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Sexual Side Effects

Wed, 03/29/2006 - 14:24
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: Female Sexual Response

Submitted by bunnydog on Mon, 2009-08-10 - 23:38

Hi -  I didn't read all the comments because there are so many but I wonder if you have discussed female sexual response.  I am 42, have been on seizure meds for 11 years and they definitely have had an effect on my sex drive etc.  The worst was being on Neurontin for 5 years.  Not only was I never horny that whole time but I couldn't get off by myself either, even when I bothered to try.  Then one day, I went out of town & forgot my meds for a 24 hr period.  The next morning I woke up and suddenly felt *alive* !  I realized that the drug had been suppressing all kinds of my feelings, not just sex.  So I switched to Lamictal and all of a sudden I could get happy, excited, sexy... even have orgasm.  Huge improvement.  Unfortunately, Lamictal doesn't do much to prevent my seizures :( but I guess you can't have everything...

there's my 2 cents

bunnydog

Hi -  I didn't read all the comments because there are so many but I wonder if you have discussed female sexual response.  I am 42, have been on seizure meds for 11 years and they definitely have had an effect on my sex drive etc.  The worst was being on Neurontin for 5 years.  Not only was I never horny that whole time but I couldn't get off by myself either, even when I bothered to try.  Then one day, I went out of town & forgot my meds for a 24 hr period.  The next morning I woke up and suddenly felt *alive* !  I realized that the drug had been suppressing all kinds of my feelings, not just sex.  So I switched to Lamictal and all of a sudden I could get happy, excited, sexy... even have orgasm.  Huge improvement.  Unfortunately, Lamictal doesn't do much to prevent my seizures :( but I guess you can't have everything...

there's my 2 cents

bunnydog

Re: Re: Re: Sexual Side Effects

Submitted by Cathy_C on Fri, 2006-04-21 - 07:33
I can't say I have the same problems you guys have sexually. I can only say that it takes my husband much courage to make love to me. I have complex partial seizures and black out. I have left him with black & blue tits and left marks on his arm the other night while in the hot tub. I think he must really love me to take the chances he does. We just joke about how wild our sex is when I have a seizure. hehe. He is a great guy.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Sexual Side Effects

Submitted by westcoast on Mon, 2006-09-11 - 11:20
hi cathy - i want to cheer for you (and husband too). it sounds like you've put a great interpretation on things. it's just a pleasure to see people deal well w/ the challenges that E can put in our lives. i love to bike; I ride pretty much daily and usually do 6,000 miles/year. I have been asked many times how on earth I can ride if I have E. that's easy. within reason, it's just not going to keep me from doing things i've always liked to do. cheers again for you both jim

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