Sarah Howard has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.
I have been diagnosed with “gastroparesis due to diabetes”, but my symptoms of gastroparesis have been present for decades prior to diabetes. At times it feels as though there are certain peg holes your conditions are put into.
I learned by the age of twenty to chew my food very well and not to eat too quickly, as many things did not taste well the second or third time together. My father, with no diabetes, had similar digestive issues and called it a cow’s stomach.
I’ve had gastroparesis for many years. It was diagnosed about 10 years after my T1D diagnosis. But, I think it started long before that time. My digestive system works on it’s own schedule. Things seem to digest quicker in the morning, and progressively get slower as the day goes on. Sometimes it takes as long as six hours for food to get into my system, especially my evening meal. But, there is no regularity to it. Sometimes it is quicker, but never as quickly as it should be. I often struggle with long low blood sugars, and have to wait long times to recover from low blood sugars.
I went for a scope for ulcers, and the guy there said to talk with my doc because it looked like I had gastroparesis (food still in my stomach after 14hrs), but I’ve never been worked up or formally diagnosed. So far I’ve been managing ok (most of the time)
For 2 tears I was experiencing a variety of issues with digestion. One day the light bulb went on: These issues weren’t separate problems. They were all part of diabetic gastroparesis.
I have not. However, on occasion, when my BG is high or low for an unknown reason, I have wondered if that could be it. But then my BG normalizes with my “typical” routine and I dismiss the gastroparesis idea.
Was diagnosed with it years ago and suffered for several years. Miraculously it stopped five years ago to be a bother. Don’t know why but that’s a blessing!
Yes I have gasteroparesis from suffering DKA one too many times the hardest part of the disease is that it takes hours to digest food. Plus the heartburn and meds that come with it.
I once had a doctor try to tell me I had gastroparesis. I told him I didn’t think so. He asked me why I thought that. I explained that I eat a high fiber diet which digest slower than processed foods. He said, “Oh.” and dropped the subject.
No, but was misdiagnosed by a UC medical center with gastroparesis. Ate the isotope sandwich too, and tested negative. The one Dr, insisted I had it. Then, finally, a gastro Dr. said I had an ulcer, that caused the stomach to close off with scar tissue. Prev-Pak, and a gastro balloon inserted fixed it quick.
I have been diagnosed with “gastroparesis due to diabetes”, but my symptoms of gastroparesis have been present for decades prior to diabetes. At times it feels as though there are certain peg holes your conditions are put into.
I learned by the age of twenty to chew my food very well and not to eat too quickly, as many things did not taste well the second or third time together. My father, with no diabetes, had similar digestive issues and called it a cow’s stomach.
I’ve had gastroparesis for many years. It was diagnosed about 10 years after my T1D diagnosis. But, I think it started long before that time. My digestive system works on it’s own schedule. Things seem to digest quicker in the morning, and progressively get slower as the day goes on. Sometimes it takes as long as six hours for food to get into my system, especially my evening meal. But, there is no regularity to it. Sometimes it is quicker, but never as quickly as it should be. I often struggle with long low blood sugars, and have to wait long times to recover from low blood sugars.
I would describe my experience with gastroparesis the same way as you have.
I went for a scope for ulcers, and the guy there said to talk with my doc because it looked like I had gastroparesis (food still in my stomach after 14hrs), but I’ve never been worked up or formally diagnosed. So far I’ve been managing ok (most of the time)
Been diagnosed for sometime now, but no problems just rarely. it never really started hitting me hard until the last 5 months.
No official diagnosis though sometimes I feel like my stomach is slow to empty.
I experienced GP when my diabetes was not well controlled nd my A1c was hovering around 10.
I have all the symptoms minus the diagnosis.
Yes and I wish the FDA had not taken Cisipride off the US market. Reglan is not as effective.
Bob, I tried Reglan about 30+ years ago. It did nothing for me. Currently, I take nothing for my gastroparesis.
Gastroparesis, how do I love thee–let me count the ways.
For 2 tears I was experiencing a variety of issues with digestion. One day the light bulb went on: These issues weren’t separate problems. They were all part of diabetic gastroparesis.
I have mild gastroparesis, but it plays havoc with my BG’s. One never knows when a flare is going to happen, or when it will stop.
I have not. However, on occasion, when my BG is high or low for an unknown reason, I have wondered if that could be it. But then my BG normalizes with my “typical” routine and I dismiss the gastroparesis idea.
My endocrinologist team is still debating it.
Was diagnosed with it years ago and suffered for several years. Miraculously it stopped five years ago to be a bother. Don’t know why but that’s a blessing!
Not officially gastroparesis but surgeon that did my GI scope diagnosed it as delayed stomach emptying.
Yes I have gasteroparesis from suffering DKA one too many times the hardest part of the disease is that it takes hours to digest food. Plus the heartburn and meds that come with it.
23 years approx
I once had a doctor try to tell me I had gastroparesis. I told him I didn’t think so. He asked me why I thought that. I explained that I eat a high fiber diet which digest slower than processed foods. He said, “Oh.” and dropped the subject.
No, but was misdiagnosed by a UC medical center with gastroparesis. Ate the isotope sandwich too, and tested negative. The one Dr, insisted I had it. Then, finally, a gastro Dr. said I had an ulcer, that caused the stomach to close off with scar tissue. Prev-Pak, and a gastro balloon inserted fixed it quick.