I had ED from atenolol, stopped treatment & still have ED, what are the risks of not taking BP meds?
Question posted by HighBPStruggle on 13 March 2011
Last updated on 21 April 2013 by katnnat
.Atenelol caused minor ED in 2 months increasing to 100% ED in a year. I have not been able to have sex in 5 months, so I stopped the atenelol 4 weeks ago. I have seen slow improvement, but not enough for sex yet. My BP is back to its normal unmedicated 160/110, but the ED effects still linger. Is this normal?
If ED symptoms appear months after starting a medication, is it common that ED symptoms remain for many weeks after stopping medication?
At 52, my doctor believes I am too young for ED drugs. I have tried Avapro, Lisonopril, and Atenelol, and I have chosen to continue without BP meds in the hope that I can enjoy sex again. Urologist has confirmed my problems have all been drug-related.
My cardiologist believes I should continue trying other meds, but my marriage and my sanity can't continue with 100% ED.
How long until high BP itself causes ED? What is the risk of stroke with BP averaging 160/110 for a 52 year-old? I can accept a higher risk of sudden death, but I more fear surviving a stroke where I am a burden and can't even commit suicide.
Why would my doctor tell me I am too young for ED meds? He didn't give me a medical reason.
Added 15 March 2011:
6-8 weeks was the time needed for my body to function normally again after stopping atenelol. It's party time :-)Many months of usage was
Added 15 March 2011:
I appreciate the helpful and kind responses.
6-8 weeks was the time needed for my body to function normally again after stopping atenelol. That was much longer than I expected, and I was getting quite depressed. It's party time :-). Hard, frequent, and long lasting erections have returned. I sent a note to my doctor (he is my primary care doctor and a cardiologist) telling him I have given up on the hypertensives. I will try them again only if I can use ED drugs when necessary. I see that daily sex at $30 per pill adds up to an annual expense of ~$10,000! If the hypertensive drugs can be combined with ED drugs, then I will pay this (or less for black market "generics") if he agrees and insurance doesn't cover the cost.
I presume my doctor's reluctance to prescribe is mostly financial. I will ask.
He wants me to try Diltiazem next. I would have unfairly blamed it for ED symptoms that were caused by the residual effects of the atenelol. I am functioning properly now, so I have a fair baseline to assess ED effects of a new medication.
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4 Answers
KA
katnnat
21 April 2013
I am new to the forum, maybe now you have solved your problem. I hope so! Are you using other meds? My husband was on actos for diabetes and his ED improved when he came off it, then I just found out that he has had atenolol added to his regime! Don't even know when or why but it should never have happened! Oh, and get yourself a better doctor. You are young and have a right to ask for, and get help. Bless you!
Votes: +0
AA
Aamerkhan
5 Aug 2011
Please listen to me very carefully you have increased the risk by leaving the BP medicine now its 200% chance of heart attack, kidney fail, brain hemerige. This is worse thing people do normally when they are not fully aware of the facts and their doctors cant guide them properly. Take any other medicine to control you BP, like verapamil 240mg or volsartan 160mg... dont do stupid things, think logically... leaving medicine increases the risk...
Votes: +0
HI
HighBPStruggle
5 Aug 2011
Thanks. I will look into those drugs. The Urologist prescribed ED meds and convinced me to resume BP meds. Excessive exercise and low doses of atenelol and lisinopril have my BP very close to 120/80. ED drugs are powerful, if needed. Marriage, sanity, mood, and outlook are now all positive. My year of misery with ED was unnecessary in hindsight. My stopping of the BP meds was an act of desperation.
I advise anyone with similar issues to see a Urologist to ensure sex can continue in spite of the BP meds. If your doctor dismisses these concerns, then get another doctor.
IN
Inactive
5 Aug 2011
Good for you! You finally came to your senses, & found the correct doctor. I am very happy you have got all of these issuses under control...
DZ
DzooBaby
14 March 2011
I'm not sure why your Dr would tell you that you are too young for ED meds.I've not heard of any age limits for these meds I agree that perhaps you should look for another Dr if he refuses to consider your fellings on this. Have you spoken to him about how important this issue is to you? I think giving you ED meds is much preferable to you stopping your B/P meds and risking a stroke. Yes, you are at high risk for stroke, kidney damge and stress/damge to the heart. The vascular system can only take so much. 160/110 is a pretty high pressure. i would recommend a talk with your PCP. If you have discussed with him how much this issue effects your life and how important it is to you and he still refuses I would look for a new PCP. He gives you no other reason than your age? I'm wondering if he, himself, is just not familiar with ED meds and is reluctant to prescribe them.
You are not on any nitro or anything that would interact with Viagra? Is your cardiologist in agreement about the ED meds? You need to ask for a better explaination than age for a reason not to prescribe. I know of many men your age and younger who use Viagra due to the side effects of antihypertensive drugs.
Votes: +2
GE
gentlefootprint
13 March 2011
Dear HighBPStruggle,
I began using viagra for ED - At about the same age you are now. He did not even question my age as being "too young". While I empathize with you and your decision to discontinue the atenolol, you do need to be treated with some medication to control your BP - the fact that you have a cardiologist who insists you need to continue by trying other meds speaks volumes about the risk/danger of heart problems and stroke. Perhaps it is time to shop around for another doc - try an internalist. If you're unsatisfied with the advice of the "second opinion", you can always go back.
Although ED-type issues are listed as a side effect of the atenolol, it is a medication that addressed blood flow through arteries and veins. That sure sounds like a contradiction given that an erection is all about flow of blood "down there". Good luck, my friend.
