The meds make you feel not so cursed.
Thanks Karen, after much deliberation I finally spoke to my endo & gp today at my 3 month check up.
We have agreed that meds may be in order and have started them tonight. The script I have is for
"Fluoxetine" so we’ll give it a week or 2 to get into the system. Here’s hoping!!
Thanks!
I hope they started you on a very low dose and will increase slowly that is where my internist went wrong, and the psychiatrist pointed out, but my internist is what saved me years ago with the suggestion of meds.
I would not be surviving right now as not only do I struggle with the daily D, but my whole family life is turned upside down, and I am functioning where for 3 months this summer I was not.
Keep us posted.
I have suffered from depression for many years, long before i was diagnosed as diabetic. I’m 43 yo and have had hospitalisations for depression and been treated with drugs for it in the past. I am no longer on anti-depressants but I really wonder sometimes if i should be back on them.
I go through cycles every few months it seems, and the low swings leave me in such a “who cares anyway” space that all my good efforts at bg control when i’m feeling ok, go by the wayside and each time it’s SOOOO much harder to get things back under control again … right now i’m at the other end of another long down swing and I’ve been putting off seeing my eye surgeon because i know they want to operate on me for my worsening glaucoma. All my self-care and positivity just gets zapped out of me.
I don’t know if they are linked but I certainly think the daily grind of dealing with diabetes and other related illnesses can be pretty depressing, as we all know. But diabetes and bipolar disorder is rife in my family …
There are a number of types of Depression. Sitiational-caused by some event or situation,endogenous-the result of bio-chemical changes in the brain .Majior Depression is a more serious depression and Bi-polor Disorder in which mood alters with highs followed by lows.Treatment of choice is a combination of medicaion(anti-depressants,SSRI’s and counselling) It is not uncommon that Depression may result from a long term chronic desease eg Diabetes…
I know for me I would have been depressed anyhow- I got diagnosed with depression when I was 12 and I got diagnosed with diabetes when I was 14. Diabetes has definitely exacerbated it though i think- I have gotten a lot worse in the past couple years 
(now i’m 18)
I have asked myself the same thing many times. For me the lows add to the depression, anxiety and quick overwhelming sadness can also mean a low. Nothing to do but test to verify because sometimes sugar and 10 minutes make it all better.
I’m pretty sure I would be. It appears that depression runs in my family. It’s clear that once again I’ve been flipped off by my genes. Dealing with the diabetes anxiety is certainly a large component of my depression. There are times when I’m just plain weary of the constant upkeep. I’m a fairly gregarious and upbeat person with a very robust sense of humor, my depression manifested as fear and anxiety. I may have the proclivity for depression but the diabetes certainly contributing gas money for the ride.
Having a severe low while depressed is/was terrifying for me. The mess-with-my-head lows were my biggest motivating factor for becoming fully engaged in my BG management. I’m on a CGM and I’m starting the OmniPod in the next week or so. The more I grab the bull by the horns, the more I feel like I’m not being led around by my nose by this diabetes. I get huge waves of anxiety when I check my sugar and find that I’m unexpectedly high. My depression and anxiety are greatly reduced by my attention to my management. I had to turn my diabetes into a hobby. It figures that I’d have to have such an expensive habit.
I feel, personally, that diabetes contributes/adds to depression, but doesn’t cause it. I was suffering depression before I was diagnosed with diabetes. I just didn’t seek help for it until I started treatment at the local VA Medical Center.
I have no idea because I don’t remember how it felt not to have diabetes. I have only been aware of having depression since I haven’t worked and also been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder. I have gotten to the point that I don’t care much about anything. The only energy I have is used to take care of my diabetes. I don’t even like to leave my home anymore. Not sure what to do about it.
Ive been like that before.I just got D 5 months ago and got put on a pump.But Ive had deppression as long as I could remember.Keep the faith.And be carefull because my psychiatrist almost killed me by putting me on a drug that counteracted my insulin so i spent the night in the ER!
Thank you Jeremiatren for the encouragement! I’m sorry that happened to you! Having diabetes we have to educate ourselves a lot about our own bodies and never take for granted that anyone else is. I’ve had some bad experiences myself with doctors who obviously didn’t know that much about diabetes,especially type 1, but thought and even told me they new more about diabetes then I did. Not true. I know more about my body then anyone else. Any treatment that anyone wants to give me I research first. It’s a lot of work and then we have to stand up for ourselves too if we don’t agree. I think I have depression from being tired of all the problems in life. I haven’t worked for quite sometime and am very isolated. I also started a pump and CGM in Feb. and it is a lot more work and expense. Also my body is changing due to menopause and a thyroid disorder. I am doing my homework on helping myself but am just tired!
I think you are on to something.
Acceptance that this is a manageable disease. Acceptance that it takes time to manage anything well. Deciding to manage it well. Not perfectly, but well. (And knowing that NOT managing it well makes one feel worse.)
In a way, if I feel bad, it’s kind of nice to check my blood sugar and think, “Well, no wonder.” Then I can do more insulin, drink water, exercise, or eat…and feel better.
I’d hit the web to research if depression/low energy go along with your thyroid disorder. If so, it may be that addressing the thyroid issues through your endocrinologist will do the trick. Too, any mental health professionals you choose will be helpful. Last time I checked, cognitive behavioral therapy had the greatest success rate, but any therapy should be accompanied by antidepressant medication if you don’t feel much better with two weeks of therapy. my opinion, for what it’s worth.
On a different (cheaper) note, not working in this society is depressing. We are so measured by what we do for a living…and men have this pressure to an even greater extent. Volunteering anywhere can be a real pick-me-up.
A book that is very helpful is Feeling Good. Doing what it recommends will give you more energy.
Take care, and keep in touch!
RE: menopause
One of the diabetic tomes (by the ADA) recommends hormone replacement therapy for diabetic women who are also menopausal. A low dose of course. Another advantage is that hormonal therapy helps combat calcium loss, which leads to osteoporosis, which is much more prevalent in diabetics than in non-diabetics.
Frankly, having the sweats at night and then having to figure out if it was a low blood sugar or a estrogen-withdrawal “hot flash” was too much of a hassle for me. It’s enough for me to deal with the diabetes.
Thank you Elaine for both replies. I have actually been thinking of hormone replacement therapy but didn’t want to put myself at a higher risk for heart problems.
I’m certain my depression started when I was diagnosed. suagr effects hormones, insulin is a hormone. Also, just living with an illness…It gets better sometimes and sometimes it’s worse, especially if something is going on with my control. After trying 5 different anti-depressives and feeling like I was sunk in cement…Prozac (20mg) low dose has helped me immensely. That being said, some days it’s just a bit much to be dealing with 2 chronic illnesses and the maintenance of each. Hiding under the covers and becoming anti-social is sometimes the only thing I can handle. However…it could always be worse!! 
I do count my blessings.
Before I was a Diabetic I got the diagnoses of depression and OCD. Now that i am a diabetic I went to my dr and still confirms the diagnosis of Depression and OCD but PTSD as well. So whether I am a diabetic or not, I would still have depression
Unfortunately in my case yes I would still suffer from depression you see it is a lack of serotonin and the doctor says that I inherited this condition from my moms side of the family. My mom, sis and brother all suffer from depression but only one is type 1 diabetic mellitus that would be me. Which adds to my depression. Born a child of the 60’s I wasn’t allowed to do alot of things for fear of losing a limb to the big G. Mom was overly protective. So never learned to ride a bike, roller skate etc. you can imagine depressing. Now my two sons are the light in my life which help me pull through.