#: 98024 S3/Friends & Family
    15-Sep-92  17:20:51
Sb: Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Tom Seeley 71174,1361
To: ALL

Hi.  I'm a new type II.  I was diagnosed July 6, along w/ a prostate infection
I'm not over yet.  I'm 48, in good health, 6' 0", & weighed 185# July 6.  My
Dr thinks I can control it w/diet and exercise, and he has me on an 1800
cal/day diet using the ADA exchange lists.  By today, I'd dropped to 166 1/2#,
with only slight withdrawal pangs for having had to give up Oreos forever (I
used to eat those things like most people eat popcorn!).

I'd like opinions and help, pls.  I have always been moody.  I can't always
control how I feel and I realize I am often an a------ to be around.  I
understand vaguely that low BG (or is it high or is it both) can contribute to
moodiness, and I know that BG can fluctuate during the day on short time
frames, relative to eating times.

My question is:  could I at least partially explain mood swings during the day
as being a result of short term (minutes or a few hours) swings in BG levels?
Or am I just grasping at straws, looking for 1) a good side to the DM, and 2)
any new excuse for being the kind of jerk I am?

#: 98094 S3/Friends & Family
    15-Sep-92  22:09:24
Sb: #98024-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: Tom Seeley 71174,1361

Tom, welcome to the Diabetic Curmudgeon's Club. I'm in charge of the
Curmudgeons, and, if you don't like it, you can lump it. <g!> Otherwise, we'll
be electing a new leader this week, and you can run for the office.

Anyway, we were just discussing this same subject in two other threads. ("HG
Toaster Oven", in this same section (3), and another, called "DM Mood Swings
and SOs"). If you're already cranky and crusty, DM probably will, er,
illuminate these qualities <chuckle>. In my case, I get nasty when I'm running
high for more than an hour or when I swing from high to a little low, real
fast. Really low BGs just seem to make me anxious and antic, without being
nasty.

Have you been able to correlate your moods with particular BGs?

#: 98117 S3/Friends & Family
    15-Sep-92  23:29:58
Sb: #98024-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Belver Ladson 75230,2044
To: Tom Seeley 71174,1361

Tom,

       I can tell you from *personal* experience that when my BG's are on the
high side, I can be set off by the *smallest* agitation.  It's kind of like
being wound tight and anything can set you off.

       Now, feeling low, that's another story entirely.  That feels like being
drunk, not knowing how to do anything, dioriented, and the *last* thing you
feel like doing is *eating*, but that's what you have to do.

*Belver*

#: 98162 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  11:41:49
Sb: #98024-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: Tom Seeley 71174,1361

Tom,
       You know, you can still eat Oreo's, you just can't eat them like
popcorn anymore. <g> But you can work a couple of them into your diet. So
you're now 6' at 166 1/2 lbs? You lost those 19.5 lbs. very successfully. You
have reason to be pleased with yourself.

       Sorry to tell you but both low and high BG's can contribute to the
"moodiness" you're experiencing. We also have some people reporting that the
"drop"-even though they are not "technically" considered hypoglcemic at the
level they are- is a contributing factor. This is NOT medical advice
understand, just what members have mentioned.

       Awwww, you don't seem like a jerk. You shouldn't call yourself one.
<hugs> May I ask what your BG's usually run on average?

Linda

#: 98163 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  11:41:55
Sb: #98094-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

Ed,
       Seeing as you brought it up, I'm feeling very neglected right now as an
SO. A.K.A.-The Proverbial Doormat. <g> S'ok though. Thomas made me feel
better-as he always does- "Well, you're the cuteset proverbial doormat I've
ever seen." It's "nice" to have great friends.<g>

       In my personal experience, I have also seen the high to be the bigger
problem. It's kinda like you said your wife looks in your eyes to see what
monster came up from the basement? To me it's like"Get of of this humble
abode, NOW, before you lose your life." <g> I'm always walking around kinda'
scratching my face and saying "What did I do wrong "this" time?" Eggshells are
impossible to walk on. I'd rather walk on hot coals I think ;-)

LMW

#: 98168 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  12:27:17
Sb: #98162-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Belver Ladson 75230,2044
To: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144

Linda,

       I used to get a feeling of being *low* when my BG's dropped too *fast*
even tho I wouldn't be considered *low*.  I asked my doc about it and she told
me that it *would* give me the same reaction.  With all these variables it's
kind of like taking a chance, you *never* really know when you're going to go
low, or *feel* like you're going low. <hugs>

*Belver*

#: 98198 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  14:54:47
Sb: #98094-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Shawn Davidson 72210,170
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

Ed,
  I've found that I can become VERY irritable when my BG's start going low
(<65). I wil snap at people, and generally have NO patience. Oh well!

