Spine lesions??

[monotreme]

I have some questions .  First, I just posted on the MS and sex post and said that in the last two weeks, sexual dysfunction has crept into Craig and I 's marriage and neither one of us likes it.  27 yrs of marriage and now our sex life is horribly altered.  He just either can't get an erection or it only lasts a few minutes if he does have it.

Now today he is complaining of urinary problems.  Frequency and not feeling like his bladder is not empty after urinating.

I called the family doc and will go in tomorrow with him to ask for a urine culture to rule out a UTI.  But do any of you think that the above two new symptoms could mean a spine lesion??  MRI's of the spine have always been normal.  He is on Cymbalta which is helping pain in the soles of his feet, but his spine is very painful today.

Any ideas forum family???

p.s.  NYU appt is Nov.17.  When Craig has emailed them in the past with questions, the standard response is that they can't answer any questions till they see him at the next appt.  So no luck when you email NYU.

Elaine
p.s.  I HATE this disease!!!!!!!

[jensequitur]

I've been having symptoms this week that makes me (and my neurologist) think that something's going on in the spine.  Bladder is definitely overactive, although not as bad as what Craig is experiencing... I'm also having numbness 'down there' which is disconcerting.

However, just because the touch nerves aren't working, doesn't mean the fun nerve isn't still connected.  There are paralyzed women who have discovered that they can still have orgasms!  So don't give up hope, Elaine - where there's a will, there's a way.

[biowham]

Elaine, this is probably a VERY obvious question, but would Viagra or another NO+ drug be a possibility?

Bio

[monotreme]

Well, Craig is on Cymbalta but he just started it on Sunday and this problem started about two weeks ago.  But, when we go back to the psychiatrist, I can ask about a better med.  The Cymbalta is helping his pain at least.

His testosterone is 400.  Not horribly high since he has pituitary disease, but he is on meds for that too.

But this latest problem is a major let down for both of us.

Thanks
Elaine

[Quixotic1]

I am sooooo sad that this is currently taking away another pleasure.  I know you have Craig's testosterone up in the good range.  Has Craig started taking the antidepressant yet?  This a major complaint with many of the ADs and a big reason why people stop them.  This probably isn't helpful, but I thought I would toss it out.

Often there is a combination which doesn't affect this so badly.  Also often the addition of Wellbutrin to something like Zoloft will make the situation better.

I do believe that if this is purely due to the neurological damage of MS, then it is often (more likely) due to a spinal lesion.  I am not entirely sure of this, but I do believe that I have read it.

Quix

[essdipity]

Hi, Elaine. I can't say anything intelligent about spinal lesions and sex problems. But have you investigated "the usual suspects"? By that I mean the more ordinary causes of sexual dysfunction in men---low testosterone, and even depression? Either of these can build on themselves and eventually a no-go becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Maybe Craig can see a urologist while you wait for the November appt. in NY.

ess