AED & Sex Drive

[kgknight]

Absolutely. I've had epilepsy, since birth back in 1956. During the years of the 70s and 80s, the medicines I was on, Depakene, Mysoline, Dilantin, and Klonopin were not doing a good job, and since they were not stopping my seizures, back then I could look at a woman in a bathing suit and be aroused by it. Now, on Keppra 2000 mgs daily, Trileptal 1200 mgs daily, I can look at nude photos, videos or even be surrounded by nude people and nothing happens. I spoke to my family Dr then she referred me to a Urologist. I was tested by that Dr and he said everything seems okay. He said Sex is 80% mental and 20% physical, so he referred me to a place called Advanced Center of Psychotherapy, and that Dr said it can be that I don't have a desire, or it could be the meds. He said Antiseizure meds, antidepressants, and antianxiety meds all keep the body calm, and arousal is excitement. So being in this calm unanxious state may be from the medicines. I'm glad my seizures are not as they were back in the 70s andb 80s which could be as many as 9 in a 7 day week. Now they are about maybe one or two per 6 week periods of time.

Most of the epileptics in the Support Group I used to be part of in NYC, the people are without close friends, and most are single. I am on as many dating sites as possible, but meeting people isn't hard, when you meet someone who wants a real close relationship which involves sex thats where my problems start. I have to warn every woman I meet, "If you are looking for a Red Hot Lover, count me out." Sometimes I think I just haven't met the right woman where there is just no chemistry between those I have met. I'm ready to give up, adopt more pets and call it quits. I did find out on my medical records it has the statement that "the patient is not stimulated by XXX videos or photos." Its just me at present, but I do miss the 70s and 80s sex wise, but I do appreciate how the meds Keppra and Trileptal have decreased my seizures very much.

[Sandee]

Elaine,

Hang in there, hopefully the specialist will take everything you say into consideration and do what is best for you. I'm finding a bit of an increase in my sex drive so all is not lost. I think, also, being menopausal has some effect too.

Looking forward to hearing what the doc has to say. It's great to have a friend to share experiences with epilepsy. I don't know anyone, in my area, with epilepsy and was supposed to join a support group at the hospital but they never sent me information as to when they were meeting.

This is a wonderful home and great friends.

My love and hugs to you,
Sandee

[googly389]

*sigh* it sucks. I noticed this not too long after I got on Depakote 3 years ago. I have a diminished drive now, and softer...well you know whats, that don't sustain (I'm trying to be as professional as I can be here!) I don't even wake up with one anymore...and I'm 19 and this is the most depressing part of it all because I go to a community college and I feel like I should having one night stands with every attractive girl I meet! I've been robbed, and before the meds I was almost hypersexual. Now it's the complete opposite.

Any guys out there try cialis?

Oh, and I thought some of you men might find this interesting
http://professionals.epilepsy.com/pa...antiepmen.html

[stilldancing_98]

Depakote has so many different affects. That's just not fair. Get back to your Dr. see what your blood levels are. Maybe they are to high. Your quality of life counts. I was toxic on Depakote at one time and man, I had no sex drive at all. I am a woman but I understand, and I do have a son on the same drug.

[Franciz]

Im not sure but i dont think it has an effect on my sex drive. LOL!

[stilldancing_98]

Your'e not sure it's that med or . Please clarify. LOL

[darkmarkshark]

There is no change from my normal almost nonexistant libido state at the moment. But when I was on lamictal I pretty much wanted to tackle and have sex with anyone who entered my field of vision.

I prefer having no libido since I consider that my "natural" state. The sexual drive on the lamictal was intensely annoying and I couldn't stand to live like that - though I imagine I was experiencing a higher sex drive than most people normally do. The neurologist thinks my lack of sex drive is due to epilepsy and will increase with a decreasing number of seizures. But honestly, if its like being on the lamictal, I'd rather not have it increase

[stilldancing_98]

So you would just rather leave it?

[darkmarkshark]

Sure, why not? Alot of people live like that.

WIth the exception of being on the lamictal I never had a real sex drive and that's never bothered me

[stilldancing_98]

Well then I say live like you want to. I have a high sex drive, I attribute that mostly to the coma I was in (a second chance at life) ,losing weight, menopause, because I am on a lot of heavy drugs. I can not imagine what I would be like if I was not on these meds. LOL

[Meetz1064]

ALWAYS had a HIGH sex drive. It hasn't gone away yet.......

[stilldancing_98]

Woo Hoo! Good for You!

[BuckeyeFan]

At first you wouldn't think epilepsy or the meds would have anything to do with the woohoos. Then when you think about it, sex is as much brain driven as woohoo driven and that makes sense that you could be so easily impacted.

No known issues here, but I have been on the same basic meds since 20 years old, so I am not sure what to compare it with.


ADVICE to those having issues. E is already a strain on many marriages/couples. If you are issues in the bedroom, make sure you seek out help as it may put your partnership into jeapordy when you need it the most!

[googly389]

Well it just makes me wonder if it can be corrected with hormone therapy. It sounds all too "silver bullet" to say that, but in the case with Valproate (my drug) I read it elevates estriadol which clings to the free testosterone, thereby inhibiting it's use. Don't get me wrong, I still get "physically able" on occasion, but my drive is completely shot unless I'm stimulated by touch; ie: pictures of hot girls just don't do it for me like it did when I was 13. This is why I worry about being single forever...

[s10sleeper]

I never had a problem with my antiepileptic meds causing this, but the epileptologist did say that my moods and depression were caused by my seizures and they had me on an antidepressant that did cause major problems, so I refuse to take it and just try to cope with life.

It already ruined a couple of relationships, one being a girl I was engaged to, and the epilepsy also scared off women, it always seems to happen at the worst time. I have have a seizure spontaneously happen when talking to them which is uncommon as they usually only happen at night.

[stilldancing_98]

I just can't imagine being a guy with epilepsy. It has to be tough emotionally. I have my boy, who has it and it is going to be really tough. Epilepsy scares guys away from me. I hope you find a good one.

[s10sleeper]

Anymore, just don't really try much, too preoccupied with working full time, going to school and trying to make it to the epileptologist every month, figure whatever happens, happens.

[BuckeyeFan]

Anymore, just don't really try much, too preoccupied with working full time, going to school and trying to make it to the epileptologist every month, figure whatever happens, happens.

Not a bad way too look at it. If you keep taking care of everything else in your life (education, earning a living, and most important health), that special person may find their way into your life in some way you least expect.

[stilldancing_98]

I wish you could seen what I did last night. I was on a live taping of Oprah about sex. Oh man did it get down and dirty. They talked about meds . They set me up on the interenet for like a few shows. I think that they were just interenet. But it was so funny.They were selling toys and everything.I have so much more energy since they put me on celontin. So I'm going crazy. Now I just need a boyfriend.lol

[CPS]

Maybe it is a problem, if you see it as such. I know I go to bed before he does, and I like my sleep