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What Causes Excessive Tiredness And Low Libido?

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Posted on Fri, 7 Nov 2014
Question: Hi: I am 71 years old, in good health, don't drink, smoke or take drugs. I am very active for about 2 to 4 hours per day. My wife and I swim once or twice a week, ballroom dance once or twice a week, I work on antique machinery almost every day. I fall asleep ok and seem to stay asleep 8 hours per night yet do not feel rested very often. After the swimming or dancing, I feel even more tired for a day or two. Some days I really get excited about one of my mechanical projects and forget about being tired for a few hours.
I'm being treated for depression with first sertraline 150 mg and then lexapro 20 mg. I also take simvastatin 10 mg for slightly elevated colesterol, naproxen for arthritus pain and clonazapam 2 mg for nervous legs and a sleep aid. Also I take loratdine and/or allegra for alergies year round. Once in a while I need to take famotidine for stomach.
Another problem I have is low libido even though my testosterone level is high for my age. My wife is very willing yet I can't perform. Also not much feeling in the penis. Went to a urologist and he said take viagra. The viagra will cause an erection but cannot climax. YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Divakara (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Could be due to disturbed sleep.

Detailed Answer:
HI

Greeting from Dr. Divakara.P
First of all thanks for choosing Healthcaremagic for posting your query.

Your tiredness could be either due to Anemia ( Low Hemoglobin), Vitamin deficiency , as a side effect of Simvastatin or if you are not getting good quality sleep.

The very fact that you do not feel rested even after 8 hours of sleep means your sleep Quality is not good , you might be getting awaken in the sleep ( You may not even know it but ask your wife ) . I know that you are on Clonazepam for sleeping aid but being dependent on that may disrupt the quality of your sleep . I advise you to ask your doctor to take off Clonazepam for few weeks and let's see the response .
Also I advise you to get certain test to evaluate other causes of your Tiredness.
Get the following tests done and revert back.

Complete Hemogram, Serum Vitamin B12 , Serum Vitamin D3 , Serum TSH , Fasting and Postprandial Blood Sugars .

Now coming to your Sexual problem , low Libido is quite normal at your age but still I advise you to get Serum Prolactin test done . Your Inability to climax is due to the effect of your tablet Sertraline which is a common side effect. ( Infact this drug is used in people with premature Ejaculation) Ask your doctor to change your Sertraline to some other medicine which doesn't affect on your Ejaculation ( Climax)

Hope you find this information useful.
Any clarifications feel free to ask .

Get the recommended test done .

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Divakara (1 hour later)
The doctor did take me off Sertraline and put me on Lexapro one month ago but I haven't noticed any difference.

I'd go off clonazepam but what would I do about my nervous legs syndrom. That use to keep me awake every night before I started the med.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Divakara (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Lexapro also causes Ejaculatory problems.

Detailed Answer:
HI

Welcome back .

Well Lexapro contains Escitalopram and delayed Ejaculation has been mentioned as one of the common side effects of Escitalopram. So you need to consult your doctor again and ask him to put to some other medicine which doesn't affect on your Ejaculation.

For your Nervous leg syndrome you can take Tab Gabapentin every night . Ask your doctor for prescription.


Any clarifications feel free to ask .
Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Divakara

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2358 Questions

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What Causes Excessive Tiredness And Low Libido?

Brief Answer: Could be due to disturbed sleep. Detailed Answer: HI Greeting from Dr. Divakara.P First of all thanks for choosing Healthcaremagic for posting your query. Your tiredness could be either due to Anemia ( Low Hemoglobin), Vitamin deficiency , as a side effect of Simvastatin or if you are not getting good quality sleep. The very fact that you do not feel rested even after 8 hours of sleep means your sleep Quality is not good , you might be getting awaken in the sleep ( You may not even know it but ask your wife ) . I know that you are on Clonazepam for sleeping aid but being dependent on that may disrupt the quality of your sleep . I advise you to ask your doctor to take off Clonazepam for few weeks and let's see the response . Also I advise you to get certain test to evaluate other causes of your Tiredness. Get the following tests done and revert back. Complete Hemogram, Serum Vitamin B12 , Serum Vitamin D3 , Serum TSH , Fasting and Postprandial Blood Sugars . Now coming to your Sexual problem , low Libido is quite normal at your age but still I advise you to get Serum Prolactin test done . Your Inability to climax is due to the effect of your tablet Sertraline which is a common side effect. ( Infact this drug is used in people with premature Ejaculation) Ask your doctor to change your Sertraline to some other medicine which doesn't affect on your Ejaculation ( Climax) Hope you find this information useful. Any clarifications feel free to ask . Get the recommended test done . Regards.