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Ibs / digestion and blood sugar control

S

scaryblueberry

Active Member
I am type 1 and never been able to predict blood sugars because they have very often seemed random. I figured out that the inconsistency probably had to do with digestion rates years ago but was told by my diabetes doctors that digestion rates wouldn’t affect blood sugars and it was just me not controlling things well. I have recently been diagnosed with IBS and learned about fodmaps foods that trigger issues for those with digestion issues. I started on the fodmaps elimination diet a few days ago to get a better idea of exactly which foods cause issues and almost immediately, I not only have no Ibs symptoms but also my blood sugar levels are amazing. I have needed to reduce my insulin too and not because I’m eating less carbs. Has anyone else experienced this? It explains so much about why things have gone wrong with my blood sugar control in the past and I feel hopeful for the first time in about 20 years about achieving good blood sugar levels. Does anyone know if there’s research into the connection between type 1 blood sugar control and Ibs / fodmaps foods? I haven’t found much yet which is maybe a sign it isn’t well researched but thought there must be something out there. Anyone with personal experience related to this please share.
 
I have noticed this for years and have often realised what I eat now affects my blood sugar maybe 12 hours later almost to a point that I can guarantee it does , for myself anyway , I mentioned it to my diabetic specialist at the clinic years ago and was almost told to not be so daft , I have not had any digestion problems no pains and use the lav regularly but this is how it has worked for me and just adds another problem for the what to eat and how much to inject equation .
 
Do different foods affect bloods differently for you?
 
Only the obvious ones , high sugar will affect me sooner , rice and pasta are the ones that have a long term affect on me and I don't mean like they say two hours later but almost always the next day !
 
Plenty of research your doctors could have read!
Just look up the way alcohol affects people over night too.
 
Hi Yes I always have terrible stomach issues after antibiotics and randomly on and off. I was referred to a nutritionist who specialises in diabetes (I am also type 1) and she has been excellent advising me on foods to eat and to avoid. She thinks I probably have mild IBS, possible diverticulitis, certainly an over sensitive digestive system and gut issues. I have been tested for pancreatic exocrine but haven’t heard yet. I think if there was a problem I would know by now. However the reason doesn’t really matter as long as I can deal with it and get myself back on track. She has had a real positive impact on my eating (at one point there wasn’t much that wasn’t giving me a problem) and this improves my blood sugar levels. She is very good at explaining the science behind her ideas. She talks about this as though it’s widely accepted and obvious. If I have irritated stomach I always have to take more insulin,
 
That sounds similar to me. I’m glad you got a helpful nutritionist. I’m really interested. Do you remember why an irritated stomach makes you need more insulin?
 
scaryblueberry said:
That sounds similar to me. I’m glad you got a helpful nutritionist. I’m really interested. Do you remember why an irritated stomach makes you need more insulin?
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My blood glucose levels go up if I have even a slight upset stomach or a bad headache, my nurse tells me this is very common and therefore I need more insulin. When first diagnosed I was put on metformin, then when they realised I was type 1 they put me on insulin but told me to carry on with the metformin. Even though I was on slow release it frequently gave me stomach upsets, this seems to have triggered generally quite a few stomach issues. I stuck it out for the best part of the year but things were getting worse not better. I had a Libre at the time and on a particularly bad week my nurse told me to try stopping the metformin and see what happens. The upset stomach’s stopped immediately and my BG lowered by 2-3 mmol. I had to reduce my insulin. They showed the consultant my Libre data and what had happened who said any stomach irritation can raise blood sugars and metformin obviously doesn’t agree with me, so not to take them again. If I am feeling unwell whatever the reason I do seem to be very sensitive to raised blood sugars. If I am on antibiotics my BG is raised (just can’t get into single figures) the whole time. I don’t know if this is just me?
 
That is pretty common I think. I was told by diabetes nurses that raised bloods when unwell are standard. It’s my experience too.
 
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