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Hello from a Type2.

P

Pestweazle

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi. I am a 55 yr old male. I have worked shifts all my life. I have had an mi and have had 4 ops for cancer. I have had a left hip operation due to arthritis. I am 5'10" and weigh 113 kg. I have suffered from depression for the last 15 years. I self medicate with alcohol.

I was diagnosed with T 2 early 2014. For about 5 months I managed to lose 14 kg. since then I have lost my mojo and have put all the weight back on. I find that if I try to cut back on my food to a. Lose weight and b. To reduce my blood glucose readings I get such depressive feelings that I do actually want to commit suicide. When experiencing these feelings I am unable to be rational and get something to eat. If my wife isn't around to make me eat I get in a real state.
Does this sound familiar to anyone or am I really a basket case?
 
Hi @Pestweazle and welcome to the forum. I understand how you feel with the depression. I get it too, and when I'm at my worst I don't want to eat at all, when I am a bit better I comfort eat, and self medicate with alcohol. I have been through that cycle this year, not really eating much through last winter, then eating a lot, especially sweet things, and drinking beer through the summer.
Then I was diagnosed as diabetic in August and have had to change my eating and drinking habits.

I know it is common for men especially to deal with depression by self medicating with alcohol. Have you spoken to your GP about your depression, and are you receiving any treatment for it?
I am on fluoxetine (Prozac) which has lifted me out of the depression, and I am probably going to stay on it permanently.
 
Hi Prem 51. Thanks for the comments. I am taking Prozac. I have been on anti depressants for 15 years. I am trying to sort myself out.
 
Hi and welcome. I think you will find many on these forums suffer depression; I'm lucky as I don't. As you may know the way to control weight and bs is to keep the carbs way down and make up with proteins and fats. Is there any way you can try to go for things like cheese and nuts etc for snacking and go for meat & fish for main meals with veg for main meals. I have eggs and bacon for breakfast which is all low-carb but tasty. Have you approached charities like Mind to help you? I do (IT) volunteer work for Mind and I know how useful my local Mind Association is for a range of mental health issues.
 
Very helpful reply. Thanks. I worry that things like bacon and eggs will push my fat consumption too high. I have had a heart attack. On the other hand increasing protein can cause kidney problems so I don't know what to do.
 
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