Don't Know What to Do Anymore

[AustinPowers]

Hi Guys,

I've been having problems with erections and achieving orgasm for many years.

I have tried the pills which help erections sometimes. I also have tried injections (trimix) which sometimes help with erections and other times I get erections that last for hours which is scary, so I would rather avoid the injections as they don't give predictable results. When I have used trimix, I have usually used a low dose (about 7 units of standard strength, although sometimes I have used 2x that). It is odd. Sometimes 7 units will give me a prolonged erection that lasts for hours, and other times 15 units will do nothing. This was the pattern from the start when I started using trimix. I have only used trimix for about 3 years, and haven't used it often, and not within about the last year. I have gone to the hospital a few times being concerned that I had priapism but the erection went away on its own while I was there. Before being prescribed trimix, I had the usual penis ultrasound along with an injection of trimix (15 units standard strength). I didn't get a response during the time they did an ultrasound, but eventually I got such a large response that I had to go back to the hospital because I had an erection that wouldn't go away. I was concerned that it was priapism. They said it hadn't quite reached that, but gave me an injection to make the erection go away. The injection didn't work and so they drained the blood from the penis. They said that in spite of this I was in no danger because my penis appeared to be well oxygenated. The doctors are urologists that sub-specialize in ED. I don't use the pills within a few days of the injections. Although when I do use pills (Cialis), I have to take them a long time before (about 6 hours) for them to have any effect which I find odd. Sometimes even though I haven't taken pills I will get an erection (not sure if it lasts long enough or is strong enough though). Sometimes the pills don't work.

Even much more concerning for me though is I have a really hard time to orgasm. In fact it is virtually impossible for my girlfriend to make me orgasm no matter what we do, and it can really be hard for me to make myself orgasm too. This is by far the much bigger problem. I mentioned the erection part to give history and because it also bothers me quite a bit.

I rarely use porn and don't masturbate much either, although when I masturbated more it didn't seem to help. I haven't had any surgery down there but I have diabetes (for 5 yrs), but it has been under good control. I take metformin for diabetes. My weight is high (about 260 lb and I'm 6 ft tall). I'm in my late 40s. I also started taking a drug called Clomid which raises my testosterone level. My testosterone level was at the bottom of the reference range which is why they prescribed Clomid. After taking Clomid for a couple of months my testosterone is somewhat higher than the middle of the reference range. I did notice some increase in sex drive which was extremely low before, but no improvement in orgasm ability or erection ability. When thinking back to how I used to be a few years ago, I believe that my penis is less sensitive to touch now then it was before. My sex drive is certainly way lower. I also take the following medications: metformin, niacin (for cholesterol), crestor (a statin for cholesterol), Clomid, Xarelto (an anticoagulant, was on warfarin before), and zopiclone (a sleeping pill). I also am extremely inactive. I have depression and it makes it hard to even get out many days. I don't work so I don't get exercise from getting out and doing stuff every day. I did take many prescriptions over the last many years for depression. One that I was on for a long time was Celexa (an SSRI). I also took some meds that targeted dopamine to increase it. My depression seemed to improve to an extent that I have been able to become free from depression meds for about a year. I was last on Welbutrin, and I went off Celexa about 2 years ago.

All of this is so frustrating and confusing and I'm feeling even more hopeless as time goes on.

If only I could find a way to orgasm during sex (intercourse or oral), and also improve my erections.

I don't know what to do anymore.

I did feel a bit of hope when I heard about a device called the Viberect (reflexonic.com). A device that has been discussed in this forum. I wondered could it help increase my penis sensitivity in the long term and make my penis more responsive, and then I could stop using it and would retain an increased response. Or to be more specific, will it help me to regain the ability to orgasm, and improve my erections even after I stop using it. Is that likely or possible?

I would so appreciate any thoughts or potential solutions any of you have on all of this.

Thank You Very Much,
AP

[Woodicould]

Dear AP,
Sorry to hear about all your problems. Sounds like depression is pulling you down.
If you can get some exercise, even for a short walk (don't know if bad weather would prevent that) or try to go to a mall or large place where you could walk around a bit and see people, that might help, although you would have to probably force yourself. Depression is bad in that it sucks as guy's energy and makes him not want to be with people. If you can find a way to make yourself get out and about a bit that might help. I'm on this site because I had ED after PCa treatment, but have seen it get better. I think some of the reasons for my getting better is eating well, exercising and losing some weight. But is all takes time, so be patient with yourself and DON'T give up.
I can empathize with the lack of orgasm. I have no silver bullet for you, but just know a lot of us are in the same boat and we try to see the positive and treat it with humor when possible.

[qcswral]

We all have experienced those bouts of depression due to ED and the associated medical and psychological problems....I hate the whole lot of it....never had problems until I was 50 or so..you are very lucky you have a girlfriend who sounds loving and understanding..being middle age and single with ED is the worst...I for one never know when "the limp dick" will show up..seems at times to have a mind of it's own....I can go with taking the pills or using Trimix with no problem...then 1 day I'm hyped up to be with a woman..everything is going fine and then it's like someone let the air out of a balloon....then I'm done..I get angry and then depressed..hang in there..enjoy the good times with your girlfriend...I've come to just enjoy the physical closeness with a woman if I can't get an erection for penetration....there are many ways to be satisfied and to satisfy your girlfriend...sexually..a constant on-going lesson for many of us. Good luck

[AustinPowers]

Thanks for your encouraging replies Woodicould, and qcswral.
AP

[ED2013]

You are using a lot of different meds. First things first, get into shape. Diet and exercise. When you get into shape, hopefully you will not need as many meds and that will help for sure. Try walking around the mall. Good excercise and a lot of women there to look at.