13 months post tx.side effects.sexual health problems.anyone can help??

[abbas11]

hello.somebody knows me.1 done full 48 weeks tx with interferon and ribivarin.I had mixed genotype 1a and 3a with high viral load(6200000 IU/ml).finally I achieved SVR.my last pcr 3 months before (10 months post tx) was still undetectable.I hope not relapse in future.but now its my concern:
right now I am 13 months post tx.some of side effects have been recovered but some are exist.specialy sexual health problems.

decrease the desire of sex,low libido,low amount of sperm(that make me so easy to tired),decrease the size of testicle,weakness erectile,(another fields:low energy,low muscel power,...)... I should mention that I have just 23 years old and pre tx I had very high libido and sexual health.and I am sure that all these problems have been indused from the result of that toxic garbage(interferon and riba).

my last appointment with my doctor, finally he acknowledged that there appears to be about 20% of patients who suffer long term side effects but there is no conclusive proof.Is he protecting herself or being straight.ohhhhh.life going hard for me.

these days I am hopeless and I afraied that maybe these side effects will be permanent.hope you undrstand me.its very bad for 23 years old,boy to loss the desire and...

I will be gratefull if you woul kindely help me.remember that my all blood tests is normal.

sorry if my english writing was not good.

[Algernon]

You sound you like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Take a deep breath and then make a plan.  There are lots of things that might be affecting your libido/sexual functioning.

Depression is one of those things.  Can you see a psychologist or doctor for an evaluation of that?

I'm not a doctor...and this isn't my area of expertise but if I were advising my son on this, I'd also suggest that he see an internist or GP for an overall physical exam.  If that doctor can't resolve this for you, he/she can probably refer you to some appropropriate specialist(s).

I would also tell my son to take good care of himself--exercise, sleep, nutrition, etc.  So that he could get stronger and stronger.

It's great that you're only 23 and that you are SVR!  Just take it one step at a time.  Sometimes, looking at the BIG picture is too overwhelming.  This is a problem that you can address in small steps.  

Take care and peace to you, Algie

[mycoldfeet]

The long term effects of tx can last a long time, especially if on AD's for long periods, a year of doing very little can take its toll also. My advice is to start slow with exercise that isn't high intensity, like swimming, walking, and build yourself back up, when you start feeling stronger, you feel better about yourself. Don't try so hard it's a viscious circle, the more you worry about it the worse it is and the worse it is....you get the picture. It will get better..take that from a 50 y/o who has done the 48wks relapsed and doing it again for 72 wks, do things you like to do and put sex on back burner, work on making yourself stronger and the rest will fall into place.

[cuteus]

please don't get me wrong, but, are you reading the answers to thess questions?  You have asked the same one at least three times, gotten feedback each time and yet, you ask it again a few weeks later.  Some have given you very good suggestions, but you seem to have missed them somehow. Please copy this thread to your hard drive so that you can have all these suggestions handy and you can test them to see if they work for you.  We have asked before what you were taking for body building, but got no answer. Could someone you took compounded the problem? Some body building substances also cause problems in the reproductive organs.  Lack of exercise while on tx, anemia, etc could have contributed.  What did the urologist say? and the endocrinologist?

[abbas11]

hello friend.today I got appintment from 1 expert endocrinologist for next week.hope he could be able to help me.

And from that question you asked from me about bodybuilding I should tell you that I have stopped most of my exersises during TX and I just done a very weak sport in home because of effect of that toxic garbage(interferon)on me.

and I will post this question several times again in future because I want aware of new resolutions from expirienced persons. not any ***** who  give me some boalshits and dose not  know anything about the core of my problem.UNDRSTAND?
Abbas,23,Iran

[abbas11]

the last comment was for you.I forgot write ur name.

[mycoldfeet]

Hey I forgot about this clown, keep getting our overseas friends mixed up, must be foggy here, I think the shrunken testicles and his attitude sounds right, a little testosterone does funny things, I hope he's reading this because we do not tolerate disrespect to our long time friends here, we might not agree all the time, most families don't but we consider this our extended family and disrespect to cuteus has taken you off my Christmas list.

[Kalio1]

You can ask any question you want as often as you like, if people don't want to respond then they don't have to but because different people might see your post and have some input feel free to ask away. Sorry for the rude comments you received.
I dont know if your problem is caused by the Interferon or something else but that is a very big problem to deal with and very stressful as you know, sorry you are going through that. Sometimes those problems can be made worse by thinking about them too much and worrying causes more anxiety about it. It becomes sort of a worry obcession and the problem gets worse. Maybe some relaxation therapy or yoga would help. Maybe some Tantra would help. Our brains are our largest sex organs. Also depression can cause these issues but so can the treatment for depression which makes it a difficult situation.It really doesnt matter what has caused this it doesnt lessen the problem to know the cause.

I also want to add that although women can suffer similar problems, I think it is very hard on any man dealing with this issue and harder than on women dealing with it. Much harder. She can still perform even if her desire or response is lacking but he can't which causes much more stress I would think.

[copyman]

i have also seen that you post the same thing over and over again. please take the advice that these good people here have givin you. one other thing about your problem, ask your doctor about prescribing you testosterone meds.

