ED & libido

[eclectic]

Can anybody please share when (how long) before they saw improvements in ED and when they got their libido back after CPAP treatment? Do they really improve? These sleep apnea symptoms have caused a lot of stress in my marriage and I just want to know what to expect. I need first-hand experiences from people who have gone through the same frustrating situation & has been saved by CPAP therapy. Thank you so much!

[JohnBFisher]

With ED there are so many underlying conditions that can cause problems you probably should talk this through with your doctor. Some of the factors (but by no means all) that contribute to ED are:

• sleep deprivation
• high blood pressure
• high cholestrol
• high blood glucose (diabetes)
• high stress

xPAP therapy helps those somewhat but might not correct them completely. As I mention, it's probably time to see your doctor.

[DreamStalker]

I was back like my 30 yo self after about a week. I was back to my 20 yo self after about a month.

Been waking up with a woody just about every morning for nearly 4 years now.

[mars]

Hi Eclectic

Dreamstalkers timetable seems just about right as far as I can judge, depending on successful cpap treatment.

If the ED is caused by OSA, as it possibly could be, then recovery from ED should not take too long. But that would be an individual thing. Nevertheless, OSA caused ED would likely be cured sooner or later by cpap therapy.

Whats that song they used to sing in England after the Second World War?

I know - "Happy Days Are Here Again".

My guess is that is what you can expect

cheers

Mars

[Wulfman]

I never had a problem with either one.......


Den

[MoneyGal]

You guys are so great. I love seeing this discussion.

[Paul56]

Can anybody please share when (how long) before they saw improvements in ED and when they got their libido back after CPAP treatment? Do they really improve? These sleep apnea symptoms have caused a lot of stress in my marriage and I just want to know what to expect. I need first-hand experiences from people who have gone through the same frustrating situation & has been saved by CPAP therapy. Thank you so much!

Hopefully you can discuss this with your GP. Medications and as previously mentioned some conditions can have this side effect.

[Paul254]

Stopped using Levitra after about 30 days on CPAP.

[ycartf]

While I have not had trouble with either one, I have some "kind of" related information that I think bears repeating.

The medical community is now realizing/acknowledging that Erectile Dysfunction problems (which are usually caused by problems with the penile vasculature) may be a small warning flag that appears months or years before developing cardiac vasculature problems (heart attack, coronary artery disease) or brain vasculature problems (stroke/CVA - aka "brain attack"). Kind of like a small water pipe getting clogged with buildup letting you know your bigger water pipes are probably sufffering the same buildup. I thought that this information needed to be shared since some men who may have an ED problem will probably read this thread, but may be too embarrassed to address this problem with their physician. ED can (not always) be the warning sign of something much more serious (even lethal) than just not "getting any" so please, talk with your Dr. if you are having any ED problems. They will be very discreet (HIPPA laws out now too) and can help you immensely.

ALSO - If any of you guys out there ARE presently being treated for ED and taking ANY of the ED prescriptions (like Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, others) --- PLEASE be aware that if you suffer from chest pains and call 911 or go to the ER, you must tell us (as privately as you need to) that you are on ED meds. If you don't let us know (we should ask) and we administer Nitroglycerine, it can cause an IRREVERSIBLE drop in your blood pressure that can be fatal. It's not just something they made up for a funny scene in a movie (Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves), it can be fatal.

Sorry if these bits of info seem dire, but every guy needs to know these things. We have had patients that have "almost" let us give them the Nitroglycerine because they did not want to say they had taken a Cialis (or other ED drug) in front of their wife or girlfriend.

God bless,

Tracy

[Wulfman]

I often have to chuckle when I hear the "Warnings" when they advertise these drugs (Viagra, Cialis & Levitra) on TV. It strikes me that if a person thinks they "need" these drugs, they probably have an underlying health condition that if properly addressed, they wouldn't need the drugs to begin with. Or, that the underlying health conditions would preclude taking them (or have possible adverse reactions upon taking them).


Den

[eclectic]

Thanks for all the replies, really appreciate it. I've been on my APAP for about 2 1/2 months now. I never had total ED. I could get an erection but couldn't sustain it. I get morning wood, too. Now I don't know if my ED has been cured because I haven't even tried. My sex drive is still ZERO. Dreamstalker and Paul254, did you experience low lidibo along with the ED? Anyone out there who felt better later than just a month?

[eclectic]

I felt an instant change in my energy level during the day. Because of that, I've used my APAP religiously. Problem is, I've been waiting for that libido boost I hear so much about, but it still hasn't arrived. Is 2 1/2 months already long enough, or will things still get better in the desire department?

[TSSleepy]

This is a subject I'm looking into as well. I've never had spontaneous erections/wet dreams, stopped getting morning erections in my mid-20's, and have had almost no libido for over 16 years. I'm 42 now.

My current record is 13 adult years without sex! And more like 18 years without "good sex", lol.

Now, I've been on APAP for almost a year and still nothing. Well... I'm starting to get interested in being interested in sex, so maybe that's "something", lol.

I had my testosterone checked in 2008 and it was at 248 ng/dL, which I have since found out is probably low. I just had it checked again to see if it's increased now that my sleep apnea is treated, my blood pressure is down, and my weight is dropping. I'll have the results in a week.

I read somewhere that testosterone therapy can make OSA worse, but haven't checked the primary literature yet. I'm going to finish getting my weight under control in 2010, then see what symptoms are left.

[DreamStalker]

Well it really is tough to have a libido when you are living half dead as I was prior to OSA treatment. Before treatment I lived a life of chronic exhaustion. I'm certain I had OSA for many years prior as I had forgotten all about morning wood until after I started CPAP. CPAP has been a fountain of youth for me. It helped normalize my hormones. That is where the libido comes from among other things of a youthful and healthy life.

Now I'm making up for lost ground over the last couple of decades.

[Bibs]

Without trying to sound like bragging; I use my CPAP to "get out of" the situation, if Im tired or not up for it.
I have this saying with my wife when Im tired and want to go to bed, instead of watching TV, or talking etc.
Its: "Oh Im gonna go put my mask on". And I'll trot off to bed.
So now when Im not up for the "job", or any other thing that I want to get out of, I conveniently just say: "Oh Im going to go put my mask on"!

You can get out of doing so much!