Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hope on February 8, 2011 at 5:55pm

Hey, congrats on your great steps! They are huge, and you should feel good about them!

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Permalink Reply by Karen on November 25, 2012 at 6:27pm

the tubing of the pump is no big deal

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Permalink Reply by Eric on November 25, 2012 at 7:12pm

So sorry to hear this.....this is why I believe we should have a universal healthcare system in this country. Until the profit motive is removed from healthcare, people are always going to suffer for it. Sheesh!
Eric

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Permalink Reply by Kelly on February 8, 2011 at 6:55pm

Diabetes related depression is so very common. Seems that it is just barely starting to be addressed. 30 years ago when I was diagnosed, it was never addressed. In fact, as an adult I now feel like it was all so poorly handled...a lot of "blame" and scare tactics it seemed like (I was a child). I'm sure it wasn't handled so poorly everywhere though...(?)
I recently joined a group where I live called "Orange County Diabetes Group". We meet once a month at a the St. Josephs hospital in our area. We always have a qualified specialized guest speaker. It is also nice because I've met others who are diabetic and live near by. Anyway, I was lucky enough to be there when Dr. Polonsky spoke. He travels, speaking of the psychology related problems of diabetes & behavioral issues. He has written books. He has a non profit research center in San Diego, CA. It is called The Behavioral Diabetes Institute. It's worth checking out their web site! http://behavioraldiabetesinstitute.org/about-Behavioral-Diabetes-In...
I find this idea BRILLIANT! Because finally someone is addressing not just the medical effects of this disease but also the equally challenging psychological effects.
Good luck & hang in there!!!!

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Permalink Reply by latvianchick on February 9, 2011 at 12:44am

I think it is a bit of both. I do not know how long you have been taking the anti-depressants but it takes between two weeks and a month to kick in. There is no shame in it. You are suffering from a long time illness with diabetes, and perhaps other problems you have not shared, but it can be overcome.

Your fluctuating or rising blood sugar levels do have a lot to do with the depression. You simply MUST test and MUST take insulin and every other medication regularly in order to balance your sugar levels. I suspect you might be high and that does not help, but you have to tools to deal with it! You have a testing machine - and that will help your endo to work out what is going on - and you have your insulin.

If you tend to forget, set the alarm on your mobile or something to remind you. Take your kit with you and get used to using it. I know it is hard - I have diabetes type 1 and depression to deal with, but the only person who can help you from day to day is you and you WILL feel better.

Message me if you want to talk.

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Permalink Reply by thomas on February 9, 2011 at 10:16pm

being diabetic is depressing. complications are depressing our dependency on the medical industrial complex is depressing when my general doc asked about antidepressants I got very offended I think that being depressed is a reasonable reaction to being diabetic as long as I don't stay depressed

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Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on February 10, 2011 at 7:54am

Antidepressants are a very individual decision. They're not mind-candy, and they're not happy-pills. I take an antidepressant because it keeps me from thinking suicidal thoughts 24/7. It's worth, it, don't you think?

In your case, if you can handle it without antidepressants, more power to you! :-) You may just get over your feelings of depression on your own, which would be a good thing.

What you really need to do is monitor yourself, and make sure you don't slide into helplessness/hopelessness and feelings of wanting to hurt yourself. I really think that's the basic line. As long as you can take care of yourself, and do the activities of daily living, and ENDURE, I think you will be OK!

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by mauricioperez on February 10, 2011 at 9:06am

I felt really depressed at the beggining too... I was finishing my BS degree and my friends from the University were partying all the time, while I couldn't even smell the drinks. Felt like life was punishing me.

However after maybe a year and a half, I started using my diabetes as the headwind that would be with me for my whole life. I got more focused on my life plan and the objectives that I wanted to acomplish.

It has been really tough at some points, but mi advice is to keep in mind you're not alone and **** happens to all of us. Keep your true friends and family close to you, and forget about those things you were told you can't do anymore. It would get better for you, believe me :D .... a healthy life is not that bad :D

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Permalink Reply by latvianchick on February 10, 2011 at 9:23am

You CAN and you WILL. There are so many diabetics out there who have achieved marvelous things. Diabetes should not stop us from acheiving what we want to! Only other people do that with there constant drip, drip, drip. They do not know, only what they hear from the press or pre-conceived ideas. In fact, diabetes forces us to look after ourselves better and we eat a healthier diet than the average, non-diabetic and we can be fitter!

I have been "sacked" from a voluntary job because of my diabetes, just last week. There loss. I had been looking for a way to hone my hours there anyway and they took the pressure off me. Apparently, I am a liability. If I was allowed a break and allowed to eat, no problem. Problem was, the boss was fit and healthy (physically, anyway) and expected the rest of us to keep up with him!

I have been barred from going into prisons locally to help young people to read and write and take part in a restorative course. Again, their loss. I would have been good at it.

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Permalink Reply by Abby-Lael on February 11, 2011 at 5:07pm

The first year i was diagnosed was extremely crazy emotionally. I have had Diabetes for, well Sunday will be 13 years. And to be honest i am just now starting to be okay with the fact that i am a Diabetic. It was so hard to deal with lots of tears were shed and lots of sleepless nights. But I have come to the conclusion that this is who i am and if i want to be the best i can be for my family, now and future family that i need to get motivated to take care of myself. My parents were also a great motivator, helping me come up with ideas to get me to take my count and now that my A1C is down to 8.2 from 14. I want to take my count to help it drop even more! It made my doctor visits so much better! I feel for you on the depression with your Diabetes. It does get better i promise! Good luck and keep your head held high and your Heart strong!

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Permalink Reply by Fabiana Couto on February 13, 2011 at 12:41pm

Hi Dear Sara
Thanks for sharing your struggles with us. I think that the most important thing here is that you are aware that you want to pursue a best bg management and thats the first step to make the change. It was exactly the same way with me. I have had an awful a1c for years, my a1c was around 9 and 10. Well my life quality was really bad and my humor the same.
Probably yes, the crazy sugar levels affects the nervous system... I ve read that in a diabetes magazine... and for me makes alot of sense. When my sugar levels are high i feel irritated... As soon as I got my sugar to normal levels, my humor got better also.
I agree with kestrel that looking for a therapist could be great. I think that the antidepressant can be a tool to help someone but just after a psychological treatment, that many times is enough to help the person. I have made a therapy for years, and it really helped me to find a better perspective to my treatment and life.

Keep us posted... Take care.
Fabiana

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Permalink Reply by karineh on February 13, 2011 at 3:54pm

Sarah,

Last night I hit a very huge low and ended up in the ER. The reason that I ended up with a low is because I wasn't taking care of myself. I feel so ashamed and embarrassed for me and my partner.

I know how you feel. It is so tough. You aren't alone.

Every time I feel lazy about my diabetes I start to think about my future kids and my partner. I think of all the places I want to visit in the world and the experiences that are waiting for me to have. Taking care of your diabetes means living. You don't want to end up on the hospital bed close to death. Life is needs you, I need you.

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