Sex drive and seizure medications

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I have the same probelm. I have lost my sex drive. I am on 6 different meds and I my seizures are not under control. I have talked to my nero about the problem and he said that he doesn't want to make any changes to my meds b/c this is the best my seizures have been in a long time, which is true. I also talked to my gyn and he gave me a med to try but it made my seizures worse so I had to stop taking it. It is putting a strain on my marriage. It is not that my husband doesn't know what is going on, it is just frustraing to him and I understand. I wish I new what to do. I am currently seeing a doctor at the Mayo clinic. I hope they can make my seizures better and take me off of some of the meds so my marriage doesn't fall apart. They said that they are running out of options fast. So it doesn't give me much hope.

By quarky10 on Mon, 09/19/2011 - 6:24am

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Well, I can't say i have lost mine but they put me on Lamitical about a couple of years ago and my libido shot thru the roof .But my b/f have it sometimes 4xs a day. And sometimes after that I have no desire for sex for awhile . I asked my doctor to take me on Lamitical but she said most women lose their sex drive well, I'm a rarity and it isnt a blessing at times. I'm 40 yo and ain't no spring chicken anymore.

It could have nothing to do with medication but with the hysterectomy you had. Cause when I had my second daughter I didn't want sex at all.( for 2 years). I went to the OB-GYN he said it would pass but come to find out I was bipolar and they put me on drug after drug but Lamitical I have been on for awhile .

It can't hurt to check and ask your doctor. Don't worry! I've been there.

Grace_of_God 2010

By Grace_... on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 12:34am

wow sure am glad i found this post thought i had gone crazy for sure. I have been trying my best to deal with the depression weight gain suicidal thoughts sleeping all the time horrible irritable personality but losing my sex drive when i am only 35 and was hmm i will just say had no trouble with everyday at least once a day now no desire at all its been months and not from lack of trying everything. it is last straw going to nero dr to get another medicine change first med that has kept me seizure free for 40 days now but not worth losing that part of my life

By burmom2 on Mon, 08/09/2010 - 8:48pm

Yep- could care less if I ever have sex again. I am on 1500 Keppra split into 2 doses. I am glad my hubby is understanding went from 3x a week to once a month since being diagnosed in March :-(

By Sammis... on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 10:14am

I am so glad I'm not alone in this. I am on 250mg Lamitical and my sex drive has completely left the building. I have been married for 2 years, the first year was great and I have been on Lamitical since January and it has got so bad. I am also lucky that I have such an amazing husband and has been so patient, i don't think he completely understands but he is trying. I'm also going back to the doc to find out if it can be helped as we can't go on like this especially wanting to have a child. I just don't want it to get to a point were he can't take it anymore and calls it quits. I hope things get better for everyone!

By majorno1 on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 6:24am

i know what you are going through about 5 years ago i met my wife it was at this time i found out that i had no sex drive or could not get or keep an erection i saw an eurologist after i told him what was happening he put it down to the meds i take for siezures after blood tests it confirmed i had no tostesterone too cut a long story short i have to take an ejection every three weeks and when needed viagra so hang in there and if necesary go to different dr till u get the correct diagnoses

By davidm... on Sun, 06/06/2010 - 5:46pm

I am a 44 year male and have seizure since age 12. It seems that my sex drive has taken a nose dive in the last couple years. I am on 4 meds at this point and I know that has most to do with it because I have the desire but can't keep it up{if you know what I mean}.

By scottO on Wed, 06/02/2010 - 4:52am

I have the same problem and have looked into it extensively. Between my epileptologist and my neuroendocrinologist I came up with the following 3 possibilities:

1. Side effects of the medications

2. The result of epilepsy itself

3. Low testosterone. Some doctors will check the level of your total testosterone but not free or bioavailable testosterone.

The total can come back as normal but that doesn’t matter. Total testosterone is broken down into free and bioavailable testosterone when needed. The level of bioavailable is what counts. This is the one that gives you your sex drive and is important in muscle growth

I know that tegretol and dilantin can block the conversion of total testosterone into bioavailable and instead change it into estrogen or estradiol. There are 2 options; the first and easiest is just add more testosterone with a patch or gel. This worked a while for me but stopped after 2 months. The other option is to take a drug that can stop this from happening. Might be worth looking into.

As for me, nothing worked. I still lack sex drive and still have seizures.

By myles on Sun, 06/06/2010 - 10:46am

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.

