Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field 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.
Gastroparesis is one of those challenging issues that seems to show up only after a number of years with T1D.
It is like Don Quixote tilting at windmills. It is a nerve in the digestive tract (are there such things?) acting like the worst employee or volunteer in an organization – sometimes it shows up for work and sometimes it doesn’t.
You use the best technologies known to man, Control IQ, etc. You practice the best behaviors known to mankind. And then, mother nature says, “Wait a minute. I get a say here also.” I guess mother nature tells the digestive nerve when to work and when not to, proving once again, that Don Quixote had more success tilting at windmills than all of mankind in all of its delusions of technological brilliance. (☛´∀`*)☛
This. I was dx’ed with it 30 years ago. Tried their yucky medicine that made me sleep all day so stopped taking it. I learned that if I consume no food after dinner then all symptoms go away. Problem solved.
Mine as well. I have taken Reglan or other medication ( remember propulsid?) for years. I developed some vomiting issues as well, but good control and use of Reglan have helped.
I put yes. In 1990 after 27 years of T1d. But once I got my bgs under better control, and stopped eating raw veggies and red meat it got better. They gave me somekind of rx that is now banned. I still have it, but now its no worse than t1d or celiac, which I also developed in 2010. Ah life, What a hoot!
Diagnosed with TD1 id 1960. Gastroparesis in about 1985-86. Also got an Rx (Cisapride) thru a pharmacy in Canada. Stopped taking it after a while when I switched Endos. Gastro has definitely improved with better BG’s but still a factor sometimes especially if I take a nap after a big(ish) meal. It’s a pain in the ___ complication to have.
Is this why sometimes my glucose goes high long after my food should be digested and my insulin is used up? I will go for days with no problems and then hit a few days to a week with delayed highs.
It can be. Sometimes gastroparesis can be inconsistent or unpredictable. It could also be changes in your insulin absorption rate or various other factors though. Definitely talk to a doctor if you think this may be affecting you.
I’ve had gastroparesis for many years. Don’t remember when it started. I find that it’s not usually a problem in the mornings. But, as the day goes on, my digestive system slows more after each meal. Sometimes it takes 4, 5 or 6 hours for food to make my blood sugar rise. It’s very frustrating because I love to run. Sometimes I have to wait several hours to run. Sometimes I have to skip the run because my blood sugar will not rise. Then, it skyrockets up when it’s too late to go running. I also find that my blood sugars drop like a rock when I run. Years ago, I would drink juice when I run to replenish my glucose. Can’t do that now. I’ve tried eating more protein to keep my blood sugars from dropping so fast. That seems to be helping. But, it still takes forever to get my blood sugars up.
Yes unfortunately, terrible issue! Has taken me to the hospital many times. However for the past three years haven’t experienced the problem, even stopped taking reglan. Blessings!
I said other, I do get day blocks of high sugars, but it’s not diagnosed yet. Jury is out on whether it is that or inflammation. Separate, I was recently diagnosed with autoimmune atrophic gastritis (Stomach won’t absorb B12 anymore). would be curious to know if this is common for long term type 1’s.
I had been diagnised with gastroparesis early on but the medicine they put me on for gave horrible chronic severe diarrhea. Another doctor said I didnt have it. My main digestive issues started with the removal of my gall bladder without any instruction on replacing the lack of digestive enzymes that aid in normal digestion processes.
Yes for 20 years. Helped me realize the impact of fat and protein on bgl. Decreased intace7 of fat and protein. For the past 24 years, I have had stellar control. Before Isulins and technology control was impossible for me. 52 years as diabetic. No amount of good work can overcome the sins of my past. About 6 years ago, I went to a plant based diet and started taking digestive enzymes. This really helped. Unfortunately an all carb is harder to control. Recently worked and don’t know when food is going to kick in. I made a comment on another site. I said that insulin dosing should be based on calories not carbs. Gastroparesis has allowed me to see the impacts of carbs and protein and fat separately. Members all disagreed with me.
My father with no autoimmune problems and I had similar lifelong issues of having a “cow’s digestion”. I learned early on to chew my food well and not eat too quickly otherwise regurgitation would occur.
I was diagnosed with gastroparesis a few years after my dx of T1D as I asked for testing, hoping to understand my BG control. I do not think this was due to high glucose levels as it was already occurring before diabetes but has continued to worsen over time.
Fat is a limited substance in my diet and desires. Miralax is taken daily and sometimes my diet is liquids only, depending on constipation and appetite. I tried domperidone with no results.
Officially, no I haven’t been diagnosed, but when I went for a scope for other reasons, it was suggested as I still had food in my stomach from 12hours earlier
Gastroparesis is one of those challenging issues that seems to show up only after a number of years with T1D.
It is like Don Quixote tilting at windmills. It is a nerve in the digestive tract (are there such things?) acting like the worst employee or volunteer in an organization – sometimes it shows up for work and sometimes it doesn’t.
You use the best technologies known to man, Control IQ, etc. You practice the best behaviors known to mankind. And then, mother nature says, “Wait a minute. I get a say here also.” I guess mother nature tells the digestive nerve when to work and when not to, proving once again, that Don Quixote had more success tilting at windmills than all of mankind in all of its delusions of technological brilliance. (☛´∀`*)☛
This. I was dx’ed with it 30 years ago. Tried their yucky medicine that made me sleep all day so stopped taking it. I learned that if I consume no food after dinner then all symptoms go away. Problem solved.
