Complicated Case

meardonna

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Im a bit complicated and is causing me so many problems. I have ibd, 7 years ago i had all of my large bowel removed and an ileostomy created. My disease was then under control.. But having a bag and no colon i had to drink a lot of sports dehydration drinks etc as suffer severe dehydration. I also had to regularly eat thongs like marshmallow, jelly babies, fruit gums etc to thicken my output otherwise would have been watery whivh would have then effected dehydration and levels like magnesium. With having a bag i ate when i knew it was ok so not eating before a shift as didn' want my bag going crazy while i worked etc, lucky i had the sports drinks etc... Although when ate i was very healthy, you do when you have little bowel.... And although healthy weight i developed diabetes last year. Obviously not due to my lavish lifestyle like i was made to feel! Argued on diet as had my stuff from dietician for my ibd and then the diabetes nurse saying opposite. I then tried metformin but that made me really ill, giving someone metformin who suffers severe dehydration is not good! I hadn't managed to give it a good enough trial to please drs before i ended hp in hospital with my ibd, though although almost on my feathbed as soon as found out was diabetic they cared more about that than the fact my bowel was about to burst!!! Anyway had 3,surgeries in 3,weeks and was fed tpn by iv. I lost 2 stone, i spent 6 weeks in hospital and was on insulin as couldn' eat. Am now home and they trying glyclizide. I still am unable to eat properly. I have a diet from the hospital due to my weight loss and lack of eating, it is high fat, high protein etc the complete opposite to diabetic diet. I have one team telling me one hing then the diabetic team complaining about my blood sugars and telling me to do the opposite. I' currently on 4 tablets a day, 2 morning 2 evening. i also feel my kidneys are affected, the metformin probably didnt help. help please. Nothing i do is right and im so fed up
 

JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
5,937
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
High fat is just what a diabetic needs, actually... Type 2's generally do well on low carb, high fat. (And my own bowelproblems have greatly reduced). I read somewhere that when dehydrated, coconut milk works just as well, if not better, as energy/sports drinks. Less sugar in that though, so hopefully a viable option. Bone broth with additional salt maybe? Coconut oil could reduce inflammation in the bowel, as it is anti-inflammatory. As is cbd oil, but more so. ORS might help? I found a ketogenic diet reduced my own inflammations drastically, -less carbs=anti-inflammatory as well- so the rheumatism triggers aren't as bad as they were either. Maybe google keto with ibs to find some readable stuff? I'm not a doctor, and my IBS isn't anywhere near as bad as yours, but these are the first things that sprang to mind. If I got something wrong, I'm sure someone'll be along to say so. Personally, I have to stay away from seeds like chia and linseeds because my bowels will turn into the 7th circle of hell, but that's about all I have on offer for you right now. Good luck!!!
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi and welcome,

You have been through a very tough time, and then to get diabetes on top of it all must have been a terrible shock for you.

There is one good thing in your post - the advice from the hospital to eat high fat and high protein sits very well with diabetes. Fats do not affect blood sugar levels at all, and protein has only a small effect, if any. The food group that affects blood sugars are carbs, so if you can reduce the carbs but eat the high fat and protein all should be well. So that is some good news for you.

One thing you need to be careful of with your Gliclazide medication is not to let your blood sugars go too low. This drug stimulates the pancreas to produce extra insulin. The fewer carbs we eat the less insulin we need. If we end up with too much insulin our blood sugars will drop too low and we may end up in hypo territory. For this reason you need a blood glucose meter. Have you been prescribed one? They are essential, and your GP really should be giving you one because of your medication.
 

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,808
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi meardonna, I’m so sorry to hear what you’ve been through, as you’re new to the Forum I’ll tag in @daisy1 who will post her useful welcome info for you.
Can you tell us a typical day’s diet that you’ve been recommended? From both teams you have contact with. We may be able to work out a middle ground for you.
Personally, though not the same as you, before my type 2 diagnosis I was suffering chronic diarrhoea after gall bladder removal, however since starting eating low carb that has resolved and I can tend to go the ‘other way’ occasionally.
I second bluetit’s recommendation to chase up getting a meter if you don’t have one already and to learn about hypos with gliclazide.
 

