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Up to 50% of type 1 diabetics may suffer from gastoparesis

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AJLang

AJLang

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
I'm not putting that statistic up to scare anyone, it's a quote from Diabetes UK, but know that I suffered from symptoms - nausea, stomach bloating, lack of appetitite, heartburn and veryu erratic blood sugars - for a long time before it was diagnosed and I found out that there was help available. For me one of the main problems is eating dinner in the evening - not always but sometimes with BGs "normal" until about 3am when there is a sudden upswing in BG level to 17-25 when I have to inject extra humalog. I'm therefore posting this link

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Guide-to-Diabetes-extra-pages/Gastroparesis/

in case anyone is suffering from these symptoms but not seeking medical help - I might note that my DSN at the hospital didn't pick up on it despite numerous visits because of problems with control and my GP's diabetic nurse, who is great in many ways, had not heard of it until I told her the other day. Anyway I hope that no-one has these symptoms but if you do I hope that the link helps or if I can do anything to help. PS the treatment can just be medication and not some of the scarier options that are on the link
 
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Thank you for posting this AJ. Many people are familiar with the usual eye and kidney problems, but are often unaware of some of the potential complications of diabetes, so it's useful to be on the lookout for things and try an catch them as early as possible.
 
interesting... I have suffered from unexplained chronic stomach bloating/abdo pain...however, I've never suffered from a lack of appetite 😛
 
Mmm.. very interesting

For a while I have been taking OTC prantoprazole *sp* on and off for a few weeks...uncomfortable stomach (usually after a carby-hard to digest food)
How would I go about enquiring diagnosis??

Jo x
 
Hi Jo

I spoke to my diabetic consultant about all of my symptoms and he suggested that I had a scan done which diagnoses gastroparesis. I think that it helped that when I saw him I was carefully able to describe my symptoms to him and had already realised myself that there was a good chance it was gastoparesis (although I didn't need to tell him this). I guess it's possible to have the same conversation with your GP although they mat be as well informed about diabetic gastroparesis
 
Denise

For years I have suffered from nausea and light headedness for about two hours after taking insulin (actrapid) and eating. Could this be gastoparesis? It has resulted in me having a very odd relationship with food, I know I need the insulin
but the thought of the nausea makes me put of meals as long as possible. Has this happened to anyone else and how did it get resolved. Thank you
 
Denise Noone said:
For years I have suffered from nausea and light headedness for about two hours after taking insulin (actrapid) and eating. Could this be gastoparesis? It has resulted in me having a very odd relationship with food, I know I need the insulin
but the thought of the nausea makes me put of meals as long as possible. Has this happened to anyone else and how did it get resolved. Thank you
Click to expand...

Are you on any other medications that may cause nausea? What are your blood sugar levels like when you feel like this? How long have you had diabetes? Sorry for all the questions! 🙂
 
Hello!
I am on blood pressure meds. thyroid, and after a recent mild stroke, blood thinner. I have been insulin dependent for 31 years. My blood sugars are in their normal range,6.5 to 10. during all of this, though sometimes they shoot sky high for no obvious reason. Happy to answer any questions....Denise
 
Denise Noone said:
Hello!
I am on blood pressure meds. thyroid, and after a recent mild stroke, blood thinner. I have been insulin dependent for 31 years. My blood sugars are in their normal range,6.5 to 10. during all of this, though sometimes they shoot sky high for no obvious reason. Happy to answer any questions....Denise
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How long have you had the problem with the nausea? I know that, when I was diagnosed I was put on blood pressure and blood thinner meds (ramipril and clopidogrel) and both gave me problems with nausea. The nausea eased when I was changed to candesartan for the BP, so it may be worth asking if there are alternatives you could try and see if things improve. As gastropariesis is a problem with stomach-emptying, I think the general indication is that your blood sugar levels become unpredictable after eating, so if yours are reasonable apart from the odd occasion then I'd suspect it wasn't that - but I'm not a doctor! Have you spoken to your GP about it? I believe there are tests they can do to confirm or rule it out.
 
