a lot about what causes my initial symptoms. I'm not sure I can clearly observe further due to excess Claritin. I took the extra Claritin because I was not sure how long the histamine released from mast cells at orgasm remains in the blood. I should have waited and observed instead of trying to overdo it. At least I may have some valuable information for the onset of my type of POIS and how to prevent some early symptoms. This has been risky for me because I don't want to stir things up with my anxiety condition. I've also experimented with Claritin to see how it affects GAD. I also suspect other mast cell mediators besides histamine playing a part in POIS. The one symptom that was not shut down was perineum burning. I will watch to see how long until it subsides. I will keep an eye on fatigue and cognitive issues. But I think all my good information may be just for the first 15 hours. I do not think Claritin is the answer, but at least it may offer some insight into the possibility of an inflammatory response theory. I never got the initial jolt or panic that I always get. I hope I don't get it later on. If I do, this experiment will be a failure by simply delaying the inevitable.

14

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 24/03/2009 00:30:04 »

Since histamine triggers orgasm, perhaps some of us suffer from the unanticipated/excessive effects that histamine has on other proinflammatory neurochemicals (proteins) such as cytokines and prostaglandins. These may act like neurotransmitters throughout the central nervous system causing proinflammatory reactions in different places with different symptoms. These responses may circulate all through the HPA axis and into the spinal cord. I know that quite a few sufferers have low back pain. Some of us have burning in perineum area. Most are exhausted as if they have had a massive allergy attack. I don't recall the number of sufferers who may have itching or skin irritation. This would be VERY interesting if some of you have this? I certainly know that many sufferers have stuffed sinuses.

15

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 23/03/2009 05:07:36 »

I've been pursuing the autoimmune thesis with a focus on histamine release at orgasm.
This essentially derives from my efforts to combat my GAD. I now suspect that my anxiety condition may find its ultimate trigger in excess histamine production.
Thus, I hope that both conditions derive from the same source. There is a lifetime of connections suggesting this - as well as my current symptoms. I have been personally observing/experimenting with histamine reduction. If I can solve GAD with this approach, I'm cautiously optimistic that it will translate to my cure of POIS. It's kind of like a unified field theory. Of course I've fallen flat in the past, and this may be an illusion. But I've gotten tiny glimmers of hope. Are any of you working on the inflammatory cause of POIS? Interesting acticle published in 2005 on Gallic Acid:
http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/1/123

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New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 20/03/2009 17:18:14 »

Counterpoints
I don't get physical exams shortly after orgasm, because my PSA numbers are high. They are normal if I have not had an orgasm in a while. I've known for years that I get an inflammatory response after orgasm. It is like a short term prostatitis, for lack of a better term. It sounds like we may have identical "triggers". I think a few other sufferers have mentioned this too. These triggers seem to be a cluster of 3 interconnected issues: neurochemical, neuromuscular and psychological. I think balancing/correcting the neurochemical will relax the neuromuscular and ease the psycholgical, but they are so interrelated with the nerves running thru the muscles. I have been getting some positive feedback lately from my experiments with frozen cherries from Trader Joe's. They are great for snacks and desserts. Very tasty anti-inflammatories.

17

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 20/03/2009 16:29:47 »

Demografx and B_Jim thanx. I started to feel the onset of POIS when I was about 14 when I started to notice Heart Palpitations and elevated BP after orgasm. As the years went on the symptoms became worse...... depression..... lack of energy or drive.... PE..... and generally feeling like crap. For years I tried everything..... I would search the internet endlessly and take every herb and supplement I could get my hands on...... even resulting to anabolic supplements. Nothing worked..... and about 8 years ago I develeped a pressure  that would build up in my sinuses after orgasm and doesnt go away for a week or two... sometimes weeks. I have had the pressure in my face for so long that I sometime dont notice it because it is usually allways there. It wasnt till I got out of the Navy and went to see a VA doctor that I found what I thought was Gold..... Paxil...... Paxil has diminishes my POIS symptoms by about 75% and shortens how long they last. I recently started taking Hawthorn Berry for my Heart Palpitations and they have almost disappeared and I also take Fenugreek to reduce the intensity of my orgasms which seems to help with the pressure in my head. So with all that said..... I am still not giving up and never will..... One of my life goals is to find out WTF is wrong with us all and let the medical community and the world know that this is a real problem and none of us are making this up in our heads.

Staystrong---
How long have you been on Paxil? What is your dosage? Any side effects? Does Paxil help you in other ways, or does it just affect POIS? When you say it reduces the symptoms of POIS, could you be specific as to what symptoms in particular are reduced? The last time I took an SSRI was in the mid 1990's, Zoloft. I don't recall one way or the other if it helped POIS. I only took it for 1 year or so.

18

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 11/03/2009 20:33:05 »

Counterpoints--
You too mention a burning sensation in prostate. I definitely have this. It drives me crazy. It comes on post orgasm AND during stress!! In 2007 I had it on and off all year; also well into 2008. I suspect that arousal and orgasm cause inflammation. I've watched it happen many times. This is why I lean to theories like autoimmune and dormant virus etc.
My thinking has undergone a complete shift since Dec last yr. I no longer think about neurotransmitters, but instead inflammatory response. In my case, I think the inflammatory response triggers hormone issues etc. But to tell any of my doctors this idea? How could I even experiment with this? Take Advil? I'm nearly allergic to everything. Load myself with blackberries, blueberries and onions? I may have to remain abstinent the rest of my life, which- thank god-probably isn't all that long anymore. Still, I can't imagine finishing my 60's and 70's with no sex at all. Eighties, Okay--------Misery needs some humor I think---

19

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 11/03/2009 20:04:53 »

Counterpoints, I wish you quick, complete and painless recovery.

I have been following up my body responses post "O" and have been looking out for symptoms. I do have brain fog, worsened anxiety problems and high stress for few days after. I also have good amount of physical exhaustion and problems. The cortisol theory looks logical. Interestingly, I had come across an article that talks about "dormant virus" in the nerve endings that could wake up when immunity levels are low and cause various problems to the body. This seemed aligned to the physical symptoms I have had on POIS (Except that I could not see an explicit Shingles as in the article, but have had psoriasis attack few months ago). The attached link is: http://www.painfoundation.org/ManageYourPain/Shingles/PhysicalMental.pdf

NSF---
Very interesting. I've always wondered if there was such a thing as a "dormant virus" that may be triggered by orgasm. My symptoms "are allergy like", and I hate the burning in groin area and sore lower back. It feels like a direct autoimmune response. My anxiety also spikes with sweating and paresthesia. Do you have any burning or irritation in groin or lower back? Do you have any other allergic type response? You mentioned Psoriasis. This is interesting. How do you sleep? Have you tried any antibiotics?

20

New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

« on: 11/03/2009 15:36:10 »

Counterpoints--
Best wishes to you. With this discovery, I hope and am confident that the right medications will provide the necessary therapy to control this condition and also provide relief for POIS. The news might sound disappointing, but I bet it opens the door to a lot better health in the future.
Sincerely,
Underwater