#: 98236 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  17:46:33
Sb: #98168-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: Belver Ladson 75230,2044

Belver,

       Like I said, Russian Roulette.

LMW

#: 98255 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  18:18:59
Sb: #98094-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Tom Seeley 71174,1361
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

Ed,

Haven't started monitoring BG myself yet, so I can't yet correlate them to
mood swings.  your msg plus others tend to confirm my suspicion that there is
a connection.  I appreciate the info.

#: 98256 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  18:19:08
Sb: #98117-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Tom Seeley 71174,1361
To: Belver Ladson 75230,2044

Belver,

Thx for the info.  I know what it means about being wound tight.  I left for a
meeting this afternoon, late and tense and iritable, and I recalled later I
had gotten off my eating (midafternoon snack) schedule.  Since I don't yet
monitor my BG myself, I can't exactly track BG swings vs. mood swings, but
your msg and others tend to confirm my suspicion that there is a correlation.

#: 98258 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  18:19:20
Sb: #98162-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Tom Seeley 71174,1361
To: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144 (X)

So I can really have one or two???  Neato!

BTW thx for the encouragement.  Your msg plus others tend to support the
notion that there is indeed a correlation between swings in BG and in mood. I
appreciate the info and the support!

#: 98285 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  19:05:12
Sb: #98236-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Marc A Ressler 71201,513
To: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144

FWIW - I've had people tell me that since I started getting my BG under
control (which also has resulted in a reduction of aspartame intake and a
*severe* reduction of caffein, both of which might also contribute)  that I
have bitten off very few heads, compared to my dragon like flarings in previos
months.
-MarC

#: 98315 S3/Friends & Family
    16-Sep-92  22:43:57
Sb: #98258-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: Tom Seeley 71174,1361 (X)

Thomas,
       Yeah! You can really have a couple Oreo's if you like. You just need to
plan for it. Now you did it! <g> Sorry, it's already been agreed Butterfingers
are the 5th food group, Yankee Doodles the 6th. I guess Oreo's just became the
7th! <g> Were you here last week or so when I posted that message about
scraping the lard and sugar off with a knife and just basically inhaling the
chocolate? Ohhhh..I fear I'm not going to make a "good" <as in "behave
yourself"> diabetic. You wouldn't happen to live by a Carvel ice cream store
would you? <g> It really has been a pleasure to have you around. I like the
way your attitude comes across in your typing. Now, if really want to have
fun, meet us in Conference about 1 A.M. on a Friday or Saturday night. Things
get um, er, very interesting. Lots of us here fight like cats and dawgs, but
there's never a boring moment, and I don't think most of us would trade each
other for the world.

Linda

#: 98362 S3/Friends & Family
	17-Sep-92  08:16:09
Sb: #98285-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: Marc A Ressler 71201,513

Marc,
       >>I have bitten off very few heads, compared to my dragon like flarings
in previous months.<<

       UH-Huh. I understand. Which is why I'm often in another room reading,
or I actually keep my mouth shut. I'd like to keep my head as long as possible
:-)

Linda

#: 98456 S3/Friends & Family
    17-Sep-92  17:53:46
Sb: #98163-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144

RE: walking on eggshells

My wife recognizes the pattern in me now, after many years of frustration on
her part. When I just sound like I'm *spoiling* for something to complain
about, it's usually hyperglycemia. When I'm anxious and frantic, it's a quick
drop in BGs.

Fortunately I recognize hypoglycemia coming on, so it probably triggers some
self-control that says "don't take it out on others". I get no such feeling
when I'm hyperglycemic, until I've p.o.'d somebody.

#: 98457 S3/Friends & Family
    17-Sep-92  17:53:53
Sb: #98198-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Shawn Davidson 72210,170

I think that most people get real snappish when BGs run low, Shawn. As I
mentioned to Linda, I think the reason I don't is that I recognize what's
going on.