Those are the exact medication I am on!! I had the stroke on Aug. 18th and cartorid surgery a week later.These two meds were prescribed at that time. The Doctors are still adjusting so this may be the problem. I will ask at my next appointment. I have to say though that the food problem has been going on long before that.
 
Denise Noone said:
Those are the exact medication I am on!! I had the stroke on Aug. 18th and cartorid surgery a week later.These two meds were prescribed at that time. The Doctors are still adjusting so this may be the problem. I will ask at my next appointment. I have to say though that the food problem has been going on long before that.
Click to expand...

With me, the problem with ramipril became apparent when they started increasing the dose. I don't think the clopidogrel was really part of the problem though, for me. I would certainly ask about the tests for gastroparesis at the appointment though, or perhaps there is a medication that can help with the nausea. I was on omeprazole for a while which is supposed to help.

Let us know how you get on! 🙂
 
Hi Denise I'm sorry to hear about the problems you have been having. Obviously we can't give medical advice but one of the main issues with diabetic gastroparesis is that it causes erratic blood sugars BUT not everyone has the same symptoms for this illness. I would definitely speak to the doctor about the nausea as there are treatments for nausea available such as domperidone and tests for gastroparesis.
 
Thank you for responding. I will bring this medication up with my Doctor. I will also bring up the gastoparesis with him.
I have just found this site and am finding it very helpful !!
 
I too was prescribed Omeprazole right after the stroke as I was taking large doses of aspirin and extreme blood thinner. Once I was taken off these I was taken off the Omeprazole. This last week the Ramipril has been increased twofold, I will bring this up with my GP this week. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me, I don't know any other diabetics and it can get isolating. This is a wonderful forum...Denise
 
I notice that pain is not listed as a symptom and pain is a huge symptom of mine, along with the others which are listed, but the GP still says he thinks I have gastroparesis. I am on the medication but he will not send me for a formal test as yet. :confused:
 
For what compelling reason won't he send you for tests?

What if you had summat entirely different, like there's something growing there that there shouldn't be, blocking your digestive system?

I'm sure you'll realise what I mean - sorry Newbs not deliberately trying to worry you - but I would be worried in case it was what I'm on about and I would need to know for definite that it was or wasn't that, pdq.
 
trophywench said:
For what compelling reason won't he send you for tests?

What if you had summat entirely different, like there's something growing there that there shouldn't be, blocking your digestive system?

I'm sure you'll realise what I mean - sorry Newbs not deliberately trying to worry you - but I would be worried in case it was what I'm on about and I would need to know for definite that it was or wasn't that, pdq.
Click to expand...

I had an endoscopy last year that apparently showed that my stomach had motility problems and GP says if the medication is helping then it is highly likely that it is gastroparesis and he is reluctant to send me for any more tests so to keep taking them. I would rather know for sure what it is, as you say, but can't get him to budge atm. He is considering sending me for another endoscopy though!
 
Hi Newbs it was my diabetic consultant who sent me for the gastric emptying test. I didn't get anywhere with my GPs until they were shocked when they saw the result of the test. Are you able to speak to your consultant?
 
Well I think you defo need to ask for a 2nd opinion off someone Newbs. You need a definite diagnosis.

I know it seems likely it is G - but I frankly believe G is also a Specialist Subject and doesn't fall into General Knowledge, to quote Mastermind.

How many cases of it does the GP see in his life?
 
Hi Amanda,

Thats interesting - I didnt realise it was such a high percentage.😱

I also think the symptoms are very similar if not identical to 'caeliac' disease which of course is also related to Type 1 - although not sure what percentages. When you were diagnosed did they also test you for caeliac? I know that blood tests can show it up - but its a very sensitive test which sometimes needs more in-depth investigation and sometimes a biopsy.🙂Bev
 
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