Diabetes and Depression

To all the tired people out there, I had a big review last week, 7 months after diagnosis, and explained I'm always tired and can't do anything cos it knackers me out for ages, got short term memory issues, have to have a siesta at weekends, talk gobbledegook when tired etc which is all very unlike the real me. I had been getting very down lately and had blamed it all on being T1, I wondered if I was on the wrong insulin maybe. The doctor said he doesn't believe it's the diabetes at all, he pointed out that before I was diagnosed I had severe flu and he postulated post-viral fatigue syndrome, advising me to look it up on the net and see what I think. He's bang on. He told me the answer, which is backed up by the sites dedicated to it, is graded exercise in sunlight combined with cognitive behavioural therapy. I'm being referred for the cbt, it helps you break out of the cycle of but I can't... but I'm too tired... but I caaaaan't....

PVFS seems to go on and on unless treated, sometimes getting better then coming back again, and can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome and eventually full blown ME so I'm so thrilled I have an on-the-case diabetes team and GP who are willing to help me get past this.

I hope this might give some of you food for thought as I'm pretty sure lots of T1s get it from a virus.... and I'm thinking of getting a sun-simulation light for the winter months to help me get over this. We've got an autoimmune disease, and sunlight will certainly help in many ways so I'm going down that track. Them's my thoughts!

gillyh said:

Hi kareeta. I have very little energy too. Also when I mentioned it to doctor and nurse they bought up going back on to anti depressants. Is that a 'stock' answer to feeling tired? I have to travel quite a way to work but have jsut asked for a transfer to an office a couple of miles from home. Have to wait and see though. :?
I get more tired during the autumn/winter months but still really tired all year round. Had depression before diagnosed but it has gotten worse since diabetes. :shock:

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Thanks for your reply gillyh

It seems to be a common theme now that i have reread the thread. I would hate to think that medicating is the answer to everything! Hope you get the transfer nearer to home, taking travelling time off your day should be a great help.

On a more positive note, I went to a keep fit class last night and managed to complete it without passing out! Feel happier today for making an effort to change, levels are much lower today (even though i didn't sleep at all last night for some reason!), going to take each day at a time.

Thanks Kareeta. I've had confirmation they've received my request. Have 6 months for them to find me a job there and then I have to apply again.
Good for you lasting through the whole keep fit class. Proves you've got more energy.
I'm feeling a little bit better today and seem to have a bit of energy. Either 'cos of the nuts I'm eating or 'cos it's Friday!! Overtime tomorrow though. Much better then as I can bring in my walkman and listen to music all day and pop out for a hot sarnie if I wanted to. :mrgreen:

Fingers crossed for you then gillyh :mrgreen:

I had much more energy, flagging a bit now lol...prob due to the lack of sleep more than anything though! I have been reading the nuts issue with interest, may try that too..will try anything once!!

The nuts really do help. I was eally flagging an hour ago. Had lunch and then energy seemed to pour out of me. So I got a bag of mixed nuts/seeds out and started munching on them. Checked bg and it's only 7.9 and I took it just half hour afterwards. See how they affect me. so good news for now? :?: :mrgreen:
Try the macadamis nuts ...scrummy.
Sorry Jem. I know you like to convert everybody to eating them :!: :!: :mrgreen:

Depression and diabetes...I speak only for myself, but I know for a fact that the two go hand in hand. I also know that I was a diabetic about 5 years before it hit me so hard they had to diagnose it before I slipped into a short coma. When I woke up, and was told the diagnosis, it was like someone stuck a big pin into my orderly little life bubble. I was a professional musician, and I lost my job, as soon as the word got out. I seemed to develop a deep hatred for anything connected with this disease, and I believe my depression got so bad, that I started doing things that were completely out of character for me. It's like I just didn't care anymore. I even tried to run away by selling up everything I owned, and moving to the UK with someone I barely knew. Running away gets you no where, except worse off. I am now in an unbelievably depressing situation, with someone whose only goal in life is to have the power to make me feel really awful. I finally went to a Dr and told her my complete story. She has given me the wonder drug, Diazepam, temporarily, until we can find one that doesn't make me feel so out of it. I had to quit taking Metformin recently as I developed an allergy to it, but I've been on Novomix insulin twice a day, and it is helping me keep my BG readings reasonably down the scale. My point here is that we all get depressed, even people without diabetes. But having this illness blows the depression out of proportion, and I'm hoping that someday they will find a way to help us with a solution that works with the diabetes. I'm personally looking forward to that one. Thanks for listening...

sb

saffireblue said:

Depression and diabetes...I speak only for myself, but I know for a fact that the two go hand in hand. I also know that I was a diabetic about 5 years before it hit me so hard they had to diagnose it before I slipped into a short coma. When I woke up, and was told the diagnosis, it was like someone stuck a big pin into my orderly little life bubble. I was a professional musician, and I lost my job, as soon as the word got out. I seemed to develop a deep hatred for anything connected with this disease, and I believe my depression got so bad, that I started doing things that were completely out of character for me. It's like I just didn't care anymore. I even tried to run away by selling up everything I owned, and moving to the UK with someone I barely knew. Running away gets you no where, except worse off. I am now in an unbelievably depressing situation, with someone whose only goal in life is to have the power to make me feel really awful. I finally went to a Dr and told her my complete story. She has given me the wonder drug, Diazepam, temporarily, until we can find one that doesn't make me feel so out of it. I had to quit taking Metformin recently as I developed an allergy to it, but I've been on Novomix insulin twice a day, and it is helping me keep my BG readings reasonably down the scale. My point here is that we all get depressed, even people without diabetes. But having this illness blows the depression out of proportion, and I'm hoping that someday they will find a way to help us with a solution that works with the diabetes. I'm personally looking forward to that one. Thanks for listening...

sb

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That is unfortunate that you lost your job due to not being treated with diabetes. I can imagine how that would make you depressed because it means the condition controlled your life rather than you living your life and controlling the condition - thus severe consequences of this took place i.e. you losing your job and becoming depressed. It seems that the lack of diagnosis may have been more the problem though rather than the diabetes itself. I don't think diabetes is difficult to diagnose nowadays but in the past it used to be apparantly. I was diagnosed around 11 years ago but it took over a year and regular visits to the doctors for them to actually pay attention to me and diagnose me. I was rushed to hospital and placed on a drip having reached 37.6mmol with my glucose levels. The nurses said I was lucky not to go into a coma. I think the role of a doctor is a very important one and if they make the wrong decisions it can be life threatening. This doctor thought I was a hypocondriac and he wasn't enthusiastic about being a doctor after his wife passed away with cancer. However he should have considered the implications of him still carrying on as a doctor, because not only has his prolonged deniance of me actually having diabetes increased my chances of long term complications, but it also cost my uncle his life. My uncle (after a few appointments) arranged an emergency appointment with said doctor. The doctor (and I quote) said "Can you tell me what you are doing wasting my time on a Saturday morning with something so miniscule as stomach ache?" and my uncle left. However he went to the hospital for a second opinion and it turned out he was riddled with bowel cancer. The hospital were shocked with the fact the doctor hadn't picked up on this. Of course bowel cancer should be diagnosed early otherwise it means death. Inevetably after countless painful chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions he did die. Although this is off the subject of diabetes, the point is that effective and early diagnosis of any disease or condition is vital for the future health of that person. In some cases (including cancer as described above and diabetes) it means death. Other complications that arise through not being diagnosed early with diabetes is retinoapathy, kidney damage, neuropathy - amongst others. That in itself is enough to make you feel depressed as hell. However we can't change the past and the most important thing is to look to the present moment in order to make ourselves healthy for the future. Prevention is better than cure and if you can try now to prevent future complications it will help immensely. Today I am having a positive outlook on my diabetes. However it isn't always easy, and I do have extremely bad days or even weeks where I hate it. The thing is a positive attitude will always benefit anyone with diabetes. As they say healthy mind equals healthy body. So hang in there and try to do some things that will benefit your overall wellbeing and in turn, once you feel positive you have the energy and willpower to manage your diabetes more effectively.

It's ok. Yeah we try to control it... I think attitude is what is most important. I mean, if we choose not to help ourselves then we don't get help but if we choose to be positive and help ourselves then we get better. The depression can't disappear sometimes but we should control it and get on top of it. If we fight the depression then we can fight the condition of diabetes better and learn to get on top of it. Sometimes it is an uphill struggle but other times it isn't so bad - part and parcel of diabetes I guess but let's keep with the kick butt attitude and we'll all be fine :wink:

We just have to make sure the depression doesn't control us. Mine's eased a little and I'm starting to enjoy life again. Could be because I've finally moved sections at work. The stress level is also slowly dropping. Now I don't feel like goign postal

gillyh said:

We just have to make sure the depression doesn't control us. Mine's eased a little and I'm starting to enjoy life again. Could be because I've finally moved sections at work. The stress level is also slowly dropping. Now I don't feel like goign postal

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Glad you are feeling better gillyh

Thanks Rach. How are you doing lately? I know you suffer from depression quite badly. I get so knackered too. Only way I can describe how tired I am. I feel like hibernating. Doesn't help tha I've worked overtime last 4 Saturdays in a row. Only till xmas. Afterwards we'll have to see how far behind we are in the work. :wink:

interesting thanks a lot for this one...

I definitely think there is a link between diabetes and depression. I seemed fine at diagnosis, in fact everyone was astounded at how I "just got on with it", but now two years in I feel very depressed about it all. Although I've always had good control with A1cs between 5.9 and 6.5 I just feel like my head's going to explode and that the mental pressure is huge. I think that's what people don't realise about diabetes. They see you doing the injections and for them that is the worst thing they can imagine, but what they don't realise is that that is really the least of it all - it's how much you worry 24 hours a day about dosage, BS, complications, doing any little thing that hasn't been planned for that really gets to you. I'm in constant fear at the moment of getting complications and it's just a daily battle to get on with life. Although I'm not sure whether having diabetes causes depression or whether it's just the icing on the cake when other things are stressful too - I think I'd be down anyway as my relationship of 7 years is breaking down and I hate my job but the diabetes sure doesn't help :roll:

I think also there is a link between them but we all have to find ways not to goat this stage.

I thing the best way is to consult the doctor often.

Goign to the doctors can be a good thing but it all depends on the doctor you see. I make a point of going to the doctor in my surgery that specialises in diabetes. He knows about all the problems that can occur and will listen to me and explain what is going on and what he can do for me. I am back on the antidepressants again the last couple of months but this time a totally different one. This one seems to be working much better with me and life seems a bit brighter for me and i'm starting to enjoy life again. Problems crop up in my health and at home but now I can just sort them out and not panick thinking of the worst scenario that could happen.
that is one of the worst things I find about depression....always thinking of the worst ending and not being able to enjoy hobbies that used to captivate my attention and were so enjoyable. :wink: