• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Depression??

I can't say enough good things about Vit. D. When I first started taking it, I was on a high dose (10,000IU/day) and I didn't notice a change for around 2 weeks.

Subsequent winters it's only taken a week or so before I feel the difference. (But I did up my dose a little to 12,500IU/day because I only had 2,500IU gelcaps left...)

I know that you CAN get 50,000IU tablets (but they're NOT gel caps) because I have some. So I wonder if this is the type of thing that you can safely "mega-dose" on? I think I will try it next winter, or if I forget to take my 10,000IU for a while this winter. A week is a long time when you're feeling down - imagine taking a "mega-dose" one morning, and then waking up the next day feeling great!

large.png


I LOVE The stuff!!!
 
Pauly21 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

I really think you need to go back to your G.P. and tell him how desperate you are feeling. A general question like the one you have put forward to him does not alert him to how you are feeling. You are in need of urgent treatment IMHO and the sooner you get some help then the better you will feel. He can make an urgent referral.
You may be prescribed anti-depressants and some CBT and this should help. There are supposed to be psychologists to help with diabetes and depression and they are being trained but at the moment are very thin on the ground.. You need someone now and not in a few month's time.

I cannot begin to know how you are feeling but this is not going to go away without some professional help.

You could ring the DUK careline, http://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_help/ ... /Careline/ and see if there is any help there.

Do something now Paul before the depression gets worse.

Take care.

CC.
 
Patch said:
I know that you CAN get 50,000IU tablets (but they're NOT gel caps) because I have some. So I wonder if this is the type of thing that you can safely "mega-dose" on?
Click to expand...

Excess Vitamin D can be toxic and the idea of taking that much absolutely freaks me out unless you've had a blood test/medical advice beforehand and throughout your supplementation to make sure you're in the recommended range.

You can have too much of a good thing, for sure.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitami ... ty/AN02008

One of Chris Kresser's podcasts discusses "Clearing up the confusion about over-prescribing vitamin D":

http://chriskresser.com/bioidentical-ho ... tal-toxins

It's at 41:10 on the podcast - or if you want to read you can scroll down the page and read the transcript.

I've also heard him talk in podcasts about the tendency of people to think that because something is good, more must be better - and it's not always the case.
 
Indy - I've googled Vitamin D toxicity many times. One of the links you posted had a very recent response that went like this:

Matt November 15, 2012 at 10:06 pm

I also don’t agree with what Chris says about Vitamin D.

I’ve been using up to 100000 IU/day (one hundred thousand) for 2 months.
Absolutely no toxicity. I feel great. I dropped down to 10000 IU/day now.
From what I hear on other shows more evidence is pointing to the fact that healthy Vitamin D levels need to be in the range of 80 – 100 ng/mL.
Click to expand...

Just one persons experience. I just think it warrants further research (and DEFINITELY discussion).

Personally, knowing the effect 10,000IU has on me over a period of 2 weeks, I wouldn't entertain taking 100,000IU for 2 months (like Matt did). But in principle, and depending on Matt's level of Vit. D difficiency compared to mine, it's fine, and what he has done seems to have worked for him. :thumbup:

The drugs that diabetics take can be LETHAL in large doses - Vitamin D toxicity is FAR from lethal. Human male test subjects have taken doses of vit. d in the MILLIONS of IU's and survived.

Let's not throw around the word toxicity, as it sounds a lot worse than it (usually) is. I hope people aren't put off trying Vit.D because of the word toxicity. Vit. D is cheap and safe and easy to get hold of. I am completely comfortable obtaining it without he knowledge of my Dr., and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.

[mod edit: I've removed a line which I felt was too prescriptive]
 
catherinecherub said:
Pauly21 said:
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.
Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

I really think you need to go back to your G.P. and tell him how desperate you are feeling. A general question like the one you have put forward to him does not alert him to how you are feeling. You are in need of urgent treatment IMHO and the sooner you get some help then the better you will feel. He can make an urgent referral.
You may be prescribed anti-depressants and some CBT and this should help. There are supposed to be psychologists to help with diabetes and depression and they are being trained but at the moment are very thin on the ground.. You need someone now and not in a few month's time.

I cannot begin to know how you are feeling but this is not going to go away without some professional help.

You could ring the DUK careline, http://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_help/ ... /Careline/ and see if there is any help there.

Do something now Paul before the depression gets worse.

Take care.

CC.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the support Catherine, i will try and seek some sort of help again from my GP & Diabetes Team. Perhaps things have changed and help will be forthcoming.
 
Patch said:
Indy - I've googled Vitamin D toxicity many times. One of the links you posted had a very recent response that went like this:

Matt November 15, 2012 at 10:06 pm

I also don’t agree with what Chris says about Vitamin D.

