Steroids

[bk1579]

Hello, I've been on prednisone for several months now...I know there is lots of posts on here about the drug and the many side effects...I know Kev has a diary on it and its very informative...Just wondering if anyone has experienced a decrease in libido while taking prednisone...I also take 4 asacol 3/day...Just not sure which one is causing this or if it is either one...

 

[Sojourn]

I started Prednisone a few weeks ago and I've noticed just the opposite. It's caused me to have a lot of extra energy at times and to be anxious as well. But it's not a good thing for me since I'm not married and don't have a girlfriend currently. And with a big bandage on my stomach I don't expect any would want to be rolling around with me. The only other drug I'm on is Pentasa.

 

[Jeff D.]

When I was on it I was fourteen so I don't know if mine is right but my libido was out the roof.

 

[Kev]

According to the notorious 'they', extended use of steroids is supposed to take a toll on the male libido... and to shrink the gonads (testes). I personally didn't see any change in my libido since I started taking pred... either good or bad. I can understand an increase based on the emotional turmoil that this drug causes some... i.e. your spirits are up, so is the rest of you by association. If a mood swings the other way, then a decrease would likely follow too. I have had (and continue to experience during 'flares') some bizarre symptoms.. cramping in the groin similar to that caused by sexual tension, except it is far more extreme, and doesn't respond to sexual release.
however, these preceeded my starting on pred... so I can't blame it on pred.

Male libido is so easily affected by mood, and is closely tied to the male ego, a decidedly fragile thing... despite any protestations to the contrary by males
mood is expecially susceptable to pred/steroid use, but it may not be just the pred... feeling down from your illness can be taking it's own toll too, so don't go off your meds to try to fix this. talk to your doc, perhaps try some mood stability drugs, perhaps try to see if your problem persists when you are in a good/great mood. hey, it may be even a totally physical thing.. that is easy to test for... the old ring of postage stamps, overnite test while sleeping...

 

[bk1579]

Hey Kev, Prednisone really makes me irratable at times..So I would say you are probably right about the mood...It's probably more that than anything else...As far as feally down from the disease, that's not it...The disease itself doesn't bother me too bad, but my doctor and I have been trying to get this thing in remission and have yet to be successful...I'm not having too much trouble out of it, actually a pretty mild flare at the time, but he doesn't want it to get worse...I go back next Tuesday and he'll probably put me on Imuran...That is what I'm concerned about...I know there are lots of peole taking that and have done well, but the so called rare side effects I don't much care for...Who would?? I know they are rare, but can and do happen on occasion... We'll see what happens...Thanks for the response...

 

[Kev]

Hey bk1579.. Look, I know first hand the turmoil that being faced with a future that includes making decisions about drugs like imuran/azathioprine can have on one... like, the docs have to trot out all of the side effects, reactions, etc. etc.
Sometimes sounds like the 'cure' is worse than the illness.. pretty scary stuff. I just went thru that.. doc wanted me to go on imuran... I kept going over/over the pros/cons.. so very hard to know what is the right, or the best thing to do.
Finally, came to the realization that my disease was getting worse, I've been on a slow, downward spiral since Nov., and that of the options left to me, the imuran WAS my best choice... (but that's my personal decision, not any form of recommendation).. Having made the decision, I was looking forward to the stability this choice proferred... then I started on it, and as fate would have it, I am allergic to the stuff... broke out in a rash, had to go to the ER, yada yada yada.. Now, imuran was off the table, and my remaining options aren't so good... So, if you are concerned about taking imuran.. then try looking at it from the other perspective.. or from mine... what if you suddenly couldn't take it? I mean, would your doc suggest putting you on it IF it wasn't your best choice, in your best interest, to start it? Personally, after all of the time I spent tossing & turning, trying to make the call whether to take it or not, I just wish I wasn't allergic to the stuff.. Grass is always greener, right... O