Seizure Meds And Libido or just post seizure libido problems

[dlewis1982]

Hi its Dustin again,

I wanted to bring up another problem related to seizure meds. Its something that I have noticed shortly after I started having seizures, and its a lack of libido. I have been on four different meds since I started my seizures: Dilantin, Tegretol, and now a combo of Topamax and Lamictal. And with all I have had a problem with libido. During my course of Tegretol I had my testosterone checked and it was way below normal for a guy of only 19. And my testosterone levels have been low ever since. I am now on testosterone replacement therapy to try and raise my level and it has. It also helped the issue with my libido untill recently. So I am not really sure what to do because there isnt really to many more drugs that I can take that control Grand Mal seizures. And doctors dont ever believe that its the meds that could be causing an issue with testosterone even though they have already checked every gland in my body. So has anybody else had a similar experience that may allow some insite.

Much appreciated

Dustin

[RobinN]

I have been considering why my daughters hormone levels are out of wack. This is one trigger for her seizures (she is med free). I have been researching adrenal fatigue. This gland monitors I think most of the hormones in the body.

It might be a long stretch, but something worth looking into.

Adrenal Fatigue

another would be to check with an alternative doctor and have heavy metals tested. They do a combination of blood and hair testing, and if there are any that are out of the norm, then there are some conversations going on in a few Yahoo groups that might be helpful. Most conventional doctors don't even know how to read these tests.

[Bernard]

Sex!

more discussions about AEDs and libido/sex

[Elaine H]

Hi Honey

I so relate to what you are saying, and I have come across alot of other people on anti-epileptic drug's that have had the same problems, I have never had a particularly high sex drive, but in the last couple of years, it has been non-existant! My poor fiancee never moans, he never pressurises me or anything, but I am feeling so very guilty for neglecting him, we are both 45, I know that will seem old to you, but wait till you get here, it's really not old! He has quite a high sex drive so I feel bad for the way I am feeling!

I'm on Keppra 1500mg am and 1500mg pm, I have read that Keppra can lower the libido so please don't think you're alone in the world. Keep smiling!!

Cheers

Elaine x

[Nancy]

I've said it before but I'll say it again ......
Since Nov. 1, 1990 I've been on a lot of the anti-epileptic drugs but epilepsy had the biggest effect on my husband. It certainly changed HIS sex drive .... even his desire to hug and kiss me.
I haven't even been "allowed" to sleep in HIS bed.

[epileric]

When I was in my teens through my 20's I was on Mysoline, Dilantin, & tegretol. I don't think it effected my sex then. Now I"m just on Tegretol & I have a much smaller sex drive (of course it might just be age).

Dustin, I don't know if this is a comfort but I have to say that when I think back at some of the stupider things I've done in life it was when my sex drive was strongest that I did them lol.

[Elaine H]

Hi Nancy

Bless you, that must make you feel sad not sharing the bed with him? Mark and I are very tactile, we are always kissing and cuddling, and say I love you about ten times a day, it's not difficult to love him he is a beautiful person inside and out! I've just completely lost my sex drive! I'm 45, it's been a very strange couple of years, I lost a few jobs because of my epilepsy, the seizures got steadily worse before my surgery 2 months ago, I've been through the Menopause, then my dear mum died just before Xmas, and it's been over a year since Mark and I last "got together" he never pressurises me, he never complains, he is just great, I'm scared to now! That probably sounds stupid, there has just been so much going around in my head that it has taken a back seat in our relationship. I worry that I am going to lose him, but he assures me everything is ok.

Do you think the anti-epileptic drug's affect us girls in that department? I would love to hear from you.

Elaine x

[walksalot]

I was on the topiromate ( now Topamax ) protocol at the Ohio State University many years ago and complained to my doctor during the trial that I had completely lost my libido and that it had caused a great strain on my marriage. I also participated in the Depakote (depakene) investigational trial and the Lamictal (lamotrigine) trial. The three trials pretty much zapped any testosterone I might have had and my doctor even gave me a sample of viagra to see if it would help me. It didn't. I don't even have any estrogen anymore.

Seizure meds might not cause a problem for other women, but they sure did, and do, for me. I thought the "six after sixty" cliche was something I should look forward to, but it didn't happen.

It's a dreadful thing that my husband got prostate cancer but he was treated at Cleveland Clinic and was cured. For that I thank God daily. But he can no longer achieve an erection, so it has worked out good for us in that way. Neither of us can perform any longer, but we can snuggle and caress each other and still say "I Love You" when we're not hitting each other with frying pans.

[morgan381]

Do you think the anti-epileptic drug's affect us girls in that department?

Definately! I'm 27 and have been on a variety of anti-epileptic drugs over the past 7 years and am currently taking Keppra and Lamictal. Before drugs, sex was on my mind just about all the time. My husband couldn't even walk past me without me grabbing his butt...Now, my sex drive is just about non-existant. Not that I don't want sex from time to time, but more often than not, I'd rather sleep. Maybe due in part to the meds making me more sleepy? or the fact that having a seizure just doesn't make me feel very sexy?

I read something about a couple that showed up in an ER; the woman was bleeding from the head and the man was bleeding from his man parts. The couple had gone out for a romantic dinner and she decided to slip under the table and give him a.....you know. During the course of this, she had a t/c, which caused her to bite him. In pain, trying to get her to unclench her jaw, he stabbed her repeatedly in the head with his dinner fork....Maybe it's a good thing that the sex drive decreases while on anti-epileptic drugs.

(sorry, if I offended anyone with the smilies...I just couldn't resist)

[borgolibero]

Maybe sex drive is touched by too many factors, not only drugs, but age and concerns ... My experience is that when I was about 26 (although I took more drugs than now) I was.. well... a was a young male guy... now I'm almost 40 and I'm always interested in sex, but I like may be more watching television and eating... is it Depakote ?

[Belinda5000]

I think it's just certain anti-epileptic drugs that affect the libido.
Tegretol, and numerous other anti-epileptic drugs I've been on over the years.
When I was put on Topamax that killed my libido.

Belinda

[doclotus]

Hi Honey
I'm on Keppra 1500mg am and 1500mg pm, I have read that Keppra can lower the libido so please don't think you're alone in the world. Keep smiling!!

Cheers

Elaine x

I had a very frustrating talk with my neurologist today. I complained about the low libido possibly being related to the Keppra and he just shook his head and said no.

I didn't exactly have a raging libido before starting Keppra but its darn near nonexistant now and its very frustrating!

I used to like this Dr., but getting dismissed like this really ticked me off.

Has anyone heard if B6 supplementation can help with this like it supposedly does with kepprage?

[epileric]

Has anyone heard if B6 supplementation can help with this like it supposedly does with kepprage?

I can't imagine vitamine B6 doing any harm. Why don't you try it & report back?