Sexua Anhedonia
 

since head injuries, I don't get nocturnal erections anymore. almost always need physical stimulation to get erection. interest in women the same, but libido is low if that makes sense.

Sometimes orgasms are like they used to be before brain injury, sometimes it feels like ejaculation without the pleasure. Doctor wanted to try dopamine agonist but I am on so many drugs already was hesitant to try. Prostate test and testosterone normal.

Very good doctor from Methodist in Brooklyn said it was all part of dysautonomia which he said explains a bunch of my other issues.

Anyone else experience the anhedonia and anything that worked. I know this is a slow board but figured i'd give it a shot.

It sounds crazy but with all my problems this one should be near the bottom and isn't. Men!!!

It's not crazy. It's close-to-the-metal/hard-wired/reptilian brain stuff.

I was going to suggest getting T checked, because it sounds similar—but you've done that.

OTOH, you also mentioned you're on a lot of drugs, so I can't help but wonder if one or more of them is contributing to—if not causing—the problem. :Dunno:

Doc

thanks dr. smith. It was actually the only symptom to start the DAY after the injury and never go. so it couldn't be the medicine.

to one up that, my brain is rewired such that a dream about sex will wake me up with my arms and spine on fire!!!

this is the symptom I dread most every day as it seems too cruel to be real and men dream about sex a lot more than I thought we did.

That and the brutal internal tremors when I wake up.

one doctor told me brain stem and thalamus are firing wrong signals at each other, another doctor told me the wrong chemicals are being released. none has a clue how to fix it, or the vivid dreams, which stink. I can't believe I took sleep for granted once.

im scared of sleep. thanks for your patience.

I know that seems logical, but I also know that some things that seem logical—or illogical—to me often turn out to be otherwise. MORAL: Never assume.

Ouch! Man, that's just rude! It (again) makes me think of something hormonal—adrenaline? anxiety/stress?

Sex Dreams Equal 8% of Adults' Dreams

Chemicals are released when signals are fired, & vice-versa, so that could be two ways of saying the same thing. :Dunno:

Rhetorical question (for yourself—answer not required): Does sex before going to sleep have any effect either way?

I'm afraid I'm not much help either—jes' spitballin'/soundboarding here... :o

Has a sleep study been done/suggested? It may be able to tell what's going on (and where) in your brain during sleep.

Doc

I appreciate the input very much and should maybe ask for a hormone test. sex is not frequent as I have had trouble since head injury. but when it does happen..hmm...I will have to see...never thought about it thanks agin

had a sleep study but they weren't looking at these issues. time for another one. thanks for the advice.

dr. smith

you understand how bad this is. I've lost so much from this brain injury.

severe erectile dysfunction is cruel enough but to wake up to sex dreams with a horrifying pain in your head and neck...AND no sexual response....it's just too cruel to imagine.

It is worse than the worst headache the worst tremor the fatigue, and they are maybe 40 years off from finding a cure for these problems in the brain. it's just the truth.

In between the pain in my spine, I sometimes get semi orgasmic sensations in my spine. the wiring is all screwed up...and its for good

I do, and yet I know I cannot—exactly—entirely. The concussion I suffered from an assault in my teens is nothing compared to your injury, and the creative & functional losses I've suffered from medications are nothing compared to your other losses. Yet I do think I have an inkling. I wish I had more to offer/suggest; my knowledge/experience are more the "jack of many trades and master of few" variety.

Doc

Dude, that is horrific. I thought my situation of painful erections & three day perineal pain after ejaculation was bad...

I wish I could offer you some comforting words, but the only thing to do is hope that things can improve or a medical breakthrough is made to help you...

I genuinely hope things improve for you...

I just replied to a thread of yours. Now we have three or four things in common.

Pablo, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, lol...

By the sounds of it, even though my life isnt a picnic, I have it easy compared to your good self sir...

Its always good to have friends :-)