#: 98458 S3/Friends & Family
    17-Sep-92  17:53:58
Sb: #98255-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: Tom Seeley 71174,1361

There definitely is a connection between BG levels and moods for most of us,
Tom. It's something that can really add to the frustration if you aren't aware
of it.

#: 98476 S3/Friends & Family
    17-Sep-92  18:26:15
Sb: #98456-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

Almost ditto here, Ed.  Though in my years on human, I lost all feeling for my
BG.

#: 98617 S3/Friends & Family
    18-Sep-92  13:37:36
Sb: #98458-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Ed,
       It adds to the frustration of the family members when they are aware of
it too and sometimes get their bony heads handed to them. <g>

LMW

#: 98643 S3/Friends & Family
    18-Sep-92  16:51:46
Sb: #98456-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Tom Seeley 71174,1361
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

Ed, I note you say you recognize hypogly... coming on.  I'm new here.  Give me
an idea what are the keys to look for or recognize.

#: 98661 S3/Friends & Family
    18-Sep-92  18:24:46
Sb: #98643-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: Tom Seeley 71174,1361

The signs of hypglycemia are wide and varied, Tom. There are some good lists
around, which I'll try to find and post.

Meanwhile, I'll tell you the ones that happen to me: first, I get tired. I
recognize the difference between between being "out of steam" from low BGs and
just being "tired". I can't tell you, exactly, except that the tiredness from
BGs is generally inexplicable from what I've been doing, and it involves some
feeling of hunger.

Then I start to shake a bit. I may not actually look like I'm shaking, but I
feel like I'm shaking inside. This usually is accompanied by a slight loss of
balance. I have to be careful walking up or down stairs, at this stage.

Then my vision will get a little blurred, and, rarely, I'll get a headache
(headache, for me, is more associated with sustained BGs in the 70-80 range.
This headache, on the other hand, occurs at around 50 mg/dL.) Hunger usually
is quite noticeable at this point, too. My skin gets clammy and I lose a sense
of whether I'm hot or cold.

Next, I get very confused and feel drugged. My whole awareness is that I'm HG
(hypoglycemic), and I get panicky about finding some "fast" food. I'm too
confused by now to realize there's usually a ton of it within reach. I'm
getting grey spots before my eyes at this stage, and parts of my vision are
blocked.

Serious anxiety is coming on now, as I realize that I'm getting too confused
to figure out what is going on. My whole system is blaring out full-scale
alarms. I've never gotten to the next stage, but I know that it's blacking
out.

None of this is recommended experience. <g!>

#: 98683 S3/Friends & Family
    18-Sep-92  20:52:18
Sb: #98661-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

Actually, epileptiform siezures and convulsions may come before or after black
out. <g>  Honest.

#: 98709 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  00:15:58
Sb: #98683-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223 (X)

RE: Seizures and convulsions may come first

Oh, right. What I should have said is that the next step would be one in which
I couldn't help myself, maybe convulsions or seizures. Knowing that's coming
next causes real panic to set in. Fortunately, I've always managed to catch it
first.

#: 98743 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  08:01:43
Sb: #98709-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

There used to be a "rule of 30's" that MD's subscribed to, Ed. 30% will have
reactions, 30% of them will have a serious reaction, and 30% of them will have
regular serious reactions. Unfortunately, that only covered about 30% of the
real number! <g> You are, indeed, fortunate if you don't have many reactions,
many of us have 1-2 a day and the average of us has 4,000 over the course of
being diabetic!  Also, and I am compelled to reiterate this, 1 in 25 diabetic
deaths is from insulin shock. The US MD's deny this, but the Brits showed it
conclusively in a fairly recent Lancet Article.  Insulin reaction is the most
serious acute complication of diabetes (1 and 2) and one of the easiest to
blame on the patient.  I always feel guilty when I have a reaction that anyone
but me can detect.  Stupid, misplaced guilt, but it's always there.

#: 98760 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  09:10:25
Sb: #98457-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Will Ryan 71172,2033
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

Shawn, like many, I get into uncontrollable anger and sometimes rage when my
BG is very high.  Sometimes it also happens when I am very hungry.  So far, my
dear wife still takes it personally, but she's jewish and I think her built in
guilt exaserbates the situation.  When my BGs are really low, like last night,
I am just out of it with no mood at all.

