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UPDATED: Tue, 05/24/2005 - 9:49am
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dfriedman
Sex drive and seizure medications
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Hello everyone,
I was wondering if ANYONE has advice on what to do about the loss of sex drive from these dammed seizure meds.
I am 44, have had a hysterectomy and on Carbitrol. I have NO sex drive at all. Does anyone have advice????
Please help!
Diana
By dfriedman at Tue, 05/24/2005 - 9:49am | 3315 views | 50 comments
Topic: Medication Issues
Recent Comments on this Discussion
My husband is on Klonopin and BP medications and antianxiety meds. due to stress on a high stress gov. job. I am on 3 sz med. both of us are having problems. So you could mix it combine together and our sex drive is low but we love each other equally. We have 2 wonderful teenagers. We do not need any more kids. Sex is not a need. We both understand that and know the reason.
I hope everyone understands the reason. It can be from stress or the medication or from many other reasons.
My husband and I would exercise to much and that would be the cause. My gyn. would tell me at times. It would be interesting to find out the reason what they would say.
I have been taking Keppra for many months. My neuro would raise the dose after every seizure. Once I got to where I was taking 2000mg in the AM with 1500mg in the PM, I noticed a nice side effect: Being horney, more easily attained climaxing. The Neuro says he's never heard of such a thing, however, my family doc says that she has heard of that happening when the dosing reaches levels as high as what I'm taking. The fabulous side effect has leveled off somewhat-not quite so sexed up now. But wow, how great is it to have that for a side effect! Keppra is controlling my seizures now by itself, at 4000mg total a day. Also take Lexapro.-Emily
i can address it the way the solution(most of the time) find a way to play. Act on the things that allow the drive to be activated. have fun. more important for me was to let myself have fun. The medication has it's effects, the seizures have their's, and then i have my own. I had to work at changes mine. alot of doc say that the medication is not the problem. i say let them take it for awhile. you can ask about changing the medications.
You may want to talk to a sex therapist abbout the subject. there are also books available that may help.
I had/have the same problem, I tried different thing. hope it helps. rikk
I was just trying to come up with answers for the same thing. I have been on Keppra (200mg/day) and Lamictal (500mg/day) for about 4 years. I didnt know what my problem was. I thought it was cuz I've been kind of depressed lately since I lost my job. But I am only 25, am actually getting married TOMORROW, and have almost no sex drive. We still have sex, but usually I just want it to be over with right after it starts. Does anyone know what can be done about this?
I AM EXACTLY THE SAME! I have much higher dosage than you though but I have the same problem. I am 21 and it takes me a while to have a sex drive and my body can't produce something I won't say since it may offend you. I hate it though!
Hi Diana,
I am 32 and on Keppra and I certainly had a dramatic decrease in drive since I began these meds a year ago. I have just recently switched to Zonegran (the Keppra made me excessively fatigued and didn't control my seizures), so I'll see what it has in store. My neuro said there are options like adding in an antidepressant if I still experience the loss of sex drive. I'd suggest talking to your doc for options.
Good luck!
C
I am 41 years old and no I do not have sex, I make love to my husband. We have 2 perfect girls, ages 15 and 6, they were both natural. (well there as perfect as far as having all there fingers and toes they still act like kids)
But I taken all the AED's on the market but one and it causes alot of kidney problems, there is a new med. that my doc. was telling me about, that they have not put on the market yet.
My dr. recommeded DHEA to help with my sex drive. I got some from the pharmacy and it worked a little. Then I got some from my naturopathic dr. It's more pure and doesn't have as many fillers. This works better.
Sex? Whats sex?
Thats what Keppra does for my bf.
Sex, who said sex? What does that mean? LOL. I am on Carbatrol and Topamax and have absolutely NO sex drive. I am 35 and shoud be at my PRIME right now, but sure don't feel like it!!
My husband is 33.He was on Phenytoin and Keppra. Now he is on Keppra and Tegretol retard and he has no sex drive at all. Not any kind of "feeling".
Im just getting used to live like that....nothing much i can do.
Any suggestion how to help him?
Smile :)
um hum... this is the way it is ... could be more than meds. Are you in love do u feel 16 again ?? .. if not go out on a date spice it up even if you dont want 2 dont be so fast 2 give up... sex is good 4 you will keep you young and yes I said it SEX is AWESOME .. dont turn it into a job..... worse things could happen .. you need 2 wake up live life to 2 the max .. never stop loven its a must in life
I don't know what is the word "sex" in generally.
