Viagra and optic neuropathy

I just finished reading Atul Gawande's book Better and toward the end, he mentions in passing that Viagra use has been linked to optic neuropathy. I've found a couple of studies on the Internet confirming the association. None of my PCa doctors has ever mentioned this as a concern. Anybody else heard of it? Anyone been steered away from Viagra, or had to switch to another ED med because of eye trouble?

There are lots of uncommon side effects as I found out when I studied it a bit. Out of the blue with no prior history, I had two nasty bloody noses two weeks apart, the second one had me going to the local urgency center and ENT. Only change in my history was taking sildenafil for three months prior as directed after RP. Stopped taking it and have not had an issue since although I have been careful since then. Might be a coincidence but when I looked up possible side effects, it was listed as a uncommon SE and doctor agreed I should stop. I also found it lowered my blood pressure and never felt quite right after taking it. It clearly effects vision so not much of a stretch to think it could cause optical neuropathy as a rare SE. It is far from being free of adverse effects in my opinion.

So, the whole world looks like a stained glass window with only shades of blue? I've seen that. Mostly when I took sildenafil and my blood pressure meds at the same time.

Here's a write up that explains some of the visual side effects of PDE5i drugs. According to the writeup none of the side effects involve long-term harm.

Pathophysiology of visual disorders induced by phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (May be a bit sciency for some of you. It sure was for me.)

I remember hearing in the news a few years ago (maybe ten years ago by now) about men losing vision after taking Viagra and similar drugs. Personally I had taken it only once. My GP gave me some samples after I had mentioned having some trouble with my wife due to losing the ability to perform. The Viagra made me feel weak and shaky. never took it again.

Thinking back, that was around the time I lost my right testicle. When asked, my urologist said that I would still have "plenty of testosterone", but in hindsight I believe my problems were and still are due to hypogonadism. Of course, I was never savvy enough to ask for a blood test. This is the same Uro who a decade later told me that my elevated PSA was "nothing to be concerned about".

Regarding Uro's (or doctors in general) never mentioning side effects of medication, I know now that they never reveal anything unless specifically asked by the patient.

InTheShop: "Kind of takes the fun out of the whole deal"... haha! No kidding. I get the second worst headache I ever had from Viagra (the worst was from Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease). I also feel like I am going to faint if I stand up ( and no, we don't do it standing up it's just that I don't want to stay in bed for three hours afterwards).