I look forward to your great and humorous responses! Thanks Ahh Life!
So true! You follow ‘best practices ‘ and coast along for a spell, and then Mother Nature points at you and laughs.
I do have it, but have never been truly diagnosed.
That is my situation, too.
Mine as well. I have taken Reglan or other medication ( remember propulsid?) for years. I developed some vomiting issues as well, but good control and use of Reglan have helped.
Don’t have it yet. Mother did and it contributed to her death. She was 86 and was not diabetic.
No but I’m concerned I may have beginning stages as larger meals take hours to digest.
The first line of defense is smaller meals with more liquids, like soups…….
After 62 yr of T1.
61 years for me 👍
I am currently having tests done for this.
I put yes. In 1990 after 27 years of T1d. But once I got my bgs under better control, and stopped eating raw veggies and red meat it got better. They gave me somekind of rx that is now banned. I still have it, but now its no worse than t1d or celiac, which I also developed in 2010. Ah life, What a hoot!
Diagnosed with TD1 id 1960. Gastroparesis in about 1985-86. Also got an Rx (Cisapride) thru a pharmacy in Canada. Stopped taking it after a while when I switched Endos. Gastro has definitely improved with better BG’s but still a factor sometimes especially if I take a nap after a big(ish) meal. It’s a pain in the ___ complication to have.
Is this why sometimes my glucose goes high long after my food should be digested and my insulin is used up? I will go for days with no problems and then hit a few days to a week with delayed highs.
It can be. Sometimes gastroparesis can be inconsistent or unpredictable. It could also be changes in your insulin absorption rate or various other factors though. Definitely talk to a doctor if you think this may be affecting you.
A small dose of metaclopramide before breakfast and dinner helps me manage my gastroparesis successfully.
I’ve had gastroparesis for many years. Don’t remember when it started. I find that it’s not usually a problem in the mornings. But, as the day goes on, my digestive system slows more after each meal. Sometimes it takes 4, 5 or 6 hours for food to make my blood sugar rise. It’s very frustrating because I love to run. Sometimes I have to wait several hours to run. Sometimes I have to skip the run because my blood sugar will not rise. Then, it skyrockets up when it’s too late to go running. I also find that my blood sugars drop like a rock when I run. Years ago, I would drink juice when I run to replenish my glucose. Can’t do that now. I’ve tried eating more protein to keep my blood sugars from dropping so fast. That seems to be helping. But, it still takes forever to get my blood sugars up.
Some early signs.
Yes unfortunately, terrible issue! Has taken me to the hospital many times. However for the past three years haven’t experienced the problem, even stopped taking reglan. Blessings!
I said other, I do get day blocks of high sugars, but it’s not diagnosed yet. Jury is out on whether it is that or inflammation. Separate, I was recently diagnosed with autoimmune atrophic gastritis (Stomach won’t absorb B12 anymore). would be curious to know if this is common for long term type 1’s.
I was tested for it, but it turns out, I have the opposite, gastric dumping.
I had been diagnised with gastroparesis early on but the medicine they put me on for gave horrible chronic severe diarrhea. Another doctor said I didnt have it. My main digestive issues started with the removal of my gall bladder without any instruction on replacing the lack of digestive enzymes that aid in normal digestion processes.
Yep, 12 years now
Yes for 20 years. Helped me realize the impact of fat and protein on bgl. Decreased intace7 of fat and protein. For the past 24 years, I have had stellar control. Before Isulins and technology control was impossible for me. 52 years as diabetic. No amount of good work can overcome the sins of my past. About 6 years ago, I went to a plant based diet and started taking digestive enzymes. This really helped. Unfortunately an all carb is harder to control. Recently worked and don’t know when food is going to kick in. I made a comment on another site. I said that insulin dosing should be based on calories not carbs. Gastroparesis has allowed me to see the impacts of carbs and protein and fat separately. Members all disagreed with me.
My father with no autoimmune problems and I had similar lifelong issues of having a “cow’s digestion”. I learned early on to chew my food well and not eat too quickly otherwise regurgitation would occur.
I was diagnosed with gastroparesis a few years after my dx of T1D as I asked for testing, hoping to understand my BG control. I do not think this was due to high glucose levels as it was already occurring before diabetes but has continued to worsen over time.
Fat is a limited substance in my diet and desires. Miralax is taken daily and sometimes my diet is liquids only, depending on constipation and appetite. I tried domperidone with no results.
I feel your pain! Semi liquid diet does help. Can’t remember the last time I ate red meat. Over time, it even looks awful…
Officially, no I haven’t been diagnosed, but when I went for a scope for other reasons, it was suggested as I still had food in my stomach from 12hours earlier
Gastroparesis makes it extremely difficult to keep my numbers where they should be.
Not yet, but I do feel signs that it’s coming.
Yes, and I wish that Cisapride was still available, it worked MUCH better than Reglan.
No symptoms yet except very slow rise in bg as shown by cgm
no