When it goes wrong, it really goes wrong!

[Patrick66]

Long time no appear on the forums, and a lot has happened.

My blood sugar is now 81, higher than it's ever been. And I think its fair to say that my doctors are far from impressed with me, despite there being a few reasons why its gone up so dramatically (from 42).
A few years ago I was diagnosed with severe S.A.D, and when the clocks change I crash in spectacular style. I get suicidal ideation, chronic depression, stop looking after myself... and I eat to survive, and when the winter drags on and its cold and damp (and my Fibromyalgia flares up), my energy levels drop and i get about 25% of the exercise I was getting.
Anyway, once I was diagnosed with SAD, we came up with a cunning plan... which was to go on holiday the week after the clocks changed and go again in March so winter was 'book-ended' so to speak, by burst of guaranteed sunshine.
Great idea... and it worked well... until my better half became sick, and we had to cancel a city break and two holidays (October and November last year, March this) because we couldn't get insurance as the condition with which my better half is struggling is yet to be diagnosed. And without any prospect of sunshine...and the weather has been so terrible as well, my SAD has been worse than ever. I don't want to depress anyone, but there have been times I have come very close to doing something silly, and consequently my diets nose-dived, I have zero motivation, my doctors surgery have messed up things on several occasions, and my blood sugar has gone (for me) through the roof. And to add to all that jollity, they took me off metformin (terrible stomach problems) and put me on dapaglifozin which has given me the worst thrush imaginable, and they won't let me come off it until they've decided if there is another alternative.
So, as I said, when things go wrong, they REALLY go wrong...
Happy days.

 

[lessci]

SAD is a (insert rude word here), mine was terrible before Christmas although not as bad now, I find one of the SAD lights a huge help, and not just for the hour that is recommended. There are LOTS of alternatives, it's just a case of finding what works for you. I'd be making a right pain of myself at the surgery until they got something sorted. Please self refer yourself to your local Mental Health Team (if it's possible in your area) And BIG HUGS

 

[Patrick66]

SAD is a (insert rude word here), mine was terrible before Christmas although not as bad now, I find one of the SAD lights a huge help, and not just for the hour that is recommended. There are LOTS of alternatives, it's just a case of finding what works for you. I'd be making a right pain of myself at the surgery until they got something sorted. Please self refer yourself to your local Mental Health Team (if it's possible in your area) And BIG HUGS

The local mental health team aren't interested in the slightest. I was referred but they sent it back saying they wouldn't help...probably becacsue I'm autistic and they know nothing about how to cope with that. I have tried the lights for several hours a day,. but they do nothing for me whatsoever.

 

[lovinglife]

The local mental health team aren't interested in the slightest. I was referred but they sent it back saying they wouldn't help...probably becacsue I'm autistic and they know nothing about how to cope with that. I have tried the lights for several hours a day,. but they do nothing for me whatsoever.

It’s more than likely the reason @Patrick66, it’s extremely difficult to get mental health help when you’re on the spectrum. I’ve tried for many years to get my son help. The mental health team in their words “we won’t touch him as he had a diagnosis of autism” the learning disabilities team won’t help because although he has barriers to learning his IQ is over the threshold for help from them.(your IQ has to be pretty low) Left to flounder on his own with just us as his parents trying not to botch it up & make it worse. It’s a disgrace. Have you tried your local National Autistic Society? Mind you I’ve always found them less than helpful but they did have a list of some private councillors who specialised in those in the spectrum. Sadly all were too far away for us.

 

[Patrick66]

It’s more than likely the reason @Patrick66, it’s extremely difficult to get mental health help when you’re on the spectrum. I’ve tried for many years to get my son help. The mental health team in their words “we won’t touch him as he had a diagnosis of autism” the learning disabilities team won’t help because although he has barriers to learning his IQ is over the threshold for help from them.(your IQ has to be pretty low) Left to flounder on his own with just us as his parents trying not to botch it up & make it worse. It’s a disgrace. Have you tried your local National Autistic Society? Mind you I’ve always found them less than helpful but they did have a list of some private councillors who specialised in those in the spectrum. Sadly all were too far away for us.

Yes, the NAS weren't very useful at all. A list of counsellors outside of my budget, and that was about it.

 

[Amos1947]

You have my sympathy, life can be hard sometimes. Could you give yourself something to look forward to - your wife might have a definite health outcome by late March and you could maybe have a longer holiday somewhere mild and dry. AI tells me that South Western England and specifically the Isles of Scilly are mild. Renting a caravan or flat in a quiet locale near a well equipped shopping centre could give you a break. Walking, sightseeing sitting in the sun, but still able to eat without much fuss. Portugal, Malta and Sicily are mild too.

 

[Melgar]

Long time no appear on the forums, and a lot has happened.

My blood sugar is now 81, higher than it's ever been. And I think its fair to say that my doctors are far from impressed with me, despite there being a few reasons why its gone up so dramatically (from 42).
A few years ago I was diagnosed with severe S.A.D, and when the clocks change I crash in spectacular style. I get suicidal ideation, chronic depression, stop looking after myself... and I eat to survive, and when the winter drags on and its cold and damp (and my Fibromyalgia flares up), my energy levels drop and i get about 25% of the exercise I was getting.
Anyway, once I was diagnosed with SAD, we came up with a cunning plan... which was to go on holiday the week after the clocks changed and go again in March so winter was 'book-ended' so to speak, by burst of guaranteed sunshine.
Great idea... and it worked well... until my better half became sick, and we had to cancel a city break and two holidays (October and November last year, March this) because we couldn't get insurance as the condition with which my better half is struggling is yet to be diagnosed. And without any prospect of sunshine...and the weather has been so terrible as well, my SAD has been worse than ever. I don't want to depress anyone, but there have been times I have come very close to doing something silly, and consequently my diets nose-dived, I have zero motivation, my doctors surgery have messed up things on several occasions, and my blood sugar has gone (for me) through the roof. And to add to all that jollity, they took me off metformin (terrible stomach problems) and put me on dapaglifozin which has given me the worst thrush imaginable, and they won't let me come off it until they've decided if there is another alternative.
So, as I said, when things go wrong, they REALLY go wrong...
Happy days.

I’m a late diagnosed autistic. Born in 1961 so part of the “lost generation”. So it’s the same here in Canada , once you are an adult there is no help whatsoever unless one’s autism is such that you are at risk to yourself. You can’t even get a diagnosis as an adult here you have to go private.
Why are they not treating your depression , suicidal ideation should be treated as an absolute priority, regardless of your autism. Light is a double edged sword for me, as I have difficulty tolerating brightness, sunshine included. Do those daylight bulbs help as all ? Not the same as sunshine of course, but they are readily available.