Does Prolonged Strees Affect Diabeties?

[Jedi99]

Hi Guys& Gals:) I was wondering if dealing alot of stress say for 3 months at least is unhealthy, if so what are the main problems( I know high levels are unhealthy for everyone). I'm currently dealing with a very high level even without my diabetic condition. Again thanks for your support. :)

[DonnieD]

The answer is definitely yes ... you can find lots of information why ... here is a link that will answer your questions ...

Stress - All About Diabetes - American Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/stress.jsp)

[Dan Gato]

Yes.
Try to control your stress.
Do you exercise? exercise helps.

[andypoo]

Yes, definetly! I am living proof of that.It effects your health,your heart,everything. I finally got help. I knew it was out there,but was afraid to mention to my dr. that I neede something. I now take paxil,and you know what kind of stigma is attached to that. But it truly helped me. Try exercise before you go to that though.there are always other alternatives before you use medication.

[notme]

Posulutly absotivly!!!!!! Ok absolutely positively!!!!! Heck yeh. I am going through some of the worst stress in my life right now and my blood sugar is all over the place. This is a hands down "yes".

[MARay237]

Another VERY STRONG Yes vote !!

Stress has more effect on BS than eating most anything in my case !!!

Foods You control...........Stress You can't control nearly as well !!!

[mommaterra]

I thought they were saying now that stress actually induced diabetes. It sure doesn't help. --diana

[mzizgayle]

Another vote for yes, I also went thru a rough period of stress, I had my husband go into a dark spot with depression, I had to deal with his family acting like idiots. I was not showing any signs of having diabetes at the time but when this all started I almost went blind from my sugars soaring sky high. My doctor said in a way it was a good thing for the stress since they finally were able to see I have had diabetes for quite a while and the stress made it advance to a level of needing meds.

[Jill-O]

I know I was really upset / frustrated with something a couple nights ago and my glucose readings were higher than they have been since my medicine and my diet was the same as usual SO I can only attribute it to the emotional stress. I can be so bad and if something upsets me, I will keep on getting worked up about it totally out of proportion...

In this particular case, we had dropped my car (under warranty) off because it was shifting really hard from like 1st to 2nd (automatic transmission). Picked it up after it was ready to go and the dealership washed it, waxed it, vaccuumed and dusted. EVERYTHING except fix it! It did the hard shift thing for me as I was leaving the dealership, which was by then closed.

So all night, I was so upset. Bottom line was my husband took it in the next morning (Saturday) and they replaced two sensors on it while he waited and it's in my driveway now and was running like a top again.

I never seem to be able to step back though and STOP the escalation of the stress and the worry about what will happen and how will I fix it, etc. It's out of hand and over the really most stupid things.

:( :( :(

BEFORE, I'd just have a couple of drinks and chill out which is probably not the best answer and now not worth the calories or the possible interactions with my meds.

[clee]

YEP!!! I quite my job at a hospital as a supervisor in radiology!! The very first day of my being off I noticed a huge dop!!! I mean... A BIG DROP!!! It just wasn't worth it to me!!! I now work at home and I love it!!!

clee

[EasyType2]

Absolutely ... yes. Stress most definitely affects BG levels. Been there ... done that.

[celt]

that is how i got diabetes from stress

[princesslinda]

Funny, we all know how bad stress is for us, but some of us (me included) haven't figured out how to handle it. For me, it's get stressed, blood sugar up, get more stressed, blood sugar still up, get more stressed...and so on!

I have found that if I'm really stressed, if I eat really low carb and exercise a little more, my levels are more stable.

If you find a great way to alleviate the stress, please share! I can APPEAR outwardly calm but my blood sugar KNOWS how I feel.

[Jedi99]

Hi my of dealing with strees is try to let go of things as quickly as possible, however now I'm dealing with the following issues: Collection Agency, Moving, Roomate problems(To move with a (To move in with a friend I'm living with or not she VERY stressed out herself), Finding a job other than these issues life is great:T :T :eek: Princesslinda: my advice would be try to not sweat the small stuff and to realize you are only hurting yourself and your health if you allow others to control your reaction to things. I know the above advice is MUCH easier to give than follow!:T

[mzizgayle]

I don't allow certain things, that I cannot control to begin with, to 'rent my mind for free'...I have a hissy fit for about 5 minutes and then just let it go, yes it is very hard to do, but over the years can pretty much do this with most...except when my hubby gets into his snits lol

[cheryl]

I am gonna chime in and say yes yes yes........Stress sucks and it makes sugars off just ask my machine for the past two days, she don't seem to like me lately been telling me these awful numbers, and then I get mad at the old girl(the one touch)........she doesn't seem to like stress and she sure does show it......

Cheryl

[Jill-O]

Funny, we all know how bad stress is for us, but some of us (me included) haven't figured out how to handle it. For me, it's get stressed, blood sugar up, get more stressed, blood sugar still up, get more stressed...and so on!
...

SO TRUE! I can almost stand back and know that I'm making things worse by stressing over something (that will probably get resolved just fine anyhow) and then test and see how high it is so get even more worked up and just keep DWELLING on what I'm upset about and the fact that it's got my sugar out of wack. I know logically I am making things a lot worse than they need to be, but I don't know how to just STOP and think of something more pleasant. :confused:

[RBmumsie]

Count me in as another big YES - stress makes my numbers bounce way up. I can feel it happening, too. I'll start feeling tense and I can feel little prickles along my hairline. My stomach will start knotting and well...... I've gotten better at controlling the stress reaction by making a concious effort to relax, but I still have problems.

[Mister Q]

Another very strong yes vote here, it was huge period of stress in my life that bought on the early onset of diabetes, I prob would have developed it anyway but not at the time of life I did.

Like many others when I am uptight or wound up my numbers rise.

Stress is like smoking - its not good for anyone but for diabetics its even worse.

[Cia Leah]

Reading this is like a wake up call. I am always stressing or worrying over everything 24/7. I don't sleep well even with my vicodin for pain and I'm worrying about tomorrow.

In May I go to my Oncologist for my six month pap and tests. I always start worrying a couple months ahead of time and anytime I feel sick, I wonder if the cancer is back. It's hard to deal with and the sugar too.

I will try harder and maybe it will help my bg readings.

This forum is so informative and I am learning so much.

Cia Leah
Type 2

[HelenM]

Three years before I was doctor diagnosed. (but only 3 months before I realised I had the symptoms of diabetes) I gave up my teaching career, thinking I was 'burnt out' and couldn't cope anymore . Now I know that I had the early stages of LADA (slow onset type 1)

The stress didn't cause my diabetes. I think (but have no proof) that the fatigue caused by undiagnosed high blood sugar caused stress, certainly I developed a sense of lack of control, which perhaps then became a vicious circle of higher BS more stress.. I don't know as I never had BS checked at the time.

Oh for hindsight and a doctor that looked further than obvious symptoms and his prescription pad.:mad: