having difficulty with erections for a while.  I still can get hard most times but it fades and goes in and out so to speak so that sometimes I just have to quit altogether and watch the damn movie.  I have met someone who I really like (on the outside) and am for the first time in my life afraid of disappointing her or leaving her unfullfilled and I also really don't need the embarrasment.  We have not had sex but it really looks promising.  When I was kissing her yesterday I was EXTREMELY aware that I was not getting hard.  Inside I was freaking.  What if this is the day!  I am sure that this only made it worse since I was thinking about that and not her.  I moved my leg so her leg would not feel my marshamellow. It wasn't the day and I was actually THANKFUL!  So now I am serious looking for answers about the pills, viagra or cialis.  Generally these threads tend to go right off course after the first response and though my question is about viagra, a few responses into the thread and we will be talking about getting head in a Volkswagon.  On a search for viagra on the board 18 threads are there and every single one of them actually have little information (*or else I am also flaccid in the head)about 1. did you have a problem like mine? 2. Do these meds really work? 3. OK so I DO get that if 25 MG is good, 250 MG is NOT NOT NOT, what precautions etc.  Basically, I need as much help as I can get on the actual subject of this thread before I crash dive onto the deck with this woman.  

SOOOO!  If any of you have some REAL testimonials or advice, PLEASE stay on course.  I will really appreciate it.

Thanks,

I have been a diabetic for 22 years and have been totally impotent for about 12 of them. I recognize the symptoms you are describing and I won’t lecture you about keeping your blood sugar under better control – can you say hemoglobin A1C?  You forgot Levitra on your list of pills but for me it was no matter.  I have tried them all with absolutely no success but I recommend trying them all before you do what I am about to describe.  You can try them all with a Provider which is what I did because I was too embarrassed to do it any other way.  By the way, I also tried the vacuum pump rubber band thing that actually worked but was painful and prevented ejaculation.  No big deal because I also have retrograde ejaculation but it was still painful.

I am lucky because I work in a hospital in NYC on the Upper East Side in the heart of medical central.  New York Hospital, Sloane Kettering and Hospital for Special Surgery are all within a few block of my office.  Suffice it to say that I have gone to see the best Doctors in the business.  My Endocrinologist recommended a penile implant with a reservoir in the scrotum and a bladder that fills up in the penis itself to produce the erection.  Man, I wanted no part of that as it sounded painful with a long recovery and I would then always have trouble getting through airport security – lol – just kidding.  The only alternative presented to me then was to see a Urologist in NYPH that specializes in impotency in diabetics.  

This Doctor took my history and then proceeded to explain to me that there was a medication that could be directly injected into the penis to produce an erection.  
The medication is called “tri mix” and it works like a charm.  It is made up of papaverine and regitine and I don’t know what the third thing is but it really works.  In fact, at times too good because I have experienced erections that last up to 4 hours which is a no no.  Their goal is to get you to last about an hour but my partners never mind that I can pretty much stay hard as long as I want.  In short the good news is that you get robo dick, the bad news is that you have to learn how to inject your penis.  Honestly, after such a long time injecting myself, it has become no big deal.

These decisions should only be made in consultation with your doctor, even for a person with no health issues and especially in the case of someone as yourself.

Different men react differently to these ED drugs, and just getting the results from one person is no reason to expect that you will have a similar result.

(still not a doctor)

I'm a diabetic and I've tried both Viagra/Cialis with limited success. Several things happened to help my sex life get back on track. One, my doctor put me on fish oil to help with my high blood pressure and damn, after about week the little guy was starting to feel frisky again. Second, I got back into the hobby again. I'd been out of it for about six years mainly due to the fact the urge was gone, but I can tell you, it's back now.
Speak with your doctor about this (mine did tell this was a side effect of taking fish oil) and see what happens.

(Not a doctor, but I know a guy)

Go see your doctor and talk to him about this. Different ED meds react differently with other meds.
I am on Metformin for mild type 2 and also a variety of drugs for my BP and cholesterol. Viagra works great for me but it may not for you.  There is a reason why doctors go to medical school.

Pardon my abruptness but you can't come here and try to dictate how we will respond to your question.  That simply is not how a chat board works. Threads go where they go just as conversations do. Just one more reason why you should be asking a doctor and not us for advice.  

Good luck with you problem.

straight from a sex therapist: please make an appointment with a licensed physician/urologist and discuss your health condition with him/her. Your lab tests AND the judgment of your doctor as to what MAY be the best fit for you in terms of treatment for ED [which may not be ONLY prescription meds, btw] will determine your next course of action. As to answers:

1. Yes, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, neuropathies, prostatectomies, etc. do have erectile dysfunction.

2. Yes, these meds generally work when so indicated. There is, however, no 100% guarantee that they will, since each individual is different - hence the mandatory physician consult.

3. Your physician will advise you as to the precautions, side effects [yes, there are some significant ones].

Now my soapbox: ED treatment meds for men are like hormone replacement therapies for women - what works for one person may or may NOT work for another. It is regrettable that the pharmaceutical industry is capitalizing on the same old consumer trap of pretending that their particular brand/substance will solve all syndromes/dysfunctions/diagnoses in their category. Men are particularly vulnerable to this relentless scheme of marketing, as the concept of just popping one pill to solve problems has the appeal of simplicity, efficacy and a rosy, positive outcome. Men don't like to waste time at the doctor's office in the first place, so when one pill promises to fix it all - and sometimes does - the clamor and the ensuing bazillion dollar sales go through the ceiling.