I remember, something being many years ago... LOL
____
mobile home loans
Diana,
I recently found information on an online health tips website or newsletter (maybe Dr Weil or WebMD) that told me that someone has recently found that taking a garlic supplement is quite helpful toward sex drive. I'm a 40-year-old man, and it seems like my daily supplements of garlic might be the herb that gives me sufficient sex drive.
Another thing I learned some time last year about garlic is that it not only maintains great control of cholesterol levels and helps normalize blood pressure, but also has been found to be quite helpful toward seizure control.
You might want to give it a try.
David
What are the mg that you're taking? I don't have seizure's...I'm Bipolar and on Lamictal .....my sex drive is "gone" Thanks for any info..Mig54
Hi David,
I hope this works for me because I feel bad for my husband. We had never had this problem until I was switched to Lamictal... I turned 40 but it's suppose to be your prime and I've had the opposite.
I'm going to buy that tonight and God I hope it works. Thanks for the info....
I vote reverse counts. My sex drive drove off a long time ago.
When I was on dilantin and clonopin, the sex drive was in full gear. But it didn't control my seizures.After I was switched to Depakote and Tegretol, they brought my seizure activity down, my appetite up and the good ol sex drive gone...and I feel like I've been robbed. Good ol E merri-go-round. Whaddyado?
-Spiz
And here I thought he was making that up!!! The fact that I was memorable tells me one thing and the fact that he wasn't tells me another.
Flowers?! I didn't get flowers! You wait!
-Spiz
I am 40 yrs old , my seizures started when I was 15 and was put on Dilatin and Tegretol and had no problem with my sex drive, My seizures started back regularly when I was 32 and I was taken from Tegertol and Kppra was added,my seizures stopped and so did my erections. I was told not to use no kind of meds for the sex drive but to use a cock ring. As of today I am still using one and I have no problems with erections ,sex drive, or ejaculations.Hope this helps you out.
Thanks,
Rescue
Hi, Thought I'd share a few resources since this is an area that's often not talked about! While some AEDS may affect sex drive, other medical problems or medications can too. Also the problems could be related to the effect that seizure discharges, or underlying disruptions in the brain, are having on key areas involved with hormones and sexual function. If changes in sex drive or function occur, it's a good idea to raise it with your doctor, both neurologist and gynecologist, to see if testing could be helpful to sort it out. For more information, look at the women's issues in this site, or the Women and Epilepsy Fact Sheets from the Epilepsy Foundation. There is also a pretty comprehensive book for women with epilepsy, titled, "Women with Epilepsy: A Handbook of Health and Treatment Issues", published by Cambridge University Press. I hope you find some helpful information there.
pattyann
Hi, Thought I'd share a few resources since this is an area that's often not talked about! While some AEDS may affect sex drive, other medical problems or medications can too. Also the problems could be related to the effect that seizure discharges, or underlying disruptions in the brain, are having on key areas involved with hormones and sexual function. If changes in sex drive or function occur, it's a good idea to raise it with your doctor, both neurologist and gynecologist, to see if testing could be helpful to sort it out. For more information, look at the women's issues in this site, or the Women and Epilepsy Fact Sheets from the Epilepsy Foundation. There is also a pretty comprehensive book for women with epilepsy, titled, "Women with Epilepsy: A Handbook of Health and Treatment Issues", published by Cambridge University Press. I hope you find some helpful information there.
pattyann
hi,
i have been having seizures since i was ten now im 35.. and unfortunally you are right, this type of med are not good for sex, you have no desire, i have try hormons , but that dosent work either... the doctor told that the best thing to do is learn to live like that and enjoy the little moment you have desire.. im taking lamictal and pheno...buy before that i was in keppra lamictal and pheno ... sex wise there was no doferrent for me... but i have a question any of you have lack of sleep at night ?
good luck
joa
Try the following OTC's. They have helped me.
L-Arginine, Vitamin E, Saw Palmetto, Vitamin World's Viper (There is another similar OTC called Cobra.)
I regularly take the saw palmetto along with some vitamin B's actually the B's are really high in mg, % wise it's around 1500+% daily value i feel fine no crazy amounts of energy but an all around good energetic feeling. One thing i hate about all the herbs and vitamins are the costs from the local stores they charge such a crazy price. I started getting discount vitamins online as well as my herbs and saving about half of what i paid at my local shops.
