Male type 1 diabetic for 23 years needing assistance

Hi,
I've been a T1 for 34 years, I'm 45 now. I can't say that I'm permanently on a downer but I certainly do go through patches of low, almost depressed, stages. I've been to my GP and had the standard "mood test" questionnaire which showed a generally fair mental state, but I did score a bit high on one or two questions so the test will be performed again in a few months time.
I've just taken on a small task involving the design of a information pack to be issued to newly diagnosed T1's in my area and there is mention of the psychological stress that comes with the various stages of T1 diabetes, as It is now recognised as a symptom or side effect of being diabetic. This was never mentioned to me when I was younger or at all, until very recently.
You may be right that the hormones could be affected, I'm not sure. But given that every time we eat, drink, exercise, get a cold, wake or sleep our blood glucose levels are changing (and the mental effort that is needed to keep control of our condition), it is not surprising that we may well have periods of irritability, stress or depression. I'm sure your specialist nurse or doc would be able to give you some helpful advice.

Hi and welcome to the forum
I am going to move your thread to the type 1 forum as i feel you will get more help there.

Hi Lu e b
Welcome to the forum, I think they are very real issues for Diabetic, fluctuating blood sugars in a person who is not Diabetic are a known cause of mood swings, and aggressive, hostile feelings...they get swings in between 4 mmol and 7 mmols. We get them between 1 mmols and 30 mmols.
Yes extreme examples of BG figures there, but we are trying to replicate a natural process that a normal body just naturally adjusts and takes for granted....and it is not easy.
At times the sheer hassle of having it intrude in our everyday life can become such a drag and take its toll, no matter how excepting we are of our condition...let alone the knock on effect it has on the rest of our endocrine system..all hormones..all effect moods.

Maybe a change in insulin might be all you need, I have been on a number over the years, all different.Some I felt lousy on ,some worked for me.
Maybe it's not linked to your insulins at all and a short course of anti depressants might be all you need to get your sparkle back. Go back to your GP and have a word. Depression and anxiety alone will make blood glucose fluctuate and you get in a vicious circle.

There is a lot of talk about people having all sorts of bad side effects with the artificial insulins and some people swear by fantastic results with Bovine and Porcine. I have not tried these ,but I did really struggle on Lantus and felt terrible on it and have changed to Levemir ,which was an instant positive change for me. If this had not worked I would have definitely looked into the Bovine /porcine option, because I could not have carried on much longer on Lantus. I was really struggling.

So it may be worth discussing this option of a change of insulins with your DSN. Good luck, I hope things get better...there's nowt like a bit of sparkle in life , eh kid I'm ALL for that.

Hi Lu-E-B,

Hope you're ok. I've always wondered whether there were any side effects of synthetic insulin, myself, so it's interesting to read your post.

I was diagnosed with depression in 2004, but thankfully I recovered after a year or so of anti-depressants and therapy - definitely needed the both. Diabetes is another weight to have on your shoulders, unfortunately -despite never really consciously worrying about it at the time, the counselling I had made me realise that the diabetes was one of the things that was getting me down. It's a life-changing condition, and it's not really surprising that the ups and downs of control, plus the side-effects, can get us down.

My GP was brilliant - she basically said that our brains are containers full of 'happy juice', and that my happy juices were low. She prescribed the citalopram to top them up, but said that these happy juices would keep draining out of the container unless the hole at the bottom was sealed (ie. through counselling). She drew a diagram to illustrate it and that really helped me. The diabetes was one of the many problems that I had at the time - I can't say whether the insulin itself was a contributing factor, but just having type 1 for 21 years (at the time) was an issue. So maybe try speaking to your DSN / GP and see if they can help out. I found talking to someone really beneficial.

