Impotence and diabetes

[Rachel]

My boyfriend is only 35 and he is diabetic. We have been going out for a month and a half and I only just found out about his problem. He told me before that he had a serious medical problem and had to go to the hospital for tests, but he wouldn't tell me what it was. He just said he didn't know. Well, now I found out that he has had this problem for the past two years! He used to be overweight.

 

I could never understand why sometimes during sex he would stop so fast and then be exhausted saying he was an "invalid". I thought he was just making this up because he didn't feel like having sex, but I now learned that this is due to his medical condition. I just don't understand how a man this young could be in danger of impotence. Do any of you have any comments, past experience or advice to give on the subject.

 

Sometimes he has really scary mood swings where he acts like an immature kid trying to be Tarzan or something, and this just baffles me because its as if there is no one present inside him. Sometimes it is really hard to get his attention, and he seems to forget things. Like last week he forgot his bank code! I am worried about him, but don't know what to do because he seems defensive about me wanting to help him.

 

I am torn inside because I love him and only want to help him.

[Nina]

It's hard to deal with chronic medical conditions, not every one is a health care provider, and not every patient is the most helpful.

 

I have a chronic medical condition called gastroparesis. It's a digestive disease that is really difficult to deal with. Many diabetics also develop this problem (slowed digestion) and a very restricted diet is necessary. My fiance is good about helping me, but he doesn't really understand and I don't expect him to.

 

Try to get him to talk about his problem adn let him know that you're there for him. It takes many months to get used to the ups and downs of dealing with someone with chroinc illness. The mood swings and forgetfulness are a common problem in diabetics and has to do with blood sugar regulation problems.

 

Check out these websites for more information you can use:

 

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/diabetes.htm

 

http://www.diabetes.org/

 

http://www.diabetes.about.com/health/diabetes/mbody.htm

 

http://www.diabetes.com

 

http://www.noah.cuny.edu/diabetes/diabetes.html

[Deejette]

It's hard not to take it personally when someone is impotent, and ultimately it could affect the relationship, unless you really love him and want to support him through it all. It is important to remember that it is because of his underlying condition, and not lack of attractiveness on your part.

It's hard to deal with chronic medical conditions, not every one is a health care provider, and not every patient is the most helpful. I have a chronic medical condition called gastroparesis. It's a digestive disease that is really difficult to deal with. Many diabetics also develop this problem (slowed digestion) and a very restricted diet is necessary. My fiance is good about helping me, but he doesn't really understand and I don't expect him to. Try to get him to talk about his problem adn let him know that you're there for him. It takes many months to get used to the ups and downs of dealing with someone with chroinc illness. The mood swings and forgetfulness are a common problem in diabetics and has to do with blood sugar regulation problems. Check out these websites for more information you can use: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/diabetes/diabetes.htm

 

http://www.diabetes.org/ http://www.diabetes.about.com/health/diabetes/mbody.htm

 

http://www.diabetes.com http://www.noah.cuny.edu/diabetes/diabetes.html