posted
I was gonna post this for men only at first, but then as I researched thetopic I thought it could apply equally for women.
I see that flagyl causes periperal neuropathy. I don't understand the specific mechanisms. I also see if causes decrease of libido.
Four weeks after starting a third bout of flagyl, I became depressed and developed erectile dysfunction. Still have libido. The nerves / blood tissue justt isn't working down there. Never had this before. It is freaking me out. My doctor has made referral to urologist.
At first I thought this was an only male problem [typical of us, huh lol] but if it is neuroopathy, it can happen to women in the same area.
Any ideas? Experiences? Cures? hoping hoping this problem is correctable
Now I will have to hang my head in shame and delete my profile and create a whole new one because everybody knows this embarassing problem. But hey -- we lymies have lost all pride (LOL). If it isn't this, it is that.
When I told my doc, he said: Did you see the woman who just left in the wheelchair? She needs 24/7 care. She has Lyme That could be you. Count your blessings.
I am counting.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019
posted
Im really hoping that stopped the flagyl!
I was on rifampin and for reasons unbeknownst to me my vagina ( sorry) went numb.. for four months. I couldn't feel anything... and its not even known to cause those problems!
It took four months though like I said for me to get feeling back "down there".
I can't believe your doctor said that to you.
-------------------- You want your life back? Take it. Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003
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lymewreck36
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4395
posted
Hi. I am a FEMALE. I posted on this subject at the following link:
It was a few days ago, and the subject was "damage from flagyl."
You are not alone. I would suggest daily B-12 injections, and B complex orals. Lots of exercise to increase circulation as well, as this is necessary for the nerves to heal. That is the only possible cure for this, along with time.
Best of luck.
Mary
Posts: 1032 | From North Carolina | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Thanks. Mary. That link was very helpful. I am going to print it out for the urologist. Theese specialists often don't know their *** from their elbow when dealing with lyme.
CrimeofLyme: My doctor did not say that in a mean way. He is a very kind person. He was trying to give me perspective. I took his comment as very supportive. He sees a lot of whellchaired people who have lyme. I was one of them. I just walked for an hour, vigorously, in my neighborhood yesterday. I am blessing him and nature, and ILADS, and this site, and at the same time, remaining humble because there but for the grace of god go I. He feels that way about himself too.
I stopped the flagyl and now wonder what my options are. I am in no rush. Right now, the rocephin and biaxin are doing wonders.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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char
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8315
posted
Jeff,
I have had better luck with Tindimax for cyst busting.
posted
Great with the picc lines. I am independent now, all is going fine. I can even still bathe in hot epsom salt bath. No problem. Of course I cover it with a cast protector gizmo i got at a medical supply co in elcajon.
I am going to wait on adding anything else til I get some medical opinions. This response could also not just be flagyl, but the whole interaction of all the dam meds I am taking.
Or, it could be another symtom of lyme. People get neuropathy from lyme, not justfrom the meds they are taking.
Ugh.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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minoucat
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5175
posted
Jeff, the hubby had severe neuropathy from the flagyl. His LLMD at the time kept insisting it was a herx and not to worry (aaargh!!! and we found out we weren't the only patients he was crippling!). Can't specifically recall erectile dysfunction, but he was so sick and miserable it sort of wasn't an issue.
He's recovered completely from the neuropathy although it took a while. So be not afraid, as horrid as this is it's a temporary condition. Ditto the depression (although there are, of course, non-flagyl LD depressions).
As you said, LD has a huge effect on libido and the neurological misfirings it causes can result in weird and unpleasant pain/pleasure sensations. You may find, independent of the flagyl, that some sensations are just not going to be normal for a while.
Yours truly is not a fan of flagyl at all. I think it is frequently overused and I know of one "LL" MD who thinks it should be used as a standard long-term abx for Bb despite the many many failures I know his patients have had on it. The literature supporting the use of flagyl, especially for long term and repeating cycles, is pretty weak in my entirely non-medical-professional opinion.
