This is my first post on here, I don't usually post on forums but I really hope there will be someone here who can give me some advice.
I am a type 1 diabetic and have been for about 10 years now, I am 24 years old and generally healthy, although my HBA1Cs have always been high, and on last reading were about 10. I'm actually in the process of getting my first blood test done for a year (been away etc) and don't think it will be much different.
I have always had a very healthy sex life, and never experienced any problems with performance. That is until I split up with my ex after a 3 year relationship last October. Even up until we split up I had no problems getting an erection, and rarely lost it once obtained. About 2 months later (about a week before Xmas) I was close to having a one-night stand with a girl I'd known for a little while and certainly fancied; it was very late, I'd had a long day, a few glasses of wine and a stodgy pizza, and my sugars were high (probs around 15 or so) and I just didn't work whatsoever. I'd never experienced anything like this before and of course it really shook me.
I went to see a GP the next week who said that this sort of thing happens to everyone and that because I'm still getting erections in my sleep its probably not a diabetic problem. I have been very anxious about the problem since, and it really hurt my self-confidence. This weekend past I had another opportunity with another girl, an old friend whom I've liked for a while and I know likes me back, but I was so nervous that I was unable to maintain a hard erection for any length of time, and was constantly worrying that despite our intimacy that very little was happening. I was able to get an erection long enough (although I'd question how hard) for her to (so sorry for crudeness!) use her hands. I do question though in the time between then and now, how often I get an erection thats not self stimulated.
Since the weekend I've been a nervous wreck, terrified that its the diabetes thats doing this, but I've also presented many symptoms of anxiety (shanking, butterflies, ringing in ears). I currently have many other worries, my job isn't great, I work long hours in a sector I'm struggling to get interested in, also I have a few financial worries, and social life has taken a pounding because all of my old university mates are all over the country and very rarely get to see them. So I can see there are lots of anxieties in my life that are probably contributing. The erections I do get, self stimulated or 'organic', never seem to stick around for long.
I saw a doctor last night and talked this all through, and am working much harder to improve my diabetes control, and suggested I have a few councilling sessions. I got a bit tense when he suggested using tablets (viagra) etc because surely as a 24 year old that's not necessary? I'm just very scared that lasting physical damage has been done, or if it's just my ridiculous overthinking mind thats making this happen.
I wanted to share my story because if there is anyone out there that can give me any advice or words of comfort I would really appreciate it. Is there anyone else my age thats going through something similar I would really value your help. Also do you think its more likely to be lasting damage from my diabetes or just my anxiety?
I am a type 1 diabetic and have been for about 10 years now, I am 24 years old and generally healthy, although my HBA1Cs have always been high, and on last reading were about 10. I'm actually in the process of getting my first blood test done for a year (been away etc) and don't think it will be much different.
I have always had a very healthy sex life, and never experienced any problems with performance. That is until I split up with my ex after a 3 year relationship last October. Even up until we split up I had no problems getting an erection, and rarely lost it once obtained. About 2 months later (about a week before Xmas) I was close to having a one-night stand with a girl I'd known for a little while and certainly fancied; it was very late, I'd had a long day, a few glasses of wine and a stodgy pizza, and my sugars were high (probs around 15 or so) and I just didn't work whatsoever. I'd never experienced anything like this before and of course it really shook me.
I went to see a GP the next week who said that this sort of thing happens to everyone and that because I'm still getting erections in my sleep its probably not a diabetic problem. I have been very anxious about the problem since, and it really hurt my self-confidence. This weekend past I had another opportunity with another girl, an old friend whom I've liked for a while and I know likes me back, but I was so nervous that I was unable to maintain a hard erection for any length of time, and was constantly worrying that despite our intimacy that very little was happening. I was able to get an erection long enough (although I'd question how hard) for her to (so sorry for crudeness!) use her hands. I do question though in the time between then and now, how often I get an erection thats not self stimulated.
Since the weekend I've been a nervous wreck, terrified that its the diabetes thats doing this, but I've also presented many symptoms of anxiety (shanking, butterflies, ringing in ears). I currently have many other worries, my job isn't great, I work long hours in a sector I'm struggling to get interested in, also I have a few financial worries, and social life has taken a pounding because all of my old university mates are all over the country and very rarely get to see them. So I can see there are lots of anxieties in my life that are probably contributing. The erections I do get, self stimulated or 'organic', never seem to stick around for long.
I saw a doctor last night and talked this all through, and am working much harder to improve my diabetes control, and suggested I have a few councilling sessions. I got a bit tense when he suggested using tablets (viagra) etc because surely as a 24 year old that's not necessary? I'm just very scared that lasting physical damage has been done, or if it's just my ridiculous overthinking mind thats making this happen.
I wanted to share my story because if there is anyone out there that can give me any advice or words of comfort I would really appreciate it. Is there anyone else my age thats going through something similar I would really value your help. Also do you think its more likely to be lasting damage from my diabetes or just my anxiety?