I'm new here so first post so please forgive if I've not done this right and I hope I can post about this topic. I did try and search but can find limited information about the issue I am experiencing.
I've recently started taking pregabalin after I tried ropinirole, for some reason ropinirole made my sleeping much worse where I was getting around 2.5 hours sleep a night so the Dr put me pregabalin which does seem to be working, which is great as I am getting deeper and longer amount of sleep, however what's in my underwear has become utterly dead and unable to maintain an erection or have any feeling to ejaculate. The medication notes does state it can effect libido etc but I am wondering if this will go away or if there is anything the Dr can give me to combat this side effect? I thought it was the Finasteride I take for a benign enlarged prostate but I have been on that for 9 months and in reflection, even thought I have had some issues due to the Finasteride this issues has only started happening since taking pregabalin. any advice would be great, thank you.
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Birdjross
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There's a difference berween "loss of libido" and "erectile dysfunction".
Loss of libido means a loss of sexual desire and I hope you know if you have the desire or not. If you do have a loss of desire then it does follow that there will be little going on down below.
If you DO have the desire but still nothing's stirring then you have erectile dysfunction, (ED).
There are two kinds of ED, physical and psychological.
Normally we have erections when we're dreaming or just waking up. If you still have these, then your ED is probably psychological. if not, then probably physical.
If it is physical a PDE5 inhibitor may help, sildenafil or tadalafil. These will NOT work however if you have no desire, even if there is no physical problem.
You can get sildenafil, I believe over the counter. You may know it as viagra.
You're best to see a doctor really if you're concerned. If you don't have your PSA checked regularly, it would be a good idea to get it checked.
Thank you for replying, I would say its physical ED and some loss of libido, I believe it is the pregabalin that's causing this issue, hence asking if any one else has had the same experiences taking pregabalin for RLS, I was hoping someone else would be able to advise or share their experiences if this effect is temporary or its as expected and will stay while taking pregabalin. Dr's really are not concerned about this kind of issue. PSA levels are fine.
The side effects of pregabalin and gabpentin can be loss of libido, ED and anorgasmia.
You could try a PDE5 inhibitor which might help with the ED along as you have some libido. However, even if this is successful you may find you have anorgasmia. That's alright for your partner if you have the stamina!
The three may return if you were to stop the pregabalin, but I don't think there's any guarantee.
ED is a particular problem since a total lack of erection i.e. even whilst dreaming or waking can lead to changes in the blood supply to the penis, along with changes in the spongy tissue. If such changes occur, they may be hard to reverse.
Having had a radical prostatectomy I'm familiar with the motto "use it or lose it".
Levodopa and dopamine agonists are renowned for increasing libido, possibly excessively i.e. hypersexuality.
Elffindoe you seem to be very knowledgeable.... This is off this topic, but do you have any knowledge regarding allergy medications and RLS? I am having a bout of seasonal allegies and want to take something but I know some OTC allergy medications can aggravate RLS, so I wanted to reach out to someone on here to get their OPINION...Thank you in advance
Allergy medicines contain anti-histamines. Some of these will be "sedating antihistamines" and these are a "NO NO" for RLS. They make it worse.
You can get allergy medicines that have non-sedating antihistamines in them. They sometimes say something like "Non drowsy" on the label. Claritin, I believe, is an example.
The same is also true of cough medicines.
Tricky, but some over the counter sleeping aids contain sedating antihistamines, but I doubt if you'll find a sleeping aid that says "non drowsy"! Why would you bother?
ah that explains a lot, I was put on Promethazine years ago and they made my sleeping much worse, felt angry and fidgeted a lot. now I know why, thanks!
Hi Ross, so sorry to hear your problems. I can relate a bit, although I am a woman and currently not on pregabalin. I was, but other side effects kept me for titrating up to a potential effective dose for RLS. I did/do experience loss of libido on opiates. Earlier on oxycodon and now on buprenorphine. I had taken HRT (hormone replacement therapy) in the past and returned to it as the opioids are k own to reduce the levels of gonadal hormones.
Unfortunately, this is of no help to you. What is, is that side effects may settle after a few weeks to months. I know Joolsg took months to overcome side effects of pregabalin. I hope it doesn't take as long for you. If you can't stand it or if the libido loss doesn't settle you may have to decide whether it is worth it. These recently updated guidelines for the treatment of RLS may be of good help: mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...
Hi, I tried Pregabalin in the past, minimum doses, and, yes, indeed, it worked for RLS, yet with unbereable side effects (dizzyness, light head...). One of the worst, was in line what you mentioned: for me, it was impossible to get there, in spite of normal erection; gave up forever. That is the reason I very much prefer Clonazepam, no sort of problem downhere (maximum 0.6 mg....currently, 0.4, and trying to stop, either).
I too was on ropinirole for years and it eventually lost its effectiveness. I have tried both pregabalin and gabapentin. Neither are as effective as the ropinirole was in its early years. I have not had trouble with erections but I am not on any drug for my enlarged prostate. I was on two different drugs for my enlarged prostate for a time but I was not able to tolerate them. I am currently on 300 mg of pregabalin. Prior to that I was on 1200mg of gabapentin. Just as a side note, the pregabalin is not on my medical plan so I have to pay for it myself. It is $140 at CVS pharmacy here in the U.S. and $30 at Costco (for a 90 day supply at 300mg a day-2 150mg tablets).
I think the problem is Ropinerole. I took Ropinerole, and I will tell you, it definitely upped my libido. My poor wife. Then when I augmented, I stop Ropinerole and my libido dropped and I am still recovering from that, it has been awhile.
Hi WideBody I was on Ropinerole for just over a month and yes I agree my libido increased a lot and I was able to maintain and erection and climax but since being on the pregab its basically dead down there. Ropinerole made sleeping much much worse for me, literally waking up every hour and on average was getting around 2.5 to 3 hours sleep a night, think I need to take the pregab for a 3 or so months, see how it improves the RLA and then as LotteM says I will have to weigh up the options as to what's better, sleeping at night or sex
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