I woke up at 1:30am in a heavy sweat.  At first, I thought that it was just
hot in our room, but then realized that I was having an insulin reaction.  I
got up and managed to check...my BG was 48 and I was really messed up.  My
wife, thank God, got up with me and helped me get something to eat.  Within
about 30 minutes, I felt a little better and went back to bed.  Today, I feel
really drained with no energy and I feel like I have been run over by a truck.
I am wondering is others feel so drained on the day after a real low BG?

--Will

#: 98773 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  09:24:32
Sb: #98743-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223

Well, time to shake that irrational guilt away! I gave up the guilt a long
time ago. If anyone acts annoyed that I'm hampered by a low BG, when I tell
them about it, I chew their heads off -- damned near literally.

#: 98774 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  09:31:17
Sb: #98760-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653
To: Will Ryan 71172,2033 (X)

Will,

Yup, that drained feeling is *very* familiar -- as well as
"being-run-over-with-a-truck" feeling.  I think that hg's have a lot to do
with the chronic feeling of low energy that a lot of us develop after a while.

#: 98777 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  09:47:27
Sb: #98773-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

<ROFLOL> Ed, I love it. <g>  I wonder, though, on a very serious level, if I
had not been subject to mood swings and galloping blood sugars, would I be the
same person I am today? I also wonder if the people who are annoyed by what
happens when we shock out have the foggiest notion of what reality is?

#: 98787 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  10:07:55
Sb: #98773-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Belver Ladson 75230,2044
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Ed,

       When I get *uptight* because of high BG's and start *yelling* and
*screaming* it's as if *anything*, I mean even the slightest *touch*!, can set
me off.  Now after yelling and screaming and feeling so angry you think your
head will explode, then try telling someone.  "Oh, my glucose level was
high/low sorry.".

       They will look at you and say, "Yeah, sure!", and that's only because,
as I was saying before, this in an *invisible* disease to the public.  It's
*intangible* to them <repeating myself>.

*Belver*

#: 98803 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  11:29:40
Sb: #98760-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: Will Ryan 71172,2033 (X)

All of that sounds familiar to me, Will. However, the "drained" feeling only
last for a few hours these days, most of the time. I do have times when the
whole next day is shot.

Tell your wife that my wife understands. She now has a DM son, as well as a DM
husband, and the poor lady is going to be gray before her time, I'm afraid.

#: 98808 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  11:56:30
Sb: #98777-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223 (X)

I am certain that I would still be tactful if I had not been DM for 20 years.
Being tactful used to be my natural state. Now, it requires a concerted effort
to be that way. I am inclined to call a spade a spade under almost all
circumstances. Some people consider it an endearing frankness; others consider
it unsufferable rudeness. <g!>

As for reality, I believe this: few people have as good a sense as we of how
fragile and transient is our grip on that steady state that most people call
"reality". Reality is a fairly relative thing to me, as it probably is to you
and many others here.

#: 98809 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  11:56:35
Sb: #98787-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: Belver Ladson 75230,2044 (X)

I can identify with that feeling, Belver, as I'm sure many of our other
members can. It's tough to get your apologies accepted, even when you *do*
recognize what's going on, by someone who doesn't understand.

#: 98814 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  12:52:09
Sb: #98808-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Ed,
	  I would like to get your second paragraph bronzed and mounted over my
office door.  You have hit a very important truth.

#: 98831 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  14:52:09
Sb: #98808-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Ed,

The thing that bothers me more than the fragility of our sense of reality
(heck, some of us muck about with that on purpose) is the fragility of the
demon cages we keep down in the basement.

#: 98841 S3/Friends & Family
    19-Sep-92  15:42:24
Sb: #98831-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653

Tell us about those "demon cages", Tom, if it wouldn't be an intrusion. If it
is, please just ignore this message.

#: 98858 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  16:35:25
Sb: #98841-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

No intrusion at all, Ed.  The phrase probably sounded more ominous than I
meant it to be, but here goes.

Personally, I have a very nasty temper, and under it all, I am pretty testy. A
lot of the people I know on line don't believe that, in fact I have been
accused of being so even-keeled that I am boring.<G>  I have worked long and
hard to develop that even-tempered facade (for lack of a better word) since I
was suspended from high school for physically attacking another person when I
blew my cool over a minor infraction of my personal area of responsiblity.
(He was ok, BTW -- he was twice my size -- I've never been a bully.)  When I
get very drunk, or extremely HG, all of that comes violently to the surface.
Last time I got truly wasted, for example, I took on a Marine MP unit, and
apparently held my own for a while -- I can't remember -- which is why I
rarely drink alchohol anymore.  The last month I was on insulin last year, I
had some severe HG's.  At one point, I walked into one of the offices and work
and was on such a yo-yo of emotion that I was later told that I was one minute
a blubbering puddle on the floor, and the next I was violently tossing boxes
around.  (I was also apparently under the belief that sales reps from Lilly
and Novo where waiting outside the door, so I spent a great deal of time
hiding.<sickly g>)  These are the demons that I keep chained up, and I truly
fear them getting out.

