[Mark in Idaho]

Byron Richards has written a good article about ED meds such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra. I have copied a few paragraphs that apply to men with PCS.

<What the researchers do not seem to understand and report on is that significantly increasing the pool of nitric oxide with these drugs can have rather unpredictable results. This is because nitric oxide can be both anti-inflammatory (friendly eNOS) or pro-inflammatory (unfriendly iNOS).

In practical terms, what happens after a person takes the drug will likely determine what kind of nitric oxide they get. For example, if sexual stimulation and pleasure occurs then it is likely that eNOS will be made at high levels. But what happens if you unfortunately have an argument with your partner after taking the drug? Now you will get a lot of iNOS and when that is combined with increased permeability into your brain you just exposed your head to an excitotoxic buzzsaw.

The moral of the story is don’t ever take these drugs unless you are going to be really nice and planning on a good time. Avoid stress while the drug is in your system. Avoid excess alcohol. >

The entire article can be found at http://www.newswithviews.com/Richards/byron216.htm

Excitotoxins are to be avoided by those of us with PCS.
The weakening of the blood-brain barrier by these drugs is also of note.