Hello, I am new here and I beg your forgiveness for the long first post, but I have a lot to get off my chest.

I've been diabetic for almost 2 years now. I was doing well, but I've let myself go. I just gave up for some reason. I wasn't getting the numbers I wanted, especially after gaining a lot of weight back. I am back up to 292lbs and my numbers are almost the same. I tried Atkins and some excercise and I was lucky to get under 150bs. My doc just put me on 2000mg of metformin and 4gm of Avandia. She says it will take a few weeks to see a difference. I just don't know how to get out of this diabetic depression. I see a FBS of 273 and then all I want to do is cry and eat. I know I just need to snap out of it, but I think I am just afraid that I'll NEVER see lower numbers. I realize I am just rambling, but I am hoping there are others out there who maybe went through the same thing and can share some success stories with me. I need some hope. All I do is cry anymore and it isn't fair to my little girl and husband. I want to be around for them for a long time, but I am being so counter productive despite the fact that I know I need to get on track. My doctor says she might add Byetta (sp?) if the avandia doesn't make a significant difference. I wish she would just do it. I would even go on insulin if I could just get those numbers I need --I just know I'd be inspired to keep them up and I'd be able to excercise and quit pigging out. Again, Please forgive me for the ramblings. I'm just in need of some hope and help.

Thank you.

Hi and welcome. I'm really sorry you are having such a tough time. Diabetes can be really hard and most people that don't have it don't get that. It is a tremendous amount of work and sometimes you just get nothing to show for that work.

Give it a little time and see how the meds work out. I'm sure you'll see some improvement. Part of your mood could also be the high blood sugars. It can cause a chemical imbalance. The next time you talk to your doc, talk about the depression too. Hopefully you can get some help there too.

Best of luck to you.

Cora

Hello, I find myself obligated to write this reply due to the fact that you describe many of my own emotions. I am ten pounds heavier than yourself, and was diagnosed four years ago lost some weight got it under control and kind of forgot about it. A month ago after the holidays IT came back to bite me in the butt. The difference this time is that along with having a harder time controlling it, I've got a two year old son. Long story short, at times I feel just how you described. Sorry, my story was not inspirational. Just want to let you know you are not in a lone struggle there are many of us and maybe one day I will see an inspirational story from you:). For Now you, me and many like us (overweight) have a long road to walk lets put our heads down and start walking. Please don't lose hope In your self, your feelings are very important but don't let your feelings alone rule your life. Keep using this site it's brought me lots of knowledge & comfort. :wave:

Last year I was told that I'm a "pre-diabetic," but not long after, I started eating more sugar and exercised less. Being told to cut back on carbs and sugar made me want them even more. Several months ago, my hemoglobin
a1c went from 6.8 (which is too high) to 7.1. My endocrinologist told me he wanted to put me on drugs, but I asked him to give me another chance. So he did.

I cut back on carbs and sugar even more. He referred me to a diabetic nutritionist, who gave me all kinds of info on what I can/cannot eat, food lists, etc. She gave me a free exercise video ("walk down your blood sugar"), and for awhile I had it sitting on a shelf. Eventually I decided to give it a try and I actually enjoy using it now. The video lasts for a half-hour and it's a walk in home program you can do in front of your tv. If you go at the same pace as they do in the video, you will do the equivalent of a 2-mile walk by the time it's done.

At first I had to do this in 10-minute (or so) increments because I had trouble exercising for a half hour straight. At times I still take a break about half-way through if I feel I need to.

Anyway, I returned to my endocrinologist's this morning, and between cutting back on carbs and sugar, and more exercise, my hemoglobin a1c went back down to 6.8, Praise the Lord! I won't have to go on medications if I keep this up (which I will!). I go back for another follow-up in July.

The hardest part for me now is cutting back on carbs, but you can do it. You don't have to do it perfectly at first. Same thing with exercise.

I know without a doubt that if it weren't for our Heavenly Father, I wouldn't have made so much progress with this issue. I will keep you in my prayers. Please don't give up! If I can get a handle on this, anyone can!

I am sorry to hear what you are going through. Unfortunately, diabetes is a full time job. We all get depressed at times. Sometimes I get so mad when for no reason my bs is high, and on the flip side I get so embarrassed when I go low and don't catch it. A lot of people who don't have to live with this don't understand, but people on this board know what you are going through. My best advice is to take it day by day. Get a plan along with your doctor and dietician. Make a goal such as: "In 3 months, my A1c will be...." or "Next month, I will be x lbs thinner." Then follow your plan. With determination, I am sure your bs will get better, and you will lose some weight. Then, I think you will feel a little better and maybe be encouraged to continue. Yes, this sucks, and it is hard work, but in the long run, even without diabetes, it is better to be proactive about your health and lifestyle. Good luck!

Here is the bottom line: Exercise. Exercise is the number one way to help yourself. It will both alleviate your depression and it will help you get to those lower numbers much faster. It will help everything about your illness.

You are focusing on your numbers and using that to chastise yourself. This helps no one and makes you sicker. You owe it to your child to stop this negative focusing and get a plan of action. Map out how much exercise and when and how long and what you'll do, then get up off your butt and get moving!!! It will solve both issues for you. Sorry that nothing is instant or overnight; you did not get this overnight and you cannot fix it overnight. So focus on the SOLUTION, not the issue.

Focus on the NEXT RIGHT THING for you to do about it. Do not let your mind wander. Walk, ride a bike, swim, get moving!! You know the guy that started the whole jogging craze years ago originally wanted to jog himself into a heart attack; he jogged long and hard, thinking he'd kill himself that way and instead, he got undepressed and healthy! You can, too.