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I've never been diabetic. Or even close to it. My blood sugar used to be a consistent 60. No it's shot up to 127! I'm taking abilify and invega, as well as topamax. which could be the culprit? I'm scared shitless of developing type 2 diabetes as my mom has it.

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Well, of those three, the Invega's the most likely. Certainly not the Topamax.

Was it a fasting glucose or a random glucose? Were your other labs fasting or random?

60's low-normal, so going up from there isn't totally a bad thing. One mildly elevated random reading: not cause for huge alarm quite yet.

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The invega would be my first guess since it's a metabolite of risperidone. It's supposed to have a greatly reduced side effect profile but that could be drug company marketing BS. If it's working for you you might want to consider treating the side effect rather than discontinuing the medication.

The two APs you are on have the best side effect profiles of all the AAPs, at least on paper. Most of them have the potential to screw with glucose metabolism. You can counter this by cutting carbs, particularly starch and refined sugars out of your diet. I've heard of metformin, a diebeties medication also being used to counter it.

All dugs have side effects. A whole lot of them suck ass. The question is if the side effects are worse than what you're taking the meds for in the first place.

Which is easier to live with, diabetes or being batshit insane? I'd take the diabetes any day.

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OK, that's a clearer picture. Thanks!

Be respectful of it, especially with your family history. I'd definitely consult your doctor at the earliest possible convenience.

On the other hand, you need to keep your brain clear as well as your glucose within range.

On the third hand, insulin resistance secondary to AAPs can be moderated quite a bit with dietary changes towards low glycemic index foods, etc.

Is there such a thing as a diabetes educator in your area? Those folks are incredibly helpful in helping moderate diet to wrangle AAP-associated changes in blood sugar, in my experience.

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I've never heard of a diabetes educator.. So, I guess not. I know how to modify my diet to combat high blood sugar, so I will. I did atkins 3 years back, for 2 years straight, so I know which foods to avoid. I think I'll start tomorrow. My pdoc says it might be the invega, but (strangely) that the abilify should equilibrate the effect, which i don't understand..

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I used to work at an outpatient mental health clinic which had about 450 clients. I saw so much diabetes it was ridiculous. It is definitely a common side effect of atypical antipsychotics. However, I do think what everyone is saying here makes sense. Also you could always go see an endocrinologist to help you manage your risk. See what the psychiatrist and family doctor say. Most people don't do anything to try to minimize their risk of diabetes when on these meds. I'm willing to bet it would greatly help.

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I find blood sugar control ain't really much of an issue...if every thing else is in control. Take it from, shall we say, an expert. Zyprexa was the only thing that really screwed me up, though geodon wasn't long term and seroquel was only for sleep (and I bet that would've knocked me out of whack).

A blood sugar of 60, quite frankly, I would consider low enough to suck down serious sugar, but if you were fine with it, whatever...127 would totally not scare me. It's within range. My brother got a 150 on my meter once, after a meal, so take that for what it's worth; they call it a "fasting" blood sugar for a reason.

Personally I would take a wait-and-see approach before worrying. I was a clear cut case of type I diabetes and they took their time to dx me anyways, so don't sweat it--and don't do some stupid fad diet, just eat healthier.

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Yes, but in med school they should also emphasize that one elevated reading does not constitute a formal diagnosis of T2DM. So I think your plan to be watchful and to followup with your FP is a fantastic one... but remember to breathe, OK?

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