I really need some answers!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2003
I really need some answers!
9
Mon, 02-06-2006 - 10:13pm

Hi! I am new to this group and I have a lot of questions. I am dating a guy that I have known for nearly 13 years. We have only been involved now seriously for a little over a month, but as I said I've known him for a long time. Recently, a mutual friend passed away and we met up again and started dating. The suicide of our friend prompted my bf to seek professional help for his alcoholism and mental problems. He has not drank in 2 months and has been diagnosed with BiPolar disorder. He is on two different medications and going to counseling, abuse counseling, and a psychiatrist. He seems to be doing much better--better than I have seen him in all the years that I have known him.

I am being as supportive as I can be. I understand to some extend what he is going through as I have struggled with depression my whole life. But there are problems. Mainly in the bedroom department--nothing. The meds are making him, well, you get the picture. Also, we want children in the future. I am 29 and the clock is ticking. What are the side effects? Can we get pregnant while he is taking the meds? Will it effect our kids?

I don't really know what to expect about any of this situation. I am very concerned for him. This is the first serious relationship that I have been in for over a year. So, there are all the new relationship fears as well as the other issues piled on top.

Any advice would be great! Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Tue, 02-07-2006 - 10:16am

Hi and Welcome.....


I think if his 'problem' in the bedroom is that bad, he should be the one to discuss it with his doctors.

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God could not be everywhere, so

Avatar for cla3a
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 02-07-2006 - 1:58pm
Hi there.
I am so happy to hear that you are trying to learn all you can about this disorder.
There are some meds that can cause sexual side effects:


  • buproprion SR (Wellbutrin)
  • citalopram (Celexa)
  • fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • mitrazapine (Remeron)
  • nefazodone (Serzone)
  • paroxetine (Paxil)
  • sertraline (Zoloft)
  • venlafaxine (Effexor)
    Those are just AD's
  • These anti-psychotics can cause sexual side effects too:
    Thorazine
  • Haldol
  • Zyprexa
    If it continues to be a problem, he needs to see his doctor,and try to find a way to resolve the issue. It is a embarrasing problem for men to admit to, because they think they are always supposed to be ready to go and at
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Tue, 02-07-2006 - 2:33pm

Wellbutrin is not supposed to have sexual side effects.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2003
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 10:52am

Hello again. Thanks for your replies. I didn't see his meds on the list you gave. They are respiradal and lamictal. (I'm sure I spelled those wrong!) From what I have found on the internet, the respiradal is bad news when it comes to side effects, and is most likely the cause of the sexual problems. It caused some women to lactate!!!!

Any experience with these 2 meds?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 10:57am

Hello! I've been on Risperdal and am currently am on Lamictal. The Risperdal is BAD for sexual side affects and weight gain. I was taken off of it, for those reasons, and for "female" issues...I stopped getting a period...while not so bad, it caused havoc with my hormones.

Lamictal, I haven't had those type of side affects from. It only makes me tired.

Good Luck!

Keli

Avatar for cla3a
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 12:18pm

Hi again,


I have been on Lamictal for over a year now, and haven't had any sexual side effects from it. I have never been on

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 1:28pm

ha ha...I should go on that then...I always say I was the happiest when I was breastfeeding !!

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God could not be everywhere, so

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 1:35pm

If he has only been taking the meds a short time, then the sexual side effects my ease up, as do lots of other side effects--if so try to be patient & give it some time.


If it's been a while (more than a month or two) and he feels it's an issue too--then talking with his pdoc for a change is of meds is in order, as there are meds that are less likely to cause this and as stated before different meds affect us differently.


Hugs,


Marci


P.S.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-10-2003
Sat, 02-11-2006 - 3:14pm

Thanks everyone for all of your help! I have learned a lot from reading different things on here and from the responses. We have talked extensively about his problems and about the meds. He said that the doc told him the risperadal is temporary, but the lamictdal is maybe longer term. It has been months that we've been dating. We were both "waiting" in the beginning because we wanted to take things slow. By the time we were ready, he was on the risperadal. Ahhh! So, it's been awhile! But I love him and I am patiently waiting for him to be ready.

Thanks again!