Depression

A lot of people feel a little low at this time of year; myself included.

I treated myself to one of those SAD lamps and use it for an hour or so every day. It may just be the placebo effect, I don't know for sure, but I honestly feel better for using it. Much brighter, more energy and less lethargic

I too have a SAD lamp, and I also take Vitamin D3 supplements in rather large quantities. There is not enough sun in this country in the winter for our skin to manufacture Vitamin D, and as we get older we get less efficient at making it, too.

I'm not recommending any quantities, as I take far more than the Recommended Daily Allowance. I suggest you Google Vitamin D3 + Depression, or something similar, and have a good read round before you make up your own mind.

If you have a sympathetic GP you might get a Vit D blood test done, but they're expensive so some practices don't do them.

Another cause of depression, lethargy, dry skin, thinning hair (and many other things) is an underactive thyroid. This can be associated with diabetes, and is worth checking for. Google underactive thyroid + symptoms - very surprising! I've never had a blood test out of the normal range, but my GP listened to me and I'm now on 100mg of Levothyroxine. I feel a lot better for it

Best of luck!

Viv 8)

Taking my metformin & vitamin tablets has just become as routine as putting on my socks, taking medication only becomes a chore if you have to make an effort so don't be ashamed have your medication where it's ready to get to, if you don't want it on display put it in your sock drawer!

hey I am new to this forum but not new to diabetes. I have been type 2 for 9 years now. The first 5/6 yrs I did not take it seriously but when I fell pregnant I was very careful and lost a bit of weight too (when pregnant I had to inject insulin as metformin is not permitted for baby's health). When Baby was about 11mths old i was sitting at home one night watching tv and my heart started pounding. I thought i was having a heart attack i never felt like this before....i was rushed to hospital blue lights and all and i was severely dehydrated with a BG of 10. I went on a drip and all was ok and I was sent home and refered to gp. It happened 3 times and on the third occasion they found I was suffering severe panic attacks. I got to a point where i was so depressed and scared to eat because of the panic that i lost 3 stone. After some gp advice and a stern talking to by him I started to eat and my weight sadly came back. I still suffer from obesity and have about 40 anxiety attacks a day (very mild ones) but i have managed my diabetes so well now my HBA1c was 6.4 and GP said I am not to be seen for a yr diabetes related. I have also come off 1 metformin and glicazide has been halved so now I am on two 500g metformin and 40mg for glacazide. however i am on various meds for cholesterol/protection of kidneys and blood pressure. I get depressed every day and now have developed health anxiety and even though my diabetes is perfect as the gp says and my meds have been lowered i am afraid every day and try desperately to lose weight (I am 16st atm) Depression I think is a big part of diabetes but I urge people to take meds it is important for long term.