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Does anyone have any advice on there experience of managing diabetes and mental health disorder?

Hi I’ve just found out I am Type 2 diabetic and want to know if anyone else has this alongside mental health or any other illness and how they find it having to cope, I am awaiting a appointment in week to get advice from GP Nurse. I’ve been told so far to exercise to shift weight and new diet but I find my medication side effects it’s weight gain and I’m also having issues with hormones. (I’ve literally gone from 14 to 17 stone in just 2020 it’s really bad 😔) and affecting not just my mental outlook but health as I’m now diabetic but I have been told it can be reversed, I just want to know what I could do, from those with experience. Thanks 🥰
Replies
Just to let you know we haven't forgotten about you and I'm sorry you haven't received any replies as of yet. I've marked your post as unanswered and hopefully someone knowledgeable will pop along soon!
In the meantime, I wondered whether you had visited the Diabetes UK website and in particular, this webpage called 'I have type 2 diabetes - what can I eat?'. This might be a good starting point for thinking about what to include in your diet. How have you been getting on?
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I didnt control it for years and this has had a big impact so I wouid advise to get it under control changing diet and taking meds prescribed and testing everyday
You should have regular checks with a diabetic nurse and an annual eye test
Try and lose weight and remember it is about carbs you eat as well as sugar
My consultant told me that having it for such a long period is he main reason for all the side effects as type 2 is usually brought on in older people I was only in my twenties but I was obese at this time which is a big factor
Happy to discuss anything with you
Thankyou for your honest advice.
Make sure you never go bare foot anywhere and check your feet for cuts etc and take care cutting for nails. You can easily get infected cuts on your feet and this is where problems start resulting in amputations
It is advisable to visit a podiatrist if you have any concerns
Try not to be alarmed lots people live with it and have no issues but you must do all you can to control it . Your nurse should give good advice
yes I’ve thought about that doing portion sizes via the serving spoon. And also cutting down on bread, pasta, rice and meats.
yes I’ll have three meals a day and if I do fancy a snack I’ll have a piece of fruit.
so keeping track of the diet changes on top of the pains and numbness and mental health has been exhausting because at times I’m not wanting to eat and then I’m picking or wanting to snack. I hate the idea of having to deal with people in the street so in honesty I’ve avoided the walks even though I know thy will help the pains numbness and weight loss I’ve only changed what I’ve been eating this planned up by my bf/partner but he’s gone back to his place after we had a bit of a talking and he feels fed up with having to support me, it’s awful feeling like I’m alone and my mum she’s got a disability too so we have to literally help one another then I have my son with his disability it’s all getting on top of me but I’m at that point now where I feel I’m trying my best but mental health then comes in and takes over and I’m worried because I’m at that point im satisfied with not being here I’ve been trying to keep occupied with reading ect but I’ve lost all motivation, I don’t know what to do I’ve come on here to vent but it a cry fr help but at same time I just want alone time. Does anyone else feel like they are caged in and see no way out
Stuck in some never ending purgatory.
My psychiatrist talks to me about mindfulness and grounding and I nod and agree but I cant do it.
I feel like I'm always sabotaging my own recovery because of that but, I cant motivate myself.
I feel like life is some party I was uninvited to and everyone cant wait for me to leave...
I hate myself for not getting better or getting out of the way.
Depression and anxiety makes me self obsessed....constant negative thoughts and just one more reason to hate myself.
I responded to your post because so much of it echoes how I feel, I wish I could tell you something helpful...but other then saying yes, I feel that way too...is all I've got.
Take care.
I totally know what you mean it all gets too much and feels like life’s closing in or in my experience I feel like I wasn’t supposed to be even born because nothing fits right with me I see I’m different and see when people see it. I’m also been hearing distant chatter noises which is when my psychosis starts from mood changes as my psychiatrist says but then today I’ll have a high moment I have Emotional Unstable Personality Disorder also known as BPD with OCD so the anxiety and depression and psychosis are like it’s family members in my head waiting to nag. I Understand the obsessive thoughts in my brief CBT I was told to tune it into something else when it gets too much that’s why I read and do my course to escape but at the moment I just want to be in bed alone and left. Honestly my son saves me everyday by being here. I hope you can find something to keep you going @Cress and I’m happy to help and listen too even though it’s hard to do it my self I will try this site is for supporting one another.
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I understand both my antidepressants and antipsychotics Cause me to weight gain and have no motivation one day I’m up and on a high and I just crash at the moment I’m in that period of uselessness and low. So I totally relate to not being able to go out or gym. Before lockdown I was seeing my local wellness ran and they support active ness now it’s just gone and I’ve gone with it.
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I have joined the coffee lounge after reading your posts and fully understand what you are both saying. I have suffered with my mental health since my late teens and I’m now in my 50’s. I had a bi-polar diagnosis in my late 20’s and I’m on several kinds tablets, -weight gain is a major issue that I constantly worry about. For the last few years I feel that I’m experiencing ground hog day with nothing improving. On good days I meditate and try and keep to a routine. Always remember to keep talking, try and remain hopeful, take baby steps when trying exercise, cut or meditation. and most importantly be kind to yourself 😊
Your words of support will be of comfort to our other members so thank you for that
We have a chat group dedicated to all things mental health that might interest you when you have time to read it.
