Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Men Only Message Board Sexual Function (or dysfunction as the case may be)

I was a little reluctant to open this sensative subject...well, here goes.. I am new to AS (the treatment and dx) although apparently not new to the disease. I also have been a single, custodial parent of three children for about 10 years so have not "dated" much, particularly in the last 6 years.

Having said that, I am wondering what effect AS and the drugs used to treat it may have on male sexual function and what the possible remidies may be (Viagra, etc). I hope this doesn't seem a trivial or unimportant topic or offensive to anyone.
mike

This is a good topic and its the reason for this part of the site. I havent noticed any direct effect on my sex drive from meds accept Celebrex had a bit of a viagra effect on me. The biggest part is getting my wife past some fear...she's afraid to cause me more pain. I also have psoriasis so when everything flares up I don't like to be touched sometimes. The trick is to find positions and methods that are comfortable and enjoyable. Personally I have always had a strong sex drive and it irks me to slow it down when I need to. That does happen when my SI joints are really flared up. It helps if the woman is adventurous and willing to try new things. Of course, being in a strong loving relationship where these things can be discussed well is very important.

I have not had problems with sex from the AS except I'm too lacking lithe flexibility and often don't feel good enough to persue a new woman. it's best if you can talk about it a bit rather than suddenly realize your in pain... AS makes sex possibly more delicate for me but it's therapuetic. One other thing is that sometimes with a new partner things are awkward the first time anyway...and my ladyfriends weren't turned off by my iflexiblity.

Best wishes...Erik

I was also concern about this. I ask my doctor if the Sulfasulozine that I take may cause impotence with continual usage. She told me that some of her married patients could conceive child even while taking the meds. It does lower your sperm counts though.

Mike,
You asked a great question and even though some might not want to admit dysfunction, it's either a problem or bound to be a problem for men with AS. The truth is, even if you have the hottest number on top of you bounce'n up and down, if you're in pain from your hips and back, things don't look up. Regardless of the pain, there are many meds that have a negative effect on performance. All narcotics have an impact and also anti-depressants (which again, something many won't admit to but it is something that many people face when dealing with chronic pain). So please know that you're not alone and the best direction to take is to ensure you talk to your significant other and be upfront with your doctor.
Best Regards,
Craiger

I have had A.S. for 24 years. I'm 34 and have been on most meds over the years. Been taking Enbrel for six years now.

I can only speak for myself that I have not experienced any problems in that area as a result of meds.

But, remember guys. Sometimes it's in your head. (psycological) If your stressed or worried or have a lot on your mind, or in a lot of pain, or depressed, all of those can play a role as well. And also as we get older things don't work like they did before.

Here is a link to a site that has sexual health products. web page
This site isn't the greatest, but I'm sure there are better sites and products.

I also always ask my doctor (primary) about whether or not a med will affect my "function". She always responds with, "Why, you have a hot date tonight". lol She says that jokingly cause she knows that it's important to me. Even though I am not very successful with the ladies, I have talked to her and made it clear that I won't take any drugs that may cause problems.

But, anyways guys. There are a lot of products out there and help aids to help. And more important I think, is I want to say I hope all us guys here feel they can come in the men's section and discuss anything. And nothing should offend anyone. Thats why this is here. For support and we are all mature adults.

-Storm

Hope y'all don't mind, tired of talking about illness, would rather talk about sex.

I had posted about Jerry having a problem with the urination flow and other things, which we think turned out to be his blood pressure meds. He had them adjusted and his blood seems to be flowing like usual .

We are, I would say, more active than a usual couple with 3 children, but last week our AC went out and we are broke. We bought a window unit for the bedroom and now have all 3 children in the room with us, so it has put a damper on things. Jerry has noticed more pain in his lower back and hips. Now this could just be a ploy , but it could very well make sense, since that's about all the physcial activity he gets.

He's on enbrel, atenolol, and the max dose of hydrocodone which he takes everyday. This has not hampered his drive or ability. The pain doesn't seem to have any effect either.

Anti depressants have slowed him down, making it longer to 'achieve', but had no effect on the drive.

I guess everyone is different.

Sarah

HEY, who let the broad in here?
Quick, hide the porn and ditch the cigars!

And for God's sake, Jay, stop sitting around the clubhouse in your underwear!


Spenser23

Actually if a young man is having some prostate pain that is due to inflammation and the frequency changes, that can bring on more pain in the prostate and sometimes lower back area.
How do I know, I remember back to when I was 26 and first started having prostate problems and
went to the urologist for about 2 years.I also think that was the beginning of
my hip problem and Si inflammation.
Mike

Ditch the cigars at least. I don't go there.

Sarah

Set up the cigar barricades, we'll smoke her out!


Spenser23

aw shoot leave her in, she livens up the place.

