48 year old type 1

[Welshy]

Hi everyone,
This is my first post and I'm hoping someone can help me with a very personal problem.

I was diagnosed with type 1 when i was 24, I have never been over weight (currently 12 stone and 5'10). Hb1ac has always been around 6.
When i was around 39 I started to suffer with Erectile Dysfunction and it became an issue in my marriage which ended when I was 40. I have been single since then because of the ED problem.
It took a lot of courage but at about 45 i decided to speak to my GP and diabetes consultant. They referred me to a urologist but this was the most humiliating thing I have ever done. I was a fifty year old nurse that said "nothing can be done, you have diabetes. Here are some viagra"
Medication dont work for me so I am looking into penile implants but dont know where to start. I get depressed and very lonely and wish to get my life back.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[bilbie]

What a shame you had someone who didn't know what they were talking about.
There are specific ED clinics, I would suggest you get a referral to one of those. It's either one or a mix of reasons, hormones, circulation or nerve damage are some. Before an implant, there are erectile injections, given before being with your partner. There are many ways to skin a cat 🙂
https://www.urologicalcare.com/erectile-dysfunction/penile-injection-therapy/

 

[Welshy]

It may be male pride but I'm single and although I get offers to date I can't get to the intimate side of a relationship because I don't know how or when to raise this sensitive subject. I just want to be normal!!

 

[bilbie]

There is no reason to initially say anything on a 'date'. If the path is to an injection, the injection is given 5-10 or more minutes before hand, keep it in your T1 kit. Do you really want to hear about the hormone cream she uses to ...(TMI)
some things are best unsaid on first dates. 🙂

The ED clinics have counselors too, they do this stuff all day every day. Once you are confident in the ability to have an erection by whatever means. You are going to feel a lot more comfortable with your new partner/s too.

 

[Owen]

It may be male pride but I'm single and although I get offers to date I can't get to the intimate side of a relationship because I don't know how or when to raise this sensitive subject. I just want to be normal!!

At my Endo consultation, the nurse spotted. ED on my list of issues, it was a long list. Anyway, she jumped in and offered to leave the room so I could discuss openly w with the consultant. In a strange way it made me feel more comfortable to be open about the subject. So I asked her to stay. There are some good people in diabetic care.

 

[Welshy]

thanks for the advice

There is no reason to initially say anything on a 'date'. If the path is to an injection, the injection is given 5-10 or more minutes before hand, keep it in your T1 kit. Do you really want to hear about the hormone cream she uses to ...(TMI)
some things are best unsaid on first dates. 🙂

The ED clinics have counselors too, they do this stuff all day every day. Once you are confident in the ability to have an erection by whatever means. You are going to feel a lot more comfortable with your new partner/s too.

I Didnt mean i would mention anything on a first date but it can get a bit weird when i so no interest in sex later in a relationship. Thanks for the advice, I think I will make an appointment with my GP to discuss the options.

 

[HOBIE]

Good luck to both of you ! You are right there are some v nice people in the NHS