<phew> This post has been much harder than I thought it would be.  I hope I
haven't left the impression that I am a *very* violent person -- my temper
does have a fairly long fuse, and I am normally in control enough that I will
usually leave a situation before I get to the point of blowing my stack.

#: 98865 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  17:16:33
Sb: #98858-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653

Thanks for filling us in on that, Tom. How do you feel about these "demons";
do they scare you, embarrass you, etc.? Does their presence intimidate you
from being as open and as relaxed as you would like to be?

Anyone who has faced a temprorary aberration in behavior probably has some
fear that it will surface again, as I do with depression (clinical in '71 and
again in '81). In the short term, fear of the way we behave when hypoor
hyperglycemic may intimidate a lot of us without our being fully aware of it.
I believe that's the case, in fact, although I've only talked to one or two
other diabetics about it.

I did used to fear making a fool of myself when I was out of whack, either
hyper or hypo. That fear is pretty much gone. But I think there is a residual
feeling of resignation, that I'm going to do something or say something,
sooner or later, that will embarrass me. Accepting it makes it easier, but I
suspect it has had some negative effect on self-esteem that I'm not fully
aware of.

Thoughts, anyone?

#: 98870 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  17:29:51
Sb: #98865-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Yep.  Scare the crap out of me, and embarass me to no end.  Their presence
does indeed make me keep my guard up constantly, and that fear is what makes
me real cautious about testing my BG's and worries me about having to go on
meds again.  It also makes me careful of sharing opinions and views a lot of
times -- for fear that I will *really* put my foot in it and come across as an
unfeeling clod.<G>

From my conversation with people in the forum and with diabetics that I meet,
from time to time in person, I think you are right about this having an effect
on self esteem.  Not too many seem to be able to articulate it very well, but
I think that what we are saying in this thread may ring some bells with some
of the folks here.

Anybody agree or disagree?

#: 98878 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  17:48:59
Sb: #98865-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

For the record, Ed.  Depression is a complication of diabetes.

#: 98900 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  18:48:25
Sb: #98878-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223 (X)

RE: depression a complication of diabetes

Yeah, we've discussed this before, and there may be some connection in my
case. But my first bout pre-dated my DX by two years. And my father and uncles
all suffered depressions. I also fit some of the other profile characteristics
for people who suffer from decade-periodic clinical depression. Thank God this
decade seems to have passed me by, so far.

#: 98906 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  19:14:06
Sb: #98900-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Ed,
	  Even Type I diabetics are believed to have the disease 2-8 years before
it is diagnoseable.  If Testoserone makes the differences it is purported to,
I cannot believe that Insulin is a less important hormone.

#: 98910 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  19:47:18
Sb: #98906-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223 (X)

Could be. But, as I said, there are many other indicators in my case that I
fit the profile for this classic kind of clinical depression.

Thankfully there are better drug treatments for it now. If I ever feel it
coming on again, I'm going *straight* for the drugs. No "counseling", no
waiting it out -- it's far, far too painful. As the author of one book on the
subject says, it's a "season in Hell".

#: 98921 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  20:03:15
Sb: #98910-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

I have been there and understand, Ed.  'nuff said.

#: 98942 S3/Friends & Family
	20-Sep-92  02:44:07
Sb: #98236-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Andy Rinehold 70277,2333
To: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144 (X)

Linda,

>  Russian Roulette

Yeah, with all the cylinders loaded!

#: 99013 S3/Friends & Family
	20-Sep-92  07:01:37
Sb: #98858-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653

Thomas,
	   RE: accused of being so even-keeled that I am boring. <g>

	   Ahem. <Tapping fingernails on desktop> Who on earth would have said
such a thing about you? <wry smile> Perhaps you're more patient with those
that are patient with you?

