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Hello

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P

Purple Haze

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1.5 LADA
Hi, I’m not newly diagnosed but have never ventured into a forum like this. I’m a T1.5 LADA since 2012 and have never really accepted it. Taking novorapid and levemir, but management is not that good. Having constipation for the last week has really shaken me because I have realised it could be a diabetes complication. I feel so scared and lonely right now, as well as very uncomfortable. Tried senokot, Dulcolax, pro biotics, kiwi fruit and nothing has worked. Am about to go and see the GP but wondered if anyone has ever had this, or maybe is having the same problem. Or is even awake right now? Jenny
 
Welcome to the forum Purple. There are some fellow T1.5 LADA on here, along with T1 and us T2.
Yes it can be scary.
 
I get constipated, but it isn't a diabetic complication, just me not eating enough fibre and/or not taking enough exercise.

But - whatever it is - do NOT ignore it - get to the docs.
 
Thanks guys, it’s good to talk to other people about it even if it’s virtual. I’ve read that diabetic neuropathy can affect your spinal/stomach muscles so am worried about that. Probably needlessly as you are always one click from death on the internet. Am juicing, exercising and fibreing up today with a passion today. Thanks for the link Ralf.
 
I've had constipation quite often over the last ~12 months, never very much before then. Now based on some reading I think it may be diabetes-related, part of a package along with some mild neuropathy in feet & apparently early signs of retinopathy.

Since I've gotten my blood sugar under better control, the constipation has improved hugely, also the neuropathy symptoms. Haven't spoken about the constipation with my doctor, but yr message reminds me I probably should next time I see him.

Anyway, as TW says, do go over it with yr doc. And you'll find this forum a great place for support and info!
 
Thanks Eddy, have an appointment now with my doctor on Tuesday so this is very helpful. One of the things I have started over the last week is magnesium supplements which are supposed to help with constipation and a whole host of other things. Thanks for telling me what happening to you.
 
Hello Purple
Just like everyone says.. get to a doctor and see what happens, also like everyone says not everything is down to diabetes.. we get the normal stuff too.
There is a lot of scared and lonely feeling involved, that is pretty much a given with diabetes.. and a sudden realisation that maybe management could be better has got to weigh on your mind.. but you have a step forward, the doctor will give you some information and you can take another step from there.
Lots of people taking the same steps, you've just caught up with a load of them.
 
Thanks Christophe, I appreciate the advice and support. I’m definitely guilty of burying myself in work and family life and not dealing with diabetic stuff.
 
Hellp Purple Haze, and welcome 🙂

All sorts of things can cause constipation, from lack of fibre in your diet to IBS to Hypothryoidism, so it could easily have nothing to do with diabetes and it could easily be treatable, but I agree with the others that seeing a doctor about it would be sensible. Peppermints might help with the discomfort, or peppermint & licorice tea (I find that better than plain peppermint tea, but it's a bit of an acquired taste).
 
Hi Purple, welcome 🙂 constipation is awful and will make you feel tired and miserable 😳 I’m glad you are going to see your doc, best way to put your mind at rest. Hope you get things moving soon 😉
 
TheClockworkDodo said:
Hellp Purple Haze, and welcome 🙂

All sorts of things can cause constipation, from lack of fibre in your diet to IBS to Hypothryoidism, so it could easily have nothing to do with diabetes and it could easily be treatable, but I agree with the others that seeing a doctor about it would be sensible. Peppermints might help with the discomfort, or peppermint & licorice tea (I find that better than plain peppermint tea, but it's a bit of an acquired taste).
Click to expand...

Hi Juliet,
I didn’t know that peppermint might help - and I have some peppermint and licorice tea in the cupboard so will try that, thank you!
 
CathyB said:
Hi Purple, welcome 🙂 constipation is awful and will make you feel tired and miserable 😳 I’m glad you are going to see your doc, best way to put your mind at rest. Hope you get things moving soon 😉
Click to expand...

Thanks Cathy, never thought I be wishing for a bowel movement so much! Also never knew that constipation could be this bad. Thank you so much for the kind words. i’ll Let you know when things are on the move!
 
Purple Haze said:
Thanks Eddy, have an appointment now with my doctor on Tuesday so this is very helpful. One of the things I have started over the last week is magnesium supplements which are supposed to help with constipation and a whole host of other things. Thanks for telling me what happening to you.
Click to expand...

Good luck! I understand how distressing it can be - never a problem I'd had before & it seemed to be getting worse, before I got my diabetes diagnosis & started getting BG under control. Who knows whether that was the cause for the improvement - I think it probably was, because I was generally getting plenty of fibre before & my dietary changes have been more like tweaks than radical upheavals - but really impossible to say.

Whatever,if it's a spur to get things under better control, you'll end up with a win.
 
Welcome Purple

Sorry to hear your difficulties. It is easy to link anything with the Diabetes, and difficult to separate them out
Glad to hear that you have your appointment.
 
Hello everyone, happy to report that things are now moving and I am feeling so much better. In the end it was a drink recommended as a home remedy that did the trick for me, a mix of 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda mixed with the juice of half a lemon in a glass of water. Tastes pretty disgusting I have to say!! To be fair I did also have Senokot and Dulcolax but neither of them had any effect. My doctor has calmed my fears and I am now focused on getting better control of my diabetes management. I think that a combination of very hot weather, non-air conditioned office, busy life meant I was dehydrated. I then lost track and didn’t fully realise that my bowels were not their usual self. Roll on a week and it was the most horrible issue and my stomach was so distended it was painful. Reading about constipation and diabetes has made me more aware of the need to be vigilant with control and keeping fluids up.
Thank you all so much for talking to me about this. I am relieved in more ways than one (!) and am very grateful for your advice and support. Jenny
 
Hi @Purple Haze, I`m sure when you see the doc most of it will be sorted. I`ve had a similar problem for many years and I take a supplement prescribed by the doc which keeps me in check. Anyhow welcome to the forum🙂.
 
So glad you are feeling better now Jenny, thank you for being so open and honest with us, a lesson for all of us here to keep well hydrated and manage our own diet to avoid this 🙄
 
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