Arab Horse

Well-Known Member
Messages
884
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
That is really awful; you need specialist help because as you say what is correct for your diabetes is not necessarily right for your diabetes. I don't know where you live but if you are in the UK you have a right to be referred to a specialist who can hopefully
start you on the correct diet and medication. I would also suggest that you get someone who would understand the medical jargon to go with you. I was a biochemist before I retired so I "interpret" all my friends results for their horses when they don't understand them; I explain it in layman's terms to them. Consultants often don't sem able to do that and they are under pressure to see more people so don't always have the time.

"help please. Nothing i do is right and im so fed up" Actually the high protein, high fat diet is right for you diabetes and I assume it is probably OK for your bowel, or lack of bowel, as well.

Good luck but please do ask for a referral.
 

meardonna

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I got referred to the diabetes team at the hospital but the consultant I'm under still isnt very helpful. He just said we'd vwork throjfh the meducation to find one that didn't effect my ibd as much as the others. I have always had ksdues keeping weightvonvand wad concerned and before falkingvill recently was just on the line between healthyvand overweight which is nonesense looking at me, im sure theyve moved the lines on the bmi to duit them! He said you could still do with losing a few pounds! Well I've done that lol! I'm a biologist so am up on all the lingo ad know about the body ad especially the digestive system and my amost non existent digestive system lol. He is focussed on diabetes and doesnt really care about anything else. My surgeon said i had to ignore him ad what's more important is getting me back to a healthy weight and fit. Odd thing is to the bni ysed by diabetic team athough im now 9 stone ad a size 8 clothing im apparently healthy. I am skin ad bone!
That is really awful; you need specialist help because as you say what is correct for your diabetes is not necessarily right for your diabetes. I don't know where you live but if you are in the UK you have a right to be referred to a specialist who can hopefully
start you on the correct diet and medication. I would also suggest that you get someone who would understand the medical jargon to go with you. I was a biochemist before I retired so I "interpret" all my friends results for their horses when they don't understand them; I explain it in layman's terms to them. Consultants often don't sem able to do that and they are under pressure to see more people so don't always have the time.

"help please. Nothing i do is right and im so fed up" Actually the high protein, high fat diet is right for you diabetes and I assume it is probably OK for your bowel, or lack of bowel, as well.

Good luck but please do ask for a referral.
 

meardonna

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I have ibd not ibs
Inflammatory bowel disease, itvis an auyo immune disease which regularly gets confused with ibs.
But will look into your suggestions

High fat is just what a diabetic needs, actually... Type 2's generally do well on low carb, high fat. (And my own bowelproblems have greatly reduced). I read somewhere that when dehydrated, coconut milk works just as well, if not better, as energy/sports drinks. Less sugar in that though, so hopefully a viable option. Bone broth with additional salt maybe? Coconut oil could reduce inflammation in the bowel, as it is anti-inflammatory. As is cbd oil, but more so. ORS might help? I found a ketogenic diet reduced my own inflammations drastically, -less carbs=anti-inflammatory as well- so the rheumatism triggers aren't as bad as they were either. Maybe google keto with ibs to find some readable stuff? I'm not a doctor, and my IBS isn't anywhere near as bad as yours, but these are the first things that sprang to mind. If I got something wrong, I'm sure someone'll be along to say so. Personally, I have to stay away from seeds like chia and linseeds because my bowels will turn into the 7th circle of hell, but that's about all I have on offer for you right now. Good luck!!!
 
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meardonna

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I haveca meter which am using morning and at dinner time. As i'm barely eating my bloods are all over. Lowest 8 highest 15, which is not bad considering most of the time i was on tpn feed they were in 20!'s
Diabetes dietician says skimmed milk, my dietician says full fat milk with skimmed milk podwer and added cream and complan lol big differences and thatsvjust the milk! Going to be really hard learning to eat again while aldo having to consider diabetes. Then having the stigma of having it cause i must eat unhealthy! I had little bowrl to begin with, now even less. as if I'd abuse my body with junk etc! When girst met diabetic nurse who was massively obese she had me in tears mking me veel like i was all my fault.

Hi and welcome,

You have been through a very tough time, and then to get diabetes on top of it all must have been a terrible shock for you.

There is one good thing in your post - the advice from the hospital to eat high fat and high protein sits very well with diabetes. Fats do not affect blood sugar levels at all, and protein has only a small effect, if any. The food group that affects blood sugars are carbs, so if you can reduce the carbs but eat the high fat and protein all should be well. So that is some good news for you.

