Question:
Hey everone Im not sure wheter Im allowed to discuss sex on this NG but I cant think of a better place as Im not about to discuss it with my doctor anytime soon. I’ve been on MTX more or less since I was 13 (which means 10 yrs) and since I was so young when I started it nobody told me about the possible side effect of "loss of libido" – and I wouldnt have cared about it at the time either… But now, that Im 23 I feel that my libido has been lost somewhere along the way… Im wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if you can give me some kinda advice or something…? *blushing now* – Silja [norway] "Beach is pronounced with a long ‘e’. Going down on the bitch means something quite different." –My english teacher. http://www.geocities.com/scoobysil
Response:
Hi Silja and welcome! Nice to see a fellow Scandinavian (I’m from Sweden) my age here! There is another Norwegian woman here as well. Anyway, I don’t have any problems with MTX, so I can’t help you very much with that. When I was in for my last Remicade infusion, there was that a middle age lady in the bed next to mine told me that she refused to take MTX anymore, since she’d lose her libido while on it. This is about what I know about MTX and loss of libido. Hopefully, someone else will be able to have better answers. Is your arthritis well controlled? If not, that may also contribute to loss of libido. Nina – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hey everone > Im not sure wheter Im allowed to discuss sex on this NG but I > cant think of a better place as Im not about to discuss it with > my doctor anytime soon. > I’ve been on MTX more or less since I was 13 (which means 10 yrs) > and since I was so young when I started it nobody told me about > the possible side effect of "loss of libido" – and I wouldnt > have cared about it at the time either… > But now, that Im 23 I feel that my libido has been > lost somewhere along the way… > Im wondering if anyone else has experienced this > and if you can give me some kinda advice or something…? > *blushing now* > – Silja [norway] > "Beach is pronounced with a long ‘e’. > Going down on the bitch means something quite different." > –My english teacher. > http://www.geocities.com/scoobysil
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hey everone > Im not sure wheter Im allowed to discuss sex on this NG but I > cant think of a better place as Im not about to discuss it with > my doctor anytime soon. > I’ve been on MTX more or less since I was 13 (which means 10 yrs) > and since I was so young when I started it nobody told me about > the possible side effect of "loss of libido" – and I wouldnt > have cared about it at the time either… > But now, that Im 23 I feel that my libido has been > lost somewhere along the way… > Im wondering if anyone else has experienced this > and if you can give me some kinda advice or something…? > *blushing now* > – Silja [norway] > "Beach is pronounced with a long ‘e’. > Going down on the bitch means something quite different." > –My english teacher. > http://www.geocities.com/scoobysil
What other medications are you on? — Are you registered as a bone marrow donor? You regenerate what you donate. You are offered the chance to donate only if you match a person on the recipient list. Call your local Red Cross and ask about registering to be a bone marrow donor. spam trap: replace shyah_right with hotmail when replying
Response:
Hi, Silja… and welcome to the group! First, I just reviewed a number of areas that discuss the possible side effects of medications looking specifically for anything regarding mtx and the libido and found nothing. That doesn’t mean it isn’t the cause, but I couldn’t find it as a major noted side effect anyway. Here are some links to the details: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/mtx.htm http://www.arthritis.co.za/methotrexate.htm http://www.arthritis.co.za/methotrexate%20ra.htm I did however find an interesting section on intimacy in arthritis at Drdoc’s website (illustrated!) that you may find helpful: http://www.arthritis.co.za/intimacy.html In other words, it sure looks to me like the disease itself may have the effect on the libido that you are concerned about. In any case, although I am just as shy as you, if not more so, in discussing this kind of thing with my rheumatologist, you must get your courage up and discuss the nitty-gritty with your doctor. He knows what medications you are on, your body’s restrictions, and should be well-educated on optimizing your choices for getting past this difficulty. If it is still too hard for you to discuss in person, you may try my method. I will write to my rheumatologist those questions that are just too hard for me to bring up in person. I may send him a letter, or an e-mail. I find this much easier and it lets me bring up topics that are just too difficult in person where he is always so rushed or may be interrupted. As to methotrexate and me, so far so good… I have not noticed any such effect and I’ve been on a relatively high dose for years and years now. One final note, just in case you didn’t notice it, and that is that anyone, MALE OR FEMALE, who is on mtx should be using a reliable method of contraception as mtx can cause birth defects and/or spontaneous abortion. Best of luck, and do stick around here! I guarantee there are others with questions similar to yours who have just been too shy to bring it up. LadyAndy Chat live with us at >http://tinyurl.com/4ust < (this is at iVillageHealth – my chats are on Sun evenings at 10 ET) Joint Replacement Board at http://boards.ivillagehealth.com/cgi-bin/boards/bhivhjointreplace
Response:
> I did however find an interesting section on intimacy in arthritis at Drdoc’s > website (illustrated!) that you may find helpful: > http://www.arthritis.co.za/intimacy.html
Scroll down to the bottom of that page and you see this: "Reproduction in ANY FORM – STRICTLY prohibited" LOL!!!! ahahaha — Are you registered as a bone marrow donor? You regenerate what you donate. You are offered the chance to donate only if you match a person on the recipient list. Call your local Red Cross and ask about registering to be a bone marrow donor. spam trap: replace shyah_right with hotmail when replying
Response:
> What other medications are you on?
