depression and high BGs

dodo · #1 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 09:40 AM

Is there a link between depression and having high BGs?

To be honest, I don't know if I am going through depression. I haven't talked to my doctor about it but from what I've heard I think I am. Anyway, I haven't got any BGs lower than 8.5 for the past week. I wake up really high (around 14-15) and I can't find a good explanation except that I am not feeling well. I haven't done anything different...it's frustrating!

shiftzor · #2 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 10:42 AM

Yes, I believe it to be so. It’s well known that highs cause mood swings, these can swing in my experience either way, happy or sad, and I think it can be influenced on what is happening at the time. For example if you do a bg test and see that you are high which then might result in a negative mood due to the realisation and consequent annoyance of "messing up". Let’s not forget the constant stress of dealing with your sugar levels and the mourning for loss of health. There are plenty of things to get you down in this world, if you don’t laugh then you will cry

so might as well keep laughing.

Lots of people will help you on this forum just make a post or reply with problems or experiences

Depression and diabetes - Diabetes UK

johgn · #3 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 10:51 AM

High blood sugar may certainly help cause depression but I think the question here was does depression (or just melancholy) cause higher sugars. I tend to be someone who has highs and lows (I'm happy with that) and I've personally not noticed them really messing with my readings, although I might eat more when I'm blue.

Stuboy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 11:50 AM

are you getting enough basal?

1type2go · #5 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 01:09 PM

depression is defiantly coupled with stress for me and sometimes, days before an illness I'll run BGs of 14-17 for no apparent reason

Subby · #6 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 07:47 AM

High Blood sugars (as you describe) over a period of time (either to a lesser degree for a few days, or greater degress for a few months)cause for me:
-short term memory loss, such as remembering my phone number
-concentration difficulties, such as following a conversation
-fatigue, mental and physical
-insomnia, sleep does not refresh, nightmares
-physical stiffening through the body leading to headaches and physiological tension
-inability to keep on track, to keep motivated, feeling awash in vagueness
-irritability and loss of mood control
-a tendancy to heighten any stress or depressive mood - periods of blood sugars of generally 14+ (can happen if under intense stress) and can exhibite symptoms of major depression
-Overall, a terrible strain and malaise and lack of energy that is very life-impacting - and very frustrating/depressing in itself!

I have had circumstances of improvement in control, such as moving to a much better control of a pump, where many of these issues including a generally depressed feeling state, clear up within a few days. Energy and healthy and positive feelings return for me with better blood sugar, and the mind, like the body, is under much less burden and is much more resilient to stress, depression, and other issues.

Note that the lower blood sugar has to be for at least 10+ hours for me to notice underlying improvement.

These comments are all based on repeat personal experiences!.I believe there are definitive studies that show the connection but I can't give you any leads there.

Depression cause high blood sugars? Quick answer yes, through stress and a non-functioning lifestyle. A more direct physiological effect I'm not sure. But I am living proof that high blood sugars can either cause, or be a major factor in depressive type symptoms.

Note, others I have met say they get along fine sitting high. Lucky them!

nicole · #7 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 01:38 PM

yes there is a link between them.
i suffer from depression and when I'm not on my Zoloft I have extremely high blood sugars. When I am taking my zoloft I have much lower and good blood sugars.
Talk to your doctor about it, they can offer some suggestions.
And good luck with it.

Olidus · #8 (**permalink**) 02-29-2008, 01:48 PM

I can honeslty say a BIG FAT YES to that. I am living proof.
Back before I was DX'd and running extremly high BGs for god knows how long, I was going though a **** load of downs and depression.
At 1st i just thought it was all work - but I have been working in the same place for over 11 years and could not see how all of a suddent work could get to me that way.
I felt empty, like a shell with nothign inside, would zone out all the time.
I truly was going though dpression. This went on for sometime, finally when I went to my doc - and they found out that I was Diabetic supporting an A1C of over 18.

Ever sicne then - been on insulin and have not had any of those feelings.

Its crazy how all this stuff inside us has so many different affects on us.
Everything is linked someway or another.

dodo · #9 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 09:32 AM

I expected these answers! As I said, I haven't changed anyhting so, yes I'm getting enough basal...well, I think.