Not to paint the Devil on that same ceiling, but some men have actually experienced permanent vision loss from Viagra. Is this discussed in the ads? Heck no! All we see is some suave silverfox dancing around with his equally lissome fortyish babe and the promise of guaranteed sexual ecstacy. I don't know about you folks, but I get inordinate amounts of ED drug selling spam in my email box just about every time after I've logged into the Erotic Highway to monitor the board. This is because some marketing/IT scheme is out there, tagging me as a putative male in search of sex...and increased potency. And we're not necessarily talking about horny college kids doing the big V on the weekends, although that certainly is happening too. No siree, we're talking anxious 50+ year olds who'd rather NOT see the doc, but order anonymously over the Net, after some helpful "friend" has extolled the virtue of PDE5 inhibitors [the big three at this point.]

Now if the doodoo hits your wellness fan in any way, shape or form, who's responsible? You? Your well-meaning buddy? I really, really understand the agony of ED [and I don't even have a penis, only a withering clit that also could use some nitric oxide, so that's saying a lot], but please, please, please, let's all say this in unison: GO SEE THE DOC, GO SEE THE DOC. That way, if anything unexpected happens, S/HE will have assumed responsibility. So please listen to these well-meaning and educated posters on this thread and heed their [and my] advice. Your health is not a trifling matter, my friend, not a trifling matter.

Them darn TV-commercials!
the Love Goddess

When I first was diagnosed with High Blood pressure several years ago my doctor warned me that eventually ED could become an issue.  Years went by and it didn't.  When I went on meds for my blood sugar issues my doctor warned me that ED could be an issue. It wasn't at first but eventually age, meds and my various medical issues got the better of mr. happy and I needed ED meds. So what is the point?  The point is that my doctor did his job.  He didn't write me a magic prescription when I was in my early 40's for something I didn't need yet but he did maintain an open and honest dialog about what I was possibly facing. I knew what to expect...

When the time came for me it was very easy to go to my doctor, get everything else checked out, and get the medication I needed to foster my very average but eager raging manhood on unsuspecting but beautiful women in the Greater Boston area and all over the country!

I can understand why healthy guys show up here occasionally asking dumb-ass questions about taking ED meds for jack-hammer recreational sex. Well, actually I can't but I do accept it.  What I absolutely can not fathom is how a guy who is a type II diabetic has not already had this conversation with his own doctor before coming here.

Sorry, rant over...please, see your doctor.

-- Modified on 2/7/2008 7:51:59 PM

First I agree GO TO THE DOCTOR.
I did due to a spinal problem and aging and my doctor gave me samples as well as prescriptions after I found out which was best.
I preface this by saying I use a lot of medicine so my experience might be different as well as the cause of my ed.  I used viagra and cialis and both worked but Viagra gave me a bigger headache (one side effect).  I found both gave me a very good erection but I was able to get an erection many more times over a three day period with cialis.  THe cialis is better because you can eat before using so it is good for a date where you are eating together before the sexual encounter.  Viagra is slowed by food especially fatty food.
I tried the samples by using a whole pill at first and eventually found out 1/2 pill was enough to get the job done properly.  Your doctor will be able to advise you  on this.  He will check your testosterone count to make sure that is not a problem.  Tell him all prescibed medicine and over the counter stuff including supplements, many things can interfere with your ability to get an erection and can react with the ed drug's.  Years ago i found out one of my medicines was causing the ed more so than the spinal problem.
I wonder if lack of usage is a problem also.  It happened with me and when I got back into the game it took me time to get comfortable again.  RegaRDLESS  of age anxiety can cause ed, your first time with someone you seem to care about can stress you out.  I suggest exercising and weight loss can be beneficial in this area also.
Age might be a factor , I know I don't get hard with just kissing any longer ( in my mid 40's) I require some stimulation and maybe you will need that also.  If this female cares about you discuss some of this with you, especially the health problem.  If she cares she will work with you and her stimulation will be wonderful.  If you fail to do the deed she might worry it is her so let her know the truth.  
I think a lot of men get to an age where they require more than kissing and petting to get hard and a good partner can assist you greatly.  Remember this is supposed to be fun for both of you.  I also found out to focus more on her and make she she is happy and that takes a lot of the pressure of you which can aid in your performance.  If you can't get it up at least you can make her happy.  Readjust your thinking and say your priority should be making her happy.
Go to the doctor, be truthful, ask for samples, experiment, talk to your girlfriend and relax.
Good Luck.

Thanks for the information.. I too am diabetic with ED and value all information that was offered here.. Off to see my doctor.. thanks again

I just got a list of urologists in my PPO after reading LG's post and others.  For one who hates dictation you sure do a lot of it.

OK..  Rant over.  You have some good points as do others.  Those things like ED don't matter much when you really don't have a woman in your life.  A new set of tires is more important..  I dont need to be that hard to masturbate.  Anyway, thanks to all, at least now I have a good idea and a plan...

well I did see a urologist who explained that the majority od diabetics do have ed to some degree.  Took all the blod work and he gave me samples of levitra.  I would have preferred Cialis for the longer duration, faster recovery (or do-over time) and no food issues but I am happy to be checked out and normal for my condition.  Seemed to make me about 80% hard but it did last the whole time.  My wife never noticed or if she did, she made no comment.  I'll try again.  I didn't tell her aboutthe doc for that reason.  I will after the sample is gone before I get a script.

Thanks for the advice all.