Diabetes and Depression

[Phil61]

I am T2, diagnosed 10 years ago, taking metformin, gliclazide and sitagliptin. I live on my own, have not worked for 2 1/2 years and have no relatives or real friends to speak of. I can go for a week at a time without speaking to another person socially face to face. I suffer from serious depression for which I have anti-depressants and also take medication for my blood pressure.
Shortly after Christmas last year I had a blister on the underneath of my right foot, which I did not notice until it had burst. The wound became infected and required antibiotics to clear up the infection. I attend the diabetic foot clinic at a hospital every fortnight and have the dressing changed twice a week. I wear a Medishoe and am continually told that I need to keep off my foot, which is difficult when I live on my own.
All of this has been adding to my depression. I find it extremely difficult to motivate myself to do anything. I only eat one meal a day (and sometimes not that). I know that my diabetes is not really under control and sometimes, due to my depression, I forget to take some or all of my medication (despite having a pillbox and alarms on my mobile phone) and I am afraid that I have reached a point where I don't really care. If I could find the courage I think that I would end it all.

 

[Lamont D]

I know not, what your circumstances are or that I have any right to tell you what to do.
However, I was in a bad place a few years ago. I was ill and I didn't know what was happening to me and my docs didn't have the answer to my symptoms.
I fought back, kept going back asking for their help and even someone to try and understand me and what was going on. To talk them through, the pain and depression of my symptoms.
I fought like hell, to get diagnosed, despite the tide flowing against me.

Now, Phil, a symptom of uncontrolled diabetes is lethargy and even depression.

You can only change your diet. How do you get your shopping?
What do you eat, even though it's not much?

I got a lot of help and took advice from the great posters on here, there will be more messages following from those who have suffered depression.
I expect a few more words of comfort.

The bottom line is mate, you have to make choices, get back on to your docs and insist your not coping and get them to help you, that's what they are there for.

If I can fight, you can, you've been really brave by taking a first step by posting here. Listen to their advice and don't give up mate!

Hope this has helped

 

[Sobeit]

Hi Phil I hope u are better now than u were when u posted. Did u take the advice above and seek help?It must be really tough and Im so sorry u feel so bad but this is like your other family on here.People care ..
What positive action have u taken to help yourself? There is always hope and light at the end of the dark tunnel..Reach out to your doctors and anyone else who will listen and accept offers of help when they come along! Hope u r feeling better and your foot is healing. Xx

 

[fdm1969]

Hi Phil,I've got type 2 diabetes and got really depressed about things that were going on in my life and often felt like ending it.this seemed to have started when I started using gliclazide tho I didn't realize untill I stopped taking it a few days ago due to my nurse trying me with something else and my mood has lifted a lot.speak to your nurse about it and see what happens.hopefully you will get sorted out and live a happier life.take care

 

[Sobeit]

Hi Phil I hope u are doing better ! I have some understanding of what its like for you as I suffer from mild/moderate depression also though thankfully I usually manage to drag myself out of the dark hole. Sometimes I am better and sometimes worse.Have been having a bit of a difficult time accepting and dealing with this diagnosis .Thankfully I have the support of my hubby ,but I Just want to let u know u r not alone .

Many of us suffer from depression but you obviously are really struggling.Please talk to docs. .Tell them what u are telling us. It is great you have made the positive and brave move to come on here but you really need to talk to doctor also and tell them what you have told us and hopefully please God u will get get some real help to deal with it all!

So reach out as you cant do this alone..Please update us on how you are doing now Phil .You have friends on here to talk with u ,people who understand what u are going through... Thinking of u..Big Hugs .. x

 

[localgirl]

I am T2, diagnosed 10 years ago, taking metformin, gliclazide and sitagliptin. I live on my own, have not worked for 2 1/2 years and have no relatives or real friends to speak of. I can go for a week at a time without speaking to another person socially face to face. I suffer from serious depression for which I have anti-depressants and also take medication for my blood pressure.
Shortly after Christmas last year I had a blister on the underneath of my right foot, which I did not notice until it had burst. The wound became infected and required antibiotics to clear up the infection. I attend the diabetic foot clinic at a hospital every fortnight and have the dressing changed twice a week. I wear a Medishoe and am continually told that I need to keep off my foot, which is difficult when I live on my own.
All of this has been adding to my depression. I find it extremely difficult to motivate myself to do anything. I only eat one meal a day (and sometimes not that). I know that my diabetes is not really under control and sometimes, due to my depression, I forget to take some or all of my medication (despite having a pillbox and alarms on my mobile phone) and I am afraid that I have reached a point where I don't really care. If I could find the courage I think that I would end it all.

 

[localgirl]

I can certainly understand how you feel. I am feeling very depressed today. No motivation to do anything yet so much to do. I'm sick and tired of boring house jobs yet still can't get stuck into my hobbies. As for food .... I hate thinking about cooking a meal and even when I do eat I am giving up half way through. My B'S are chaotic and higher than normal. Why am I going on about myself .... well to let you know you're not alone . I am seeing the doctor on Friday so we'll see what she says. My husband is neither use nor ornament as he's part of the depression which doesn't help. I am feeling permently sad all the time.
But I wanted to suggest that maybe you may find some simple hobbies to help you. Have you thought about tracing your family tree. You could join a local group who may have help desks which are normally free to go to. Your library may also give you free time on the Internet and use Ancestry. If you don't have a laptop you can use pencil and paper to plot your tree and a group can help you plot it out. All this can be done relatively cheaply too and may help you to socialise and meet others and exercise to get out of the house. If that doesn't take your fancy why not go to your local library and see if there are any other groups that may interest you. Hope you can find something.

 

[YolandaSteenkamp]

Please don't give up, though I can identify with the loneliness. I too feel the way you do and more so over the weekends when I'm at home. I try my best to get out there as just getting through the door and taking a walk down the road does a lot to lift depression. You're not alone and I shall pray for you.

 

[martsnow]

I have great empathy with the way you are feeling my friend

I have suffered severe suicidal depression for over thirty years and was diagnosed as type 2 six weeks ago.

I would like to say that you are not alone in your suffering, many of us tread the same path.

It really Pees me off when people tell me they are depressed, yes you may be fed up or have the Monday morning blues but many people have never experienced true depression. I will give you an insight. I have taken twenty tablets per day as a result of which my liver is severely damaged. I have had numerous hospital admissions had several courses of Electric Shock Therapy and had to take early retirement from work. Many days I stay in bed not eating or bothering to wash or shave. Many days I cannot face life and often would prefer to die. I have lost my grandfather a great aunt and a dearly loved brother all to suicide, and my dad made several suicide attempts, I also help care for my brother who is Manic Depressive

If you are a bit fed up or having the Monday morning blues then you are more than welcome to walk in my shoes for a week I will gladly swap

 

[Prem51]

@martsnow I have had periods of depression (cyclothymia) for over 30 years, so I understand how you feel. Two of my brothers and a nephew took their own lives, and my sister is bipolar. I think we inherited it from my father who was probably bipolar, but undiagnosed and untreated as he would not get professional support - mental illness was a huge stigma for his generation.
I saw Ruby Wax on tv yesterday saying how she had asked someone with cancer and depression which was worse, and they replied that depression was worse. I can relate to that. I was diagnosed with diabetes 3 months ago, and while it is stressful and difficult to deal with, I don't feel as bad as I do when I am in depression. Take care.