Drugs and Diabetes

[PhoebeC]

Hi guys,

I dont know if i should be posting this here. I know its a touchy issue.

I know drinking isnt good for diabetes, and drugs arnt good either. I remember when i was 17 reading a leaflet about it in waiting room that my grandad had passed me about being a young person lol.

I just wondered if anyone had any info on why diabetics should not do drugs.

The advice on it on DaibetesUK is pants.

'Effect on your diabetes
Uppers can suppress appetite which can cause hypos, especially if combined with dancing. It?s really important to eat carbohydrate based foods regularly or drink sugary non-alcoholic drinks. And drink plenty of water - approximately a pint an hour. '

This makes it sound like yeah drugs are fine if you have a snack and keep your drinks.

By the sounds of it more and more people are using drugs socally and i myself cannot see why. Drugs are supposed to help you for medical reasons, and if your already on a lot anyway why would you want to put something else into your body that will harm it.

Thanks,

 

[Northerner]

I'm with you Phoebe. The DUK advice should also point out that they might mask the symptoms of a hypo until it becomes critical. Also, with illegal drugs you don't know what's in them - not worth it!

 

[Robster65]

I've known a lot of people who have taken drugs in their time (uni, etc) and from what they've described a lot of them appear to lower BG and stimulate various hormonal responses which would also have an effect.

I think people take them for the same reasons they always have. Instant gratification and a promise of 'something better' than what they perceive as their mundane lives. Except their mundane lives are often the same as everyone else's and the drugs don't take anything of that away. They just divert attention and a lot of money.

Some people obviously have very very hard lives and it may be the only way they can cope.

As time goes on, they seem to be more and more socially acceptable, which is a shame. And there's very little help (as with most things) to find a better way of coping.

Either way, not a good idea for a diabetic to take them. The body is random enough as it is!! 🙄

Rob

 

[Catwoman76]

I've known a lot of people who have taken drugs in their time (uni, etc) and from what they've described a lot of them appear to lower BG and stimulate various hormonal responses which would also have an effect.

I think people take them for the same reasons they always have. Instant gratification and a promise of 'something better' than what they perceive as their mundane lives. Except their mundane lives are often the same as everyone else's and the drugs don't take anything of that away. They just divert attention and a lot of money.

Some people obviously have very very hard lives and it may be the only way they can cope.

As time goes on, they seem to be more and more socially acceptable, which is a shame. And there's very little help (as with most things) to find a better way of coping.

Either way, not a good idea for a diabetic to take them. The body is random enough as it is!! 🙄

Rob

I think people take them for the same reasons they always have. Instant gratification and a promise of 'something better' than what they perceive as their mundane lives. Except their mundane lives are often the same as everyone else's and the drugs don't take anything of that away. They just divert attention and a lot of money.

Some people obviously have very very hard lives and it may be the only way they can cope.

I do agree with the first paragragh Rob. It a sad life when someone starts and then carries on taking even 'harder' drugs and to think that what they are doing is just well a walk in the park, an everyday occurance and thinks it's a fantastic 'recreation' past-time................then, can come, diseases like the Hep viruses especially Hep C which, in the later stages, is a killer in the end. There are 1000's of people out there that have been through very, very hard times and had shocking things done to them,phyiscally and physcologically but they don't all turn to drugs. Diabetic or not having a chronic medical illness, it's a very, very dangerous path to take. Sheena

 

[novorapidboi26]

Cocaine specifically aint good as it increases heart rate and BP, which for us diabetics is critical if were going to avoid damage to the eyes and other micro vascular systems.......

This would be the same for any amphetamine style drugs like speed and Ecstasy......

Cannabis I suppose shares all the same risks as smoking.......

And obviously, as previously mentioned, being able to spot hypos is important, but alcohol also effects this ability......and as far I know the above drugs don't drop the blood sugar......

So I would conclude that taking drugs as a diabetic comes with a slightly higher risk, but not hugely.......

 

[Robster65]

I think people take them for the same reasons they always have. Instant gratification and a promise of 'something better' than what they perceive as their mundane lives. Except their mundane lives are often the same as everyone else's and the drugs don't take anything of that away. They just divert attention and a lot of money.

Some people obviously have very very hard lives and it may be the only way they can cope.

I do agree with the first paragragh Rob. It a sad life when someone starts and then carries on taking even 'harder' drugs and to think that what they are doing is just well a walk in the park, an everyday occurance and thinks it's a fantastic 'recreation' past-time................then, can come, diseases like the Hep viruses especially Hep C which, in the later stages, is a killer in the end. There are 1000's of people out there that have been through very, very hard times and had shocking things done to them,phyiscally and physcologically but they don't all turn to drugs. Diabetic or not having a chronic medical illness, it's a very, very dangerous path to take. Sheena

I think for anyone, if only because of the addictive nature (chemical or psychological) of any drug it's a very dangerous path to tread.

I don't buy into the 'safe' drugs and 'unsafe' drugs theory. As far as I'm concerned, if you take them you're risking a progressive path through the stronger drugs to self-destruction.

I can understand why people do it and I sympathise with many whose lives are too hard to bear under normal circumstances, so they use it as an escape. But better if there was some help offered before things get that bad.

Sadly, the 'Big Society' doesn't seem to include those who aren't part of the establishment dream.

Rob

 

[Robster65]

Cocaine specifically aint good as it increases heart rate and BP, which for us diabetics is critical if were going to avoid damage to the eyes and other micro vascular systems.......

This would be the same for any amphetamine style drugs like speed and Ecstasy......

Cannabis I suppose shares all the same risks as smoking.......

And obviously, as previously mentioned, being able to spot hypos is important, but alcohol also effects this ability......and as far I know the above drugs don't drop the blood sugar......

So I would conclude that taking drugs as a diabetic comes with a slightly higher risk, but not hugely.......

I'm sure I've read somewhere that cannabis and some other drugs lower BG as part of their 'chilling' effect, which also explains why people get the munchies later. Basically the hypo "eat anything in sight" feeling.

I also believe there's a proven link between habitual cannabis use and development of mental health problems including paranoia and schizophrenia but there's a lot propaganda from both sides about drugs and it's hard to find a trustworthy study (for obvious reasons).

Rob

 

[Hanmillmum]

There is a link with cannabis and psychosis, and some other substances too. As well as depression, anxiety and mania. In my experience working in mental health and seeing it first hand, it is scary. Perhaps a pre-disposition and the chemical imbalance to set things off. Many times it is for the self medicating of symptoms that have appeared first, rather than seeking professional help.
I would imagine with some substances as well as not recognising hypos, there will come a general neglect and dispondance to looking after your BG's, diet etc

 

[Robster65]

It would do a lot of youngsters a lot of good to speak to reformed drug users so they can hear and see first hand the harm they can do.

Problem is, of course, there's always one heavy abuser who 'gets away with it' and the kids see them as proof that it's all just hyped to stop them taking them.

Not sure what the answer is to stop it all but the present policy doesn't seem to be making much impact. Maybe legalisation is the best way forward so they can destroy the illegal market and then somehow regulate it. But then, that doesn't stop kids from drinking and smoking.

Maybe just better education.

Rob

 

[Hanmillmum]

Better education, a cultural shift ( doesn't seem as dirty/scary to younger generation as it used to be), self confidence and esteem to be able to say no to peer pressure. Tools to cope with stresses and accessible support and resources. It's huge!

 

[Ellie Jones]

My kids told me I would make a hopeless druggie... I don't like injections, I hate taking tablets and when it comes to cannabis I can not abide the smell of the stuff... But even with lose little glitches it's still beyond me the 'Why's' to it all...

Cannabis, yep drops the blood glucose levels hence the munchies... But the biggest problem with this, is the dope that was smoked back in the 60's, 70's is a lot different than what's about now... What about now is a lot more powerful stuff.. Which causes a lot more problems more so when the individual still has a maturing brain...

Popper also dump the blood glucose levels, so Les say's,

Many years ago he was in the pub with his mates all been to the Glastonbury festive... One of his mates said 'here Les smell this' so it did next thing he knows he was coming around in A&E....

He later found out, that his mate who some would have the odd spliff, had decided to try popper's for a laugh... And thought it would be funny to get Les to take an unknowingly sniff...

They got a shock, he hit the deck and they landlord had to call out an ambulance...

 

[trophywench]

Did it put em off though? - hope so!

I did read several times in the past, that smoking cannabis quite helped the symptoms of MS and kind-of - if you are gonna die pretty soon anyway I can understand the attraction in those circs. Dunno if it was true or not. We had a friend with awful Rheumatoid arthritis who we knew had tried it. She actually said she didn't find much difference, which was actually quite a relief because she was no idiot (was a Rep for a Pharma supply co!) and knew all the negatives, but was suffering so much she thought 'What the hell - I'll try it'. Maybe having a negative disposition helped it not work? Who knows?

 

[PhoebeC]

My mums friend has a few seroius conditions that cause her a lot of pain and make her quite ill, so i know she does smoke the odd joint to stop the pain. Shes been told if she loves another 15 years then shes done well. So in those causes i can kind of see why.

I just dont know why somebody who could control thier condition better themselves would do such a thing to their body. If people lives are that bad they should speak out.

I never get the whole lifes so hard i hate it so i abuse myself for a slow death.

My grandad has been a serisous alcholhoic for years, and the past few years hes got a lot worse. Drinking bottles of whisky a day. Not washing or eating, getting lost and wetting himself. He is now in rehab and hopefully will get the care he needs.

Thing i dont get he has plenty of money, even though hes 73 healthy, he is clever and he has 2 children, 3 grandchilden and one great grandaughter he has never even met because he has never been in a safe state to have her around him. We all love him greatly.So how is his life that bad to drink and drink.

It seems waste of life when there are people out there who struggle just to live.

 

[novorapidboi26]

I'm sure I've read somewhere that cannabis and some other drugs lower BG as part of their 'chilling' effect, which also explains why people get the munchies later. Basically the hypo "eat anything in sight" feeling.

Cannabis, yep drops the blood glucose levels hence the munchies...

In my experience, which was only a few years ago now, when I had the odd joint when catching up with mates, and throughout my early teens, cannabis never affected my BG, I go the munchies, but I didn't actually see a drop as such........

 

[novorapidboi26]

So how is his life that bad to drink and drink

Being an Alcoholic or an addict of any substance doesn't mean their life is bad as such, it just means they are addicts...........so when they have drink/drugs there is a response/reaction that takes place that leads them to want more.....

This is what I was told when I attended a Cocaine Anonymous meeting that my brother was chairing.........not that I am an addict though, its my brother. His life wasn't bad at all, really good in fact, its just that when he took a line, he could not stop, an allergic reaction you could call it..........

So now he does not drink either as they learn that having an addiction is a reaction to any 'mind altering substances' and that to drink would set it off again........

Until I went to this meeting I just couldn't understand why these people done it, but explaining it as an allergic reaction makes it understandable....