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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lin on February 17, 2001, at 8:10:01
Has anyone out there experienced sexual side effects while taking neurontin? I can't believe this, but I increased my lithium and added 1200 mg of neurontin at the same time, and now my libido is shot and it takes me forever to have an orgasm. Neurontin seems so benign given its side effect profile -- I can't believe this!!! IT is totally straining my relationship with my boyfriend, who I feel is pressuring me and who thinks that this loss of interest is all about him. I need an anti-seizure med because I have temporal lobe seizures. I wanted to try lamictal, but I am extremely afraid of the rash ( I am REALLY sensitive to medication). I may go back on Depakote, because I never had this side effect on it.
Lin
Posted by Cece on February 17, 2001, at 12:45:38
In reply to neurontin and sex/ other anticonvulsant, posted by Lin on February 17, 2001, at 8:10:01
> Has anyone out there experienced sexual side effects while taking neurontin? I can't believe this, but I increased my lithium and added 1200 mg of neurontin at the same time, and now my libido is shot and it takes me forever to have an orgasm. Neurontin seems so benign given its side effect profile -- I can't believe this!!! IT is totally straining my relationship with my boyfriend, who I feel is pressuring me and who thinks that this loss of interest is all about him. I need an anti-seizure med because I have temporal lobe seizures. I wanted to try lamictal, but I am extremely afraid of the rash ( I am REALLY sensitive to medication). I may go back on Depakote, because I never had this side effect on it.
> LinHi Lin-
I'm also very sensitive to meds- check my post on "Lamictal dosing" to see how I got on it okay. I'm also on Neurontin which I didn't notice sexual side effects from, but then I already had them from other meds! I'm also menopausal- was already on regular hormone replacement, then asked my gyn to check my testosterone which turned out to be way low. Supplementing test. has made a huge difference for me sexually, and helped my energy level as well. Hormone imbalance/insufficiency can be an issue for anyone regardless of gender or age, so don't disregard if you're not menopausal. By the way, my speed re orgasm varies from time to time and always has (sometimes fast, sometimes very slow, sometimes not even possible)- this is normal for most people. Since I experience the same thing whether I'm having sex with myself or with a partner, I know for sure that it's not (always) about the relationship.
Good luck.
Posted by SalArmy4me on February 19, 2001, at 5:49:27
In reply to Re: neurontin and sex/ other anticonvulsant Lin, posted by Cece on February 17, 2001, at 12:45:38
Lamictal is a very viable and safe option for you....
The fear of a rash has caused many to avoid the drug, and they now suffer with a drug like Depakote that has considerably more side-effects.
The fears over Lamictal (lamotrigine) rashes are unfounded. The chance of having a mild to moderate rash are 3%--according to clinical trials. But clinical trials done years ago do not necessarily predict the incidence of side-effects now. Plus, most of these rashes were due to taking a combination of Valproate and Lamictal, and they resolved without hospital stays. I believe that the chance of a seizure from Wellbutrin is much higher, and the chance of a hypertensive crisis with phenelzine is a little higher. But people generally aren't afraid of Wellbutrin like they are of Lamictal (possibly because Lamictal is newer).
The chance of having a severe rash leading to hospitalization is reported as 0.3%. With those odds, it is easier to get hit by lightening than it is to have a Lamictal rash. Point in case: You never hear in the paper about someone severely harmed by Lamictal.
I have taken Lamictal for one year with a moderate benefit and absolutely no side-effects. I believe that Lamictal will replace Lithium as the drug of choice in bipolar disorder in 10 years, due to its prominent antidepressant effect and benign side-effect profile...I know that sounds like a deliberate "plug" for Lamictal, but its the truth...
Best wishes for your full recovery by Easter...
Posted by roo on February 19, 2001, at 13:09:02
In reply to Re: neurontin and sex/ other anticonvulsant Lin, posted by Cece on February 17, 2001, at 12:45:38
Hi,
I take neurotin and haven't noticed any sexual
side effects. Of course, ;like the last poster,
I take an antidepressant (prozac) which effects
my sex drive. However I didn't notice things getting
any WORSE when I added the neurotin. I just recently
increased the dose and noticed that things got worse.
But I also started using progesterone cream which
I wonder if that might be the culprit. I'm not sure.
Taking the progesterone cream and increasing the
neurotin happened at the same time. I wouldn't have
even suspected the progesterone cream (in fact I started
taking it to INCREASE my sex drive), but a co-worker
told me that her doctor put her on progesterone HRT
and she couldn't have an orgasm to save her life.
Now I'm feeling the same way. Prozac effected my
sexuality, but I could still have an orgasm---Now I can't.
I was hoping more people would respond to your post
so I would have more data to go by as far as
neurotin vs. progesterone cream that's causing this
trouble.
Sorry this isn't real helpful. If you find anything
out, let me know.
This is the end of the thread.
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