By tonialpha on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 5:44pm

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

By shesparky on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 1:56pm

I noticed this post is a couple of years old but I had the same experience.tegeretol killed my drive and made it impossible to climax.When I first started keppra it was awesome it made climax easy and more intense.It has since leveled off and does not do that anymore( dang it) I have been on it a couple of months now and at least I can climax and have a sex drive (did have NONE with tegretol)Only drawback is keppra does make me easier to irritate and more tempermental.That has improved over time too though.The first week or two everything... and I mean everything made me angry.It rarely causes those extreme mood swings now.To everyone struggling with the sex drive I wish you luck especially us women bc there are very few options for us.

By browne... on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 9:43pm

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

By rikk on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 2:04pm

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?

By linz2cool on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 4:45pm

I am 27 and taking 600 mg lamictal (for year and a half) and starting keppra 500 mg so far but increasing to 1000 2 daily and have no sex drive. I have the same feeling you do and wondering if you have found anything that works for you because being this age I am afraid of loosing my husband because of it.

By maggie17 on Sun, 08/01/2010 - 8:42am

No offense hunny but if sex is all your husband married you for then that's pretty bad. He knew when he married you that you would have your highs and lows . If he really loves you then he will be understanding and stand by you.

And some advice prayer always works for me. You two need to sit down and talk and get him info on Epilespy. It is a medical condition which we can't control and he needs to be there for you. And think of it this way sex shouldn't be you're first priority even tho you enjoy it. It's mind over matter. Talk to your Doctor there are other meds and tell him about your sex drive and that it isnt the same.

Just remember when you have no one you always have God and your friends and family.....he probably understands more than you think just have alittle faith in your husband.

Ya'll be in my prayers,

By Grace_... on Thu, 09/30/2010 - 12:47am

Hi all,

I have serious frontal lobe damage from encifilitis. i am now left with epilepsy. From day one I have been complaing to my physicans about my loss of sex drive. I am on Kepa 1, 5000 mg ,trilepptal 200 mg and lamictal 400 each twice a day. chey are now slowly eliminating my trileptal due to low salt rention. None of my very experienced physicians have ever mentioned that this could be a side effect of my medications. I had to learn it here. I'm new to this site . I think they were concentrated on my seizures, now under control. But I would like to return to a normal sex life . Now that my wife has left me and I am interested in dating and I am afraind to due to the loss of my sex drive what it may lead to. In couple weeks I am going to see a urologist in hopes of being placed on an ED med. Has anyone done this , did it help and or interfer with your anti seizure medications? I am 57 years and for the last 4 year thay just said I getting old only, a big help. I new member. sory my typing and spelling are as good as my sex life!

thank yo in advance.

By louk22 on Sun, 06/06/2010 - 3:57pm

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!

By azonab... on Mon, 05/18/2009 - 11:36am

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!

By Cyneah on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 3:18pm

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.

By lovenit on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 10:12am

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.

By sueanne on Fri, 05/16/2008 - 6:22pm

Re: Re: Sex drive and seizure medications

Sex? Whats sex?

Thats what Keppra does for my bf.

By Jahira... on Tue, 08/29/2006 - 4:15am

Re: Re: Re: Sex drive and seizure medications

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!!

By TinaB on Thu, 09/07/2006 - 12:09pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: Sex drive and seizure medications

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 :)

By Anie on Thu, 04/26/2007 - 6:28am

meds.. and sex

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

By winks on Sat, 11/17/2007 - 9:16am

I don't know what is the word "sex" in generally.

I remember, something being many years ago... LOL

____

mobile home loans

By lender on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 1:31pm

RE: Sex drive and seizure medications

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

By MouseP... on Sun, 08/28/2005 - 2:52am

Re: RE: Sex drive and seizure medications

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

By mig54 on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 1:25pm

Sex Drive

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....

By martyd... on Tue, 01/22/2008 - 8:46am

Sex-drive...does reverse count?classy1

By classy1g on Thu, 06/30/2005 - 12:13am

RE: RE: Sex drive and seizure medications

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

By spiz on Thu, 06/30/2005 - 3:52am

RE: RE: RE: Sex drive and seizure medications

Spiz,My sex drive crashed prior to starting these lovely meds, and guess who was the crash dummy?..lol Now, that I'm on the meds, and menopause has set in, with the lovely hot flashes, I dont know if I'm coming or going! Hell, my hub bought me something last month...I asked him what that was for (can't remember what it was), and he said, cause I gave it up twice in a week! Uhhh...that was news to me!...lmao Maybe I was asleep?...geeesh...so much for short-term memory loss. I just hope that I enjoyed it as much as he did!Keep safe...and happy?classy1

By classy1g on Thu, 06/30/2005 - 1:45pm

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Sex drive and seizure medications

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!

