I hope this is not an inappropriate question, but I honestly don't know who else to ask. Did you guys have sexual side effects during treatment. I noticed a few days ago that Dan seems much more sensitive to touch and tonight, in addition to the sensitivity he could not maintain a firm erection and could not ejaculate. I told him I thought I recalled that chemo can cause this effect. I tried to search old posts, etc. and I don't know if this just has not been talked about or if I am just not very good at searching...
Thanks in advance for your help.

My wife and I were/are extremely active and that was one aspect of my life that I was totally unwilling to give up during Tx. That said, please keep in mind that even if he doesn't show it or realize it there are forces working behind the scenes to mess with his mental facilities and during the worst part of my Tx I was more focused on remaining alive first and sex became second. That surprised me as I never thought that could happen. LOL Not a distant second but second nonetheless. So yes we did make love less frequent than normal and sometimes I just couldn't because I felt so bad and sometimes I couldn't despite wanting to. My wife was totally understanding which helped a little but my ego was still dented. But rejoice that department was one of the first to get it's act back to normal soon after Tx.

Michele, Especially after the second round, chemo made me extremely touch-sensitive in all sorts of wierd ways. I didn't even like taking a shower (though I did anyway) because the feel of the water on my skin bothered me. It also made me completely lose my sex drive--probably related to the touch-aversion thing. I knew I was getting better after treatment when it came back! PLease reassure your hubbie that this is an effect of chemo but not a lasting chemo effect and if touch becomes really aversive to him, do what he can handle for the time being.

For example, I was OK being held in an embrace by my husband and we ended up just doing that when we were feeling in need of affection until I recovered from the chemo. But do be reassured--things (happily) will get back to normal.

Nelie

Sex has been mentioned before on the forum. Typically there are 2 issues: 1. Is that libido suffers immensely during Tx, both from the treatment itself, medications and the side effects. I truly believe that when the body gets beat up enough the brain places all of the energy into healing - libido is the first thing to go. Like others have said, this will return to normal in time.

Secondly, If you are able to have sex, you MUST use a condom as there will be toxins in the seminal fluid which you don't want to be exposed to.

Thanks for the feedback - that is very positive. I totally forgot to ask the docs today, but did remember when were in chemo and our oncology nurse said it's very common and of course will come back after treatment. She said the way it works in her mind and from what she has read is that essentially your body is working so hard to handle everything else that it has to "kind of shut down" parts that aren't as critical to life. Like sex, adn like your veins, etc. Because it still needs to expend lost of energy on things like heart and lungs...