Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Sexual Side Effects
Wed, 03/29/2006 - 14:24Topic: Men With Epilepsy
Why do you suppose that more neurologists and epileptoloists do not mention that a majority of anti-seizure pills do often make "normal" sexual performance for men difficult--if not sometimes impossible when it comes to erections? The first answer will pop up. And that is, even better-informed male patients will say "...to hell with my pills" and choose to live their sexual life "normally". Mind you, that last word I put in quotes, for who anyway should define "normal"? However, after having tried about as many anti-seizure drugs as the number of years I've had epilepsy (that's 35), I can speak as something of a lab rat. Many pills do affect a man's bedroom performance. And while this shouldn't become our reason for living, it is part of being a human, whether single, married or just evaluating our private parts. As society's attitude toward we handsome, educated humans with epilepsy matures, so does its understanding of "performance" when it comes to sex. Mind you, an honest woman will explain when love-making isn't just the thing for her; that does occur. My point is that this topic shouldn't remain in the proverbial "closet" any longer. Let's talk about it on this fine site, as well as face-to-face. Studies reveal how many men live virtually their entire lives feeling guilty for not performing sexually 24-hours a day, where in fact, there's most likely not one who ever has, other than in movies. And that includes this writer!
Comments
Re: Re: Sexual Side Effects
Submitted by loislane97 on Thu, 2007-02-01 - 11:59
Hi,
I hope you dont mind a woman commenting....my boyfriend (of one year) has epilepsy. He is on Lamictal (50 mg. I think?) 2x daily...Our sex life started off wonderful!, but has gradually decreased to a big "0" over the last couple of months. He says he just has no desire or energy or drive for it. Now of course, being a woman, I think "IT MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME!" - even tho he tells me it is not me...I have been reading many of the emails on this site - and am understanding the IT QUITE POSSIBLY COULD BE the Lamictal affecting our sex life. He also drinks (what I consider) too much beer - rought a 6 pack a day, and onthe weekends more like 12 daily. His diet sucks too. I guess I am wanting your opinion - being a male, on Lamictal, with some of the same side effects. I am afraid the beer is causing adverse reactions to the med. as well. He wont hear ANY criticism of his drinking, and, I have never complained about his lack of drive, tho now he has even stopped sleeping in the bed - I am (hoping) guessing it is because he feels badly that he has no desire ?? OK, just wanted to "voice" these thoughts. Thanks for listening and any comments are much appreciated.
Lois
Re: Sexual Side Effects
Submitted by rikk on Tue, 2008-12-23 - 10:43
the sex drive is one thing. drinking is a big problem. it is more of problem than you may be aware. he is, not maybe abusing alcohol. beer wine hard alcohol are the same, all alcohal. that much alcohol overtime. if he were to stop suddenly, he would probably go throught withdrawal. he may be using the drinking to self medicate. it is pretty common for people siezures to have depression. if you can try to get him to get evaluated, help. if not read about alcohol abuse and co-dependence. i hope this will help. rikk
Re: Sexual Side Effects
Submitted by RobertBurns on Wed, 2006-08-30 - 09:51
Having had epilepsy for over forty yrs I too have had every med. Of all the meds I found that Tegretol and sex didn't work and have been on Lamictal for fifteen years (plus Keppra and phenobarb.). Within the past two or three yrs I've been having difficulty keeping an erection so I'm not sure if it's the Lamictal or age, though probably the later. Perhaps the entire (cocktail) is the culprit. Although a "pill for a pill" is frustrating I must admit to trying both Viagra and Levitra with little success so I suspect the Lamictal/Keppra combination. I also suspect it's an individual or case-by-case situation, where age, meds, body mass, exercise, etc. are a combination of variables. Though unrelated to sexual performance I would emphasize any man taking Topamax to have a regular renal evaluation (with a 24hr. urine test) as Topamax gave me kidney stones and believe me, you don't want one to "drop" (10+++ on the "pain scale").