Anxiety

MikeyOOO said:

Hi all,

Does anyone else suffer with high anxiety or weird spaciness as a result of their diabetes or is it just another issue I have on top of being type 1? I’ve had it for some time now on and off and it’s so tiring. I mostly get it at work when my levels either go too high or low and it just holds me back from performing well. It drives me crazy!

Thanks

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Hi MikeyOOO,

As someone who has had life-long experience with anxiety, I would not be surprised if it increases when added burdens such as diabetes, or other health challenges are added. It is possible, however to regulate it with medical assistance. Some doctors know how to increase or decrease it with meds. In the meantime, avoid stimulation and stimulants if you can. Also, be physically active.

MikeyOOO said:

Hi all,

Does anyone else suffer with high anxiety or weird spaciness as a result of their diabetes or is it just another issue I have on top of being type 1? I’ve had it for some time now on and off and it’s so tiring. I mostly get it at work when my levels either go too high or low and it just holds me back from performing well. It drives me crazy!

Thanks

Click to expand...

Well, it would, and the more you want to find out the itch grlws, why, how for what reason and if that reason can lead to something worse and wonder if what you did is right, and the merry go round of fears and the rol!deflated ride of highs and lows, which don't have a middle ground, and it just rankles and annoys, anger and then it escalates.

Anxiety is a total waste of head space, it makes you stop doing the things you want to do!
And takes your confidence away and this makes you second guess how to treat hypos, have you bolused enough for the carbs you have counted, or is the count wrong?

And it's scary. This condition, is all about learning the best way to control it. But that is o.k.!, My anxiety initially was a symptom of the hypos I was constantly experiencing. But, last couple of years because of my circumstances, I had depression and severe anxiety caused another couple of conditions.I have had severe mental health issues.

Until I had counselling and talked.
And talked, talked, and talked, then talked a lot more!
And, then it slowly occurred and my mindset altered to a more positive outlook, because one of the best subliminal message I have ever received actually sink in, because to get this, in perspective right, you need help and you should see your GP or diabetes team, should give you the technical advice, and someway to give you anxiety advice.
But only you, can ultimately achieve these goals. Only you can get there, it is your brain, no one else can do this for you. We can help you and advise how, we can counsel you, we can shepherd you, we can sympathise and empathise but it is your decision. Baby steps, talk, get advice, then sift through all the things that are making you so low, then plan ahead, learn how to deal with the low days and savour the good ones.
Please do make those first steps and talk.

My best wishes

[mod edit.]

Lamont D said:

Well, it would, and the more you want to find out the itch grlws, why, how for what reason and if that reason can lead to something worse and wonder if what you did is right, and the merry go round of fears and the rol!deflated ride of highs and lows, which don't have a middle ground, and it just rankles and annoys, anger and then it escalates.

Anxiety is a total waste of head space, it makes you stop doing the things you want to do!
And takes your confidence away and this makes you second guess how to treat hypos, have you bolused enough for the carbs you have counted, or is the count wrong?

And it's forking scary. This condition, is all about learning the best way to control it. But that is o.k.!, My anxiety initially was a symptom of the hypos I was constantly experiencing. But, last couple of years because of my circumstances, I had depression and severe anxiety caused another couple of conditions.I have had severe mental health issues.

Until I had counselling and talked.
And talked, talked, and talked, then talked a lot more!
And, then it slowly occurred and my mindset altered to a more positive outlook, because one of the best subliminal message I have ever received actually sink in, because to get this, in perspective right, you need help and you should see your GP or diabetes team, should give you the technical advice, and someway to give you anxiety advice.
But only you, can ultimately achieve these goals. Only you can get there, it is your brain, no one else can do this for you. We can help you and advise how, we can counsel you, we can shepherd you, we can sympathise and empathise but it is your decision. Baby steps, talk, get advice, then sift through all the things that are making you so low, then plan ahead, learn how to deal with the low days and savour the good ones.
Please do make those first steps and talk.

My best wishes

Click to expand...

IMO Drugz are the answer.

I can totally relate to the high anxiety and space like feeling especially during panic attacks, leading up them. Slow motion and blurred vision and the adrenalin kick in. I wonder if its a bit like a hypo - its not nice I know that. Had one yesterday not out of the blue as I could feel the anxiety building then it happened

Erin said:

IMO Drugz are the answer.

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Having gone through severe anxiety and depression and a breakdown, a nervous breakdown, panic attacks and the resulting essential tremor disorder and rest?xxx legs syndrome all connected to massive anxiety. On top of RH as well!
My neurologist has issued and supervised my drugs, but they are not the answer.
they are a temporary fix from the lows. And they divert and numb the chemistry.
The prognosis is drugs help, but cannot cure. The brain has to heal, the brain has to find a way to cope, even with drugs,, the brain is an organ that needs to be occupied and stimulus to gain a positivity that will give you your life back.
A treatment is just that, no cure, a temporary release from the pain and a plaster to stop feeling worse, even if it's worse!
A cold medine or drugs cannot cure colds or flu, they give you a boost of glucose and other non invasive ingredients, that give you a temporary sticking plaster from the symptoms.
Most doctors will tell you that taking anti depressants are temporary.
They do help but are not the solution or a cure!

Lamont D said:

Having gone through severe anxiety and depression and a breakdown, a nervous breakdown, panic attacks and the resulting essential tremor disorder and rest?xxx legs syndrome all connected to massive anxiety. On top of RH as well!
My neurologist has issued and supervised my drugs, but they are not the answer.
they are a temporary fix from the lows. And they divert and numb the chemistry.
The prognosis is drugs help, but cannot cure. The brain has to heal, the brain has to find a way to cope, even with drugs,, the brain is an organ that needs to be occupied and stimulus to gain a positivity that will give you your life back.
A treatment is just that, no cure, a temporary release from the pain and a plaster to stop feeling worse, even if it's worse!
A cold medine or drugs cannot cure colds or flu, they give you a boost of glucose and other non invasive ingredients, that give you a temporary sticking plaster from the symptoms.
Most doctors will tell you that taking anti depressants are temporary.
They do help but are not the solution or a cure!

Click to expand...

They are not the solution for me, senior psychiatrist told me that it was counselling and lots of it I would need as the drugs would have horrid side effects, which he would not personally recommend for me.

Lamont D said:

Having gone through severe anxiety and depression and a breakdown, a nervous breakdown, panic attacks and the resulting essential tremor disorder and rest?xxx legs syndrome all connected to massive anxiety. On top of RH as well!
My neurologist has issued and supervised my drugs, but they are not the answer.
they are a temporary fix from the lows. And they divert and numb the chemistry.
The prognosis is drugs help, but cannot cure. The brain has to heal, the brain has to find a way to cope, even with drugs,, the brain is an organ that needs to be occupied and stimulus to gain a positivity that will give you your life back.
A treatment is just that, no cure, a temporary release from the pain and a plaster to stop feeling worse, even if it's worse!
A cold medine or drugs cannot cure colds or flu, they give you a boost of glucose and other non invasive ingredients, that give you a temporary sticking plaster from the symptoms.
Most doctors will tell you that taking anti depressants are temporary.
They do help but are not the solution or a cure!

Click to expand...

Have you tried getting an opinion from an endocrinologist or internal med dr.?

Erin said:

Hi MikeyOOO,

As someone who has had life-long experience with anxiety, I would not be surprised if it increases when added burdens such as diabetes, or other health challenges are added. It is possible, however to regulate it with medical assistance. Some doctors know how to increase or decrease it with meds. In the meantime, avoid stimulation and stimulants if you can. Also, be physically active.

Click to expand...

Hello Mikey, yes it does happen when you run high/low, my understanding is that it's the physiological changes to the brain from glucose swings can elevate feelings of anxiety, so with the stress the body is faced with when either having to handle too much glucose or not enough, and the high anxiety is triggered by a release of hormones which alerts the brain to start saving glucose stores when running low or trying to clear out the excess glucose when running high. I get it too and it's super annoying but that's one of the reasons I eat low carb and try to keep my glucose control as tight as possible as going high/low can knock me for six.

