POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: ocguy270 on August 24, 2013, 01:13:32 am
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Hello all,
I'm new here at the Forum and would like to ask you all about the problem I've had for a while now. I've been on Reyataz-Norvir-Viread and Isentress for almost 3 years now and feel very good about this. The only problem I have with this is I can get an erection when I'm with my partner and it's driving me nuts. I don't know if it's because of the drugs that I'm taking or something else. I did have a blood work a week ago to check on my testosterone and it was normal. Please help.
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Hey, ocguy, sorry to hear about your problem, but it's good you can talk about it here.
Do you have problems with erections in general lately or is it just with your partner. I mean, if you were, say, looking at porn alone or something, is there still a problem?
Answering that question might help narrow down the source between physical and mental. If you always have trouble, it could be physical. If you only have trouble in certain situations, then maybe there's some other underlying psychological cause.
Each would have different solutions that you'd want to explore with an MD or mental health professional.
As an aside, I can't per se recommend it, but I've used over-the-counter pills with very much success when nature was not on my side...
I'd be curious to hear if others on HAART have had any such issues. It's not something I've read about, but the forum is wiser than any number of studies, so...
Edit: I mis-read and thought the OP was taking Isentress. So I edited a couple things here.
Edit edit: oh he is taking Isentress after all. OK, never mind.
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Cialis is my friend
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Hello all,
I'm new here at the Forum and would like to ask you all about the problem I've had for a while now. I've been on Reyataz-Norvir-Viread and Isentress for almost 3 years now and feel very good about this. The only problem I have with this is I can get an erection when I'm with my partner and it's driving me nuts. I don't know if it's because of the drugs that I'm taking or something else. I did have a blood work a week ago to check on my testosterone and it was normal. Please help.
:(
Hi ! ,
I'm on Preziesta < sp > Norvir and Truvada , I switched off of Reyetaz due to GUT issues !
I have ED , Very rare to get an erection . I know it is not the reyetaz .
My next move is The Blue Pill , Living a sexless life is getting on my nerves . My husband is still very attractive to me , I used to get a boner just watching him stand there looking out the door :-X
Now it takes a lot of foreplay to get it up . My testosterone is also normal .
Weasel
P.S. I do get morning arousal ...
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A lot of people say Norvir is the cause for this ED problem... And I did some research online and found out a lot of people on this drug have a same problem as well.
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Thanks for bringing up this topic. I too have wondered what factors ARVs play in sex drive and ED issues. I am on Prezista, Intellence, Isentress, and Norvir. I've been on Norvir, even as a booster, in regimens for at least 15 years. Also on statins for lipids (under control) and I've heard rumors they could have an effect.
There could be a few factors in this issue for me, but I do seriously winder about drug reactions.
I remember in the late 90s when I switched to a trial salvage regimen that worked for a time, I had this amazing resurgence of sexual energy and really was able to explore my sexuality in a way I hadn't before. If I could attribute a renewal of sexual energy to new meds, makes sense other meds could do the opposite, and I've been on a few regimens since then (very experienced here).
For a long time I thought my sex life was over because my sex drive was fairly low, or at least my responsiveness seemed to be. I began to think I would just have to accept a celibate life. I would still get turned on by some things, but for the most part it seemed futile.
I should note that I have a long-term partner who has significant health issues and we are rarely intimate and more rarely satisfactorily so. That's a touchy topic for another thread.
Last year I decided I might not be dead yet, and began trying to connect at least for sex. I found that I am able to get turned on so all is not lost and I've had some gratifying experiences. Still, I feel self-conscious about sexual performance.
Sometimes my sex drive is still low, and Lord knows it's been years since I've had that blue-balls horniness. When I do get turned on, I'm not always able to keep my hard on, and I don't need to say how discouraging that can be.
My testosterone is usually fine, I've used a gel supplement for years. Recently I did more detail checks and apparently I had an elevated hormone that impacts the effectiveness of free testosterone despite decent levels. We're bumping the gel up to see if we can counter that.
I have tried the three ED biggies (no pun intended) -- Viagra, Levitra,and Cialis. Dosing seems to be an issue because of Norvir's effects of boosting chemical levels. But the biggest hurdle here is cost because they aren't covered by insurance and damn expensive. 24-hour Cialis seems to be the best bang for my buck (again, no pun intended. Well, maybe...)
So anyway, I'm still trying to celebrate my sexuality while wrestling with issues around self-consciousness about sexual performance. If there's any indication that any of the meds I'm on are affecting this part of me life, I certainly want to hear about it.
As always, thanks all for letting me spout off. Jeez, there go those puns again. Sorry, bad/good habit.
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Fortunately, ED is easy to treat with Viagra/Cialis. Not so much other problems like lack of libido or inability to cum (anorgasmia).
I've used Viagra/Cialis for years. I always buy it online, usually the biggest pill and I split it. At the end, the cost is of the order of $1/ time. Of course be advised that some websites sell fake Viagra, and some sell genuine generic one (usually from India).
I used to have a prescription for Viagra and tried one time to get it from a pharmacy in US. When I heard their astronomical price, I just laughed and left ... This is the reality of the overpriced drugs and medical care in US.
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My husband and I have been getting our viagra and cialis from India for over 10 years with no issues. At around $1.50 a pill, it is a bargain. Within 15 minutes I know if I have the real thing or not!
Something else we have added to the mix is PT141.
This drug is a aphrodisiac for men and women which was designed as a sunless tanner. My dick works fine, but most days since becoming HIV and 50 years old, I just don't really want to bother with sex. (age, medicines or virus issues?)
The first time we used PT141, we were afraid we would have to go to the ER to be bled as our dicks wouldn't go down! That was not fun, but we have gotten accustomed to the feel after 3 years of experience. A bottle lasts us months and costs $25.00 on line. I am not prescribing this to anyone, it is just something we use on Sundays.
