Hi all :) Anyone else have Type 2 have digestions issues?

ahugaday4me

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone here with type 2 has digestion issues. My husband is type 2, has been for a long time. But he goes up and down on his weight, his sugar levels are up and down, it has just been a crazy roller coaster. He is taking Metformin and Onglyza but seems to still be high. Next step is insulin which he is really stressed that he does not want to use.

Recently he has been sick when he eats (upset stomach). For example, he was sick for 4 days with throwing up and diarrhea and lost 10 pounds... we thought it must have been food poison.. then he was light headed for a couple days with blood sugar a little high then he was fine. A week later we have the same thing. He is not eating alot because he feels full but feels hungry all the time. But then he has thrown up food that he ate days before, like his body is not digesting his food. We are making an appt with his doctor, but it is usually 3 weeks out for an appt. I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this......

We bought a juicer to see if that helps (darn google anyway.... start reading things and then your mind runs crazy). Juicing so far is not fun and very expensive........ any advice?

uttercaro

Metformin is notorious for causing intestinal trouble. Ask his doc about the extended release (ER) version; sometimes that's tolerated better.

robinred2

Metformin makes be have similiar feelings only more time in the bathroom and no vomitting. When I quit taking it I feel great. Also i found 30 minutes of exercise a day makes a big difference and it is a must to stay constant on a good diet, watching carbs and protein. See your endrocronoligist. Its a lot of hard work but is far better than the alternative.

jaygreen55

Look up Gastroparesis. It is a common complication of poorly controlled diabetes.

Here is an excerpt from Web MD:


Gastroparesis is a condition in which your stomach cannot empty itself of food in a normal fashion. It is caused by damage to the vagus nerve, which regulates the digestive system. A damaged vagus nerve prevents the muscles in the stomach and intestine from functioning, preventing food from moving through the digestive system properly. Often, the cause of gastroparesis is unknown.

However, the causes of gastroparesis can include:

Uncontrolled diabetes
Gastric surgery with injury to the vagus nerve
Medications such as narcotics and some antidepressants
Parkinson's disease
Multiple sclerosis
Rare conditions such as: Amyloidosis (deposits of protein fibers in tissues and organs) and scleroderma (a connective tissue disorder that affects the skin, blood vessels, skeletal muscles, and internal organs)


Is Your Type 2 Diabetes Under Control? Get Your Health Score
What Are the Symptoms of Gastroparesis?

There are many symptoms of gastroparesis, including:

Heartburn or GERD
Nausea
Vomiting undigested food
Feeling full quickly when eating
Abdominal bloating
Poor appetite and weight loss
Poor blood sugar control

What Is the Treatment for Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a chronic (long-lasting) condition. This means that treatment usually doesn't cure the disease. But there are steps you can take to manage and control the condition.

Some patients may benefit from medications, including:

Reglan (metoclopramide): You take this drug before eating and it causes the stomach muscles to contract and move food along. Reglan also decreases the incidence of vomiting and nausea. Side effects include diarrhea, drowsiness, anxiety, and, rarely, a serious neurological disorder.
Erythromycin: This is an antibiotic that also causes stomach contractions and helps move food out. Side effects include diarrhea and development of resistant bacteria from prolonged exposure to the antibiotic.
Antiemetics: These are drugs that help control nausea.
People who have diabetes should try to control their blood sugar levels to minimize the problems of gastroparesis.

Dietary Modifications for Gastroparesis

One of the best ways to help control the symptoms of gastroparesis is to modify your daily eating habits. For instance, instead of three meals a day, eat six small meals. In this way, there is less food in the stomach; you won't feel as full, and it will be easier for the food to leave your stomach. Another important factor is the consistency of food; liquids and low residue foods are encouraged (for example, applesauce should replace whole apples with intact skins).

You should also avoid foods that are high in fat (which can slow down digestion) and fiber (which is difficult to digest).


Whatever it is you should consult a doctor sooner rather than later

djshari

You don't mention his diet which is an important part of pinpointing digestion issues. Are you keeping a diary including food, medications and blood sugar readings and any issues? It will help identify trends and the doctor will probably ask you to do this if you aren't already.