By spiz on Thu, 06/30/2005 - 4:44pm

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Sex drive and seizure medications

Flowers? Did I get flowers? Chyt...I can't remember...lmao As long as we can laugh about it, it keeps us sane, right? The hell with the real world, if they don't get it...*winks* I stopped explaining myself, and simply say, I'm firing on 2 brain cells..lolhuggsss,classy

By classy1g on Fri, 07/01/2005 - 5:02am

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Sex drive and seizure medications

Hey All,I am on Carbatrol and Depakote, and sad to say i have no damn sex drive. Hell the worst part is that coming up in OCT 31st is 1 year anerversery I WANT SEX LOL :)Joe..

By jmorth... on Fri, 08/26/2005 - 3:00am

Re: RE: RE: Sex drive and seizure medications

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

By rescue... on Tue, 05/27/2008 - 7:27pm

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

By pattyann on Wed, 06/29/2005 - 7:41pm

By pattyann on Wed, 06/29/2005 - 7:39pm

Diana - I was reading the board with my wife, and she thinks it may be the hysreectomy that may be causing this. That is HER opinon, she is not a MD, so this may not be true. She is wonding if you are on nay hormones? I know this sound crazy from a guy, and we are not being nosy. I do repect your privacy, and if you want you can send your reply via email to me.Thanks.Erik & Jennifer - 06-29-03

By EHamma... on Mon, 06/27/2005 - 5:56am

My doc was shocked, but lamictal did wonders after getting off dialantin.

marko88 (not verified)

By marko88 (not verified) on Mon, 06/27/2005 - 11:32am

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

By joayanez on Sun, 06/12/2005 - 8:25pm

hi joa.

my names mel and like u i have a very low sex drive and its driving me crazy, i get so disapointed that i can not orgasm anymore or even get slightly interested in sex with my partner. he says he understands but its just not fair on him or me. we have tried loads of foreplay etc , but nothing works. and when he eventually does have sex with me im in so much pain at times i cry and want it to be over. my gp says this is normal! is it?

and i am having the same problem with u with sleep at night. im lucky to get 4 hrs at the most. i can sleep in the day just not night. i have told my neuro and he now thinks its an underlying problem i have and wants me to see a phycatrist, and get sleeping pills! there has to be a reasonable explaination so please if u have found out anymore it would be most helpful.

hope things are working out for you finally.

cheers mel

By melza on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 9:32am

I just wanted to tell you the same is true from the male side. One real bad thing, I take something for high blood presure so they say you should not take Viagra or a similar product. If anyone ever hearsof a product that is O.K. please let me know.

By washkuhnr on Sun, 06/12/2005 - 7:54am

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.)

By woodyc... on Sun, 09/24/2006 - 10:31pm

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.

By jasonla on Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:06am

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.

By oller on Wed, 08/30/2006 - 5:04pm

I just forgot to ask for a responce to be sent to me.

By washkuhnr on Sun, 06/12/2005 - 7:56am

I've had seizures since i was 5. I've already taken taking Phenobarbital,Dilantin,Topomax,Tegretol and Depakote for my seizures in the past. I started taking Felbatol since it first came out to the market. No other medication has controlled me better than Felbatol. I only have partial seizures if i stay up too late watching TV. Sometimes if i forget to take the medicine.Even sometimes if I get too angry.Other than that it has done a great job.I just started taking Amlodipine for my high blood pressure, cause my doctor recommended. My age is 40, I try to live life my fullest. I still lift weights,ride my bike,play sports,go running sometimes + much more. Still today, im sometimes sky high horny. I get an erection in the morning & whenever a woman gets close too close to me. Plus, i still have a desire to be with a woman and treat her like a queen.

Yours Truly,

Martin

By golo on Sun, 06/06/2010 - 5:17pm

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/

By angel_lts on Tue, 06/07/2005 - 3:49am

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!

By SaraOwens on Wed, 08/30/2006 - 1:27pm

Hi there, Just replying I am on Tegretol and have had a hysterectomy also. Maybe its because I will be 50 in a couple of months too but sex is not my thing for the moment but I wish it was. I think it is a mixture of all the above and it is bery frustrating. I wish I was wanting it rather just going through the motions.

By sweetpea on Sun, 06/05/2005 - 9:34pm

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Sex drive and seizure medications

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