An Alliance Health Community
Register Login
profile  |   friends  |   tracked items  |   inbox

discussions

Add your reply

Other

Diabetic Connect Member Amy Tenderich

Helpful to
100%
of readers.

Diabetes & Sex

by Amy Tenderich
June 11, 2009 9:04 PM
34 Replies
410 Views

A lot of people are upset over comments made today by rock star Bret Michaels (Type 1 diabetic) -- who claims that he lets his blood sugar go sky-high so that he can perform better in bed:
http://tinyurl.com/nyzmld

But in fact, high blood sugar is a major cause of erectile dysfunction in diabetic men, so this is really irresponsible misinformation!

Here's one blogger's response to Bret's grandstanding:
http://sixuntilme.com/blog2/2009/06/an_open_letter_to_bre...

Thoughts? Comments?


Tags: diabetes habits, bad habits, sex, sexual dysfunction, type 1, type 2, insulin, myths, misinformation

From Replies
Diabetic Connect Member Jocelyn
Jocelyn
Jocelyn replied June 11, 2009 9:25 PM 

good point, this kind of publicity is a killer for some innoncent person who believes it, tries it and hurts himself... It was irresponsible for the guy to boast like that... This is not a topic many people are comfortable with in the first place and some might believe this sidewalk talk... good that you've put the post up...

Jocelyn replied June 17, 2009 3:59 PM 

after reading all the comments, and looking at the original, I'm wondering if he was misquoted, but if that were the case, he could have had a retraction printed... either way, it's a great opportunity to get accurate information about the diabetes and sex out in public view so these disasters do not carry weight... and joe public won't assume it is truth... good job Amy... either way, this clarifies point...

Diabetic Connect Member Judimar
Judimar
Judimar replied June 11, 2009 9:29 PM 

Kerri was certainly gentler with him then I would have been.

Diabetic Connect Member grandma4
grandma4
grandma4 replied June 11, 2009 9:53 PM 

i dont understand how someone who is a person that kids look up too take what they say as the right of it can make a statement that can harm so many.. it will only hurt or kill someone. he should be held accoutable for that statement.. my husband has not been able to have sex for 3 years.. and we have found other ways to enjoy and love each other.. we dont need the sex part we would rather be health.

Diabetic Connect Member Deleted User
Deleted User
Deleted User replied June 12, 2009 1:08 AM 

Loved the responses that article by Kerri got!!!

Brett Michaels is a washed up rock star, who just needs to put the can of hair spray down, and give up trying to find a woman!

Judimar replied June 12, 2009 2:02 AM 

LOL Legs, I agree with your assessment.

Diabetic Connect Member Deleted User 12427
Deleted User 12427
Deleted User 12427 replied June 12, 2009 1:40 AM 

Anyone who lets their blood sugars go sky high just so they can have what they call "good" sex, is nuts!!! I'm all for sex, but it's not worth dying for!!!

NormaJean replied June 15, 2009 2:01 AM 

I think the KID is sick,this is false information and please don't try this at home anyone..........you might end up somewhere you don't want to be..........We're all for sex,but not for letting your blood sugars go sky high.....it's not worth risking your life for........
You can have lots of fun without a high blood sugar level.
Bret needs to zip his lip before he ends up with erectile dysfunction......ha ha ha........

Dietbeeties replied June 18, 2009 2:11 PM 

Thats not the only thing he needs to zip...

Auberginecow replied June 23, 2009 2:12 PM 

That was *exactly* what I was thinking! I had to go look the guy up - had NO idea who he even was!

Diabetic Connect Member Lanore
Lanore
Lanore replied June 12, 2009 11:15 AM 

WOW....glad I'm not a man....rotfl. I agree legs washed up & time to go. Lanore

Diabetic Connect Member Gabby
Gabby
Gabby replied June 12, 2009 1:40 PM 

This just goes to show that even people who struggle with this disease don't always understand what they are up against.

Now, I did just learn that before exercising we need to make sure we have levels that are high enough to prevent a low. And if we tend to drop, say 30-50 points after exercise, we need to make sure we are high enough to deal with that. If his goal is low 200's, he must be pretty studly....if you know what I mean.

HOWEVER, if that is what he meant to say and just didn't get it out in a clear way (reporters usually are pretty lame if you ask me from personal experience) then there is some confusion here that needs to be cleared up. I am sure there is a little of both where this article is concerned. It certainly was not long enough to make anything clear but that it was a stupid question to ask for a public forum like an online rag.

Diabetic Connect Member dj7110
dj7110
dj7110 replied June 12, 2009 3:23 PM 

this is very inaccurate. the best sex has only been when my bs numbers have been close to the norm. from my own experiances sex is never a possability when my numbers run off track.

Diabetic Connect Member Sarguillo
Sarguillo
Sarguillo replied June 12, 2009 4:21 PM 

Too low, you are out of it so you cant perform, too high and you cant sustain. Unless hes trying to say he allows his numbers to go up just alittle so that with some exersize, they will then come back down and not take him too low.
But I dont think that is what he was trying to say.

Diabetic Connect Member lipsie
lipsie
lipsie replied June 14, 2009 5:57 AM 

This gave me tears, cuz if someone reads this and does not know better, they could die!! It's scary to me! I dunno reporters, Bret, whomever SOMEONE needs to clarify this and make sure we don't loose some loved ones over this @#@$!!!! I am just absolutely sickened by this...someone needs to fix this one up and even doing that it's still out there and could be TOO late! Ulgh!! Love everyone here... *Hugs* Just !@#$!# Sheila

Diabetic Connect Member Dragynl8y
Dragynl8y
Dragynl8y replied June 17, 2009 2:28 PM 

Mr. Michaels is 'flirting with disaster', and his attitude towards his diabetes leaves a lot to be desired. If everyone thought that way, there'd be a lot fewer diabetic people around, because they'd already be 6-feet under. To add something to the mix, however, I am a upper 50's woman whose sex life is nil, and I'm not the least bit upset by it. I am a single/divorced woman, with absolutely NO sex life, but I don't really care because of the all the diseases that can be 'caught' with any indiscriminate sexual partners, so I'll just stay with my Type 2 Diabetes, and let the rest of the population do what they want and take care of themselves. I have enough to deal with than that. Oh yeah, When Mr. Brett Michaels finally does grow up, it might be pertinent to keep his mouth shut, instead of opening it and showing everyone just how much of a blowhard idiot he really is!

Amy Tenderich replied June 17, 2009 4:51 PM 

I hear you ALL!

Check out this latest article on diabetes and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men:

http://www.examiner.com/x-13791-Baltimore-Disease-Prevent...

"The rise in blood pressure damages small blood vessels that can't take the higher blood pressure." Duh, Bret!

Diabetic Connect Member sharon brown 63
sharon brown 63
sharon brown 63 replied June 18, 2009 11:28 AM 

I cannot believe that someone could be so irresponsible with their own health issues. I just want to know how does the diabetes effect a woman's drive and performance?

Lanore replied June 20, 2009 8:30 PM 

In answer to Sharon Brown 63...

I have been T2 for over 20 yrs and have never had a problem with either.

Lisa Ann replied June 23, 2009 1:34 PM 

I'm 42 have had diabeties for almost a year and I have no problem with my sex drive. If anything it has increased. My only problem is finding time. I work 1st shift and my husband works 2nd, so of course I'm sleeping by the time he comes home.

romintek replied June 21, 2009 1:08 AM 

Maybe I am the only one but I have been a diabetic for almost 40 years (and I'm only in my mid 40's now) and I have no sex drive. I have a wonderful husband who is a wonderful lover but I still have almost no sex drive. Its been that way for years. I never thought to speak to my endo about it or for that matter any other doctor. I think men are more open about that topic with their doctors than women but I might be wrong on that one. I have for the last couple of years wondered if my diabetes had anything to do with it. So I would love to hear more on the subject from other women.

NormaJean replied June 21, 2009 1:16 AM 

Hi Romintek I have always been a romantic person,loved sex but it seems since i was dx that I don't have the sex drive anymore I usually don't talk about it but since you did maybe there are other women on dc who might be experiencing this too and maybe there might be a reason for this.I will be forty six this year .