One thing you need to be careful of with your Gliclazide medication is not to let your blood sugars go too low. This drug stimulates the pancreas to produce extra insulin. The fewer carbs we eat the less insulin we need. If we end up with too much insulin our blood sugars will drop too low and we may end up in hypo territory. For this reason you need a blood glucose meter. Have you been prescribed one? They are essential, and your GP really should be giving you one because of your medication.
 

Diakat

Expert
Retired Moderator
Messages
5,591
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
The smell of cigars
Hi @meardonna
You seem to have two similar titled threads, would you like them merged?
 

meardonna

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
My current diet is one yo put on weight it recommends high fat, adding double cteam to everything like soups etc loads of cheese full fat yoghhrts, enriched milk drinks, ready meals, scones eith loafs of cream, even sugests burgers and shish kebabs lol. But all im managing is a yoghurt ot custard in morning. Been having some ice cream or mousse during morning, small amount of soup or pasta, or ready meal at lunch and then i try a little of evening meal my husband cooks. Been told toavoid things like fruit veggies salad fibre and anything that is low fat. the dibeyes stuff i got had everything low fat low sugar fibre salads etc.




Hi meardonna, I’m so sorry to hear what you’ve been through, as you’re new to the Forum I’ll tag in @daisy1 who will post her useful welcome info for you.
Can you tell us a typical day’s diet that you’ve been recommended? From both teams you have contact with. We may be able to work out a middle ground for you.
Personally, though not the same as you, before my type 2 diagnosis I was suffering chronic diarrhoea after gall bladder removal, however since starting eating low carb that has resolved and I can tend to go the ‘other way’ occasionally.
I second bluetit’s recommendation to chase up getting a meter if you don’t have one already and to learn about hypos with gliclazide.
 

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,808
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
My current diet is one yo put on weight it recommends high fat, adding double cteam to everything like soups etc loads of cheese full fat yoghhrts, enriched milk drinks, ready meals, scones eith loafs of cream, even sugests burgers and shish kebabs lol. But all im managing is a yoghurt ot custard in morning. Been having some ice cream or mousse during morning, small amount of soup or pasta, or ready meal at lunch and then i try a little of evening meal my husband cooks. Been told toavoid things like fruit veggies salad fibre and anything that is low fat. the dibeyes stuff i got had everything low fat low sugar fibre salads etc.

High fat is quite ok for Type 2s, your Diabetes dietitian is following old science which doesn’t work for Type 2s, unfortunately a lot of us find this advice forthcoming from our health professionals :( Your own dietitian’s suggestions are better though you need to watch the carb levels especially in things like ready meals and bakery products.
Here’s a website which has useful for ideas:
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb
Something else, with regards to testing, most of us start off testing immediately before then two hours after a meal to see what those participular foods do to our blood sugars. We record the results and what we’ve eaten to get a picture of the best foods for us.
 
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JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
5,937
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I have ibd not ibs
Inflammatory bowel disease, itvis an auyo immune disease which regularly gets confused with ibs.
But will look into your suggestions
Oh, I'm sorry. Had a friend who had the same, already thought it sounded more like him than run-of-the-mill ibs. (His baggy was always filled with light coloured chocolate milk though, he never got a more firm consistency. How he hated it whenever that damned thing burst. And it did. Often. I was just glad if there wasn't any blood in there, made it easier for me to do a quick hand wash while we were on vacation together.). But yeah... Anti-inflammatory foods/diet should still have a chance of making a difference.
 

meardonna

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
My bag was always good till the diabetes andchaving to mesd with my diet and then this layest hospital admission so now less bowe and a stomach full of holes and scars and a body that's struggling to eat. So now i have watery output in my bag rather than porridge which is what i used to have. Mine rarely bursts though is getting more trojblesome with the loose output.

Oh, I'm sorry. Had a friend who had the same, already thought it sounded more like him than run-of-the-mill ibs. (His baggy was always filled with light coloured chocolate milk though, he never got a more firm consistency. How he hated it whenever that damned thing burst. And it did. Often. I was just glad if there wasn't any blood in there, made it easier for me to do a quick hand wash while we were on vacation together.). But yeah... Anti-inflammatory foods/diet should still have a chance of making a difference.
 