Hi, I wanted to let you know that some people take both blood pressure medication and also can take Viagra. I am 53 and I have a "boyfriend" who is 80 and very healthy other than his high blood pressure. He had heart surgery about 20 years ago, also. We have been having sex for 2 years with the help of Viagra and his doctor says that he can take it even though he takes 2 or 3 blood pressure medications. It hasn't caused any problems, but he only uses it about 2 times a week. Sometimes he doesn't need it. See if your doctor will look over your medical history and possibly let you have a try at taking it, even if he only gives you 2 or 3 pills a month to start, it will help your sex life. Even a half of a pill will help enough sometimes. Good luck.
I am working with a bio identical pharmicist and she is supply progesterone to help. But I am not getting results yet. I am sure mine is from having epilepsy for 35 years and taking the meds. I take trileptal and I dont think that helps with the sex drive at all.
Lisa
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EpilepsyApproach/
I take trileptal as well, for 5 years now, and tried the pill in 2003, got pregnant after a violent reaction to the pill, had healthy sexual appetites, even after giving birth, but now, since having my son in 2004, I've had a total of 3, count em 3 periods!! The last one I had was 9 months ago!! I know that trileptal messes with the estogen/progesterone balance, but man!! This is one reason why I just don't feel much passion anymore, cuz I don't feel entirely like a woman! I'd like to have another kid too, before I get too old! I'm already 32!
It's strange, but I feel like my sex drive is coming back since I started on Trileptal in Jan. (This is my first anti-seizure medication, so I don't know if it's specific to this medication).
I wish I knew what to tell you. I went for several years with zero sex drive, and I just endured it because my husband is so wonderful.
If your interested in changing meds, I would try Lamictal. That one shot my sex drive way up!
But, your right the rest of them Kill the sex thing.
keppra was the worst for me.
E
hi Petunia, I saw your entry tonight and noticed when you said "Keppra was the worst for me". I just started taking Keppra and am lacking sexual drive that I once had in abundance. Any further details on how Keppra affected you in this way???
I was on Depakote starting at 15. I'm now 31 and switched over to Keppra almost a year ago (after a very short stint with Lamictal). I had very little sex drive with Depakote and practically none on Keppra. It's getting to the point where my husband is feeling very upset and losing patience with me. I feel bad for him, but wish he could be more understanding. Any suggestions to turn this around would be greatly appreciated. I've had such great results on the seizures with the Keppra and would hate to switch meds again, but I don't see very many options for me.
It is weird I am reading over and over how tegretol lowers the sex drive...I have been taking that stuff for close to 18 years. Of course when I was 18 the age I am supposed to be peaking I had no care or interest for girls. 21 it started coming around a bit, and I am now 31, every year my sex drive just gets stronger and stronger. To the point now where I need to relieve myself 3-5x a day.
They say a guys sex drive should be diminishing by now and here I am like a horny 18 yr old. I am curious if the tegretol has a role in all this.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
With epilepsy, that's probably a bad sign neurologically. Many sources regard sensations and orgasm
to be pleasant seizures, with the ease of frequency as a sign of lower threshold for that type of
seizure. A few journal articles cite it as mainly a rare condition most common in women and almost
unheard of in men. One article cited epileptic orgasm triggered by strobing lights, and the excess
voluntary induction that was otherwise medically intractable.
As many forms of epilepsy greatly reduce sex drive, as do AEDs, an increase to a level still low but
nearer normal is regarded as the AED being more effective with the epilepsy than damaging to the sex
drive, which is still unusual as a win-win situation, but much much more frequent than hyper-orgasmic
seizures.
Please do explain, if nothing else, mine has been the worst on Lamictal.
Hi Everyone!
This is my first time posting but I've been trying to read alot about this issue. I am having the same issues as what I've been reading. (and maybe some others) I can get sexually arroused, but sex just doesn't last long at all. Barely five minutes! (If I'm lucky.) I feel very sensitive during sex and have an orgasm almost right away. After that I'm spent for the night. :( My girlfriend is very frustrated with it and so am I. My seizures aren't stopping; I have at least 3 a night. On top of that, our sex life is terrible. My hair is thinning too, and I read that Depakote could cause that, though I'm sure it's just genetics LOL.
I'm currently taking Divalproex (Depakot), Carbamazepine (Tegretol XR), and Lamotrigine
Could any of these medications be at the root of my sexual issues?