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Anxiety and blood sugar

Karenchq

Karenchq

Well-Known Member
Messages
84
Location
Bruxelles
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I am struggling with anxiety and severe adrenaline surges lasting for several hours at a time. I am noticing many more hypos and wonder if there is a correlation with the adrenaline that makes me go low. Often the low is very sudden and I am not aware until it us considerably low. I am trying to be very careful about what I eat and insulin balance. At the moment there is a lot of stress with making an international move, starting a new business with investments involved (which will need to go on hold for awhile), menopause, insomnia, being recently diagnosed and recurrent issues with anxiety, fear and depression. I don't want to be a cry baby, but am really feeling overwhelmed and thinking this has an affect on my blood sugar. How does stress affect you?


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Hi, stress/anxiety for me (and I believe quite a few others) raises bg. Have you spoke to your GP or diabetes team about this problem? They may suggest you trying CBT which could help if you arent already speaking to someone about your problems?


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Karenchq said:
I am struggling with anxiety and severe adrenaline surges lasting for several hours at a time. I am noticing many more hypos and wonder if there is a correlation with the adrenaline that makes me go low. Often the low is very sudden and I am not aware until it us considerably low. I am trying to be very careful about what I eat and insulin balance. At the moment there is a lot of stress with making an international move, starting a new business with investments involved (which will need to go on hold for awhile), menopause, insomnia, being recently diagnosed and recurrent issues with anxiety, fear and depression. I don't want to be a cry baby, but am really feeling overwhelmed and thinking this has an affect on my blood sugar. How does stress affect you?


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Gosh, you have a lot on your plate at the moment! I think almost anyone would be feeling anxious with all those changes, and uncertainties, going on, so don't beat yourself up over it.

Personally, using the Libre, I have noticed if I become anxious or very excited for that matter, my bloods go up for a while, then go back to where I would normally run, which for me is actually quite low. As a T2, I'm fortunate that I don't have hypos, so can't comment on that aspect specifically, and certainly couldn't even guess how you might manage any potential insulin tweaks to help with it.

When I'm going through a particularly stressy time in my life (and there have been a few), I usually give myself an hour or so to just write down all those things I'm juggling, then prioritise them, using something like this:

upload_2016-7-3_10-14-55.png

That usually helps me get my head around where I should be focusing today, anything I can defer or delegate and so on. the list then works as a working document, being able to strike things off from time to time, then looking back I can see progress, which is sometimes difficult when it feels like it's all too much.

To be honest, I'm not a person who is routinely stressed, but when I am, I need a plan to feel a modicum of control.

Good luck with it all, and what an exciting prospect you have in pipeline for a whole new life by the sound of it. Where are you locating to?
 
I'm sorry you are struggling; all of those life events at once must be so stressful.

I have anxiety and depression and asked my psychiatrist this question last week. Anxiety raises cortisol levels and thus causes higher BS, but depression lowers them. I'm type 2 though, and have no experience of hypos.

I agree with @Mrsass about seeing your GP and or seeking some counselling/talking therapy
 
If you are having hypos and stress and having surges of adrenalin, your body reacts by adding cortisol to the mix.
Hypos cause lack of glucose going to the brain because of high insulin in the blood (hyperinsulinaemia). Check your insulin, you may be over dosing!
I have posted a thread about anxiety in the emotional and mental health forum.
You might find it interesting.
 
Karenchq said:
I am struggling with anxiety and severe adrenaline surges lasting for several hours at a time. I am noticing many more hypos and wonder if there is a correlation with the adrenaline that makes me go low. Often the low is very sudden and I am not aware until it us considerably low. I am trying to be very careful about what I eat and insulin balance. At the moment there is a lot of stress with making an international move, starting a new business with investments involved (which will need to go on hold for awhile), menopause, insomnia, being recently diagnosed and recurrent issues with anxiety, fear and depression. I don't want to be a cry baby, but am really feeling overwhelmed and thinking this has an affect on my blood sugar. How does stress affect you?


Sent from my iPad using DCUK Forum
Click to expand...
Me too - BIG HUG ! Since being diagnosed Type 2 I feel thoroughly overwhelmed with just about everything. Everything is stressful and I think trying to sleep it off might help - it doesnt - just magnifies it. I too am going through the menopause and any aches pains etc are exacerbated. My right leg feels weird as does my bight bum cheek - its all a nightmare. I'm trying to loose weight and then if I do I get worried I've lost weight...............its all ridiculous
I hope you are feeling better
 
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