Just thought I'd peek in on this subject .

Narcotics seem to do a job on my ability to muster up any interest whatsoever, Tramadol(Ultram) is the worst offender for me. My husband is very understanding and most times a little extra foreplay or teasing will at least get me in the mood, even if I don't have a big bang it's still enjoyable.

Do never give up!

Sure let her stay. In fact, why don't we merge this board with the Women Only board? We could call it the Men and Women Only board?

Might as well, since the designations appear to be meaningless.

Now don't anyone get their backs up. I mean no offense, I enjoy interacting with everyone, and my jokes were meant as just that, jokes.

I don't mind women coming here at all, but, honestly, doesn't it make the purpose of this board meaningless? I thought the purpose of these two separate boards was so that men and women could have private spaces in which they could discuss intimate things which they might be either intimidated or embarassed to discuss in a forum frequented by the opposite sex.

I realize it's a moot point, since there is no way of stopping or monitoring either sex from visiting the other's board, but isn't at least the pretense of adhering to the honor system still worth anything?

If you just want to talk sex and have no problem discussing it in front of everyone, why not go do it on the General topic board?

Good for the goose, good for the gander, Ladies, prepare for the male viewpoint being expressed in the menopause and menstruation threads on your board. (just kidding... but Storm is coming over wearing his Stupendous Man costume.)


Spenser23

Spenser23

Are you a little low on your magnesium today?

Well, I did post on topic-the original poster wanted to know the complications-if any.

I also posted a thread awhile back when we thought Jerry was having prostate problems.

But since I believe that one vote is enough, I will honor that and only come here if posting my own topic for a strictly male point of view.

Men do post on our board frequently, but that doesn't make it right.

Didn't mean to intrude, sorry if it made anyone uncomfortable.

Sarah

Sure, now everyone gets huffy or starts asking if I'm the one having a problem ... (My magnesium level is fine) ... As I said, I don't mind you here at all.

The only woman I don't want here is North. LOL

So stay, go, continue to do whatever you want, I don't care. I was just pointing something out that seemed relevant. No harm intended.


Spenser23

P.S. Sarah, it's not about staying on-topic. It's about Jerry coming to the Men's only board and not you coming here for him. Do you see how the term "Men Only" is meaningless otherwise? Again, I know it's a fine distinction, but it seems to go against the rationale for having a board such as this.

Sorry. Again, I don't mean this to be argumentative or hostile.

Spenser23

LMAO

Now THAT would be a sight. I might get arrested.

Anyways guys. I have been thinking about this as well and feel that us men need a place where we can talk about anything and have it between just us men.

You know, whether it's girl talk, boob talk, dating advice or personal stuff, we need a place where we know we can discuss this between just us guys and feel secure that women aren't "peeking".

It's a guy thing. Like a club house. Where we can hang out.

Sorry to veer off topic but that's my opinion.

-Storm

ps...Men, we need a name for our club.

Yeah! :p

hehe

Storm

And all Iwanted to do in starting this was to get a little "pity" from some simpathetic woman...you know, something like "I can fix that". You know, kind of like the old ploy of pretending to be gay in hopes that some kindly lady will take on the challange. Woops, did I really say that? Little did I know what I was starting here.

Rather than start another "battle between the species" (men and women), I will have to say that I understand both points of view. There are some issues that men and women probably need to discuss among themselves although I appreciate the female perspective in most things.

At my age, not much embareses me any more, particularly after raising two daughters, mostly by myself. I know that I like to look in on the Womens thread occasionally, mostly to try and increase my understanding of the other species..although this probably won't happen.

Maybe we need a new thread titled something like MEN/WOMEN "ISSUES, both sides welcome.
mike

I will go along with everyone else, I have Guys that are my friends, Women that are my friends and Dogs that are my friends.My Dogs have never lied to me.
Best, Mike

I hear things have been awfully quiet lately over on the Dogs Only message board.

The thread entitled, Skinny Cats (I can still chase 'em can't I?) is the most popular, of course, followed by the usual heated debate over the Low Kibble Diet.


Spenser23

I don't wish to be the odd one out here, but even with the narcotics, my libido is still rampaging like an 18 year old's. The flesh is, shall I say 'all too willing' considering I don't have a girlfriend at the moment. I just turned 40 and still have the morning wood 'issue' every stinkin day. You know what I mean - having a bladder full and not being able to get it emptied without leaning WAY over the stool... You'd think the little guy was getting some action the way he acts... I feel like I'm still in high school, since I live with my folks, I have to peek out and make sure mom's door's shut before hobbling to the bathroom with a fully-pitched boxer tent. I don't know why, maybe it's because I'm not taking any nsaids, dmards, or tnf-a's. (sigh) I need a girlfriend!

Rob