Blood pressure medication and sex.

[Falcon70]

I am 47 years old male, Ht.5'6", Wt.150. Exercise regular, non smoker, occasional drinker. I take Concerta for ADD. Have taken Zocor for Cholesterol of 220 which reduced to 165. Take dyazide for blood pressure. BP runs about 145/95 without medication. Rarely add salt to food. Eating habits are fairly decent except for time interval which is very little food usually during the day until dinner time, it seems to be my best method for maintaining weight which will increase very easily. Many years ago I weighed 180 pounds.

My doctor prescribed Dyazide for the high blood pressure. After not identifying it as related to medication I was experiencing erection difficulties. Not libido, but maintaining a firm erection. I went off Zocor, and Dyazide 3 months ago for financial reasons and the problem went away. I have started to take the Dyzazide againg and the problem seems to be starting again. It appears the problem is therefore Dyazide related. I am going to see my doctor in a couple of weeks and am trying to be informed before I see him. What medications for treating BP are available that would have the best chance preventing this side effect and not have other more serious side effects?

[cato]

hi!
i

[Impotant1]

I have used everything from Lotensin, Plavix, Zestril (same as Lisinopril), Accupril. There's a new one out that I got some free samples you could ask Doc for. It's called " Zestoretic ". It has Zestril & Hydrochlorothiazide both in one pill. I suffer from water retention & also gain weight easy. (Pericarditis). I think it works best for me but still suffer from the "ED's" on occasion. I'm also over 40. I also had a sperm count done and have a low 1 million count, normal being 25 million or better. Do you take a asprin a day. How bout coffee consumtion? Something else I have noticed that helps ALOT ! When I take my Centrum A to Z Multi Vitamin everyday I have a much better erection & more often in the mornings. Drink lots of water. Stay away from the beer. And buy a few sex toys just in case. Both me & my girlfriend were very high sexed when we were younger, she now takes Zoloft and has slown down also. I'm not sure if Viagra is safe for anyone with high blood pressure. But I think if my blood pressure was as low as yours I would have my doctor lower or change my level of BP medicine. Lopressor/(Metoprolol) is the worst.
My dad was still taking the same dose for 20 years...even though he had lost 100 pounds, quit drinking and quit smoking. I have found if you don't tell you doctor...they really don't care. Well except about their Caddy & house payment.  Good Luck !!

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

SailorC27,

The next class of drugs to try would be ACE inhibitors, followed by calcium channel blockers.  Alternatively, discuss the use of Viagra with your doctor.

Although it sounds pretty clear that in your case the erection difficulty (ED) is related to the dyazide, ED can also be caused by uncontrolled hypertension.  Make sure you treat the high blood pressure to prevent long-term impotence.

Good luck.