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Depression??

Z

zoecrean

Member
Messages
23
Hi

Sorry this may be a bit long

I am type 1 diabetic (32, diagnosed 4 years ago) and my control could be better (this is being worked on with my consultant)

I do not usually put much stock in things that you find on the internet but I decided to look up why I feel so tired and tearful all the time. I did think it maybe had something to do with my diabeties but the tiredness can come over me at anytime (is in fact most of the time, I literally cannot keep my eyes open).

What came up online was the possibility of depression. Looking up the symptoms I seem to have a lot of them – see below. Again not something I usually take too seriously but I saw online depression tests. I did 5 different versions of these tests all came back saying I have depression. This has prompted me to at least seek a professional opinion which I am intending to do soon.

My symptoms include:
Feeling fed up
Feeling like the future is not good
Feeling like I can’t be bothered with anything
Tired all the time
Waking up groggy
Overeating and fatty foods too
Headaches everyday – often tension headaches
Clenching my jaw and fists all day and in my sleep
Digestive problems
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Broken sleep
Often falling asleep at the wrong times
Heavy feeling and dizziness
Cannot get motivated for even small things
Difficulty controlling blood sugars

Additional information for you is that my mum had a nervous breakdown when I was 4 (possibly more since, I am not sure) and I was abused (sexually) as a child, although I don't think this has anything to do with it.

Has anyone else had anything similar? Could it be my diabetes or are we just more prone to getting depression? As well as all the other things we seem to be more prone to, as if diabetes on its own wasn't bad enough :thumbdown:
 
Hi,Zoecrean :)

Welcome to the forum,

Professional advice is probably the best way forward, You will soon get lots of help on this forum.

You are very brave to highlight your symptoms.

I wish you to get back to the way you want to be very soon.

Roy. :)
 
you're right that some studies say we are more prone to depression. But I think the evidence shows it's not because of something wrong with our bodies, it's because we are having to cope with a complicated long term disease, and sometimes you can be trying really hard and it still goes wrong, and the rest of the world just do not understand how hard it can be. And it's scary.
I would say it's totally normal to find that depressing, and lots of us on here have been there too. It's something that it is possible to overcome, but you do need to get your head round it, and you deserve help to get there.
Does your clinic offer a diabetes psychologist or could they refer you to one? In the past I have found it useful to talk to people who do understand a little of what we have to do every day.
Anyway good luck and warm cyber-hugs.
 
Hi,

Thank you Snodger

I did not think of seeing if my diabetes clinic has anyone, I will look into that.
I do not want to go to my GP, not sure why but there is just somethhing about them that makes me uncomfortable talking to them about this.
I have found a local service for depression but do not know if they would understand about diabetes.
I will def look into both I think and hopefully get somewhere.

Thanks
 
I would also investigage vitamin deficiencies, in particular Vitamin B12 and D, both of which can mimic/contribute to a whole heap of other illnesses including chronic fatigue, depression and so on. Vitamin D deficiency is especially common in most European populations.

If you are taking metformin, it can also result in Vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies.
 
Hi Indy

Thank you for your reply

I am not on Metformin although my consultant has offered it to me to help prevent weight gain, is this normal?

I did think about maybe a vitamin deficiency but didn't know which it could be, would it be safe to take suppliments for these two (B12 and D) to see if things improve?

At least then if it is that then great :lol: and if not then I can say I have ruled that out.

These replies are very helpful, thanks muchley :clap:
 
I'd ask your GP for tests, but if the tests are refused, I don't think there'd be too much harm in a Vitamin B complex multivitamin and a Vitamin D supplement (I'd go for at least 2,000iu a day) and see if they help.

Best wishes,
 
PS. re Metformin - it is considered one of the safest diabetes drugs available, though it can cause gastric issues for some people. It is usually the first drug prescribed to Type 2 diabetics after diagnosis.
 
Thank you, that really is very helpful

I think I will talk to the Pharmasist as my GP is very hard to get appointments with (and the receptionists get stroppy when you cannot have appointments that are during work hours)

I feel a bit more positive now that I have something to try (possibly rule out) before I start bothering Dr's with possible depression

Thank you again :thumbup:
 
Have you had your thyroid function tested?

As an under active thyroid can give some of the symptoms you described, and it's not uncommon for t1's to have it an under active thyroid has it's an autoimmune disease so closely linked.

By any chance are you using Lantus as your background insulin?
 
Hello Zoe ... there's no excuse for any GP to be difficult to get an appointment with.

If I was in your situation and especially feeling as if I could fall asleep anywhere, any time, then I would insist on an appointment ASAP, or get someone to insist on your behalf. One of the problems with depression or other conditions which cause chronic fatigue is that we are too tired to argue or stand up for ourselves and it's easier to accept what we're told rather than to insist. I know that because I've been there.