I agree that Tindamax seems to similarly effective with fewer side effects.
As always -- don't forget to treat the coinfections!
-------------------- ********************* RECIDITE, PLEBES! Gero rem imperialem! (Stand aside plebians! I am on imperial business.)
posted
Thanks Minou. It has been encouraging to see many people recover from these side effects.
In every other way I am doing great! Except sleep. I wake up in the middle ofthe night with energy.
BTW, I heard Salman Rushdie read at the YMHA in Manhattan from Shalimar the Clown, which I read beforehand. He is a genius.
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 533 | From CA | Registered: Mar 2006
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mlkeen
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1260
posted
Jeff-
I would think biaixn would be enough with the rocephin.
I had zith with rocephin, and I was not interested in anything. Never did flagl. I'm starting to think I'm well. No symptoms in several months and only pulsing diflucan during this time. Energy and INTERST level way up.
I had lyme, bart, RMSF, myco and perhaps babs. Treated with rocephin/zith-3 months tetra 2.5 years, two rounds of mepron, Diflucan 3-4 months then pulsing diflucan until now.
Major diet change to eliminate wheat( and most grain) and avoid soy, dairy whenever possible 2.5 months ago.
Posts: 1572 | From Pa | Registered: Jun 2001
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posted
No shame there Jeff, although it did scare the crap out of me! I had it for a while and with the proper treatment it will get better. For me, I believe it was the lyme.
All My Best, Scott
-------------------- BTW - I am NOT a medical professional - just speaking from MY own personal experience. Posts: 266 | From Philadelphia | Registered: May 2005
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Hubby had a priapism once that lasted for 5 hours before the ER doc got things under control(no he was not on Viagra) -- had untreated Babesia at the time. Medical literature says priapism can be caused by malaria so it was assumed to be a symptom of Babesia.
Flagyl and Lyme are not the only possibilities. Might want to check for hypercoagulation interfering with blood flow.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
I was on 1500 mg Flagyl daily with my IV Rocephin for almost 4 months. I developed peripheral neuropathy in my feet, and LLMD took me off all meds. He also booted me out the door, told me my positive Lyme test could have been a false/positive, and I needed to see a neurologist who, he was sure, could not only find out what was wrong with me, but could cure me as well.
Almost 5 months later, and still hve PN. Doesn't look like it's letting up --don't know if it's permanent or not. Under the care of neuro, has me on Lyrica and Pamelor for the horrendous pain. I am still in a state of shock.
I would warn everyone of the possible side effects of this drug. Google it.....wish I had. I've done a lot of researching on the web,and so far have met 2 people with the same condition. One took Flagyl for one week, and seven years later nothing has changed.
The other person went 6-7 years, and the nerves regenerated, although obscurly.
I wish you the very best of luck. Jill
Posts: 203 | From Jacksonville, FLorida | Registered: Oct 2005
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Get taking lots of B complex and mg it helped me.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
lymie tony z
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5130
posted
Loss of libido and or erectile disfunction are symptoms of lyme.
I had testicular pain(right side) and penile numbness(right side) early on...also headaches just prior to orgasm and extremely severe after.
These symptoms were not caused by flagyl...they were symptoms I experienced long before I even knew I had lyme disease.
Yes, flagyl can cause lethargy and has been known to cause peripheral neuropathy...
I had the bilateral neuropathy long before I got on any flagyl... I do believe it has helped me in some ways... Others are different...like everything else with we lymies...we have to be our own quality control/healthcare professionals.
A lot of the previous symptoms mentioned went away...except for the bilateral neuropathy...but now I have diabetes...which does'nt help either one...nor do the medications...zman
-------------------- I am not a doctor...opinions expressed are from personal experiences only and should never be viewed as coming from a healthcare provider. zman Posts: 2527 | From safety harbor florida(origin Cleve., Ohio | Registered: Jan 2004
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