Linda

#: 99056 S3/Friends & Family
	20-Sep-92  09:38:01
Sb: #98743-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Bruce MacDougall 71545,1520
To: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223 (X)

>"rule of 30's"

That's interesting.  Do you recall where you picked that up?

#: 99069 S3/Friends & Family
	20-Sep-92  10:12:34
Sb: #99056-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: Bruce MacDougall 71545,1520

I think it was in one of the 1960's articles I looked up to establish that
reactions are a serious complication of diabetes. I don't have the cite handy.
Sorry.

#: 99081 S3/Friends & Family
	20-Sep-92  11:14:34
Sb: #99013-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653
To: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144

re:  More patient whith those that are patient with you.

Right the first time!  And with those I have to be patient with.<G>

#: 99112 S3/Friends & Family
	20-Sep-92  17:22:50
Sb: #99013-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653
To: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144

Besides,

Who needs to be patient with me?  I'm the original sweetheart!<gdrvvvvvvf>

#: 99168 S3/Friends & Family
	21-Sep-92  06:16:01
Sb: #98803-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Will Ryan 71172,2033
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Thanks Ed.  Fortunately for me, Susanna was grey before I knew her, so at
least I can't have this impact on her.  I have been trying to encourage her to
get on to our forum, but so far no luck.  Any suggestions?  Susanna is very
active on-line in other forums, just not ours.  I typically print out messages
that I think would be of interest to her.  This is an OK process for now.

--Will

#: 99182 S3/Friends & Family
	21-Sep-92  08:50:23
Sb: #99112-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653

Thomas,
	   :RE Who needs to be patient with me...

	   Wasn't it you I spoke to voice last week who said "Bestest, please be
patient with me?" <g> Then of course there's that woman in your office who
keeps looking for evidence of smoking going on, and there's your wife Vicky,
and then we've got David, and of course let's not forget every single driver
in San Francisco...shall I go on "original sweetheart"? <gdrvf>

Linda

#: 99183 S3/Friends & Family
	21-Sep-92  08:50:30
Sb: #99168-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: Will Ryan 71172,2033

Will,
	   I know you didn't ask me, but when has that ever stopped me from
answering? <g> Speaking from the standpoint of an SO, this isn't something you
can push down her throat. You can tell her there are other SO's out there who
would like to talk to her, in private group if she wishes, without you
standing over her shoulder watching. Maybe she's just afraid to let you know
"her" fears. At least Susanna is reading the messages you are printing out for
her. At least Susanna is reading the messages you are printing out for her. At
least she's getting her toes wet. That's alot more than many other SO's do.

Linda

#: 99185 S3/Friends & Family
	21-Sep-92  08:52:41
Sb: #99168-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: Will Ryan 71172,2033

How is Susanna about COs, Will? The messages on the board may be a bit dry for
her, but COs are never dry. <g>

#: 99338 S3/Friends & Family
	23-Sep-92  02:59:42
Sb: #98661-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Shawn Davidson 72210,170
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Ed,
  Gee, sounds like a normal day <g>!
  It has been a long time since I've gotten the shakes. Not because they don't
happen, just they seem to happen VERY LOW for me now. I have been to 45 with
nothing more than the feeling that something was "wrong".
  The first "symptom" I ususally get is vision problems. Things seem to slow
down and get dimmer. I have trouble tracking moving objects. I'm not really
sure where "tired" falls into this whole picture because I get relatively
little sleep and am frequently tired.
  So far, I have never blacked out.

#: 99339 S3/Friends & Family
	23-Sep-92  02:59:46
Sb: #98773-#Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Shawn Davidson 72210,170
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Ed,
  That is the RIGHT attitude! I will apologize if I do something
dumb/dangerous, but I DO NOT feel guilty!

#: 99386 S3/Friends & Family
	23-Sep-92  08:58:08
Sb: #99338-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Shawn Davidson 72210,170

You and I are among the lucky ones, regarding blacking out, based on the
comments from many other members here. I think that would change my whole
outlook on DM. Until my son was dx'd, I didn't feel any immediate danger from
the disease. I imagine that those who black out certainly do.

#: 99387 S3/Friends & Family
	23-Sep-92  08:59:12
Sb: #99339-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Shawn Davidson 72210,170

Agreed. No sense in feeling guilty about something that is beyond our
reasonable control. Guilt is a horribly destructive emotion, anyway.

