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

Low Mood and Diabetes

M

madlyinpursuit88

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi guys,

I've been diagnosed diabetic for over 10 years now. Unfortunately for the majority of the time I've had to deal with low mood and depression. This means during a low period, I can just about remember to wash myself let alone take my medication, most of the time I don't even think of checking my glucose levels.

I was hoping to find some help dealing with this? What do you put in place to help remind you to take your medication, and check your blood glucose? I've tried Google Calendar notifications, but during my low period I'm rarely if ever near my phone and even when I am I just ignore them.

Thanks for reading

Emma
 
To be honest I have no idea if my blood glucose levels have any bearing on my mood. Like I said I find it hard to start again with checking regularly and staying on top of it
 
Hello @madlyinpursuit88 and welcome :)

Maybe just start with a chat with your GP first and see if you can get some support with your low mood ?

From experience running high has affected my mood greatly, by keeping in range and keeping levels in range has meant I feel so much better, it's associated with running high blood glucose levels, too much glucose in your blood affects how you think and how you feel so tackling this will help improve your mood greatly, but getting some support too from your GP or nurse is vital.
 
madlyinpursuit88 said:
To be honest I have no idea if my blood glucose levels have any bearing on my mood. Like I said I find it hard to start again with checking regularly and staying on top of it
Click to expand...

Hi, I agree with juicyj, I think first port of call should be your GP and also your DSN, they are both there to help and support you as you are obviously struggling. Moods can affect our BG with swings and roundabouts.
I have and still do have bouts of low moods/depression, but I have always taken my medication and test too.
I hope you can turn things around soon, being in control of our diabetes and not letting it control us, is a good start to hopefully a more positive and a happier future for you.
Take care x
 
Last edited:
I agree with juicyj as well. My secret weapon for reminding me to take my meds is Amazon's Alexa. She can be programmed to repeatedly remind you of a specific time to take pills, check glucose, various appointments or any thing else. You can set as many times and dates you need. I also request that she remind me to check my glucose 2 hrs. after I eat, because I get busy and forget. You can raise and lower the volume in case you aren't right these. Alexa is not expensive and can also be very informative and entertaining.
 
madlyinpursuit88 said:
Hi guys,

I've been diagnosed diabetic for over 10 years now. Unfortunately for the majority of the time I've had to deal with low mood and depression. This means during a low period, I can just about remember to wash myself let alone take my medication, most of the time I don't even think of checking my glucose levels.

I was hoping to find some help dealing with this? What do you put in place to help remind you to take your medication, and check your blood glucose? I've tried Google Calendar notifications, but during my low period I'm rarely if ever near my phone and even when I am I just ignore them.

Thanks for reading

Emma
Click to expand...
 
Hi, I have issue remembering if I’ve taken my shot and how much I’ve taken. I second guess myself all the time.
I have a week chart on the fridge. And I put a tick on it when I’ve taken my meds. Sometimes I write how much I took and the time. It does help as you scan it when passing and it provides comfort and confirmation you’ve done what you need to do. (Bought from Amazon, fridge magnet weekly planner)
My second tip is an app I have called Medisafe. You can set it up to keep reminding you. It’s free to use and it makes a sound like shaking a pot of tablets when it’s time to take your meds and it will keep reminding you every 5 mins or so until you turn it off. You can also snooze it if you want to adjust your med time.
I also use it as a reference point. I go into the app and I can see that I’ve taken my meds as the med type and time of day has a tick ✅ on it.
I hope this helps and stay in touch with the community.

All the best.
PJ
 
madlyinpursuit88 said:
Hi guys,

I've been diagnosed diabetic for over 10 years now. Unfortunately for the majority of the time I've had to deal with low mood and depression. This means during a low period, I can just about remember to wash myself let alone take my medication, most of the time ...

Hi Emma,
I am very familiar with your situation - I too have type 1 (30 years now) and struggle to take care of myself when my mood goes low. (I am on anti-depressants).
I wonder if Doctors and specialists actually have much idea of how difficult it is to manage blood sugars , at any time , let alone when we have no particular drive to be alive and our brains can't focus. I am intending to make much more of this issue when I am next at my GP office.
Click to expand...
 
I wondered if there's a watch you can get that might have an buzzy alarm thing to remind you? If it's a watch you keep on all the time you wouldn't even need to think about putting it on every morning.
 
madlyinpursuit88 said:
Hi guys,

I've been diagnosed diabetic for over 10 years now. Unfortunately for the majority of the time I've had to deal with low mood and depression. This means during a low period, I can just about remember to wash myself let alone take my medication, most of the time I don't even think of checking my glucose levels.

I was hoping to find some help dealing with this? What do you put in place to help remind you to take your medication, and check your blood glucose? I've tried Google Calendar notifications, but during my low period I'm rarely if ever near my phone and even when I am I just ignore them.

Thanks for reading

Emma
Click to expand...
 
Maybe if you have your meals sat at the same place most days (or at least breakfast at home) you could put the medications you need in full sight, so you can't help but see them, as that would act as a reminder? Just a suggestion.
 
spencersings56 said:
Maybe if you have your meals sat at the same place most days (or at least breakfast at home) you could put the medications you need in full sight, so you can't help but see them, as that would act as a reminder? Just a suggestion.
Click to expand...
That's what I do. I don't take any diabetic meds but have to take levothyroxene first thing in the morning, and antidepressant med in the evening.
I leave the meds on my kitchen work top next to where I prepare food and drink and take the levothyroxene before I make my morning coffee, and the antidepressant while I'm preparing my evening meal.
 
Back
Top