Not Eating Much

Hal

Member
Messages
21
Hi There

Just wondering if you could help me.
This concerns my wife who is diabetic. Since Thursday of last week my wife has not eaten as much as she would normally do. The biggest part of the time when she has eaten in the past she has eaten all of it most of the time, however, over the last few days or so she has eaten very little.
Last Thursday for instance she had no breakfast but would eat a pear or tomato but she did not have anything to eat at dinner time and she did eat her tea up.
Then she really did not eat much at all until Friday teatime so I thought it best to check her blood sugars as I expected them to be low. Thankfully they were up above 5 at this time.
It has been the same over the weekend but her blood sugars have never got below 5 which is something.
She tells me that when she eats anything that it makes her feel sick which is why she is not eating so much.
Other than this she is not giving anything else to me which makes it difficult to know what to do next.
She has a fasting blood test a week on Wednesday which will give us what her blood sugars are like and will have to go a week later for the results of these and a review of the tablets that she is taking.
She is eating but probably only 50% of what she would normally.
Any advice would be appreciated.
 

dawnmc

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,450
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
Is she on medication? I believe some diabetic drugs can make you feel full so you dont eat as much.
Someone more diabetic savvy may be along soon to advice you.
 

Sarah69

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,495
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Anything healthy!
I had a bug all last week that stopped me eating. I was sick I couldn't bear any food at all, I had to almost force feed myself weetabix everyday. So it could be a bug maybe?
 

Hal

Member
Messages
21
Thanks for the answers so far.

She is on medication. Has other problems beside the diabetes.
Is on 2 slow release Metformin 500mg and 20mg Gliclazide and Byetta at breakfast and teatime.

Just hope that it is a bug. Has not actually been sick but feels that way.
 

Elc1112

Well-Known Member
Messages
709
I think most people will go through periods of feeling less hungry than normal. Could be a bug or something. As long as her sugar levels are ok I wouldn't worry too much, unless it carries on for much past a week. I'd also get some little cartons of applie juice is something in. They might be a little easier to keep down than food.

Em
 

SueR

Well-Known Member
Messages
148
I think you may find the Byetta is suppressing her appetite and stopping her from eating. Feeling sick is a side effect too and can make you feel very ill. I wouldn't wait for a review I'd see the GP/DN now.

I was taken off Byetta for the very symptoms that your wife is getting.
 

LittleGreyCat

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
4,380
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diet drinks - the artificial sweeteners taste vile.
Having to forswear foods I have loved all my life.
Trying to find low carb meals when eating out.
Just to check - how long has she been on this medication?
Are there any recent changes in her medication?

Is she worried about the upcoming check and trying to get her weight/BG down by not eating?
 

Hal

Member
Messages
21
She has been on the medicines for quiet a while.
Is not worried about the upcoming check next week.
Is sometimes feeling sick even before the Byetta is taken.
Her blood sugars are fine so I will keep a check on these as we are only a week from the blood test so will mention any concerns should they still be there at that point.

Many thanks
 

noblehead

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
23,618
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
Disrespectful people
Hal,

A trip to the doctors for a check-up might be a good idea, loss of appetite and feeling sick after eating should always be investigated.
 

Hal

Member
Messages
21
I know that getting my wife to the doctors would be a good idea but she is a person who does not like to visit if it can be avoided.
I have been trying all day to get her to go but it is very difficult. I know I need to make her understand but it is difficult trying to convince her that it would be best to visit the doctors.
Any ideas of how I could convince her that it would be a good idea to visit. I need a basis to get her there if you know what I mean, such as if doing this now would save problems in the future.

Many thanks

Hal
 

Defren

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,106
Hi Hal, I know exactly what you are saying. I myself put a thread up entitled 'struggling to eat'. I am recently diagnosed with T2 and put on Metformin. If you were my husband, I would ask that you don't fuss too much. I am feeling ok, and like your wife my BG is quite stable at the moment. I would guess that I would want you to worry if this became a long term issue, but for now, as long as your wife feels ok, then let her be. As other posters have said, she may need a med change. People here advised me to see my GP for SR Metformin, which I plan to do. Small meals are not the end of the world as long as she is eating something.

Try not to worry, easier said than done I know.
 

Hal

Member
Messages
21
Hi All

Was still worried on Tuesday evening when she had only eaten a quarter of slice of toast and some beans for dinner and a spoonful of mash for tea so rang NHS Direct to see what they would say.
After being asked a set of questions they called for an ambulance to take her into hospital as it was very serious. They had to set up a drip along with taking some x-rays as she was having a lot of pain and feeling dizzy.
When I went to see her yesterday she was feeling a little better but still not eating very much and I was informed that she would be in for a couple of days or so in order for them to investigate what was wrong with her and to get her on the right tracks.

Many thanks

Hal