[giddyup]

Most post tx symptoms resolve themseves over time.You did a great and brave thing by completing tx.More then that your svr. thats a really great thing for your health. Count your blessings. I wondered about my sexual well being post tx also. My doc tested my testosterone which was ok. He told me I didn't neeed viagra but that 90% of sex happens in the brain. Buy something from Victorias Secret and wait for the catalogs to come in monthly. That might help.I know your young but please try not to lash out at our members here who are trying to be compassionate and helpful.

[mkeela]

I apologize for your problem, but what concerns me the most is how you could possibly call the very thing that gave LIFE back to you GARBAGE?????? Life isn't sex my dear, and YOU received the gift of SVR because of that "garbage". Many deserving people don't acheive SVR and many people are awaiting it, all the while you have the nerve to call what gave you SVR GARBAGE!!! Count your blessings Mr.

[copyman]

it is not just the tx that causes sexual dysfunction the hcv virus causes this as well even without tx.

[mkeela]

LOL...I'm sorry, I am a little ornry today. I feel good enough to be onry...he he...I suppose I shouldn't post many comments today. Have a good one, Mkeela

[mkeela]

I guess it really upset me that someone who has achieved SVR through interferon, would call it "garbage".

[honey11]

I can understand at this point in his time referring to it as garbage if it robbed him of his manlyhood!  Everyone wants to be rid of the virus but not as a trade off for something like that.  

Abbas,,,,I would be seeing a specialist to see what can be done and also/along with other suggestions made here.  It does take awhile for the meds to work out of your system and this maybe the case!  Good Luck!

[APKhaos]

Dammit man. That's the kind of talk that will have this place overrun with New Zealanders in a heartbeat :-)

[copyman]

hey revenire, i have not had the desire for farm animals "yet" but who knows? maybe in the future, after all they are cheap dates and dont talk back...hehe. i did have some thoughts after you brought it up, i have this vision of me with hip boots on and a sheeps back legs into my hip boots and then trying to push her off a cliff. not sure if you get my drift, LOL

[cuteus]

off my list also. don't worry,  I developed a tough skin after yrs of dealing with people like him.  this is not the one with 500 women a yr before tx, is it?  If he is, I have no sympathy for someone like that.


to those members that like to do this:
one thing I find condescending is people that apologize for another person's rude comments, when there is nothing rude about them!

Since NOONE can tell what caused a condition with 100% certainty, there is neither denial nor agreement, only suggestions. What was mentioned in my post is other possible reasons/explanations, just like other members suggested. No where did I dismissed interferon playing a role.

This guy's testicles are on their own.

[beamishboy]

on their own & shrinking!!...and kalio says 'that's HARD ON a man" (my capitals) ...y'all give as good as ya take..nice-n-nasty dynamics here;good to see folks feisty ,funky & farm animal fixated....not baaaaaahd fora sunday evening comin down.
abbas-have you used steroids, hormores or any other muscle stimulatin supplements?these can dry up the gonads asa sx...

[abbas11]

no.1. I never used any steroid anabolics.
   2. I never had any liver damage to make my sexuaal health damage

   3.Please if anyone want write that my problem is a result of another problems not that garbage(interferon) please dont come here and not post me boalshits.

   4.I want make people of here aware that interferon comanies(roche and sheiring)allways read these comments and they have basterd employes and they will come here and write as a hcv infected persons to advertise their garbages.they interfere in board when they see anything that going against their ***** garbages.ber carefull and cunning...for example last months I posted about interferon side effects after 1 year finish tx.quickly 1 basterd came and write after my post " 3 months post tx,life is very good,enjoy and...." I am a IT and computer student.I sent him a trojan program I found his IP and I find his personal msn ID.tomorrow of that day I chated with him finaly i found that he is a basterd 45 years old man doctor and he never had a hepatitis............

5.however I never hate interferon because it made me svr but I want anounce worl that interferon side effects is worse than the desease.

With best regards,Abbas,23,Iran
sorry if english is not good.

[Eisbein]

You can post your question to a doctor who answers in his public forum. I am afraid the link may not work, so here you go:
hepatitisdoctor.com ---scroll down and click hcv in prison, and then click hcv forum. You have to register, but it's free.
He has tx close to 4000 patients, and may have a suggestion for you. Ignore the words prison, most posts are from individuals not incarcerated.
I have the same problem, and I blame tx for it. I am a 60 year old women though, and as was suggested, it's more difficult for men to accept. My testosterone came back way below normal..24, so no wonder.
Females should have 35-430, and post-menopausl women around 50.

I hope you had your testosterone level checked. The normal values for men are definately higher.

I do understand your frustration.

Ina

[Eisbein]

I should have said "similar" problems, hope everybody knows what I meant.

Ina

[cuteus]

tallblonde did not treat or lost her hair, are you fishing her out, Scott? you miss her too?

ps, all I said is nothing is 100% certain, so basically, I did not say is 0%. or something like that.

[sfbaygirl]

says; I'm vain about my penis. I admit it.