I supposedly suffered from depression for years, and when I was diagnosed with diabetes and started meds and changed diet, the depression and a lot of other symptoms gradually disappeared in a very short time. You may need blood tests and a review of your diabetes and improved management. Insist. :thumbup:
 
Hi

Its not that the Dr won't give me an appointment (although they are quite often booked up) its more the receptionists getting stroppy when I need one outside working hours, they do run an evening clinic (all be it begrudgingly and always question if you really need those times, saying things like "they really are only for people who are at work otherwise", as if I'm lying and do not work)

My background insulin used to be Lantus but is now Levemir. I have not had a thyroid test or any others for that matter.

I have just started to take some vitamins (B&D) and hopefully they will work. Not sure how long before I should see a difference though, maybe a few weeks? If they do not help I will deffinatley ask the Dr for some tests, maybe speak with my consultant instead of my GP as he is easier to talk to.

Your support means a lot to me, I know I'm not the only one.

Thanks :)
 
zoecrean said:
Hi

Its not that the Dr won't give me an appointment (although they are quite often booked up) its more the receptionists getting stroppy when I need one outside working hours, they do run an evening clinic (all be it begrudgingly and always question if you really need those times, saying things like "they really are only for people who are at work otherwise", as if I'm lying and do not work)

My background insulin used to be Lantus but is now Levemir. I have not had a thyroid test or any others for that matter.

I have just started to take some vitamins (B&D) and hopefully they will work. Not sure how long before I should see a difference though, maybe a few weeks? If they do not help I will deffinatley ask the Dr for some tests, maybe speak with my consultant instead of my GP as he is easier to talk to.

Your support means a lot to me, I know I'm not the only one.

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

It's definitely not on for receptionists to imply by using that kind of terminology that you may not need an appointment. You wouldn't be there asking for one if you didn't need it so don't be intimidated, just say "Yes, I'm aware of that and I NEED an appointment soon please." Please don't be put off by people in uniforms who've no right to keep patients at bay or decide who gets through their barriers and who doesn't. The NHS is there for patients to have access to when they need it. The way some admin staff behave you'd think they were footing the whole NHS bill all by themselves. :wink:
 
It's amazing how officious some people in (usually self-appointed) "authority" become. Their superiors would probably be horrified if they knew about it.

Speaking from my experience of taking Vitamin D, the change I felt kicked in within about a week or two of starting to take the supplement, so fingers crossed you will feel some effect soon :thumbup:
 
I've been on the Vitamin D3 high strength for about a week now. Before that I was on low strength for about 2 weeks until I read about the high strength ones on here.

I've never been so cheerful at this time of year in my entire life! There have been times when all I've had the energy or inclination to do was sleep through the whole winter like a hedgehog. It doesn't help by not being a huge fan of sitting in the sun either. I like the light, but not the heat so I'm probably in need of extra help with Vit D3. It seems to be having a positive effect. :)
 
Ha!, My mum would love you!

The receptionists at her surgery are even worse. She got 'told off' for being overdue for a perscription review when she has tried to make an appointment for one but had been told that her Dr was only holiday and it could not be done by another Dr, god only knows why.

Mine have been just as bad when it comes to the flu jab, I wasn't told they were doing them last year and by the time I knew, they had run out so I didn't get one. This year I took in apon myself to find out and made an appointment,which I forgot, oops, I then apologised and tried to make another one and had to contend with a very stroppy receptionist while trying to get one out of work hours, eventually getting her to agree that the nurse could 'squeeze' me in on my day off.

Seems receptionists at dentists are just as bad too, I was told I needed to see the hygenist but was told different things each time I tried to make an appointment about which one I could see for my dentist and what hours they do.
They really do seem to think they are something special.

Considering how long it seems to get an appointment and how long it may take to see any change from vitamins I may try to get some test arranged in the meantime to rule out any serious issues like thyroid or depression. Although having just seen Indy's post I may wait a week or so first.
 
Now I've recently had my disagreements with Grace on a different topic. I can't believe that we're both on this one too.! However GraceK I absolutely agree - vitamin D seems to be a lifesaver in the winter months.
 
Depression is symptom that seems to be generally ignored

I've suffered similar symptoms over the years with my diabetes, especaially when other 'ailments' have come along and knocked me down further.
I' currently suffering from a variety of conditions, Diabeties, Asthma, Reflux, Vertigo, Neuropathy and now have a charcot foot.
Depression is a daily occurence for me at the moment and have to deal with it on my own. There is practically no help for specific diabetic depresssion as when i ask staff specific questions on say 'future prospects' or' How i deal with my workplace' there are no answers, just generalisations that are no comfort at all.
There have been many days over the last year where ending it all has crossed my mind, but fortunatly i still have the rational awareness to get myself out of it.
I have thought of seeking help from my GP for this but a general question i asked said that if i wanted help in that direction there was a waiting list for an appointment of about 10 months. But then i would be talking to a person that more than likely would not be familiar with Diabetes and my other specifics questions and so on.

Sadly the standards of care for diabetes are declining not expanding due to cost costraints on the NHS, so 'expert' help for things like diabetic depression is not going to happen.
 
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