Hi all, can we please focus on the question @MikeyOOO has asked?
You can always take additional conversation to PM so as to not let the thread move away from the OP, it's much appreciated.

Erin said:

Have you tried getting an opinion from an endocrinologist or internal med dr.?

Click to expand...

Yes and a neurologist! And every other week with my GP!

Antje77 said:

Hi all, can we please focus on the question @MikeyOOO has asked?
You can always take additional conversation to PM so as to not let the thread move away from the OP, it's much appreciated.

Click to expand...

Hi @Antje77 it was not my intention to derail, but the point I was making, went a little too harshly, but to query @Erin post.
What I was doing was giving more information from my experience with to give @MikeyOOO that his future was antidepressants for his anxiety, when it maybe a symptom, not a condition.

Best wishes.

MikeyOOO said:

Hi all,

Does anyone else suffer with high anxiety or weird spaciness as a result of their diabetes or is it just another issue I have on top of being type 1? I’ve had it for some time now on and off and it’s so tiring. I mostly get it at work when my levels either go too high or low and it just holds me back from performing well. It drives me crazy!

Thanks

Click to expand...

Hi @MikeyOOO ,

How long have you been diagnosed T1?

What sort of proffession are you in? (Is it target driven?)
Fluctuating BG levels as an insulin user sometimes can have an added "thrill chase" effect on emotions, if (for instance?) you're trying to "beat the clock" on the output productivity before a hypo well & truly kicks in. Not wishing to be "this guy" who needs time out before the break bell sounds..?

If you have personal issues that maybe the cause of anxiety? Your GP can refer you for councelling..

Do you use a sensor or CGM set up regarding BG monitoring?
If not? Pending on what you do as a job, your Endo or diabetes specialist can recomend your GP puts a sensor on repeat prescription? Jobs where "blood letting" like food prep or environments that could infect I puncture wound from a lancet? You maight be eligible...

Best wishes.

MikeyOOO said:

Hi all,

Does anyone else suffer with high anxiety or weird spaciness as a result of their diabetes or is it just another issue I have on top of being type 1? I’ve had it for some time now on and off and it’s so tiring. I mostly get it at work when my levels either go too high or low and it just holds me back from performing well. It drives me crazy!

Thanks

Click to expand...

Hi MikeyOOO:

And, here I thought I was going crazy. Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. I have had anxiety for a number of years, but it seems to be worse in the last four since I first got (mis)diagnosed as T2. Had a very serious DKA episode two years ago, now diagnosed T1. It's been a roller coaster ride ever since. I'm this close to being 74 so it's been very exhausting, confusing, hard on my nerves, etc. I can be feeling perfectly fine, then suddenly I become very anxious, angry, yell at the dog and cat, then wonder what is wrong with me.

I have been on meds for depression/anxiety, but they don't help in the bad attacks. Then again, maybe the bad attacks would be a lot worse if I wasn't on them. I can go from zero to 60 in less than a nanosecond. I have been doing low carb for 4+ years. It was much easier to control the T2 than it is for the T1. I do have a Freestyle Libre, thank goodness, so I can keep a close eye on my BG.

And, the spaciness! That is just weird. I get up from a chair and I have to grab something because I feel so spacy. I go to walk and feel like I'm spaced out. I really like that description "spaciness" 'cause I was thinking it's not really dizzy, etc. I get tremors, too, sometimes. I did fall and have a brain bleed/concussion/focal seizures a couple of years ago. Sometimes I wonder if it's the seizures or T1 that cause the tremors. I'm on seizure meds for the rest of my life. Then I fell and broke my wrist. Could it have been the spaciness that caused that because I feel so weird? And, with COVID, it makes it especially nerve wracking.

I believe I need to look into getting some counselling because I live alone and there is nobody I can talk to about T1. Most of the people I know have T2. With the counselling, I would probably feel better if it was someone who understood what T1s go through on a daily basis. Best wishes to you and all the others.