Hope that (kind of) helps!! :thumbup:

Lu-E-B ---- i've found myself in a position very similar to what you describe. within a couple of days of switching (back) to natural/porcine insulin, i found myself with a normal state of mind i'd all but given up for lost. strangely, this switch worked infinitely better than any of the antidepressants/etc i'd been prescribed, and didnt involve any of the odd & useless side effects.


in modern medicine, and amongst those of whom are subjected to it, the problems are very/most frequently attributed to the patient and their lack of something --- i.e. its your lack of perfect blood sugars that causes ups & downs in mood, this must be at the root of your lack of spark. it will never, ever be attributed to a quirk of any in$ulin, because man-made insulins are absolutely perfectly perfect, just ask the makers.


for the short money it would cost to try a switch, and the very little diabetic adjustment, it may be well worth a try, or at the very least some investigation of.

HI,

I suggest that you pm Janabelle.

I am no expert, and have no problem with teh synthetic insulins, but I kno0w that there are a few people who do. Janbelle has lots of links..alternatively, just search for post by her.

It may not be the answer, it may be teh fluctuation that is causing you issues, but I am aware of a growing number pf diabetics who find animal insulins easier to tolerate? This may be worth exploring at least. may be irreleavnt of course!

Hi there,

Yep I know exactly what you mean, I;m 29 and was diagnosed at about 16months and have felt, at times exactly the same way (including being really short tempered and irritable with loved ones, but also getting into a kind of downward spiral of worry about the stupidest things).

I found it worse when on Lantus, I've recently changed to Levemir and although I'm not really getting on with that too well (I've got other posts on here asking for alternatives due to lumps) as soon as I stopped taking it I felt better and was 100% less ratty with myself, literally within 2 days.

If I were you I'd change your insulin, I think you might notice a big difference.

Good luck!

Hi Staffsmat
I can identify with you on the switch form Lantus, my moods have been so much better. From the first day of coming off Lantus it was that apparent to both myself and everyone around me how much more stable my moods have been. I know my BG control is now much more stable, great infact, and predictable on Levemir which I'm sure in itself will contribute to a more stable mood pattern ...But I just feel like a fog has been lifted also, I feel so much more energised and up all the time...just how I used to feel to be honest before going on Lantus.
I wish I had changed from Lantus years back ,but it was quiet insidious at first. Then for the last two years it was an absolute nightmare for my control and overall health, I realise that now. I just thought it was how my Diabetes was progressing as the years pass....So glad to be out of it
And you too
I can't say I have found any lumps with the Levemir, but I do use the shortest needles. Maybe try a different length needle???? I do get more lumps with the Novo than I did with the Apidra. I have found I have to be very respectful when I inject this, much more than when I used to lob the Apidra in :lol:

Hope the lumps settle ,because if you are having great success with it otherwise it would be a shame to have to switch again

They do seem to be getting better thanks, going to give it until after new year now I think - they've gone much better in the last few days so fingers crossed (also if you're reading Lu-E-B don't let talk of lumps put you off changing your insulin, most people are fine )

Good luck, I hope you find a solution, and start feeling fantastic again Have a great Christmas! :wave:

L-u-eb,
Do you get any warning signs of Hypos. i found after 20 yrs I could go down to 1.9 and not be aware!! then after many years of nagging was put on a pump. I am better and although it is not everyones cup of tea- i am more balanced and have got more energy! have been on it 6 yrs and ran my first marathon at 47 this year. worth considering if available! Also gives you more flexibility wiuth exercise!!

Mark.

Hi, have just read your post and thought wow, this sounds just like me. Im also on simulated human insulin and have been since I was 11 prior to that I was on animal insulin. For years and years i have been slipping in and out of depression, Im forever snappy and stressed and tightly wound to say the least! Currently the doctors are giving me anti depressants - which seem to make little difference. Im wondering now if the mood swings and irritability etc is more to do with the insulin than my mind. Im due to see a diabetic consultant next week so will definately ask. I appreciate my reply isnt filled with advice but for what its worth , you arnt alone .

I have to say I have experienced problems with certain types of insulin... what I would suggest is there is no harm in changing type.. do a bit of research and then suggest to your GP that you would like to change..