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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hildi on February 3, 2003, at 2:49:02
Is depakote known for causing sexual disfunction?
My fiancee has been on dep for a little while now and it has really helped him- however, the side effects have been sexual - any depakote users experience this problem?Also, his personality is sort of 'flat'. I guess it would seem flat after what I've seen with his mania, but he almost seems depressed or just a zombie. He never suffered depression before, just bipolar mania/hypomania.
Oh well, it's better than before because he can function now . . .but I'm wondering from you other dep users: is this typical?
Hildi
Posted by jodie on February 3, 2003, at 2:57:03
In reply to Depakote sexual side effects?, posted by hildi on February 3, 2003, at 2:49:02
I wish I could answer that one. I know when I was on Depakote, my hair was falling out!! I had to stop taking it for that reason, I was only on it for about a month.
Mood Stabilizers, and AD's tend to make people somewhat "flat", & sort of numb. You are right though its better that he can function now.
I know when I was on Celexa for quite some time, I became emotionally numb. I couldn't even cry if I wanted to.
Most psychiatric meds cause sexual side effects. I'm sure there is someone here that could answer your question better that me!!! Sorry!!!
Hope things get better :-)
Jodie
Posted by hildi on February 4, 2003, at 23:32:31
I'm trying this post again- any guys or gals experience probs in this department while taking dep? (I know it's hard to tell because it's usually an add-on to other meds- but I'm wondering just the same).
Hildi
Posted by fairnymph on February 5, 2003, at 2:18:03
In reply to Sexual SE on Depakote?, posted by hildi on February 4, 2003, at 23:32:31
I believe sexual side effects are very rare with depakote. I haven't taken it personally but my ex boyfriend was on the max dose and he had no problems...same for a few others (of both genders) I've known.
Posted by Phil on February 5, 2003, at 12:51:44
In reply to Re: Sexual SE on Depakote? » hildi, posted by fairnymph on February 5, 2003, at 2:18:03
I've heard that some men feel it helps due to the placebo effect of knowing Depakote can cause priapism. Although if they get priapism, they won't be thinking about sex.
Posted by hildi on February 6, 2003, at 0:17:02
In reply to Re: Sexual SE on Depakote?, posted by Phil on February 5, 2003, at 12:51:44
> I've heard that some men feel it helps due to the placebo effect of knowing Depakote can cause priapism. Although if they get priapism, they won't be thinking about sex.
What is priapism?
Posted by Phil on February 6, 2003, at 6:47:24
In reply to Re: Sexual SE on Depakote? » Phil, posted by hildi on February 6, 2003, at 0:17:02
An erection that won't go away. It can be quite dangerous. Here's some smart people explaining it. : )
Priapism is a prolonged and painful erection that can last from several hours up to a few days. The priapismic erection is NOT associated with sexual thoughts or sexual activity. What happens is that blood flows into the penis, but is unable to drain as it would in a normally flaccid penis. Considering that the penis provides little room for blood to circulate, the blood becomes stagnant after a while, acidifies, and loses oxygen. Without oxygen, the red blood cells become stiff, and even less able to squeeze their way out of the penis.
Very few cases of priapism are without an obvious cause. In most cases, priapism results from one of two things: certain medications or medical conditions. Under the category of medications, there are two primary culprits. For one, penile injections used to treat some forms of impotence can cause priapism; however, this usually only happens when a man decides, on his own, to increase the dosage. Second, psychiatric medications, such as anti-depressants, seem to cause some cases of priapism; however, how these drugs affect priapism is unclear. The second major cause of priapism is certain medical conditions and diseases -- generally, any that cause the blood to thicken, or cause red blood cells to lose their flexibility and mobility. Sickle-cell anemia and leukemia are probably the most common conditions that cause priapism.
Most men will seek treatment for this painful erection before it goes on for too long, usually within four to six hours. This is good since priapism can scar the penis if not treated early enough, and this can lead to impotence. In most cases, treatment involves draining the penis with a needle placed in the side of the penis. Medications that act on the blood vessels can also be injected to help shrink blood vessels and, thus, decrease blood flow into the penis. Sickle-cell anemia patients with priapism are usually treated by blood transfusion.
Posted by Joanie on February 7, 2003, at 15:09:02
In reply to Re: Sexual SE on Depakote? » hildi, posted by Phil on February 6, 2003, at 6:47:24
I don't remember any sexual side effects, I just remember the massive hair loss. I quit taking it because of that. Good luck!
Posted by firestorm on November 18, 2003, at 18:23:23
In reply to Depakote sexual side effects?, posted by hildi on February 3, 2003, at 2:49:02
i'm on seroquel 300mg and depakote ER 1000mg ....
i'm so emotionally flat...i don't get any kind of sexual "rush" that normal people are privileged to have...
the days just go by. yeah sure i'm "functional" and "stable", but alive? that's really debatable.my relationship with my girl friend is on the rocks because of the sexual side effects. the worst part is the drugs makes it so i don't even care this is happening. i don't know why my girl friend hasn't left me and my softie a long time ago.
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