#: 99452 S3/Friends & Family
	23-Sep-92  16:37:12
Sb: #99338-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223
To: SYSOP*Shawn Davidson 72210,170

Vision problems coming 'first' are a hallmark of human insulin, Shawn.

#: 99495 S3/Friends & Family
	23-Sep-92  19:00:49
Sb: #99387-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513 (X)

Ed,

re:  Apologies

Linda and I have talked about this a lot, but in the event of future bad
weather, I would like to offer the following on behalf of both Linda and
myself.

For the _______ (fill in type of bad weather today) that happened today, I
offer my complete and abject apology.  This was inexcusable weather was
motivated by ________ (low BG/high BG/crappy attitude).  I regret any pain
that the weather has caused you and yours today.

<g>

#: 99498 S3/Friends & Family
	23-Sep-92  19:37:08
Sb: #99495-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513
To: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653

RE: weather apology

Grin! Do you keep that on little 3 x 5 cards, ready to fill in and hand out as
the need arises?

#: 99511 S3/Friends & Family
	23-Sep-92  21:46:43
Sb: #99498-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

Ed,

Re:  3x5 Cards ready to fill in and hand out.

Actually, I have it printed on the back of my business cards.<G>

#: 99543 S3/Friends & Family
	24-Sep-92  12:21:05
Sb: #99495-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653

<ROFLMAO!> Yes, that certainly sizes up my guilt complex. I think that came
about when I first met David and kept apologizing for everything. He asked me
why I did that. I think my reply was something like "Me? Oh h***, I apologize
for the weather for crissakes." I still do, and so do you. <g>

Linda

#: 99544 S3/Friends & Family
	24-Sep-92  12:21:15
Sb: #99498-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: SYSOP*Linda Wilk 73747,3144
To: SYSOP*Ed Huntress 76537,513

Ed,
	 RE: Little 3x5 cards...

	   GREAT idea! I'll have to go out and get some of the pretty colored ones
for mine. It will sure save on using my voice so much :-) Thomas and I also
have to come up with a general all purpose apology card. You know, "For
whatever went wrong in your life today...

LMW

#: 99554 S3/Friends & Family
	24-Sep-92  13:07:58
Sb: #99495-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: jim Beyer 73060,1544
To: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653

Tom, how about adding this to the signon bulletin?

<G>
FWIW
Jim

#: 99643 S3/Friends & Family
	24-Sep-92  18:27:27
Sb: #98814-Mood Swings by a new II
Fm: Carol & Marc Oster 72070,3643
To: SYSOP*Dave Groves 76703,4223 (X)

hear, hear.

#: 98918 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  19:59:57
Sb: Mood Swings of a New II
Fm: Judy Cline 76420,512
To: Tom Arthurs 76702,1653

Tom,

	 I too have a terrible temper at times, although my anger is usually
directed at myself.  Just before I was diagnosed, when things were in an
uproar at work because we were in the midst of remodeling and everything was
just short of chaos, and I really wasn't feeling that hot, I really lost it at
work.

	 I was in a hurry to get to the bank and this stupid report just wouldn't
print.  I thought I finally had it right, but no, at 4:50, the darn thing was
still a mess.  When I discovered this on walking into the printer room, I
picked up several empty boxes and literally threw them out the door!  It was
that or the printer itself, and it was a close call.

	 Our secretary (whose area received the bombardment) slowly peeked around
the corner and asked if I was okay.  I said no, but not to worry, that the
worst was over.  I was really embarrassed by the whole incident, but it turns
out she thought it was kind of funny, since it was so out of character for
cool, calm, collected Judy!

	 One thing they used to say in Alanon, that when you compare your insides
to someone else's outsides, you come out the loser every time.  You rarely get
to see anyone else's insides, and I'm told some of them are a real mess.  I
know mine are at times!

#: 98937 S3/Friends & Family
	19-Sep-92  23:27:49
Sb: #98918-Mood Swings of a New II
Fm: SYSOP*Tom Arthurs 76702,1653
To: Judy Cline 76420,512 (X)

Oh, well.  I didn't even touch on my anger at myself.  I swear I am my own
worst enemy.<G>  If someone else was that angry at me, I'd be scared!

Being in the line of work I am (computers) I get struck by the perversity of
the inanimate a lot.  Sheesh, things were bad before when all we had to deal
with was dumb cars with bad attitudes, but now we have machines that sort of
think.<G>  This does not help one's temper one little bit.