Symptoms Due To Diabetes Or Anxiety? - Page 2

Looly · 07-01-2008, 04:54 PM

Hi....I'd like some input here. Isn't it possible that the medications you are taking can cause many of the problems you're encountering. I was on blood pressure medication which absolutely caused severe anxiety and pains. If I were you I'd check out the side effects of your particular medications first, before I'd think the diabetes, or possible diabetes, could be causing them. When you read about side effects of drugs, they list many, but even then, there are side effects that are not listed. I know that for a fact - because I personally had a similar problem. Just food for thought.......(and not carbs)....LOL

Flutterby51 · 07-02-2008, 06:54 AM

Hi Looly, thanks for your reply. Yes, I have many times wondered about my bp meds causing symptoms, especially as I've had some bad reactions in the past. Not to do with anxiety as such, just making me feel extremely ill in general...like heart pounding, flushing, feeling on the verge of collapse literally. Lisinopril affected me like this when they upped the dose, and I reacted similarly to Benicar. Amlodipine at the 10mg dose turned my legs into tree trunks. I can just about tolerate 5mg. However, doctors tell me it's all in my mind, it can't possibly be the tablets. I was even told Amlodipine wasn't making my legs swell, it was my blood pressure. Strangely though, when they reluctantly took me off it my legs went to normal. I'm sure their eyes roll upwards when they see me coming. I've got to the point where I don't say anything because I fear their reactions.

When I saw my doctor about this possible diabetes, I mentioned that my weight had escalated since starting Cardura a few months ago, but he never offered to try something else. So I'm wary of mentioning it again. But yes, I am wondering about my meds. Would you mind me asking what you were on and how it affected you? Or is this for another board? Is it too off topic?

Looly · 07-02-2008, 05:48 PM

The medication I took was Atenolol, a beta blocker. The doctor gave it to me despite the fact that is is not a recommend medication if you are diabetic. That was the first error. Compouding that, it caused severe anxiety in me to the point it became unbearable. The dr. said it wasn't possible, but go explain why when I went off the medication I went back to being myself. I have diabetes too. I am not as yet on medication but because of my lack of tolerance to most drugs I am terrified to start one. I am trying to help my blood sugar go down with diet and exercise, but I am not following through very well. With the hope that I can back on track, I am will try to stay away from meds as the side effects I have read about for most diabetic meds are not ones that I care to endure. I would probably get all the side effects plus ones the doctors never heard of, nor would they acknowledge. It's a predicament and one that I would not have chosen if give the choice. I would not be afraid of talking to your physician about your concerns. Why should you suffer?

Flutterby51 · 07-05-2008, 06:51 AM

Since my first posting, I have been given the diagnosis of diabetes. I got my results over the phone, and have been asked to make an appointment to see the diabetes specialist at the practice. The doc who gave me my results thinks I need oral meds and dietary measures at the moment. My fasting level was 162, which was slightly higher than I had been measuring it at home (around 157) but I was extremely nervous going for the blood tests, so maybe that made it go up a little. I will be seeing this specialist next week hopefully.

However, I have taken a fasting reading this morning, just over a week since my blood test, and it was 104! I have no strips left to retest it, so will be getting some, but if it's not a rogue reading, what's going on? I have been following a very strict low carb diet for about three weeks......do you think this might be having some effect, and would it do so that quickly? From 157 to 104 in a week? Also, I don't feel particularly well, I have to say. Shakey, headachey, and sick to my stomach, wanting to lie down all the while. Can this happen when your sugar levels come down, and will it go? I expected to feel better with a drop in sugar levels

I'd appreciate any opinions or advice once more.

Many thanks
Maureen