I’ve been using up to 100000 IU/day (one hundred thousand) for 2 months.
Absolutely no toxicity. I feel great. I dropped down to 10000 IU/day now.
From what I hear on other shows more evidence is pointing to the fact that healthy Vitamin D levels need to be in the range of 80 – 100 ng/mL.
Click to expand...

Just one persons experience. I just think it warrants further research (and DEFINITELY discussion).

Personally, knowing the effect 10,000IU has on me over a period of 2 weeks, I wouldn't entertain taking 100,000IU for 2 months (like Matt did). But in principle, and depending on Matt's level of Vit. D difficiency compared to mine, it's fine, and what he has done seems to have worked for him. :thumbup:

The drugs that diabetics take can be LETHAL in large doses - Vitamin D toxicity is FAR from lethal. Human male test subjects have taken doses of vit. d in the MILLIONS of IU's and survived.

Let's not throw around the word toxicity, as it sounds a lot worse than it (usually) is. I hope people aren't put off trying Vit.D because of the word toxicity. Vit. D is cheap and safe and easy to get hold of. I am completely comfortable obtaining it without he knowledge of my Dr., and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.

Don't fear Vit. D. Try it.
Click to expand...
I agree that as long as something works for you personally, go for it. Everyone's experience will be different.

Personally, I would credit taking Vit D as the single most important difference made to my health and feeling of wellbeing in years, even more so than getting my BG back down. And I'm lucky to live in a country where most medical services aren't being rationed the way they're being in the UK so being proactive about health is a lot easier for me, I know.

Still blows me away how good I actually feel. At least doctors are finally starting to sit up and take notice of Vit D, which is more than they've done about a lot of things :thumbup:

For those who haven't seen it already, I love this Youtube on Vit D:

[youtube]l1K3s0ir74Y[/youtube]
 
Patch said:
Just one persons experience. I just think it warrants further research (and DEFINITELY discussion).

Personally, knowing the effect 10,000IU has on me over a period of 2 weeks, I wouldn't entertain taking 100,000IU for 2 months (like Matt did). But in principle, and depending on Matt's level of Vit. D difficiency compared to mine, it's fine, and what he has done seems to have worked for him. :thumbup:

The drugs that diabetics take can be LETHAL in large doses - Vitamin D toxicity is FAR from lethal. Human male test subjects have taken doses of vit. d in the MILLIONS of IU's and survived.

Let's not throw around the word toxicity, as it sounds a lot worse than it (usually) is. I hope people aren't put off trying Vit.D because of the word toxicity. Vit. D is cheap and safe and easy to get hold of. I am completely comfortable obtaining it without he knowledge of my Dr., and will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.

Don't fear Vit. D. Try it.
Click to expand...

This is probably the worst advice I have ever read on any forum on the internet in my life and could be potentially dangerous should anyone take your advice Patch.

Vitamin D toxicity IS A VERY REAL DANGER and is known to have caused at least one death and many other serious medical problems.

JAMA said:
The case is reported because it further proves the danger of high doses of vitamin D and of the regrettable practice of noncontrolled self medication with some of the vitamins, and because it disproves the unwarranted claim of harmlessness made by some of the manufacturers of high potency vitamin D preparations.
Click to expand...
Taken from - http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.asp ... eid=294384

And you dont have to look too hard to find more evidence that taking high levels of Vit D is potentially very dangerous, perhaps if you had searched for "Vit D renal damage" instead of is "vit d dangerous" or whatever it was you searched for you would have found the medical evidence rather than the rantings of someone on a forum who clearly knows nothing at all.

If anyone thinks they may be deficient in Vitamin D or anything else they should see their doctor not take the advice of anyone off a forum or a barrack room lawyer who knows nothing except would they have read somewhere on the internet.

Self medication of vitamins can and is potentially very dangerous, please dont do it, see your doctors and IF you are deficient they will treat you professionally and it wont cost you a penny.
 
Sid said:
This is probably the worst advice [Blah, Blah, Blah...]
Click to expand...

I don't give advice. My posts have no more or no less credibility than yours, Sid.

Sid said:
Vitamin D toxicity IS A VERY REAL DANGER and is known to have caused at least one death and many other serious medical problems.
Click to expand...

I'm sure that taking too much Vitamin D WHEN YOU DON'T NEED TO can cause damage. Statins will kill you REAL quick if you already have low cholesterol.

But for those with a Vit. D deficiency (and evidence is that most T2's are deficient), Vit. D supplementation can have massive benefits.

