bp, diabetes & memory

Hi folks. I was not aware that diabetes and bipolar disease were linked... yes, my pdoc monitors my blood tests regularly, but never mentioned it. Do you take any kind of precautions against developing diabetes? Do you exercise regularly or maybe don't drink sodas anymore? Is there something that has to be done or that you wished you knew much earlier?


On a total different matter, I've realized my memory is not as good as it used to be, and my pdoc told me it may have been affected by my periodic (psychotic) crisis. Do you have the same problem? What do you think the solution might be? I like reading and I regard it as a good mental exercise, but I can't retain more than 50-60% of the information accurately in most cases... I'm also terrible at remembering names and this has caused some awkward situations...


That's all. As always, glad to hear your opinions. Tc

I don’t have diabetes and don’t do any to prevent it from happening either.

Sorry to hear you have memory issues!

hey hitch , yeah I'm in that exact situation but being drinking cola more than usual this summer... just wondering. Cheers

I was diagnosed Type 2 diabetes a couple years ago. Psych meds caused Metabolite syndrome. I reallly wish I had not stayed on certain meds but if I’m not mentally stable what kind of daily life would I have ? All I can do is follow a diabetic lifestyle for foods and exercise.

I have Fibromyalgia and it really effects my memory at times.

Hugs?

Sorry to hear diabetes has affected you, Christina. Thanks for your input, I realize we're most of the time at the meds' mercy in exchange for some stability.

Hugs.

I don't have diabetes, but I still take metformin for weight control. My memory is fine. I'm on a lot of meds but amazingly don't have too bad of concentration issues or weight gain.

I'm paranoid about getting diabetes though! Especially since I'm on seroquel!

Seroquel is my second option after invega, and i didn't know it might give diabetes .

This is what i found: Association of Low-Dose Quetiapine and Diabetes - PubMed

Hope it all goes nice and easy for you and seroquel, raspberry.

I wonder what antypsychotic is the best.

Cheers.

I drank three glasses of cola today... it was so hot, I couldn't resist. I've heard only water hydrates you as it should be and that packed juices contain far too much sugar compared to naturally squeezed ones. I don't know why things shouldn't be easier , there are so many variables nowadays, even when choosing omega 3 vitamins you have to check for purity.

I have prediabetes and take
Metformin to regulate blood
Sugar.

It is not strange that diabetes and bipolar or unipolar depression are linked together.

When a person is depressed, that person often use sugar as self comfort and become less active as well. The combo of low activity and too much glucose can trigger diabetes.

You are lucky because you have a GP who takes you serious.

It is possible to wean one self off sugar. You can replace your sodas with water, but you need something to function as a buffer against sugar craving. Raw carrots are good as replacement because they make you feel filled and forget your "sugar hunger". (Remember that a boiled carrot, on the other hand, lets out a lot of sugar. The reason raw carrots are OK is because the fiber that get destroyed when cooked, do not release the sugar when eaten raw).

You can learn about what is wise to eat (low sugar) at a website for diabetes food.

I became diabetic during a very deep depression some years ago. I try to eat diabetes friendly food and I try to be active either by exercises or walks. Water is my best drink. I also use relaxation exercises to calm down. A calmed down person is less in need for sugar as some sort of comfort.

I thought Alzheimer's was named type 3 diabetes.

I would look into Keto and fasting. There are tons of people who have reversed their diabetes with it. There is a good book called the Diabetes Code written by Jason Fung. It is a few years old so you could get it at your local library.

I drink diet soda and some of it tastes surprisingly sweet. A&W root beer.

I take metformin to decrease my appetite to help with weight loss.
It is working I seemed to have lost my appetite.
So now the even harder part of this equation is the
visual and habitual eating larger portions.
I really have to watch what I eat and not make larger portions a regular thing.
My vote for the metformin.
My memory is shot to hell.
bizi

My psychiatrist told me seroquel worked best for mood stabilization and anxiety, but not the best for psychosis. I take seroquel for my anxiety. I take loxapine as my AP.

As far as what AP is best, I think that all depends on the individual...

No. Naturally squeezed fruit juices still pack a ton of sugar. Ideally, you should not drink either cola or fruit juices except on rare occasions as a treat. Invest time, ingenuity and creativity in finding healthy hydrating options. Fruit and herb essence flavored water, especially ice cold, can be an option for you. Experiment with just putting fruit and herbs, such as mint, into a jug of water and chilling it in the fridge. When you find a recipe that is palatable for you, you can buy a water bottle with an insert where you put the stuff you want to infuse the water with, and then you can take the chilled bottle with you when you go out. This is a very serious problem that you are drinking, gasp, 3 colas when it is hot. You simply should not be doing that. Try also mineral water, such as San Pellegrino, one glass a day (chilled, as you will probably like it better). Weak tea is good and you can flavor it by putting green apples, cranberries, lemon slices into the hot tea and then taking them out (although I eat the apples and the cranberries after they get softened by hot water: I like their flavor). I also cook dried fruit, discard it and drink the resultant water, chilled. If you do not like the taste of plain water (I do not, unless I am really tired from exercise and then cold water tastes delicious to me), try electrolytes, such as Smartwater, but do not drink sports drinks or Vitamin water. All you need is water plus electrolytes.

This is a huge problem in your life that needs fixing. You will be able to fix it with time if you are persistent, creative, and consistent. I am glad you posted about it.

I also recommend that preventively you take Metformin, 500 mg three times a day. By the way, it is now a very fashionable medication and many fit and healthy people take it in the belief that it will prolong their lives. It is generally very safe and extremely well studied due to its tenure in the world of medicine, but some people cannot tolerate it due to gastrointestinal side effects. You won't know if you can tolerate it until you try. Treat it as your extra dose of prevention.

Hi Cherry, I'm so glad you took the time to tell me your opinion on this, it is indeed an important matter. I'll try to drink mostly chilled water or iced tea in summer from now on. Today I drank some "Aquarius" beverage, but it tastes quite artificial and not sure if its a healthy option. I'll ask my doctor about metformin, but I must warn you, I hate meds and I'd like to keep them at the most indispensable ones...

Thanks again for your help! Regards

MrAbbott, this very detailed post is for you: 13 Soda alternatives less likely to spike your blood sugar - Levels

It has many brands mentioned and although some of them are probably not available in Spain, I hope others are.