Dietbeeties replied June 22, 2009 12:23 AM 

I'm 30...add me to the list :(

lipsie replied June 23, 2009 12:14 PM 

Last edited 4 months ago

Add me fourth, and I am 36 ack in two days! lol Sheila

Auberginecow replied June 23, 2009 2:15 PM 

Add me to the list too, alas...46 and Type II for 9 years, sex drive gone since practically the beginning. Add to that neuropathy in both my nipples & my clitoris, and you have my recipe for no sex life!

Dietbeeties replied June 24, 2009 1:32 PM 

I didn't know you could get nueropathy in "those" places..thats just awful! Talk about not wanting touched!

Diabetic Connect Member kdroberts
kdroberts
kdroberts replied June 18, 2009 3:59 PM 

Kind of sad really because for a general role model for young T1's (other than the stupid TV show and some questionable 'rock lifestlye' choices). He takes great care of his diabetes, doesn't have a perfect A1c but what I've read it's round the 7% mark which is far from bad and he generally has the right idea about nutrition, exercise, management techniques and the physical and mental difficulties that come along with having diabetes.

I think that if you are sitting in front of a newly diagnosed kid or a parent of a newly diagnosed kid who thinks their life is over, giving an example of somebody who was diagnosed with T1 at 6 and has gone on to be one of the most successful rock musicians ever is not a bad thing and may offer some comfort. This kind of taints it a bit.

Diabetic Connect Member Charish
Charish
Charish replied June 18, 2009 4:08 PM 

Bret Micheals should be careful of the risk he's taking with his life and the lives of others, because as history has shown there are those who follow these celebs so closely that they copy their life styles and what they do. It is clear that this person is not aware of the risks that he is taking and being misinformed about ED and the effects that disbetes has on him and his overall health is even worse.

I know several people that are going through this and it is a painful subject for them. And just knowing that someone like this person is taking it as what seems like a joke is beyond my understanding. Those that I know who is experiencing it only wish for and desire to have that part of their lives to be back to normal. How dare this person go and take something so serious and make mockery of it.

I hope and pray that no one takes him serious and try this for themselves, it would be a disaster waiting to happen.


Diabetic Connect Member Ani
Ani
Ani replied June 18, 2009 10:13 PM 

Thank you for creating this site I realy do learn something new everytime I log on.

Diabetic Connect Member jbryanw56
jbryanw56
jbryanw56 replied June 23, 2009 9:48 PM 

I only know for me personally that I am untreated diabetes because I have no money and no insurance. I try to keep my sugar the best I can but there is no way that shooting your sugar way up can cause a man to perform better. I cannot even get or sustain any type of erection right now.
I am not saying this to be a pervert or anything else and not trying to offend anyone but I do not have anyone to talk to and I saw this post and just had to respond. I hope you do not kick me off but very frustrated at the moment and I just know what he said is a lie. Again my apologies.
Bryan

Judimar replied June 23, 2009 10:03 PM 

Welcome to DC!

I personally do not feel you have anything to apologize for. You don't sound like a pervert and your post was very respectful.

Charish replied June 24, 2009 5:10 AM 

Last edited 4 months ago

Hi Bryan,

There is no reason to feel that you have to extend and apology for a natural reaction and being honest of what's happening to you personally. I feel that you are in good standing of not offending anyone because we have the freedom of expression here, and NO YOU ARE NOT A PERVERT okay.

Welcome to the family and there are a lot of caring people here who understand and want to help if they can. But at least you are honest enough to say what you have said and that's where getting the help and advice starts. Take care of yourself okay.

Hugs and Kisses

Teresa

Diabetic Connect Member lipsie
lipsie
lipsie replied June 24, 2009 12:35 PM 

Bryan,

If anything I respect you for writing what you did. No need to apologize for you was definitely not being perverted...speaking of the truth. Something else you will find with us here at DB is that you may have a totally off topic situation too, and need guidance or support and we are here for you!! That's what I love about this place...its one circle of friends and family...welcome to it!! *HugS* Sheila

Diabeticwonderchild replied July 3, 2009 1:44 PM 

Well, i can see where he was coming from, i mean theres no possible way i am going to have sex with low blood sugar, rather mine be a little high so it sorta cancles eachother out