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The drug prednisone and impotence

My boyfriend of four years is taking prednisone (20mg) 2xday, (steroid) because he was recently diagnosed with sarsoidosis. He has become impotent. He doesn't have erections in the AM, or anytime throughout the day, or any interest in sex, besides concern for his partner. He is worried about it, but embarrassed to ask a question. I think it is because of stress. We haven't been able to make love for two months, and he will be on the drug for the next six months. He was very sick for a while- almost died. Is this a normal side effect to expect over the next six months? He is slowly recovering, and I think with time he will be up and running, but I was wondering if this is normal. We have discussed taking time for more romantic things, but I don't want to push him or for him to push himself, or make him uncomfortable if he can't perform. It's an uncomfortable situation for both of us.
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Avatar universal
A related discussion, Prednisone and ED was started.
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A related discussion, PREDISONE was started.
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Avatar universal
Prednisone--the magical drug, you need it but you hate the side effects.  I too have become impotent because of the use of prednisone.  When I was put on 40mg a day for over a month, alternating after ten days to 40/20, 20/10, etc. the effects were devastating.

Not only did I lose my ability to achieve an erection, but I lost all feeling.  The prednisone makes me urinate every hour.  Sugar was checked at 87, and it is OK.  Then came the cramps.  My hands and my feet cramp terribly, and the only solution I found was to drink Gatorade or some similar diet drink with potasium in it to replace all the electrolytes I am losing through excessive urination.  Tonic water also is a godsend, as it stops most cramps with a few swigs in a minute or so.  But Tonic water has quinine in it, so you have to be careful not to overdo it, as it can cause variations in heart beat.

I used to be able to go to bed and sleep eight hours at a time.  (I am an active 71 year old pastor with two churches.)  Since I waken every hour to go to the bathroom, (prostate checked and OK) that is enough to interfere with anybody's sleep pattern.  Prednisone "wires" me so that my metabolism is so high I can't sleep much.  Four to five hours in what I call fits of sleep is the best I can do.  

I am taking high doses of prednisone for a leg ulcer I have had since August of 2008.  Due to peripheral neuropathy not related to diabetis I have a slow rate of healing in my leg ulcer.  The ulcer is named Pyloderma Gangrenosum, and is like a staph infection.  I have been under a doctor;s care and was referred to a dermatologist when she had no success.

Weight gain is another huge problem.  I have lost 34 pounds on Weight Watchers, but when I was put on high doses of prednisone, I knew there would be problems.  I have used bursts of the drug for over 30 years to control exacerbated asthma.  My WW instructor was a gem.  She told me, "Eat filling fruit like apples with the skin on and oranges and pineapple."   That helped fill curb my ravenous appetite for the past three weeks, and I actually have lost a pound each week for the first two weeks.  If I allowed myself to eat everything in sight as I desire, I know I would have gained 10 to 20 pounds by now.

I am a person of faith in God, and I have prayed, been anointed according to James 5 in the Bible.  I am doing everything exactly as my doctor prescribes, but I am not a very patient person.  What I do know is that tribulation produces patience, patience produces experience and experience produces hope.  When I overcome my feelings about this experience I will be able to encourage others to press on and not give up.

DYB
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Avatar universal
Try to convince your BF to put the embarrassment aside and tell his doctor. They may be able to lower the dosage....
Get the drug facts of prednisone....review the pamphlet that came with the meds and read the 5pt font....or google it and review side affects.

Drugs affect everyone differently....

The best thing you can do is comfort him and definitely not push him...your approach is key...sounds like you're doing the right thing..
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