I hope you are feeling okay today and remember if you ever need support to let us know.
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I am going to have a look today. It is nice to know you are there for support. Thanks again.
Update after days of being in pyjamas and down and closed off.. so I’ve got up today had a shower and will hopefully eat today asked my nail lady to come paint my nails and do some self care I hope to do face mask in afternoon being reading up on spas at home for mental health. I will hopefully come round to contacting mental health core team too. Might seem small but is a big thing when you just feel like giving up and a little spark comes back.
Enjoy the nails and face mask
I also hope that you get around to calling the mental health team, and that they can offer you some additional support
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it’s small steps but it’s something to feel better about.
Everytime I get low I have a high moment so I hope this lasts for a little time and you don’t have to put up with me meaning again on here which I’m sorry for.
thank you 🥰
You really don't need to apologise for anything. We're always here, whether you want some advice, a chat, or just need to get stuff off of your chest
I'm glad your counsellor gave you a call, was it useful?
Yes, please do let us know how you get on!
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yes it’s been a more settled day,
I had a eye test in afternoon too with my son so I had to go out and we had a takeaway treat after days of not eating well (for me)
then in the evening I did the mask it was relaxing but hasn’t relaxed me enough to sleep.
hope you guys had a good and have tried today?
Have you tried anything else to help you sleep, like a mindfulness activity? How is your sleep hygiene?
I can imagine that being able to chat things through with someone would help. I often find night time the worst too, as unpleasant thoughts can creep back in more easily. How are you feeling today? Have you managed to ring the mental health team?
I think it's important to remember that, whilst there's no 'quick fix' for mental health problems, things can improve.
I've been having a good few days thanks
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Yes it helped after the anxiety of going out and feeling even more closed in with the masks on for over a hour. We did get Chinese Noodle boxes.
I called and never go through to mental health team I’ve bucked up the courage to do it and couldn’t get through so I’ll have to try again tommorow and hope someone answers.
I definitely think sleep hygiene is worth looking into. It's helped me to get to sleep more easily. If you want me to send any other sleep-related resources just let me know!
That's frustrating. Is it that you're put on hold? Hopefully you'll get through today.
I see. Does that feel a little bit like dissociation? Have you ever tried grounding techniques?
I hope you managed to get some rest last night. I can understand that it's disheartening when it feels like the problems have been going on forever, but you're doing all of the right things so let's hope things will steadily get a bit better.
Of course, that's what we're here for
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ive tried calling Mental health team again it’s just beeping noises on the phone and then the phone goes off.
It’s dissociation it’s a coping mechanism.
Have you spoken to your GP about your lack of sleep? They might be able to recommend a treatment, or methods that will help you in that regard. You also might find this page from Mind helpful, about managing sleep problems brought on by mental health.
Best of luck with the DLA renewal form, if you need any advice on filling it in always remember you can ask in the PIP, DLA and AA category.
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Are you sure you have the right number for the mental health team maybe it has changed, just a thought
Ive had a couple of bad nights not being able to sleep it comes and goes with me one extreme or the other
What furniture are you painting \?
Hoe you get some rest tonight and also manage to speak to your team
I did get through to the reception then the lady tried to put me through where there’s was no answer I was promised a call back and never got it, so I give up if I’m honest I don’t see the point. You know it’s supposed to be there for crisis and no one answers and on top of that I’ve had to fill in the DLA form myself as my family welfare worker isn’t at work, due to lockdown so it’s a right carry on.
Yea Boris and his bloody tiers is getting out of hand now he could of sorted this in the beginning and helped us with disabilities out but he’s just made it worse, so i relate with the depression I’m sure this is why I’m getting worse but I try stay away from conspiracies that are going around on how the government is trying to disadvantage us with disabilities.
I'm glad though that you've been able to do some painting and keep busy, face masks and nails sounds lovely. Is your son excited for Christmas?
What sort of music do you listen to while painting?
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yes I haven’t been able to get through to the mental health team and have decided to cancel my course it’s all too much I need a break, but I guess with this I speak for all of us at the moment.
I'm not too bad thanks, quite tired, but who isn't these days?
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No I haven’t spoke to GP as I said on email to @Cher_Scope I’ve had enough of calling up and not getting through so I’ll leave them to it and not bother.
I’ll be ok for through worse, I’ll stop moaning on here now.
Also, our community is here whenever you need us. If you need a break we get it, but know that we don't think you are moaning
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You'll have to post some photos of your painting once you've finished, what colour have you gone for?
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I've also stopped eating "treats" such as extra chocolate and sweets when I go to the movies.
All this has been a BIG help, I've gone from being on the verge of needing Insulin injections to not being Diabetic at all now.
But it's also important as a Diabetic to increase water. I drink 2L a day and the indicator is what smell your pee has. If it's scentless and white you are doing well, because your body will try to get rid of it through your wee. With my other problems it is hard but it's manageable. my biggest fear is my eyesight. I can handle losing a limb but not my eyes.
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