At least you admit it!! LOL

My libido is severely effected by tx. My husband hates it. We have been together for eight years, but have only been married just over a year and it really bothers him. I hate it too! It would be great if there were something to help this affliction. I am really hoping it doesn't continue after tx. I feel for those of you that it does.

[sfbaygirl]

What color nail polish? Wish I Was a Waitress, is a good one!

[cuteus]

OMG! I can't stop laughing at the thought of the little friend with lipstick!! I am thinking maybe he smacks his little lips to even out the color....I gotta stop now!
LMAO!

[beamishboy]

little(?) and lipsmackin...

[DoubleDose]

I have to weigh in here with my own personal experience and observations.  My libido was always very high over the decades, with HCV, but sometimes I had unexplained erectile issues.  This was in my late twenties and thirties.  This problem was infrequent but noticable when it hit, and was a very different feeling than my earlier years, before I had developed HCV, where I NEVER had any hint of ED.  Over the years the ED became a little more frequent, but no major issue.  

After beginning my first tx, the ED became very pronounced and constant during tx, and remained that way after that tx, through my second tx, and three years after gaining SVR.  I am less hopeful, as time goes on, that this is a reversible issue.  
I also know two other individuals who have tx'ed and experienced ED problems beginning during tx, and lasting after tx to present date.  I am certain the Interferon can cause this problem during tx, but also certain that for some (or maybe many) the problem remains after finishing tx, and long after becoming SVR.

I also am NOT sure where Abbas is coming from in some of his comments....they can be abrasive, threatening, and very off-putting at times.  I agree completely that his problem is real, but I sometimes question whether he is "real".  Something seems askew at times in the repeated questions, and off the wall replies to the forum members answers, which makes me often wonder whether we are being 'put on' by whoever is posting under the 'abbas' nickname.

I am sorry to cast doubt on anyone's credibility, but I have to say that I have my doubts.....but at the same time I must admit that my experiences with interferon, and sexual function have been pretty much the same as described by abbas.  Interesting!!!

Who else on the forum has had similar experiences????  Either from having HCV, or specifically induced by the TX, or even both???

I would love to see a range of replies, especially from our male members (no pun intended), regarding ED issues, and their HCV history, and their tx related history.

ANY TAKERS????

DoubleDose

[scruffy]

"Our male members" You may not have intended a pun but that's pretty funny DD.
I'm also one of the guys who feels both hcv and tx impacted my sexual response. I find saw palmetto to be safe and helpful and also when needed Cialis(like viagra) is a good hardon helper-pardon my language(or not). Anyway, I don't regret treating even without svr. I have minor post tx issues and they may be completely or partly due to still having hcv. I do notice a distinct "brain swelling" when horny however.

[scruffy]

kidding about the brain swelling.

[cuteus]

are you sure you are kidding? it is the largest sexual organ.


I researched ED in MH and the posts are in almost every forum, and from very young males, many  not on tx for anything. Some of them are puzzling to read, the things that these young men are experiencing with seemingly, no cause.

[GoofyDad]

Rev: Certainly, losing one's libido isn't like going blind ...

And from what the nuns told us, it may actually prevent it.

<hr>
K1: Our brains are our largest sex organs.

Well, be thankful your ears are your smallest orifice then.

<hr>
Chevy: with the risk of continuing to sound rude... my gynocologist said it is important for the health of our uterous..

At the risk of sounding rude mself, was there an echo when he said it?

Chevy: Why would anyone want to fake anyway?

I guess maybe they think we care?

<hr>
Meant no offense anyone. Just havin some fun.....

[Eisbein]

goofi said:
Chevy: Why would anyone want to fake anyway?

We fake it because LOTS of you guys don't know how to do it right.
This way you are all happy, keeps peace in the house, etc.
Why don't we teach you...we try, in our quiet way, but LOTS of you guys don't learn. If ya only would listen...

Now you know that was a general comment, nothing directed against you. You and can do...you both will go into the "Lovers Hall of Fame".

Ina

[cuteus]

now, look what you all did! used up all of abbas thread and not one of you helped his gonads, now he has to open another one!

hey chev, that is some post up there! I had to remind myself to breathe, whew!  I have seen a documentary of women claiming more libido post menopause, but also women who lost it altogether. If one of the symptoms is painful intercourse, I can't see anyone looking forward to that! Maybe they are using Replens? here is a serious look
http://www.medicinenet.com/menopause/article.htm
and a lighter look
http://www.minniepauz.com/

[Eisbein]

In posted wrong information in C24 about female testosterone levels.
Those numbers are DHEA ( an adrenal hormone ) levels.
I am having adrenal levels checked as well, because tx can turn all our hormone levels upside down.
Still waiting for the testosterone results.

Sorry about that.
Ina

[GoofyDad]

As long as you're not sporting a goatee, I say you're good to go. If the goatee does sprout -- well it could be the testosterone, or simply one too many face lifts.

Good luck.

[Eisbein]

Aw goofi, you would love me, with or without goatee...and I am such a good teacher....no no, I know you don't need it...just saying I graduated magna *** laude in these delicate matters...now they are distant memories.

Ina

[Eisbein]

I guess this board is not set up for latin.
Ina