sexual side effects after transplant? frustrated......

[chris73]

hello ,
       I didn't know if this proper section for this topic..i apologize...here lately i have been having problems with ED and have no interest in sex ,the Dr's @ transplant clinic prescribed Viagra has anyone had any success with? is this a normal thing to happen after transplant?  thanks for any help

[okarol]

I have tried to find out more about this topic because it seems to come up for transplant patients, male and female.
I still wonder if it doesn't have something to do with the hormones controlled by the adrenal gland, which sit on the kidney.
One neph is considering a small dose of testosterone.
This article mentions libido (but is focused on "aging" men and women) but you may want to print it out and ask your doctor about it.
http://ajprenal.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/289/5/F941?eaf

[RichardMEL]

Gee Chris that doesn't sound good at all... the miracle of transplant leads to this I hope you can find a solution!!!

I can't give up my RomeoMEL status just because I get a transplant damnit!!!! LOL

Best of luck Chris!!!

[Wallyz]

Possibly Adrenal glands, possibly natural testosterone shut down due to presence of large amounts of prednizone and inactivity.  As you taper off Prednizone, ry to get more exercise, especially lifting weights and other resistance exercises. that can stimulate the production of testosterone.

[chris73]

thanks for all replies.....i have a reduced dose of prednizone from 60mg @ transplant to 10mg and i work 40 plus hrs week also! Right after transplant i HAD a strong libido and it just tapered off here about 2 weeks a go...i haven't  taken the Viagra yet and I'm kinda of scared to take it with all the side effects it has. I know all meds have side effects but i think i can liveout more side effects ,bad enough with cellcept & prograf. I have a 6mo check-up in 3 weeks ,i hope the Dr's have more answers for me about my ED then. again thanks for all your help!

[RichardMEL]

Chris I know this seems obvious but I have to ask - you say it just tapered off in the last 2 weeks or so - so what's changed???

I mean seems unusual that it would just happen... maybe there's some other change that has recently happened that may have affected things.

I'm sure working heavy hours wouldn't help - in terms of tiredness etc.

[pelagia]

I don't know about the sudden change either, but my understanding at this point is that it can take 6 months or more for the body's hormones systems to recover after a transplant.  Wallyz idea about lifting weights sounded interesting so I took a look on the web.  Here are two articles I found:

http://fitness.suite101.com/article.cfm/boost_your_testosterone_levels
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/sexual-health/mens-sexual-health/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100135988

[Wallyz]

When I played rugby, I knew guys who used anabolic steroids, and they all stopped after  a month or six weeks at a time  to avoid impotence.  So- my guess still is  testicular shutdown due to prednizone. Ask your doctor.

[Mariposa]

I hope you get some answers. When I had my transplant it affected me in a positive way. I felt better had more energy I even went to work a month after my transplant.
How long ago did you have your transplant? It could be your body just needs a little time to settle in.

[chris73]

im almost 6mos out from transplant and i cant put my finger on what changed in the last couple weeks.....kinda  tapered off when i got off valcyte .. i questioned  the DR about that and she said that didnt have anything to do with it and that when she perscribed viagra so thats  where im at now.....thanks for all ideas and advice

[okarol]

If you have "no interest in sex" then viagra might not work.

I found this article from Web MD:

Viagra Plus Testosterone Gel May Treat ED Better
Benefits Men Who Have No Success With Viagra Alone
By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News

Aug. 6, 2004 -- Men with low testosterone levels who suffer from erectile dysfunction and have tried Viagra without success may benefit from adding a testosterone gel to their impotence treatment plan.

Nearly 30% to 50% of men with erectile dysfunction who take Viagra don't respond adequately to treatment. The reason could be low levels of the sex hormone testosterone, according to a new study published in the Journal of Urology.

Low levels of the hormone could lead to a low sex drive and erectile dysfunction, depression, fatigue, and osteoporosis in men.

The study tracked 75 men aged 18-80 years old with low levels of testosterone and erectile dysfunction. All the men were in stable, heterosexual relationships and had failed to respond to treatment with 100 milligrams of Viagra.

For 12 weeks, the men took Viagra in combination with either the testosterone gel (AndroGel) or a placebo gel. The gel is applied to the skin and is absorbed slowly resulting in an increased blood level of testosterone. Viagra improves erectile dysfunction without causing an increase in testosterone levels.

Researchers gauged the men's sexual function, quality of life, and testosterone levels at the start of the survey and every four weeks throughout the study.

The men using the testosterone gel along with Viagra improved in every category. Men receiving testosterone gel reported a 34% improvement in impotence compared with a 17% improvement seen in men taking the placebo gel. They also reported a 28% improvement in orgasmic function compared with only a 4% improvement reported in men taking the placebo.

Overall satisfaction also improved, with men receiving AndroGel reporting a 32% improvement compared with a 10% improvement in overall satisfaction in men on placebo.

The benefits were noted about four weeks into the study.

The researchers conclude that men seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction should be screened for low testosterone before beginning therapy and using testosterone gel along with Viagra may be better for men with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone levels than just taking Viagra alone.

http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20040806/viagra-plus-testosterone-gel-may-treat-ed-better

[chris73]

ty okarol for the post will discus further with my DR...chris

[trojan ska]

My doctor prescribed Viagra after checking my Testosterone levels. You mentioned not having interest in sex. That would be a good clue to lead you to checking testosterone levels.