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

earthchild23

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 ?

Cher_Inactive

Hi @earthchild23

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?

woodbine

I have had type 2 for 10 years now and its reasonably well controlled with medication and to be honest its not high on my priority list when it comes to health issues, when i was first diagnosed I stopped eating most of the things I enjoyed and lost 3 stone but my blood sugar count didn't alter that much so now I eat what I want when I want and sod it.

earthchild23

Hi @Cher_Scope and @woodbine thank you for the replies. yes I’ve spoken with a nurse today that’s told me I have a foot test and eye screen to monitor the health I told them about the pins and needles numbeness so I don’t know if it’s all related. 

Tbh I’m scared as my late step grandad was diabetic and had amputations and I’ve watched him most of my young life on loads of medication and I’m already on enough with mental illnesses.  

Yes I have been told to seek some advice from the diabetes uk and referred to my local wellness service to look at controlling my weight and overall well-being. 

@woodbine, yes hopefully I will be able to control it via diet at first then be able to eat what I like in future. 

Thank you for feedback

janer1967

Hi I have had diabetes for over 30 years and it really has taken its toll on me leading to amputation and sight loss

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  

earthchild23

Hi @janer1967
Thankyou for your honest advice. 

I am only 26 going 27. And I’m 17st 8lbs abs tall tbh my weight has increased massively this year I do blame my self but I know social factors such as lockdown haven’t helped so yea I’m classed as obese too . 

If I am honest I am scared @janer1967 so any honest advice would be great, as I don’t want to have amputations and die from it like my late grandad. You know I’m already having this pins and needles with numbness in legs and feet so I’m worried about that too if that’s a sign. 

Yeah so the nurse said I’d need annual checks so I hope they go well. 

I will do my best to lose weight I currently have a exercise game for Nintendo that I’m going to try and do daily and make up a good food plan. 

Please message me with any other advice you have it is appreciated ?

janer1967

Hi again the numbness can be down to diabetes called peripheral neuropathy due to nerves it can be medicated I take this 

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 

earthchild23

Thanks again @janer1967 I will look up peripheral neuropathy as I’m being sent for a nerve conduction test my assessment with my GP did come back as most of issues being down my right side of body and both feet. So that does give some insight. 

I do have a lady who comes to my house to do my manicure (as I nail bite till they bleed with anxiety and the gel stops me from doing it) and she does pedicure on toe nails anyways so I’ll tell her to take care extra care with it. But I guess podiatrist is more better. 

Yes my nurse said I’ll be seeing her more regularly now so hopefully I’ll be advised as I get on. 

Thank you again ?

chiarieds

Hi @earthchild23 - you have received excellent advice from Jane who has diabetes. If I can just add one thing.....sometimes something so simple as using a smaller plate than normal to reduce the amount of food you eat may also help you lose weight. Eat regularly, but cut out any 'snacks.' As Jane says, you need to get this under control, & I'm sure you will. Everyone here will also support you along the way too. Just to add, I'm on meds for pain that normally mean you put on weight; my weight has barely changed in the past 8 years I've been on them, but I do think about what I eat, & the amount. You can do this.

earthchild23

Hi @chiarieds yes I’ve been given great advice indeed.
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. 

Yes I’ll keep you all updated on here with how I do, wish me luck ?

earthchild23

Update..
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 

Cress

Yes...I dont want to be here, but dont want to fo die.
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.

earthchild23

Hello @Cress
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.

Tori_Scope

Hi @Cress and @earthchild23  I'm sorry to read that you're both going through a difficult time at the moment. It's good to see you are both supporting each other. We've sent you each an email with some further advice and questions.

earthchild23

Hi @Tori_Scope I have replied to the email thankyou 

cupcake88

Hi there good evening . I suffer with acute mental illnesses as a result of anti Pyschotic medication I put on 3 stone with in 6 months I became pre diabetic because of it . 

My weight is really hard fo loose as I can’t use a gym and hardly go out I also find it hard to follow home work outs . 

Is going to a gym some you could do maybe ? Regarding your mental health are you under a mental health team ? 

earthchild23

Now Early risings to you @cupcake88
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. 

In terms of mental health team yea I have a psychiatrist and a counsellor and off duty team numbers but you know all they will do is say what’s already been said and refer for more medication then consider hospital at it’s worst and I don’t want that, I’m the middle of being fine and crisis everyday it’s limbo and not nice. Thanks for getting in touch @cupcake88

Cher_Inactive

Hi @earthchild23 we have bobbed you an email back  

earthchild23

Hi @Cher_Scope I have replied and Thankyou for the support ?

Samantha05

Hi @Cress and @earthchild23

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 ?

Cher_Inactive

Hi @Samantha05 and welcome to our community.  I'm glad you found us.

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.