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Fruitella

Well-Known Member
Messages
304
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Giving the diabetic nurse the benefit of the doubt she may not be that familar with your ibd/bag and its needs. Could the ibd team have a word with the diabetic team to support you? To put you on Metformin without thinking of the usual effect of loose bowels does suggest she has not considered that aspect for you.
Could you try the full fat greek yoghurt a go with a few strawberries or other berries and stick with the full fat milk.
 

meardonna

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Giving the diabetic nurse the benefit of the doubt she may not be that familar with your ibd/bag and its needs. Could the ibd team have a word with the diabetic team to support you? To put you on Metformin without thinking of the usual effect of loose bowels does suggest she has not considered that aspect for you.
Could you try the full fat greek yoghurt a go with a few strawberries or other berries and stick with the full fat milk.
She knew about the bag as i gave her detailed information on the diet etc advised for people with ileostomies and information sheets on ibd. It was the consultant who wanted me to try meyformin even thohgh i had also told him my history and even found papers researching metformin and ileostomy, and how dangerous it was and aldo with my lack of bowel absorption of tablets is not good but he wanted to try and see tsther than me assume. So we did we tried normally metformin, big mistake!!! Then tried slow release which didn't seem to work, obviously out before it would work lol, you think consultants would understand biology.
 

JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
5,937
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
My bag was always good till the diabetes andchaving to mesd with my diet and then this layest hospital admission so now less bowe and a stomach full of holes and scars and a body that's struggling to eat. So now i have watery output in my bag rather than porridge which is what i used to have. Mine rarely bursts though is getting more trojblesome with the loose output.
Metformin was a really bad idea... A lot of people end up living in the loo 24/7 on it, and it's a risk they never should have taken with you.
Maybe check dietdoctor.com for meal ideas? That's all low carb and high fat, just up the proteine a little maybe. I can't recommend ready meals as they're carby, but even Burger King is doable if you leave the bun off a whopper. Bacon if your friend, so is cream, cheese, fatty fish... Just full-fat everything. Down to putting grass fed butter in your tea. Seriously. You have options, but if you want to get back to a porridge consistency, you'll have to eat eventually. I'm on eggs with bacon and cheese, mushrooms and a few tiny cherrytomatoes, salad with bacon or a can of tuna on oil (making the salad a vehicle for more fat), and in the evening it's meat or fish with cauliflower rice and yes, more bacon and cheese. I'm dropping weight on this though. So more proteine should help with that. That regime would drastically drop your bloodsugar though, and on meds you'll hypo for certain. So be careful when you try our suggestions here. Test a lot, and make sure you have sugary emergency good/drink around.
 
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meardonna

Active Member
Messages
26
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Metformin was a really bad idea... A lot of people end up living in the loo 24/7 on it, and it's a risk they never should have taken with you.
Maybe check dietdoctor.com for meal ideas? That's all low carb and high fat, just up the proteine a little maybe. I can't recommend ready meals as they're carby, but even Burger King is doable if you leave the bun off a whopper. Bacon if your friend, so is cream, cheese, fatty fish... Just full-fat everything. Down to putting grass fed butter in your tea. Seriously. You have options, but if you want to get back to a porridge consistency, you'll have to eat eventually. I'm on eggs with bacon and cheese, mushrooms and a few tiny cherrytomatoes, salad with bacon or a can of tuna on oil (making the salad a vehicle for more fat), and in the evening it's meat or fish with cauliflower rice and yes, more bacon and cheese. I'm dropping weight on this though. So more proteine should help with that. That regime would drastically drop your bloodsugar though, and on meds you'll hypo for certain. So be careful when you try our suggestions here. Test a lot, and make sure you have sugary emergency good/drink around.
Eating is really hard at the moment and thatciscwith diabetes aside but i am trying. Looking at outside of my stomach looks like, would hate to see the inside! It hurts to eat and i feel bloated quick and feel sick. Hoping in time things will improve
 

Antje77

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
19,284
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I'm sorry you're having such a hard time, I hope things will get better for you in the near future!
I hate to make things even more confusing, but you're thin and you have a pre-existing auto immune condition. Do you know if they have looked into the possibility you might be type1?
Are you under care of an endocrinologist for your diabetes or a GP/diabetes nurse?
 
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JoKalsbeek

Expert
Messages
5,937
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Eating is really hard at the moment and thatciscwith diabetes aside but i am trying. Looking at outside of my stomach looks like, would hate to see the inside! It hurts to eat and i feel bloated quick and feel sick. Hoping in time things will improve
Just keep an eye on your blood sugars; if you're not eating but taking meds, they might take a nose dive into hypo territory. I wish I could offer propper help. Just hope it'll get better soon and that eating will be less of a problem...