Post SVR gals (libido ?’s)

[Bill1954]

Hi all:

I’ve been dating a great woman for the last six months who is currently undergoing treatment for HCV. She asked me to pose a question in here regarding libido (or the lack thereof). Sometime about 24 weeks into treatment her libido seems to have flat lined; this is in stark contrast to her initial 24 weeks. It’s caused her concern about the future; will she get her drive back post treatment, etc. She is having an exceptionally difficult time, both emotionally and physically with Tx, even though her doctors are helping her with support drugs for pain and depression. I believe this is causing her much more grief than it is me, and I hate to see her struggle so much with this issue.

She needs to be assured from others that have been down this road before that she will recover her libido, mind, and body post treatment.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated—

Bill

[GreatBird]

Some ADs have sides that affect libido.

[jdwithhcv]

Has she explored the effect of anti-depressants on libido?  I have several close friends who have experienced sexual side-effects from ADs (not in conjunction with Hep C tx).  A close friend told me recently, "Prozac helped me a lot with depression but I stopped taking it because I need orgasms more than I need help with depression!"

From  my own experience, I finished treatment 6 months ago and libido-wise, I'm back!  I did not take ADs but still had a real deficit in that area just from tx and feeling exhausted and unattractive all the time.  It took some time, but my sex drive is ok again.  Please tell your friend not to give up hope.  It isn't forever!  

Good luck.  I'll keep a good thought for you both.

jd

[FlGuy]

As you know, tx can been an almost all-consuming undertaking.  When there are things in life that elbow-out a well rounded existence there are some other things that's gotta give, whether physically, emotionally or spiritually.  All of us have sacrificed some well-roundedness while on tx.  For some of us HCV required a greater accommodation, for a longer duration, than others.  With any reference to normalcy absent no one can really tell how far they've deviated and whether changes are categorically due to treatment or to other conditions in life.  I sure don't have the answers for you Bill.  But I am sure that with you in her life her situation is much better than if your weren't.

[HectorSF]

Don't know if this is helpful but I can share my experiences of depression and anti depressants...

First, Let me say I am glad you found such a great person. Good for you.
Let me focus on the depression side of this issue as there are others out there who I am sure will be able to shed light on the HVC meds and libido.

1. If she is clinically depressed (you mention she is taking anti depressants), one of the primary symptoms of depression is loss of interest in things you used to enjoy. Depending on the type of depression she has it is very common to experience a loss of sexual desire as well as a loss of interest in most things. Life seems dull, gray, empty, hopeless, etc.

2. Also depending on which anti depressant she is taking, a number of the meds have the side effect of reducing libido. So you may want to research the med she is taking. (You may also want to look up side effect of the pain meds too).
From medicinenet:
"The SSRI antidepressants can cause sexual dysfunction. SSRIs have been reported to decrease sex drive (libido) in both men and women. SSRIs have been reported to cause inability to achieve orgasm or delay in achieving orgasm (anorgasmia) in women, and difficulty with ejaculation (delay in ejaculating or loss of ability to ejaculate) in men. Sexual dysfunction with SSRIs is common though the exact incidence is not clearly known. Furthermore, sexual side effects have also been reported with the use of other antidepressant classes such a MAOIs, TCAs, and dual-action antidepressants."

Once the cause is found (depression or meds) and eliminated she will return to her old self.

I know this is worrisome but the good news is that after suffering for decades with major depression I have over come it and am able is manage my life despite being stage 4 and a null responder to soc treatment. So there is always hope.

If I can be of further help let me know.

HectorSF

[Bill1954]

Thanks for your comments, guys and gals.

It looks like GreatBird and JD both responded at the same time, and with the same general drift—I believe the AD’s are probably players in this as well. Thanks for your thoughts here. I’ll pass this along to her; any reassurance helps greatly, Bill.

FL guy; thanks for the nice words—she’s struggling with this, and your thoughts will help her along.

