[BriOnH]

I have been on paxil for about 10 years. Anxiety/depression is an ever increasing problem for us diabetics.

I get so obsessed with my blood sugars and insulin it can crive me mad at time. I am lucky if I can go 10 min without a mental bgl thought.

IMHO use meds as a last resort. Once you are on SSRI's/NSRI's coming can be (6 out 10 people) a horrendous nightmare to come off of.

[misstacalone]

Hello Everyone,
Does Anyone Know If Effexor XR And Clonazepam Raise Blood Sugar Levels. I Am Having A Heck Of A Time Managing My BG Levels, They Went From 120 To 350. I Don't Eat Much because meds decreased desire to eat and have stomac upset anyways-side effect I think,but when I do Eat My BG Are way Out.Medication was given to me because of Anxiety and Headache Control. I'm not getting answers on the internet.Please help. I see the specialist for my headaches tomorrow, I will also ask her. Maybe another med I can't take. I don't like the High BG Readings. thanks For The Help And Any Answers

[CuriousBoston]

Originally Posted by misstacalone

Hello Everyone,
Does Anyone Know If Effexor XR And Clonazepam Raise Blood Sugar Levels. I Am Having A Heck Of A Time Managing My BG Levels, They Went From 120 To 350. I Don't Eat Much because meds decreased desire to eat and have stomac upset anyways-side effect I think,but when I do Eat My BG Are way Out.Medication was given to me because of Anxiety and Headache Control. I'm not getting answers on the internet.Please help. I see the specialist for my headaches tomorrow, I will also ask her. Maybe another med I can't take. I don't like the High BG Readings. thanks For The Help And Any Answers

I've been taking Effexor 150 mg daily (a high dose), clonazepam four times a day, for over two years. In that time, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and gained twenty pounds due to "comfort" and "take-out" eating. I never had a blood sugar reading over 230-and that was a test, within half an hour of eating a meal. My last A1c test was 7.8, the highest since I've been diagnosed, due to the weight gain, and my lack of exercise-tamoxifen is very hard on leg muscles, it really takes all my will to walk over 3000 steps daily, which is a pitiful amount of exercise.

Your pharmacist should be able to tell you if high blood sugars are the result of the medications. If your pharmacist can't, get another pharmacist.

Your headache specialist is not going to have a clue about this. You need to take your blood sugar readings and an honest food diary to your primary care physician or endocrinologist.

[Sheralyn]

Originally Posted by Jan B

I have also read that sexual desire can be lower while on antidepressants. However, when I feel better (as in not depressed), my libido is naturally higher. It may be different for men.

As Sheralyn said, St. Johns Wort may help with minor depression; not sure it helps much.

Had to comment on those dogs -- they're adorable! My husband and I have an 8-year old auburn Golden Retriever and she's our "child". We wouldn't trade her for a billion dollars! (You can't put a price tag on love.)

[Sheralyn]

Originally Posted by Jan B

I have been taking Zoloft for a few months now, and it has helped. I take 100mg daily. This dose is a little high for some, but not for me. A friend of mine, also 46, told me how much it helped her, so I mentioned to my doctor and he thought it was a good idea. My friend had to decrease her dosage, when, as she explained -- she could see a puppy get run over and not even cry. I can still cry easily on my 100mg!

Zero side effects. I know exactly what you mean about things going well in life - no major complaints, but still just not feeling the way you know you should. Or that dark cloud or chronic sad feeling.

I was diagnosed w/major depression when I was a teenager. It is in no way the same as the depression everyone gets. Which ever type depression you have, there still are some things that help, like exercise and staying busy.

Since I now have a bit of heart disease, it's even more important to take those anti-depressants if needed. For years I always got off them (didn't want so many pills), but I no longer have any embarassment about my real need!

You know you are on the right dose when you feel "normal" again, but like you aren't really taking anything for depression. Make sense?

Get better Laura!

Hi Jan, don't know if I told you all but I've been on antidepressants for FORTY-TWO years. I'm doing well now, except for depression over recently losing my dear sister to cancer (she was only 58) and the fact that my sugar is still way too high. But -- I ate a lot of potatoes this past week, so it's my own fault. See doctor tomorrow. I was on the antidepressant triavil for years, now I'm on paxil, 60 mg. Lucky me, I inherited my clinical depression from my biological father whom I never even met! See you all soon, hugs to all.

[Lulika]

Hi Laura I am also on Citalopram.
I am from the UK too and always was afraid to be "on something". I didnt want the feeling that I wasn't really "me" any more. But things got really bad and I plucked up the courage to see my doctor. We had a good talk and she gave me Citalopram. I am on a very low dose and have had absolutely no side effects at all.
It doesnt make you feel like a zombie and I just feel "normal" again. I still cry and get bad tempered (we wouldnt be human if we didnt) but I can cope with far more stress now than I ever could. I have a stressful job and I dont get so anxious any more about everything, which is great!
Dont be afraid to try...I never would have realised how bad things had got if I hadnt taken this drug and felt SO much better.
Godd luck

[j_perd]

Originally Posted by Jan B

I have also read that sexual desire can be lower while on antidepressants. However, when I feel better (as in not depressed), my libido is naturally higher. It may be different for men.

As Sheralyn said, St. Johns Wort may help with minor depression; not sure it helps much.

Mines Increased if anything!

I've been on Wellbutrin for six months now, and it's done wonders. Depression can take a toll on your diabetes, causing stress induced high BG.
Wellbutrin also helped me quit smoking, as that is one of the side effects.

[camjen1]

I'll join the group here and let everyone know I have been started on Prozac. Not sure if it's going to work for me as I have only been on it for about 2 weeks.

The side effects make me question whether or not I want to take it. I feel like I have flu symptoms all day and in turn it's an appetite suppressor. I'm going to talk to my dr about possibly changing to find one that plays less havoc on my stomach.