I also use Orudis which is a painkiller. My arthritis is pretty much under control.. Im more or less fine… This is my only major problem at the time… – Silja "Beach is pronounced with a long ‘e’. Going down on the bitch means something quite different." –My english teacher. http://www.geocities.com/scoobysil
Response:
Hi, I am 23 (have been on MTX very long – JRA since 1992) and I don’t have this problem. But haven’t you thought that this might be not due to MTX? I am really not an expert, but I haven’t heard that MTX could have such side-effect. Agata
Response:
>http://www.arthritis.co.za/intimacy.html >Scroll down to the bottom of that page and you see this: >"Reproduction in ANY FORM – STRICTLY prohibited"
ROFL Now THAT is funny!! Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’. We’re all in this together." Red Green
Response:
The problem may lie within another medication. Anti-depressants can decrease libido. I’m not sure about other drugs, but I would suggest going over the drug information that comes with your prescriptions or looking at a site such as rxlist.com. Just a thought, Ashley C. Ashley C. aka…. "Little One" www.ashleycanterbury.com
Response:
>>What other medications are you on? > I also use Orudis which is a painkiller. > My arthritis is pretty much under control.. Im more or less > fine… This is my only major problem at the time…
My thinking was, that if you were taking birth control pills, that these would be the most likely culprit for your loss of libido. Ari > – Silja > "Beach is pronounced with a long ‘e’. > Going down on the bitch means something quite different." > –My english teacher. > http://www.geocities.com/scoobysil
– Are you registered as a bone marrow donor? You regenerate what you donate. You are offered the chance to donate only if you match a person on the recipient list. Call your local Red Cross and ask about registering to be a bone marrow donor. spam trap: replace shyah_right with hotmail when replying
Response:
Hi and welcome I suffered from the same thing and was also on MTX and Orudis. But I’m alot older than you so that could have contributed to it as well. I would encourage you to speak with your doctor – don’t be embarrassed because medications can cause all sorts of side-effects, as I’m sure you know. And 10 years seems quite a long time to have been on MTX. Also, if you are in constant pain, it’s little wonder you don’t feel too amorous! Di – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hey everone > Im not sure wheter Im allowed to discuss sex on this NG but I > cant think of a better place as Im not about to discuss it with > my doctor anytime soon. > I’ve been on MTX more or less since I was 13 (which means 10 yrs) > and since I was so young when I started it nobody told me about > the possible side effect of "loss of libido" – and I wouldnt > have cared about it at the time either… > But now, that Im 23 I feel that my libido has been > lost somewhere along the way… > Im wondering if anyone else has experienced this > and if you can give me some kinda advice or something…? > *blushing now* > – Silja [norway] > "Beach is pronounced with a long ‘e’. > Going down on the bitch means something quite different." > –My english teacher. > http://www.geocities.com/scoobysil
Response:
Im new to this group but i’ll throw in my 2 cents for what its worth 
i am also on mtx. 7.5 mg. but i also take a ton of other stuff…..for arthritis, bipolar, and thyroid…..i asked my pdoc who is also a pharmacologist if any of the meds i was on would cause loss of libido…..Ha he said……all of them….thanks doc…so my poor husband of only two years. its a good thing he is soooo understanding. proly most men arent, especially when he wont even take an aspirin. i talked to my gyno also. the fact that i have an 18 month old doesnt help either. dont even ask about those 9 months…as far as libido . well anyway ( and im not in any way advertising here!) in Parenting magazine i saw an ad for avlimil. for female sexual dys. its all natural supplement. roots berries, that kind of stuff. but im getting desperate so i took the bait. i went ahead and ordered it thru the mail. it is expensive but if it works it will be worth it. i cant tell you if it works yet or not ive only taken it for a week and they said it could take 4 to 6 weeks for it to build up in your system. i’ll keep you posted if you want. it is avail w/o script. it also mentioned more energy! what i wouldnt give for that!!!!! anyone else heard of it or tried it?? Laurie in Pa
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Im new to this group but i’ll throw in my 2 cents for what its worth > i am also on mtx. 7.5 mg. but i also take a ton of other stuff…..for > arthritis, bipolar, and thyroid…..i asked my pdoc who is also a > pharmacologist if any of the meds i was on would cause loss of > libido…..Ha > he said……all of them….thanks doc…so my poor husband of only two > years. its a good thing he is soooo understanding. proly most men > arent, especially when he wont even take an aspirin. > i talked to my gyno also. the fact that i have an 18 month old doesnt > help either. > dont even ask about those 9 months…as far as libido . > well anyway ( and im not in any way advertising here!) in Parenting > magazine i saw an ad for avlimil. for female sexual dys. its all > natural supplement. roots berries, that kind of stuff. but im getting > desperate so i took the bait. i went ahead and ordered it thru the > mail. it is expensive but if it works it will be worth it. i cant > tell you if it works yet or not ive only taken it for a week and they > said it could take 4 to 6 weeks for it to build up in your system. > i’ll keep you posted if you want. it is avail w/o script. it also > mentioned more energy! what i wouldnt give for that!!!!! > anyone else heard of it or tried it?? > Laurie in Pa
I think testosterone creme would probably work better. — Are you registered as a bone marrow donor? You regenerate what you donate. You are offered the chance to donate only if you match a person on the recipient list. Call your local Red Cross and ask about registering to be a bone marrow donor. spam trap: replace shyah_right with hotmail when replying
Response:
tried the testosterone creme too….didnt do anything for me except more mood swings which is the last thing I need.
Response:
> Hi and welcome > I suffered from the same thing and was also on MTX and Orudis. But > I’m alot older than you so that could have contributed to it as well. > I would encourage you to speak with your doctor – don’t be embarrassed > because medications can cause all sorts of side-effects, as I’m sure > you know. And 10 years seems quite a long time to have been on MTX. > Also, if you are in constant pain, it’s little wonder you don’t feel > too amorous!
I know I should speak to my doctor… But I cant seem to make myself do it. I just feel like its no big deal and nothing to bitch about you know? Also my doctors never seem to have the time for a discussion about this.. Whenever I have my checkups by rheumatoligsts… (Which is about twice a year…) Im in and outta there in 15 minutes… So when they say "any other questions" they are already starting to get ready for the next patient… And that doesnt make me feel like saying "oh yea.. my sexlife sucks" But I’ll try… I might even ask my gynocologist.. Hadnt tought of that actually… So thanx to whoever it was who mentioned their gyno. – Silja "Beach is pronounced with a long ‘e’. Going down on the bitch means something quite different." –My english teacher. http://www.geocities.com/scoobysil
Response:
> tried the testosterone creme too….didnt do anything for me except more > mood swings which is the last thing I need.
Ack! I’ve known people that it’s worked for (especially when the birth control pill artificially lowers their testosterone levels…yes, wimmins need testosterone too to fuel their sex drives) and I’ve heard of women actually getting low levels of testosterone injected when the creams haven’t worked, but I think this has become a thing of the past now that the male HRT testosterone patches are available (I heard through a physician one horror story about a woman who had a testosterone injection and over the course of 3 days bedded half the men in her small town…it did not do wonders for her marriage…) Ari — Are you registered as a bone marrow donor? You regenerate what you donate. You are offered the chance to donate only if you match a person on the recipient list. Call your local Red Cross and ask about registering to be a bone marrow donor. spam trap: replace shyah_right with hotmail when replying
Response:
> Whenever I have my checkups by rheumatoligsts… > (Which is about twice a year…) Im in and outta there in 15 minutes… > So when they say "any other questions" they are already starting to get > ready for the next patient… And that doesnt make me feel like saying > "oh yea.. my sexlife sucks" > But I’ll try… I might even ask my gynocologist.. Hadnt tought of > that actually… So thanx to whoever it was who mentioned their gyno.
If it would be more comfortable, you could also write them a letter. I would also ask for a longer appointment the next time you see your rheumatologist. You just can’t do a complete exam in 15 minutes. Sexuality is an important part of our lives and you have a right to have this problem addressed. Walt Hanks
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi and welcome > I suffered from the same thing and was also on MTX and Orudis. But > I’m alot older than you so that could have contributed to it as well. > I would encourage you to speak with your doctor – don’t be embarrassed > because medications can cause all sorts of side-effects, as I’m sure > you know. And 10 years seems quite a long time to have been on MTX. > Also, if you are in constant pain, it’s little wonder you don’t feel > too amorous! > I know I should speak to my doctor… But I cant seem to make myself do it. > I just feel like its no big deal and nothing to bitch about you know? > Also my doctors never seem to have the time for a discussion about this.. > Whenever I have my checkups by rheumatoligsts… > (Which is about twice a year…) Im in and outta there in 15 minutes… > So when they say "any other questions" they are already starting to get > ready for the next patient… And that doesnt make me feel like saying > "oh yea.. my sexlife sucks" > But I’ll try… I might even ask my gynocologist.. Hadnt tought of > that actually… So thanx to whoever it was who mentioned their gyno. > – Silja
Hei Silja, I’m another Nowegian in here, but mostly a lurker and twice you age I’m afraid.. I don’t know where you se the rheumatologist, but wanted to ask if it is at a hospital like I have mine? I go to the Diakonhjemmet in Oslo, and there they have special nurses on call for all their rheumatology patients for one hour every day. And I thought that it might be a bit easier if you could call a nurse and ask her this questions? If they need further information, they will get it for you and call you back later. Could you find a similar service? Aina the lurker in Norway — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Response:
it was a year ago when i tried the testosterone creme. one of my doctors recently told me it is improved now…..not sure how. but i didnt want to try it again especially with the bipolar moods to boot. it was my gyno who suggested it in the first place and my husband went right in with me. she did say that testosterone is the "spice" for women. Yikes!! i guess the injection worked for somebody?!! Laurie
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