[NDNOutlaw]

I recently found a Canadian article that states 81% of people with both diabetes and bipolar disorder are on disability. Scary because somehow I have managed to keep working on and off for over twenty years in this condition. The article also states that bipolar disorder also increases the likely hood of developing diabetes. I was recently fired from work due to what I believe to be a deep depression. I simply couldn't function very well at all. My psychiatrist added Wellbutrin, an antidepressant, to my mix. I applied for unemployment insurance but because I was fired the forms require a very detailed account of the actual firing. There is only one space to add additional circumstances. My fear is that because my diabetes is worsening and I have five years until I qualify for old age pension I may not be able to provide for my families needs. My wife works in a fairly high paying job but our debts have also made it necessary for me to work. It's tough. Anyone else with diabetes and bipolar?

[faerie_moon_x]

I don't have both but I know that a lot of medications increase the risk of bipolar. It's not the diabetes, it's the meds. Like Seroquil for example is one. I can see where it would be tough to manage both because changes in blood glucose effect your mood.

As for people who have bipolar already and get diabetes, I work in a diabetes education clinic. I would say in the past four years we've seen only about 4 people with diabetes and bipolar. Depression is very common among people with diabetes, probably about 85% have both.

[Just a girl..]

I don't have diabetes, but I am hypoglycemic (which is low blood ,, the opposite of diabetes) & I haven't been diagnosed yet, but I think I am bipolar. -We'll find out soon.

[hamster-bamster]

Check out Metformin - an old and cheap drug that helps with blood sugar.

[NDNOutlaw]

m on junuvia, 45 insulin injectionX2, and Lamactil 200X2. Metformin gave me stomach rot

[faerie_moon_x]

Yeah metformin is very hard on the stomach. Insulin is the best bet for diabetes (unless you are unfortunate enough to be allergic.)

Have you tried Victoza? It helps with blood glucose but also weight loss. It's injectable as well. It works amazing for weight loss.

Hello, NDNOutlaw, yes, I have both. Because Diabetes requires such stringent diet
maintenance to maintain blood glucose levels within normal range, the removal of things like caffeine, grains,(especially wheat, rye, barley) and sugar have had a very strong positive effect in reducing biplar, type II illness. In fact, I take only 10 mg. Prozac daily and probably could get by without that if I struggled more about keeping the wrong foods out of my diet--you know, fried foods, milk products, cheese, etc.

I couldn't take Metformin either, but get along well with Amaryl (or Glimepiride) 1.5 mg in A.M. and 1.5 mg in P.M. In some instances people are really able to control the Diabetes so well that the bipolar aspect of our illness is really the lesser of two unfortunate situations--both probably inherited.

I like Victoza, but it's expensive in comparison to just changing the diet to get the same results. Lamictal and Abilify are expensive, as well.

Diabetics are missing an enzyme in the stomach that breaks disaccharides and that's what Victoza replaces.

It's easier for me to just eliminate from my diet what is causing the problem--fast-acting carbohydrates.

Frankly, I did a little research myself on this and found that the mineral molybdenum was extremely helpful to me in controlling the blood glucose levels. It has to do with sulfur thiols in the body. (Some of the diabetic medications are sulfonylureas and they can cause problems.) Less problematic is Glimepiride (Amaryl) than other sulfonylureas for me. With molybdenum (about 50 mcg. once daily) my glucose range is almost normal. BUT! What works for one might not work for another. Please check with your doctor.

I see no reason why you might not be able to remain active and happily employed if you are willing to make the changes in your diet that will enable you to have milder emotional reactions and fewer negative feelings. It's really the sugar and caffeine and wheat for the most part that are so detrimental.

You may learn all about that by going to such places as DoctorYourself.com and looking down the left-hand column until you see "Caffeine Allergy" by Ruth Whalen.
Please read that. Then, when you have time, read Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons works
called "Potatoes, Not Prozac" or "Radiant Recovery" or "The Sugar Addict's Total Recovery Program".

She's the first woman ever to be awarded a PHD in addictive nutrition and is responsible for the final recognition of the medical field's acceptance of "sugar sensitivity". I recommend her work highly. Applying her advice is almost a miracle for serious people who wish to improve their status-quo.

Good wishes.

[BipolaRNurse]

Bipolar and diabetic here, too. I was only 'mildly' diabetic before going on Zyprexa, which saved my life but put about 20 lbs. on me that I definitely did NOT need, and my blood sugars went crazy. Now I'm on metformin twice daily, which has brought them down somewhat but not enough, and I had to come off the Zyprexa, which worked well and I miss it.

But, diabetes is a life-threatening illness, and as the saying goes, dead people don't have mood swings! So I'm struggling through Zyprexa withdrawal in the hope that it brings my blood sugars back to reasonable levels and helps me drop the weight I gained on it.

[faerie_moon_x]

For the enzym in the body (it's called GLP1,) if Victoza isn't covered by insurance, which it's now going preferred on many but not all, then there are other options. Byetta does the same thing but some people cannot tolerate it at all. There is also Januvia which is an older pill form which may or may not work ask well. Then a newer pill form called Trajenta, which since is new may not be on formulary yet. Also there is Bydurion which is like Byetta but once a week, and also new so may be more expensive at this time.

If you get your diabetes under control it helps your overall health. High blood sugar effects everything from your kidneys to your nerves. You don't heal as well from injury, either. Also changing your diet and getting more exercise will not only help your diabetes but also help bipolar. So it's a win/win.

Change doesn't have to mean giving up everything you love that is bad for you, just learning moderation. You'll live longer and feel better.