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Prostate
Sun, 08/20/2006 - 00:11Topic: Men With Epilepsy
Do any of the guys here have any problems with their prostate gland?
I took dilantin for 20 yrs. I started taking it when I was 10 yrs old and stopped taking it at 30 when I was switched to lamictal. By the time i was 18 i was taking 350mg a day. When I was 26 I went to the dr. because i had a burning sensation when i went to the bathroom, weak erections, can't complete a cycle, and just general discomfort down there. The dr. told me that I had prostatitis. He said it's common in young guys and can flare up when irriated. The things that will irritate it are caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods. He also said that there isn't a cure.
When i was 30 i was taken off of dilantin and put on lamicatal. Once i switched meds. my prostatits almost completely went away. I have had a flare up once or twice, but it went away in a day and didn't hurt that much.
Has anything like this happened with any other guys?
Comments
Re: Prostate
Submitted by George R on Mon, 2006-09-11 - 09:49
George - NYC
Definitely! Possible prostate problems are the least-mentioned side effect of anti-seizure pills. And this is due, I am convinced, of doctors' fear of their patients taking the change of dosage into their own hands. Then too, many men I have spoken to are forthright about the fact that their women neurologists avoid any sexual topic, where in fact if it were to be mentioned to them by a woman patient, all the details of the matter would be spelled out. Men, do not be afraid of getting even more specific with your neurologist or epileptologist (or even pharmacist) and asking for answers. Erection problems are world-wide, among men with and without epilepsy. Taking anti-seizure drugs or not. Say something. If your doctor shows anything short of knowledge or understanding...find another. And let your ex-neurologist know (politely, of course) why you went shopping for a bit more contemporary medical guidance.
--George
Re: Prostate
Submitted by jondbca on Sun, 2006-09-10 - 15:23
Absolutely! The prostate thing is something I've had for years and years - and I got the same advice about no cure, no caffeine, liquor etc. Started taking Dilantin and definately notice a flare-up of the prostatitis, and likewise the absense of it when I stopped...