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Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any problems

A

Aloha1816

Member
Messages
10
Good evening All,

I am 26 and I have been diabetic for 11 years. I actually always had quite decent HBA1C`s (around 6.5) but also quite a lot of hypos over the years.

Since a few months I am having problems with my stomach. At some point I could not eat anything anymore without rushing to the toilet within 30 min afterwards. I went to the GP and they told me you are getting older and your digestions is changing. (what a great advice that was).
After the symptoms did not improve I started doing some research on the internet and figured out that this could be related to my blood sugar control (my daily average was between 60 to 220). Since then (approx. 3 months ago) i have steadily improved my blood sugar levels and my constipation has improved. I even had a colonoscopy recently that was according to the doctor "normal".
I continue to look after my blood sugar levels but the bloaty feeling still stays with me only if I keep my sugar in between 80 to 130 mg/dl on a daily basis the symptoms get less or can almost completely disapppear. I also had a celiac test which was negative.

My question would now be. What causes my symptoms and how can I further minimize them? Has anyone of you ever experienced something similar? So far I have no problems with my feet or eyes therefore my doctor told me autonomic problems should not occur. In addition I also have the feeling I am sweating less that I used to when I have a hypo.

Any comments very much appreciated.

Kind regards,
Christopher
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

Hi. Are you on any tablets besides the insulin? I'm assuming your aren't wheat intolerant etc? Yes, the GPs comment was pretty stupid.
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

You can be wheat intolerant without being coeliac. Try cutting out wheat (don't replace it with gluten free alternatives) and see what happens.
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

Daibell said:
Hi. Are you on any tablets besides the insulin? I'm assuming your aren't wheat intolerant etc? Yes, the GPs comment was pretty stupid.
Click to expand...

Hi Daibell,

Thanks for your reply.

No I am not on any tablets beside. I had a coeliac test and it was negative.
GPs comment was stupid.

The worrying thing is that when my blood sugar levels improved but no diet change occured the constipation got less and less therefore it will probably be related to my diabetes?

Kind regards,
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

))Denise(( said:
You can be wheat intolerant without being coeliac. Try cutting out wheat (don't replace it with gluten free alternatives) and see what happens.
Click to expand...

HI Denise,

Thanks for your reply.

I will try cutting out what of my diet and see what happens. For how long do I have to do that to see if this is the cause of my problems?


The worrying thing is that when my blood sugar levels improved but no diet change occured the constipation got less and less therefore it will probably be related to my diabetes?
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

noblehead said:
The symptoms of IBS sound very similar to what you describe Aloha:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Irritable- ... ction.aspx
Click to expand...

Hi Noblehead,

Thanks for your response.

According to my gastro doctor nothing is wrong with my stomach. He did a colonoscopy. Is this how you figure out if someone has IBS?

Why did it suddenly improve when I got my sugar better under control? Any ideas?
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

Aloha1816 said:
Thanks for your response.

According to my gastro doctor nothing is wrong with my stomach. He did a colonoscopy. Is this how you figure out if someone has IBS?

Why did it suddenly improve when I got my sugar better under control? Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how it's diagnosed Aloha, when I seen your symptoms I just thought that IBS sounded similar, if your gastro consultant has ruled it out then its unlikely to be.

I would try a few dietary changes and see if it helps, I was bothered with an irritable bladder and read that cutting out caffeine and acidic foods can help, I switched to decaff products and cut backed on eating acidic foods and found a big improvement, obviously it goes without saying that controlling your bg levels will help enormously and prevent any future nerve damage.
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble


Hi Aloha My daughter has had IBS for about 5 years now and she is now 13. She is not diabetic, but her symptoms were incredibly bad stomach pains and cramps ( once I had to phone NHS direct because of the pain she was in) diarrhoea and bad breath ( I say it's strong to her)( so not related to spicy foods, smoking or alcohol). She has been on tablets ever since.

All the best RRB
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

My doctor did prescribe (if you can call it that), peppermint oil for the bloating and that taken 30 min before meals seems
to help. I also had bad diarrhea and found out that it was the metformin I took. Just three days after stopping the metformin I
stopped having the diarrhea. She switched me to gliclacide. Now it may not fit you, but there are always new answers. Everyone is different. Good luck. gretha
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

I spoke to my gastro consultant last month and he said that initially he thought that I simply had ibs.... However he did a 'shapes' test on me which showed that after 5 days I still had 58 out of 60 shapes still in my stomach...( it should be zero).
My symptoms were chronic faecel impaction, even being admitted to hospital for morohine and enemas a couple of times.

I paid privately to see my gastro chap initially and this got me ahead of the waiting list to see the consultant.the consuktant init
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

After saw consultant privately he put me straight on to nhs list and every test but the shapes one came back as normal. So now my diagnosis is that I have slow colonic transit, which means that food digests very, very slowly and can cause chronic constipation.
I now have a supply of laxido and enemas at home. If I do not go to poo on one day, then I take one laxido. Some foods move faster than others, but stress has a huge effect too.
 
Re: Stomach problems - Colonoscopy did not detect any proble

I would recommend that diabetics ask for a shapes test from their gastro consultant to check or do the equivalent yourself at home. Eat sweetcorn and see how long it takes to show in your faeces. Mine can take anywhere from 5-9 days. When chronic constipation occurred my bloods also rose significantly. Now I watch to see whats the best food for me.. Suprisingly cucumber and m&s coleslaw sandwiches are the best in oatbran bread.
 
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