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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: Re: Re: Re: Re: Sexual Side Effects

Submitted by faerietygers on Mon, 2007-06-04 - 13:17
that is exactly it. My doctor used to not listen to me and just say, "just live your life" and I wanted to tell him, but I am. I dont' let epilepsy stop me from singing in front of people, cooking, driving, walking. You can[t stop living just because you have a disibility. It doesn't consume my every waking thought because then I was just be Sarah, the epileptic, rather than just Sarah.

Re: Re: Re: Sexual Side Effects

Submitted by GodivaGirl on Sat, 2006-09-23 - 12:06
I know this is the men's section, but thought you might appreciate a woman's opinion with the opposite problem. I'm epileptic, yes. There are times where due to seizure meds intercourse can be very painful for me. Luckily my boyfriend of 5 yrs (5yr anniversary is in a few weeks actually) cares about me lots and doesn't force anything. Here's a suggestion though. At first I was like, huh? and all put off when he suggested this, but it has actually helped us. As a part of foreplay we use not only KY on him and me (to loosen things up a bit), but we also bought a little mini vibrator. That loosens me up enough that it's not painful for he & I to be together. Perhaps you men could use that as a foreplay to make the woman in your live's pleasure last longer for them, and it might be a turn on for you? Or, perhaps use a vibrator between round 1 and round 2. Tell the women what can be done in between to make things better for you. Also, for me and the guy I'm with (and he'd kill me for typing this) some times just an amazing massage with some great massage oil from him is just as enjoyable as intercourse - there are other ways to satisfy the one you love. Get creative, and try to show you love the one your with in other ways. ~EC

Re: Re: Re: Re: Sexual Side Effects

Submitted by ACopper on Fri, 2007-08-10 - 22:50
EC: I have the same problem but deal with it differently. For me, taking 400 I.U. of vitamin E DAILY helps a LOT. I even mentioned it to my sister (we're both about 50 years old), and she's found it helps too. Further, for you guys, sometimes the medicine makes a difference. I took Topomax for a while and couldn't get enough sex. However, I have heard that it can cause a person to go overboard and not be able to think of anything else. I would suggest trying a small dose at first. I know it has been great at controlling my grand mal seizures, so that's a plus, too.

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