Carlton

Age: 24 | UK

"During my high school years at around age 15, I was struggling with IBS-D.

I was referred to a gastroenterologist who recommended and prescribed nortriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant.

Like most other sufferers, I was never informed of the potential side effects.

I took the medicine up until last year at the age of 23 with minimal to no side effects.

On a consultation call with my GP last February he said the medicine probably wasn’t aiding me anymore and was best to come off.

He said as the British medical system were looking to discontinue the drug it would be best to switch me to another and ween off that instead.

I was switched to amitriptyline, but I did not receive any guidance from the doctor on how to taper off the medication. As a result, I weaned myself off within one month.

Soon after I developed genital numbness, I have not felt erogenous/pleasurable sensation for a year now.

Along with that, severe erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, problems with libido/maintaining arousal, erectile tissue changes. The list is honestly endless.

This has had an enormous impact on my wellbeing. For most people in this world, love and romantic relationships are key to wellbeing and happiness.

It hurts to think that I have developed this before experiencing what true sexual pleasure feels like with a partner.

Now I will possibly never know what true sexual pleasure feels like. I now struggle to imagine myself being able to be in a normal happy long-term relationship with this condition.

Every person in this world should be allowed access to love and romance by way of human rights.

I feel as if my human rights have been completely infringed upon by the medical system.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this, it’s to be thankful and appreciate in the moment for what I do have, because all of a sudden, life really can change for the worst."