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Recent Diabetic having ED issues
Hi All, I have a few questions based on my observations the past 3 weeks about my ED I am hoping someone can provide opinions on my observations and assumptions. Or if they have had a similar experience.
Just going back a little, since I found my blood glucose on June 25th about 5 weeks ago to be high I have been on Keto diet almost no carbs / low carbs.
So when I was on Keto (no carbs) for 8 days I ate spicy chicken wings and my erections went away the next day (July 4th), then after 10 days (July 14th) it came back. In the mean time I had my blood and urine test results come back on July 11th (HB AC1 is 6.4% on their scale its diabetic so I'm diabetic. Cholesterol (5.58 mmol) is high and HDL is low(0.67 mmol), while LDL (4.41 mmol) and non-HDL are high (4.91 mmol). Also, Alanine aminotranferase (ALT) 81 u/l, uric acid and ketones are high).
I was ok for next 7 days (until Jul 21st) eating mostly eating green vegetables, Tofu and Salmon but on July 21st Sunday I ate Basil chicken at a Vietnamese restaurant and the next day my erections were weak (reduced 30-40% and couldn't maintain for long), then the next day (July22nd) had more of a concentrated lime juice about 1 cup and erections were gone completely for next 5 days.
On July 27th (Saturday 6 days later) my erection was normal, and I thought the erections being impacted is when I ate highly acidic food adding to the acidic Ph of me being on Keto diet (maybe was in Diabetic Ketoacidosis .. my blood work had high uric acid) so I tried to introduce some carbs and after introducing carbs got very gassy for next 2-3 days but erection was good.
On July 30th (Tue) in the night I took 5 Tums antacid tablets and drank 1 bottle of Diabetic Boost drink (something like Glucerna, Ensure) and lost my erections next day. I didn't realise before drinking the diabetic drink had artificial sugars (sugar alcohols and is acidic). It's 5 days and my erections is not there.
My observations is I was on keto as a Diabetic and every time I ate/drank something more acidic I lost my erections with more tingling in feet, palm or groin area. Is it the acidic food on top of keto (acidic ph) is damaging my nerves or is something else happening that's causing this. Just trying get opinions.
I appreciate it.
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Sounds like cause and effect so why not stop consuming the causative factors to keep yourself functioning?
Thanks for your reply. Yes I am trying to but wanted to know if this has been observed by anyone else. It's been 6 days and erections are not back.
I am worried maybe third time caused more damage to my nerves and if it will be back.
@medstage322 - In my opinion, you need more of a medical consult than you're going to recieve on a medical blog like Mayo Connect. Go directly to the medical professionals.
Appreciate it, thanks. Just trying to get opinions and perspectives online as its a bit of a wait to see the specialists.
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3 Reactions@medstage322, are you seeing a Urologist by chance? that's the specialist you need and should be seeing. that's their specialty. there is nothing wrong with asking questions here. but do not take replies as medical advice. use what you find out here when you see the Urologist to discuss options. OK?? good luck. @danny5
I would be seeing an Urologist in some weeks but wanted to understand as much by seeking others opinions who may have experienced ED with similar events so later my questions to doctor would be more relevant. Thanks
The Mayo Clinic says “ Erection problems, also called erectile dysfunction or ED, are common in men with diabetes. Especially those with type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar over a long period of time can damage the nerves and blood vessels. This damage causes problems with getting or keeping an erection firm enough for sex.”
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1 ReactionOk some updates based on my monitoring while I wait to see a specialist.
Summary of my original mesage in this post is I lose my erections and I get it back but eating certain foods caused erections to go away again.
Continued ..
The erection came back after 8 days from the last time I lost it, then it was ok for 3 days before I ate some salted almonds and again lost my erections. I suspected it could be blood pressure I got a blood pressure monitor and what i see for the last 5 days monitoring my blood pressure and the erections regularly throughout the day.
My observations -
My am/morning blood pressure when I wake up is in the 121/81 to 128/84 range.
WHEN my blood pressure range is 121/81 - 132/86 my erections are 40% but if I see/imagine something I really like it gets 80% hard but cannot maintain for more than 10-15 seconds.
WHEN blood pressure is in 130/87 - 145-92 (highest) then there is no erection.
WHEN couple times after meditation deep breadths, sleeping it was 119/74 , 117/72 then my erections were normal .. I could see an image and would have erection. It happened only twice after which I cannot get my blood pressure in this low range no matter my activity level, meditation, breathing.
Also, my morning erections (40%) were there only 2 of 5 days just for 2-3 mins and went away.
I think my losing erections due to eating certain items in my original message in this post was not acidity but probably the salt consumption. This is my guess based on my monitoring and tracking.
I am not sure if blood pressure could have an immediate effect on erections as they fluctuate. I saw this below article and it says if you are salt sensitive your ed could be impacted by BP. Anyone any thoughts is appreciated.
https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article/17/7/1280/6973770
(High Salt Intake Impairs Erectile Function in Salt-Sensitive Rats Through Mineralocorticoid Receptor Pathway Beyond Its Effect on Blood Pressure)