I wnt to see the doctor the other day and he prescribed me some Paxil but I'm not taking them...and I won't. I used to take Paxil and I had a hard time giving up. It made me very sick. I want to try to get back in shape (mentally) by myself. Does anyone have a suggestion? Any crazy ideas are welcome?

Jan B · #10 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 09:54 AM

Dominique,

It sounds like you need to start at square one . . . . basal testing. If you aren't sure if your basal needs are correct, you probably need to verify! Dawn Phenomenon can be nasty, and set up the whole day with high readings, which could easily mean a chronic feeling of depression if this cycle never breaks.

I'm currently taking Zoloft, which is great for me. However, I now have better diabetes control and am curious about getting off it. BUT, with heart disease and having been diagnosed w/major depression as a teenager, I'm not sure if I should get off. I've been on and off depression meds for many years.

I wish there was ONE easy answer. You have a beautiful name and your cat is lovely too!

Subby · #11 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 12:02 PM

Yes I agree. If you are having some lousy sounding blood sugars regularly it's a mistake to say your basals a ok or fine. Your basals are there to do one thing... give you reasonable BG levels between meals! Anything less and they can hardly be called good!

Sounds like there could be dawn phenomenon kicking in. I suggest you get yourself to do some overnight testing to see what is going in. You probably know how this problem can hike your levels and set you up for a bad day? You could also be getting a rebound from early morning which would also spike your levels.

When you say nothing has happened, what do you mean? Nothing in your routine? Because sadly, many of us find things can change.. for no particular reason we can detect! Things just... change! And we have to try adapt as best we can.

I personally think it may be wise to avoid those meds for a bit (as long as you can cope ok... reassess this if you are really feeling "depressed!"). These could definitely affect your BG further making control even harder! Plus you really will probably feel better if you get your BG down generally. Focus everything on getting your BG down more regularly... then reassess... good luck!

Edit to say: if you found the Paxil were addictive and made you sick, don't touch them with a 10 foot pole! Is your doctor aware of your history? I wonder if he is being sensitive to you and your needs!

Subby · #12 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 12:17 PM

Forgot to mention, many doctors, including endocrinologists, will disparage and downplay the debilitating effect that fluctuating and off BG can have! I have found this many times. Perhaps there are some of us more sensitive to it than others. But your out of range BG should remain a top "contender" for making you feel lousy, and I recommend you don't forget that until you have made headway with control and can accept or reject the possibility! This does not exclude other drugs or AD's to help you of course... but until you have had episodes, say a few days or couple weeks, of better control, keep it firmly in mind this could be a major cause.

BlueSky · #13 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodo

.... I want to try to get back in shape (mentally) by myself. Does anyone have a suggestion? Any crazy ideas are welcome?

I agree with the others that getting a better handle on your control will go a long way in helping you feel better about yourself. So testing basals, improving carb ratios and all that stuff is important. But, as a person, you also need to nurture and care for yourself. My suggestion is that you tell people close to you that you are going on a self-care mission, and actively look for new things to do that will help you feel better about yourself.

Only you will know what those things might be. But for what it is worth, I have decided for similar reasons to start reading fiction again and to get involved in meditation again. These are both good self-care activities that fell by the wayside because life became too hectic.

Subby · #14 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueSky

But for what it is worth, I have decided for similar reasons to start reading fiction again and to get involved in meditation again. These are both good self-care activities that fell by the wayside because life became too hectic.

Two things I want to get back to as well for the same reasons

I also want to try something new like tai-chi which I have heard such great things about. Regular exercise in general can be so, so important in feeling better about yourself. Even just a shortish walk a day can boost you physically and mentally so much. It is also very important to approach them with a light, easy fun attitude rather than make them a chore or stress, like exercise often becomes for people.

It would be good to share knowledge and ideas about these "good self-care activities".

davef · #15 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 05:59 AM

Dominique,

Being type 2 on metformin, I can't offer advice on Basal etc., I can say that when my numbers go high even for a short time I get irritable, I know I'm irritable and then get frustrated for not getting the numbers down and then get down about the whole f'in thing.

While I can't offer advice, I can offer my support.

In relation to "good self-care activities" mentioned by Bluesky and Subby, I read a lot, I can't actually go to sleep unless I read at least a page of a book, it's kind of like my off switch. During my waking hours, for relaxation, my passion would be photography but enjoy music and love to cook.