Diabetes & Panic Attacks

[david84]

Hello,

I have been told I have Agoraphobia and Panic Attacks, it's been about 10 years now and none of the treatment seems to work. I'm not afraid to leave the house, I feel unwell and don't like to be away from home when I feel ill.

I am unable to travel to have a diabetes test and am thinking of having some type of home testing kit. I don't like needles so I'm wondering if a urine test would work?

At the moment my ears are ringing, I feel sick, feel dehydrated, extremely tired etc...

Does anyone get panic attacks due to diabetes?

Thank you in advance.

David

 

[DeejayR]

Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your condition. I suffered similarly for 25 years and only managed a sort of half-life, being limited in so many ways.
Certainly no one likes to be ill away from home, I believe.
Firstly, what leads you to think you are diabetic?

 

[david84]

Hello DeejayR, thank you for the reply. I wonder because I get extremely tired about 4:30pm every day, I drink lots of fluids in the day, I get dizzy at home. I know that symptoms of anxiety can be similar but it's been 10 years now and anxiety treatment doesn't seem to be working so I'm exploring other possibilities.

 

[DeejayR]

Are you being treated at present-- counselling or medication? You say nothing seems to work.
I'm not aware that an anxiety state is a symptom of the onset of diabetes, although discovering one has diabetes obviously often causes anxiety.
To find out officially you will need to have an HbA1c (haemoglobin) blood test.

I have to sign off now, but I will ask @daisy1 to give you some information and hope you will find it helpful.

 

[david84]

Hello DeejayR, I have done counselling, CBT, graded exposure, breathing techniques, managing stress, confidence building, assertiveness, nlp, hypnotherapy, relaxation techniques, 5 different anti depressants, read loads of books etc... Nothing seems to work which is why I'm looking at other possibilities. I agree about the blood test, always been afraid of them tests but I'm better. Guess I should ask my doctor if he could arrange one of them tests at home.

 

[trace_1963]

I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetis, my HbA1c was 49,i have an awful few days,i have suffered with general anxiety disorder and panic attacks oe about 15 years but for the past few years I have had it under control with medication and relaxation techniques,until the other day when the nurse said I had diabetis,since then the panic attacks and anxiety have been awful,i was just wondering if anyone has any tips for me.

 

[nancyb]

Hello you two
Just wanted to say that there are links between anxiety and blood glucose problems. Firstly, I believe that stress can mess with your glucose levels whether you are diabetic or not. And secondly, when your blood glucose is low, the symptoms of hypoglycaemia can feel very similar to a panic attack.
My own history is that I started having what I thought were panic attacks in my early twenties and could never understand why because I was feeling ok about life. Over time the fear of panic attacks led to more attacks and eventually exhaustion. I can see now that the times of day when I had panic attacks were when my blood glucose was low, and I was suffering from reactive hypoglycaemia, which runs in my family.
My tips for you trace would be to really work on balancing your blood sugar as this could help with your anxiety too. This forum will show you what to do.
David - try searching online for books by Dr Claire Weekes on anxiety - probably be able to get them second hand.
Good luck to you both.

 

[Brunneria]

I used to think my mood swings, misery, bouts of anger and stressy wobbly turns were emotional.
But it turned out that when I sorted out my blood glucose levels, and stopped having hypoglycaemia, my emotional issues disappeared. Apparently they were chemical, not emotional.

That's not to say the same will work for you, but it is worth checking out your blood glucose level when you are feeling bad, just in case...

Oh, and welcome!

 

[Patricia21]

I have developed anxiety over the last three months,I have never had it before in my life and I feel for anyone that suffers it.
My BG is fine and under control.
I have had a lot on over the last three years,and I think it due to that.
Last week my Dr put me on Citralapram 20mg,Its a bit worse at the moment,but early days yet,Dr also gave me Valium 2mg if and when needed.
I will realy have to be desperate to take that,but its comforting to know I have it.

 

[trace_1963]

Hello you two
Just wanted to say that there are links between anxiety and blood glucose problems. Firstly, I believe that stress can mess with your glucose levels whether you are diabetic or not. And secondly, when your blood glucose is low, the symptoms of hypoglycaemia can feel very similar to a panic attack.
My own history is that I started having what I thought were panic attacks in my early twenties and could never understand why because I was feeling ok about life. Over time the fear of panic attacks led to more attacks and eventually exhaustion. I can see now that the times of day when I had panic attacks were when my blood glucose was low, and I was suffering from reactive hypoglycaemia, which runs in my family.
My tips for you trace would be to really work on balancing your blood sugar as this could help with your anxiety too. This forum will show you what to do.
David - try searching online for books by Dr Claire Weekes on anxiety - probably be able to get them second hand.
Good luck to you both.

 

[trace_1963]

thankyou for your for your reply nancy,my problem is I think since finding out about the diabetis last week it has triggered my anxiety and panic attacks,it was the way I was told it really threw me,i had bloods done then a ew days later the receptionists from my doctors surgery phoned me up and sais could I make an appointment to see the gp to discuss my blood results.Needless to say this sent me into a spin and I could feel myself stating to panic.I made an appointment with my gp and my husband came with me for support,the doctor didn't seem overly concerned and said some of my bloods were on the high side and to see the nurse to see she would want to repeat the glucose test,i saw the nurse and she put me in a flap saying your diabetic with a reading of 49, mentioned diet exercise,said I would receive appointments through post for eyes and feet checks and they woulg send for me in 3 months for a nother glucose test,that were it,after that I started exsperiecing really bad anxiety and panic attacks,need to get these under control lol easier said than done .

 

[trace_1963]

David I have read the books by doctor Claire weekes they are really good,you should find tem really helpful.