When blood sugar gets low, the liver steps in to turn stored carbohydrate into glucose. When someone drinks, the liver is instead working to eliminate the alcohol, because it'll deal with eliminating a toxin (alcohol) first before doing anything else. So she's in danger, if she drinks heavily, of her blood sugar dropping dangerously low.

Coupled with that, if she drinks enough to damage her liver, then this will obviously have a knock-on effect on her body's ability to cope with sugar highs or lows.

So, the answer is yes, she's going to make her diabetes worse if she drinks excessively.

Maybe it's the other way around. Maybe the lexapro isn't working because of all her drinking.

I can see where you'd be concerned, Specklet. Has anyone else in the family talked to her about it?

is she going to make her diabetes worse by drinking?

I would say yes. Light to moderate drinking may not pose a problem, but if she has an alcohol problem it can't be good. Diabetes wreaks havoc on the cardiovascular system, as does heavy consumption of alcohol.

Your aunt has probably had nutritional counseling concerning her diabetes, especially if she is on insulin. If she hasn't met with a clinical dietitian or nutritionist, I would advise her to do so. Also, it's wise to see an endocrinologist on a regular basis to manage her diabetes. Control of type II diabetes depends so much on lifestyle.

If you live nearby, maybe you could join her for a walking program. Being outdoors and exercising may help her depression and increase her insulin sensitivity.

Often people with diabetes (or any other serious health condition) become depressed because of their diagnosis. They feel like they can't eat like everyone else, they're on meds, they have to check their sugar, etc. Reading the effects of diabetes on the body can certainly be depressing.

Does she have friends? Is she lonely? Most of us know what to do and how to behave to lead a healthier lifestyle. It can be so darned hard, if not impossible, when depressed.

Denial is another factor. So many people I take care of in the hospital with Type II diabetes are in sheer denial. It's callous, but I'd say denial is the reason why most people develop Type II diabetes in the first place.

Yeah, thanks, guys, that's basically what I figured. Damn.

More info:

She's pretty good about what she eats, even if she's slightly overweight. Lots of veggies, some junk food, but mostly good, unprocessed stuff.

I don't know if she sees an endocrinologist (I'll try and mention that to her, but it's tricky talking to her about these things), but I do know that she's seen her doctor recently.

I do indeed live nearby, and I've tried to get her to start a walking program, but she just won't do it. (She used to have a fun sales job that kept her on her feet, but now she's working a desk. Iv'e asked her if she wants to go back to sales (because her weight was lower and she seemed happier) but she says she really doesn't.)

I don't know if she's lonely. She has some friends, and a relatively active social life. I see her about once a week, too. But yeah, she's depressed and it's hard for her to get out and have fun.

I don't think she's in denial about her diabetes (she had a mis-diagnosed thyroid problem that started it, may her old doctor rot in hell), and I don't think she is about her drinking, either. I think she knows what she's doing but just can't stop.

Oh jeez, and she smokes, too.

My dear auntie. I don't know what to do.

ah specklet, you're a good niece. There isn't much you can do. Many wishes for good health and happiness to your aunt.

I'm on lexapro and not diabetic BUT since starting lexapro I get drunk SUPER EASILY. I'm talking I get buzzed after a couple sips and then I'm fully drunk if I finish the drink.

I had two drinks (jack and diet coke) a few months back and I woke up the next morning (5am) still DRUNK. It impaired my balance.

And I think LoriFLA is right about people going into denial and/or denial being a big cause of type II diabetes. (I know denial has been a big factor in my dad's health over the past few years since he retired. He goes in for a heart cath tomorrow so I think we're at the end of his denial.)

The diabeetus also causes the depression, so maybe you want to recall when she started getting depressed. If her depression is being caused by the diabeetus and she's not been prone to depression before, you could appeal to whatever self preservation is left towards feeling better in general and that feeling crappy is not normal or inevitable.
Of course, i don't know how stubborn and/or crotchety she is normally or in an advancing state of depression, or what sense of humor she has...

i wish i had that Wilford Brimley diabeetus shirt.

Thanks all.

Unfortunately, eth, she's been depressed on and off for years, long before the diabetes showed up. (The whole family has a history of depression. Goddamn brain chemisty.)

I've offered to help her clean her house; I know having a nice environment imapcts her mental state positively. And I'll continue hanging out with her and encouraging her in what ways I can. And if there's some way to mention in conversation without alienating her, I'll gently tell her my concerns.

*sigh*

She needs a new lover.
A lover schooled in the ways of diabeetus.
May i suggest Wilford Brimley?
"Like blue steel," i hear.

Poorly controlled diabetes and alcoholism worsen depression, Specklet.

In my medical opinion, a 60 year old person with diabetes who smokes and drinks to excess is unusual. Enjoy her while you have her.

What everyone up there ^^^ said. Also, some diabetes meds say don't drink if you're taking them. I don't know what happens if you do (do they not work? work better and give lows?). On the rare occasion I've had a drink while on diabetes meds nothing seemed to affect me one way or the other (blood sugar levels or anything else).

I'm on Effexor (Lexapro didn't do anything for me) so I can't help with anything on that end, but it might be time for her to try a new depression med.

Probably needless to say, drinking and smoking are big no-nos when you have diabetes. You're already at a higher risk for so many things (stroke, heart-attack, kidney & liver problems, etc.) and both of those bad habits make it worse.

You're a good niece to be worried. I hope Auntie gets some help.