Hector— thanks for the research. I’ve dealt with depression for quite a long time myself… I understand much of what you’re saying. It’s great to see you posting again, and let us know how things are going for you from time to time. Hang in there regarding treatment; I finally got SVR about a week or two ago, after a long spell of treatment. I sure hope PI’s will be on the shelf for you soon; I know what it feels like to be short on time. I went for my six-month follow up, and the doctor told me I was probably in early cirrhosis based on late stage 3 in my biopsy back in late 2004. Keep the hope, and continue to put pressure on treatment, PI’s or not. You’ll eventually prevail, my friend.

My personal thoughts are that my GF should put her energy into successful completion of treatment; and not to put any emphasis on libido. I feel this will work itself out in the end. However, this is one more thing for her to lose; first her job, then her hair, now her sex drive. One more thing to become despondent over.

Thanks for the thoughts—

Bill

[HectorSF]

Thanks for the kind words Bill.

The "upside":
* She is taking action to put HCV behind her.
* She has a caring relationship.
* She will find a new job. (There are a lot of Americans who need new jobs).
* Her hair will grow back. (Wish I could say the same)!
* Her libido will return. (And you'll be around to help her make up for time lost)!!!

Best -
HectorSF

[nygirl7]

Bill

You know how difficult treatment is even in the best of times...I'm sure all of the meds are playing a huge part not only emotionally but physically too and once she gets them out of her system she will be just fine.

I can't speak from experience - it's been a stark few years for me since I started treatment and my husband died etc etc.......but I'm pretty sure if I did find a good man, that old libido would come roaring right back again :)

Be patient and continue to be that good man for her and you'll both be just fine.

[epiphiny]

I was on ads for several years before I started this tx and I had no problems with libido, in fact I found that once the ads kicked in I had far more interest in sex than when I was depressed.  For some people, like me, sex drive is also connected to self esteem and general well being.  

Once I started treatment my energy for sex was gone, baby, gone despite the fact I look at my gorgeous husband every day and find him so sexy and desirable!  I just feel so tired and exhausted and I also feel like my skin is going to burst if I am touched.

I can really appreciate how your friend is feeling right now as she is suffering from several losses and changes at once.  No doubt she is also thinking that she may lose you too...  I feel like that also but my wonderful husband reassures me and we plan our post tx romantic get away...

All the best to your friend.  It will be ok...

Epi x

[FlGuy]

Gee Epi, you make the end of tx sound so good that it's almost worth doing tx just to get to that point!  But, you make a good point nonetheless.

[charm27]

On tx I felt so exhausted , unatractive, almost ugly! My skin felt like  crawling all the time. I am alone and the last thing I would want is to have sex. Luckily I live alone and have no one in my life right now. If I did I think it would have been a nightmare in the bedrom.

I truly believe for most of us between, hair loss, mood swings, other sx which I would go into on forum beacuse its to embarrasing and somewhat graphic I believe most feel unappealing.

Now if anyone knows a nice guy contact me!! (Just kidding) :} :}

I think she is feeling normal under the circumstances WITHOUT A DOUBT.

Here's to making  up for lost time Bill! (when the time comes)

Charm

[comeagain]

" I need orgasms more than I need help with depression!"

Since I´m single  ( I aint got nobody that I can depend on, as Carlos Santana sings) I even have thoughts about going out on the net to search for a partner .
That will be my main demand thats the kind of attitude I´m looking for in a woman.
Thx a lot for the tip!!

Congrats Bill to have found somebody to depend on!!
She seems like a treasure eager to be there for you in all circumstances just such a girl a guy like you deserve.
I´m sure everything will ends upp for the best once the tx is over.
I other words don´t even bother untill the meds are gone in every aspect!

God bless you both.

ca

[Isobella]

I started ad's in right before starting tx.  Libido was non-existant.  Until about week 12...same story.  Since then tho.....yikes.  It's back full force.

I am thinking like everything else with this lovely tx....everyone is hit differently.

But I am also willing to bet that things will get back on track for her.....especially with a kind, loving man by her side.

Good luck to you both.

[Bill1954]

Thanks, everyone;

My girlfriend has read through your comments, and appreciates the thoughts and advice. She asked me to give thanks for her too; this has given her some hope for the future.
Our best to all,

Bill and GF :o)

[Lady Lauri]

As usual lately, rushing in and out of here, but have input here!