If anyone has any questions, there is lots of literature on line and a few of us who know first hand.
TM
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Tool man, I've heard of PT141 (derivative of Melanotan). What I've read in some reviews was that the effect wears out with continued use. What are your observations on that? How long have you been using it and does the effect diminish or it's the same intensity as the first time you tried it?
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I take truvada - isentress.
I had tried viagra 7-8 years ago when I was HIV-. I didn't like the feeling. Next I tried Cialis. Oh my God! This drug is amazing. One pill and any sexy thought, zwang, for 2+ days.... I switched to indian generic cialis and got the real molecule most of the time.
When I went on Isentress - Cialis STOPPED working completely. I tried brand name and 2 different generics. It just doesn't work. I researched the Internet and found no link Isentress Cialis. I asked my doc. No known issue. But there it is, on Isentress, cialis does not work.
So, I went back to Viagra when I want the assistance. It still works. But its just a couple of hours. Oh well better than nothing.
All these drugs are expensive, yep. I order generic from India. It somewhat nerve-wracking because, a few times I did get useless cialis from India. So what was it? Sugar pills?? Or.... who knows....
We "should" be able to buy this cheaper. It should be covered by insurance, anyway. But its not...
Viagra is 110 bucks for 4 pills in Switzerland. But then again, we "should" be able to buy HAART cheaper, too. At least HAART is covered by insurance...
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When I went on Isentress - Cialis STOPPED working completely. I tried brand name and 2 different generics. It just doesn't work. I researched the Internet and found no link Isentress Cialis. I asked my doc. No known issue. But there it is, on Isentress, cialis does not work.
In case anyone didn't know: Stribild interacts with ED pills. Here's the note from the insert:
"Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra levels are increased; doses should not exceed 10 mg Cialis or 2.5 mg Levitra per 72 hours, or 25 mg Viagra per 48 hours."
I haven't had any of those since starting Stribild, but I know it increases the effect of other things, so use with care unless you're off to a Roman orgy. Tell Brutus I said "howdy" and I'll see him on Thursday.
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We find that if we use PT141 more than once a week, we don't get the same response. Best to keep it at a minimum!
Also I am not certain if that one shot changes my skin color or my eyes, but my blue eyes are electric when I am on the stuff.
TM
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I take truvada - isentress.
OK, this is interesting because Isentress is one of my meds too. I have an Rx for daily Cialis but haven't used it regularly enough :-( to tell if there's a negative effect from the Isentress. But I haven't been blown away by it either, so to speak.
What about Levitra?
Also, any concerns about Norvir boosting levels of ED meds? My HIV doc mentioned something about adjusting doses accordingly because I still have Norvir as a booster in my HAART regimen.
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What about Levitra?
Also, any concerns about Norvir boosting levels of ED meds? My HIV doc mentioned something about adjusting doses accordingly because I still have Norvir as a booster in my HAART regimen.
From the Norvir site (http://www.norvir.com/):
"Tell your doctor especially if you take the following medicines, as they may cause an increase in side effects if you take them with NORVIR: meperidine, nilotinib (Tasigna®) and dasatinib (Sprycel®), colchicine (Colcrys®, Col-Probenecid®, Colchine®), trazodone, sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®, Adcirca®), avanafil (Stendra™), vardenafil (Levitra®, Staxyn®), fluticasone (Advair Diskus®, Veramyst®, Flovent®, Flonase®), budesonide (Pulmicort®, Symbicort®, Rhinocort Aqua®, Entocort® EC), dexamethasone, prednisone (Rayos®), salmeterol (Serevent®), fentanyl (Abstral®, Actiq®, Lazanda®, Onsolis®, Duragesic®, Fentora®), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)."
AND
"If you are taking sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca), avanafil (Stendra), or vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) with NORVIR, you may be at risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, visual changes, and penile erection lasting more than 4 hours. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these side effects."
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I'm on Isentress and I take Cialis from time to time, 5mg tabs and it works pretty well for me. I don't have a real issue, but sometimes I like the extra zwang so to speak.
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I'm on Isentress and I take Cialis from time to time, 5mg tabs and it works pretty well for me. I don't have a real issue, but sometimes I like the extra zwang so to speak.
Thanks for the reply. This is good to know, especially because it looks like you're on the same regimen as me. Are your Cialis the 24-hour dosage?
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I don't think there is such a thing as "24 hour dosage". As long as you take the dose that is effective, it is a 24-48+ hour drug.
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We find that if we use PT141 more than once a week, we don't get the same response. Best to keep it at a minimum!
Also I am not certain if that one shot changes my skin color or my eyes, but my blue eyes are electric when I am on the stuff.
TM
Does PT141 increase libido or it just gives you better erection like Viagra?
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In case anyone didn't know: Stribild interacts with ED pills. Here's the note from the insert:
I haven't had any of those since starting Stribild, but I know it increases the effect of other things, so use with care unless you're off to a Roman orgy. Tell Brutus I said "howdy" and I'll see him on Thursday.
I asked this question to my ID doctor when I first started Complera then switched to Stirbild. I had been and still do use 25mg of Cialis every third day. He told me that Stirbild is not one of the HIV drugs that intensifies the effect of Cialis. From my experience being on Stirbild and Cialis for 7 months I can say this is not the case for me
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Hi moxie, its the daily 5mg tablets but I dont take it daily. My insurance want cover the daily pill so my dr gives me samples out of the Office when I want or need any. My insurance only covers the 20mg pill up to 8 or 10/month
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im on norvir, truvada, presista and tried to get viagra today and they gave me the scripe but say the it interacts with one at the pharmacy and wouldnt give it to me