Diabetic Bret Michaels: I Hold Off Insulin For Better Sex

Bret Michaels has a back-page interview with the July issue of Elle Magazine, which has Gwen Stefani on the cover.

Inside he talks about groupies and life on the road, and finishes saying how he literally risks his life for better sex.

ELLE: You've lived with diabetes since you were a kid. How does the disease affect your sex life?

BM: The only time it will ever affect you in bed is if you have extremely low blood sugar and you go into insulin shock, at which point you won't be standing up, let alone performing sex. However, I will sometimes hold off on the insulin, which will jack my blood sugar level up to the low 200 range. It's like how a prizefighter will want to go into the ring with his blood sugar levels high. It gives you the stamina of a bull. So, yes, sometimes I will endanger my own life to pleasure a woman.

Comments

[arvay]

"So, yes, sometimes I will endanger my own life to pleasure a woman.'

LOL.

As a male, I'm laughing because I recognize the testosterone-fueled tendency to confuse sexual desire with nobility -- or anything, for that matter -- that will get the lady to cooperate. I wonder if he uses this as a pick-up line?

Don't get me wrong, I support sexual desire and its fulfillment -- as long as both parties are willing and no animals are harmed.

Perhaps we'd all be better off if we could see how funny we can be.

[clearthinker2008]

Dude, whatever. lol

[Elizabeth Woods]

What's with Bret's lips? Why does his mouth always look like something's just been pulled out of it?

[clearthinker2008]

Injections, maybe?

[hottingers]

More like put in. Large, black and cylindrical.

[wilray]

I empathize with Bret for having to deal with this illness for 40 years. That's twice as long as I have had to deal with it.

[DKLabRat]

What a silly man. Pathetic.

[Hankskool]

What a Muppet Show reject. What's up with the headband? Is that supposed to be like Garth Brook's cowboy hat.

[CheneysACoward]

It hides his hair extentions......that's a fact !

[LiberTLover]

I think it is like those Bob Marley woolen hats that have the dreadlocks attached to them. He never seems to take that scarf off. I ssume they have to be cleaned so I guess he has a secret closet of them arranged by day of the week.

[Jane Gemein]

What's next Mr Michaels-no insulin when groupies throw panties onstage?

[Paul Eck]

Interesting how much misinformation is out there regarding diabetes. My wife is diabetic so I have a bit of first hand knowledge.

First of all, letting his blood sugar go to 200 for a short time is NOT in any way putting his life in immediate danger. If he was to live his life perpetually at 200 he would likely eventually develop some complications, but it would be over many years. For a diabetic to fly an airplane they are required by the FAA to have a blood sugar in the range of 100-300 so I don't think 200 is going to kill anyone.

He is simply trying to get attention by describing it in these terms. His band and his singing were never very good and the main reason they were popular is because women found him attractive, so him making a stupid comment that makes him look like a sex maniac is probably good for the type of image he has worked for all these years.

[clearthinker2008]

'He is simply trying to get attention by describing it in these terms." we, know that lol, however thanks for the other info. I did not know that about flying.

[HottBrainsJill]

Exactly! When you are a Type 1 diabetic, blood sugar numbers around 200 aren't really so bad.

[politicalpiggy]

Do any of you have any experience as a Type I diabetic? Do any of you have any idea how sporadic your blood sugars can be? That you can do EVERYTHING right (take your insulin, count your carbs, test your blood) and still be over 200 mg/dL for no good reason? There's a reason why it's one of the most frustrating illnesses out there. Yes, it's controllable but it's a huuuuge pain in the butt. And I should know-- today is my 18-year anniversary.

Sex counts as exercise, right? Exercise lowers your blood sugar. Well, so does insulin. Diabetics take less insulin when they are about to exercise so that their glucose levels don't drop too low during their routine. He could very easily begin sex with his glucose levels in the low 200s, have a crazy 45 minute romp in the sheets, and then level out at a respectable 120 mg/dL.

His alternative would to be to take his regular dose of insulin and then risk having hypoglycemia. While hypoglycemia does not increase your risk of amputations, kidney failure or eye disease (like constant hyPERglycemia does), it does increase your risk of fainting and/or having a seizure. So we are talking about long-term effects versus short-term effects. This guy does not strike me as somebody who cares too much about the former. Either way, it's impossible to judge him until you've walked in his shoes (or cowboy boots). So don't.

[motherforpeace]

I am assuming you are a diabetic. Did you take his last sentence as humor? I did.

So, yes, sometimes I will endanger my own life to pleasure a woman.

[DaneAZ]

For those who don't actually know - this person is TOTALLY CORRECT.
As the partner of a type-1 diabetic I can assure you that what is said above is EXACTLY what happens.
The only part that was left out is that the hypoglycemia resulting from the energy expenditure can and will lead to a COMA. And if the unconscious person is does not receive immediate medical attention they can DIE.
Get yourself educated.
Then walk a mile in their shoes.

[clearthinker2008]

"Do any of you have any experience as a Type I diabetic?" I'm sure quite a few...

[politicalpiggy]

I wouldn't be so sure. Many of the people on here have no idea how complicated it is living with Type 1. If they did, they wouldn't be so quick to judge.

[goingnow]

It is irresponsible that he suggests that he endangers his life. Safe sex, not irresponsible.

[whatsthisthen]

News flash, Bret:

You can't use any of your blood sugar unless there is insulin present. All you are doing is causing your body to use protein and fat for fuel.

Also, the presence of glucose in high concentrations in your blood is toxic to all body tissues especially the lining of your blood vessels. Every time your blood sugar spikes, you are probably doing damage to your retinas, kidneys, and small blood vessels in your feet.

To HP readers: If you are diabetic, seek diabetic education through a qualified DM educator so you fully understand what you are up against, what the consequences are, and how to manage it all.

[jeplanet]

Well said.
:)

[AlsoSarah]

News flash whatsthisthen:

200 is perfectly acceptable before a strenuous workout. GET EDUCATED.

[aaronsrx]

Who cares about his diabetes?!? I want to see him take off his wig!

[NYCforObama]

Check out the mug shot of Phil Spector below.

Separated at Birth!

[newsjunky]

Reeeally interesting. NOT!!!

[nrgins]

This is ridiculous. Withholding insulin and having high blood sugar in the low 200 range is not going to endanger his life -- unless he does it day in and day out for many years. He's saying he wants to avoid low blood sugar (which IS a serious thing), and so he lets his blood sugar get a little high while he's having sex. While I don't agree with his methods; and think he'd be better off just keeping some juice next to the bed; he's certainly not risking his life to have moderately high blood sugar for an hour or two. Most diabetics experience blood sugar in that range every day (though not on purpose). This guy's obviously confused.

[tierone]

You mean to pleasure yourself.

Another potential Darwinism Award in the making?

[cookmeyer1970]

my thoughts exactly!