Assure her it's not uncommon on tx, I'd posted thru my tx on this a few times. I couldn't stand anyone even touching me thru many days (try explaining it to someone never having tx'd tho!)  I was concerned also, but it comes back :) Full force :)

This whacks many things in our body, libido is one of many. Honestly, I never thought I'd find something to totally dull mine, tx did!
  As you have also been thru this, she's lucky you'll understand far more than many of our spouses do through this.

I'm sorry she's having a hard time with tx, understand WELL!  Tell her that once her body heals up from tx, things re-adjust, it will get better.

Best to her in tx and just get thru this, plenty of time to make up for it later, LL

[Lady Lauri]

Just curious...what Geno and how long on tx? Doing my own little survey, slowly, here.

[Kristina538]

tx desexed me - no libido (and no worries about it).  Feeling like I was 90 years old made procreation (or the simulation of) a remote thought in my jumbled up brain, and, let's face it, us girls like to feel pretty to ourselves so many things can disturb that self image.  

My partner was pleased that I wasn't 'sicker' than I seemed and we had an unspoken 'no pressure' rule around just about everything (including me not putting any pressure on myself to perform anywhere i.e. kitchen, housework, bedroom etc).

Remind her that she is an 'outpatient' - even a level of discomfort can affect libido, let alone many of the more severe sx's.   I did become somewhat obsessive/compulsive, especially day 3 after my shot, so if it's something she's really worried about (and I'm sure she's worried that she may lose you - especially early in a relationship), she will continue to obsess.

She's very lucky to have you by her side, and if you can constantly alleviate her fear, she will worry less herself (in my last 2 months of tx my partner and I had separate rooms;  initially because he had the 'flu, but we continued because we both slept better).  

I didn't do AD's, but trying to pretend I was 'normal' during tx, was certainly an impossibility, so I gave up, and just made up my own normal which made me a very different person from my former self.   Suffice to say, I am certainly bouncing back.

(on my last tx my libido suffered also, but it wasn't a long term effect :-)...

[medicmommy]

I can say I had a similar experience with my libido during treament. Lost all interest, didn't care, period. Nada. I agreed to "do things" for the Hubby (I'm an understanding wife!) to keep him happy...But now, 6 months post...Watch out Baby! Bow Chicka Wow Wow! LOL ~Melinda

P.S. I did't have to do ADs during txing, but I did feel like poo most of the time...

[ladybug52]

"She is having an exceptionally difficult time, both emotionally and physically with Tx, "

HellO! I wouldn't wonder where the sex drive went..it's like wondering why you never have the energy for sex anymore with a new baby in the house. You feel awful and have no energy, desire goes on a back burner for awhile....
But it can just stay back there on low till there's more energy, self-esteem, and less feeling so ragged and miserable....
GF, once you feel better you can move that little pot to the front burner and turn up the heat:)
Bug
(By the way Bill, big congratulations on the SVR!)

[R Glass]

I know this question was directed to the “gals” but it has been 8-9 months since tx and my sex drive is still not back to what is was before tx. My “gear” is working fine, I just don’t have the desire. Any suggestions concerning Vitamins or Supplements?

[jmjm530]

you might want to have your testosterone levels checked the next time you have blood drawn. Mine were pretty high prior to treatment. They dropped sometime during treatment and after.

[R Glass]

Thanks Jim. Just my luck, I had blood work done last week. I think I am going to give it another month and things don’t improve, I will have it checked. I am not the apple of my insurance’s eye so having blood work again this soon may be pushing it. I have a pretty cool GP and he will figure something out.

[jmjm530]

if the blood drawn last week hasn't been used for any voodoo rituals yet, it may still be at the lab and viable. Assuming such, all your GP  has to do is call the lab and ask them to add those tests. No need for an extra appointment or *****.

[Mary4now]

Menopause helped rid me of libido, I have never made so many stupid mistakes because of that libido, plus the AD's also help rid me of libido.  I'm glad to be rid of it...... sorry to be the wet blanket, but libido has caused me soooooooooo much trouble over the years.
Be happy any way.