Indy posted a great video - I imagine that's what a conversation on Vit. D would go like between Sid and Indy! :lol:

Quick bit of info from Livestrong re: Vit. D dificiency and renal problems:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/28190 ... l-failure/

You see, Sid - you can find words on the internet to prove/disprove anything. I put more weight on my own experiences than I do what I read on t'interweb.

That's why I try these things. I'm the subject of my own experiments. 8)
 
Patch said:
I'm sure that taking too much Vitamin D WHEN YOU DON'T NEED TO can cause damage.

But for those with a Vit. D deficiency (and evidence is that most T2's are deficient), Vit. D supplementation can have massive benefits.
Click to expand...





And that is why I said:
I said:
If anyone thinks they may be deficient in Vitamin D or anything else they should see their doctor not take the advice of anyone off a forum or a barrack room lawyer who knows nothing except would they have read somewhere on the internet.
Click to expand...

Are you saying that advice is wrong Pat?


My last word on this thread, I'm not going to argue with you Pat, goodbye :wave:
 
Sid said:
My last word on this thread
Click to expand...

:think:

I made a pretty long post - is that all you're going to address in it?

Re: your "advice". Watch the video that Indy posted.
 
Personally, I don't take advicefrom anyone on the forum but I do take note of their view and experience as people with diabetes and as people who use supplements.

My GP and DSN to my knowledge aren't diabetics, and they don't have personal experience of how diabetes affects them, they don't know everything there is to know about having diabetes.

They know how to check NICE guidelines and how to read the Pathways on their PC, how to refer for blood tests and how to interpret them according to NICE guidelines. But ultimately, they are not meor any other diabetic living with the condition. I have many times been given advice by HCPs and many times have refused it because I know my body and its reactions and responses to certain meds better than anyone else. And I've recently been told by one GP that my management of my own condition and attitude to advised medications is 'very sensible'.

Where taking 'advice'from the forum is concerned, no-one has ever advised me to take anything, they've put forward their own experience with certain supplements and I've read that critically made my own evaluations, done my own research and decided for or against trying it out for myself.

I would imagine that's what the majority of people do.
 
zoecrean said:
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:
Click to expand...

Hi zoe,

Reading through your post, I think that your depression would have eventually surfaced diabetic or not. When you describe your childhood and what happened to you then it is clear that the traumas you suffered need addressing. People often bury things that they find too painful and something trivial may trigger them again.

It is never too late to get some help and I urge you to write to your Dr. telling him about your depression and requesting an appointment that is suitable for you so that you bypass the unhelpful receptionist.

I am sending you some hugs, ((((())))) and hope that you decide to get some help soon.

Take care,

CC.

I very much doubt that VitaminD will cure this poster's depression. We are not talking about feeling down here but something much more painful and difficult to deal with.
 
After having spent years on anti-depressants, undergoing all sorts of psychological testing, seeing many different kinds of therapists, suffering many of the same symptoms that Zoe describes, then having all that change for the better by supplementing Vitamin D and radically changing my diet to exclude all grains, I think having Vitamin D levels checked is a fast and easy thing to do, so it would be my first advice. Being exhausted all the time makes it almost impossible to deal with anything else that is happening in your life. I'm not saying it is the only reason for her symptoms, but it's something that at least should be ruled in or out.
 
Hi

Thank you all for your support.

I did 'suck it up' and ignore the receptionist (had a good moan about her later to the boyf tho) and saw the DR, not my usual one but he seemed interested and did some blood test.

Called them today and have been told he will call me this evening after I finish work to discuss my results (whatever they may be)

Will update later :eh:
 
Dr called and said apart from high HBA1c there is nothing wrong with me, he did not say how high and I forgot to ask :oops:

I knew about the high blood sugar and have been working very hard to get it down, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

I am going to try to get an appointment with my consultant to help work this out.

So my blood tests showed no vitamin deficiencies, nothing wrong with thyroid, no depression, nothing

I am not convinced this is due to my diabeties but with nothing else to go on (other than of course still working on improving my levels) I am back to being at a bit of a loss.

Any ideas??? :think:
 
I've got a great idea.

Do I really need to say it again, though? :!:

Time for some action.
 
Hi Patch

If you are referring to Vit D - tried it
Been taking it for 3 weeks now and no difference.

Also blood tests show no vitamin deficiencies at all, so although I am happy to continue taking the ones I have (esp given the weather) I don't think they will fix me :cry:
 
What kind of dose have you been taking? I'm sure (quite sure... :think: ) that the effects of Vit. D are cumulative - so if you are taking a low dose, it will take a while to build up.

Re: deficiencies - I believe that some people require MORE Vit. D than others. So the lower limit that is tested for by your GP may not be high enough to effect your mood...
 
Back
Top