So some of you know Iv been struggling with erratic blood sugars. I recently reconnected with my cgm and just received the pump (medtroic mini-med 670 I think) still waiting for the okay to start using it. That all being said I had a feeling it was Gastroparesis. I took the gastric emptying exam yesterday and shorty after the doctor called and said it was very slow. 100% retained at 1 hour and 37% still in my stomach at 4 hours. Im still processing it all and I’m terrified I’m only 27. My job is a very physically demanding and regulated by the federal government. My blood sugars are extremely erratic and that’s not tolerated in my life of work. I’m terrified that I’ll lose my job and insurance. I only have a short period of time before I have to go back to work (I was out from this covid ■■■■■■■■) once o go back I’ll need a full Physical exam and notes from my endo. If the sugars are under control she would probably leave out the gp info from notes but I have no idea how to control my numbers now. I’m willing to go full liquid diet I’ll do anything. I’m not vomiting or getting sick. It’s some abdomen discomfort and just blood sugar completely uncontrollable or should I say unpredictable. Iv most 12 lbs in 3 months and I didn’t have it to lose. I’m looking for some suggestions on food and how to digest as Wel as possible and maybe gain some weight back up.
I feel for you, I was in a similar position 20 years ago diagnosed with gp…same age, terrified and lost a sh#t load of weight. I still have issues but over the years things got much better as I focused on my diabetes. It wasn’t overnight it took a lot of time (months). I’ll be honest a lot of the stuff doctors recommend don’t work, but it’s very difficult to treat as well as live with. What worked for me may not work for you. You will have to figure out what works for you.
You have one huge benefit I didn’t have and thats CGM.
Some things I did:
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Before intermittent fasting was a fad, I was doing that. Didn’t eat after 7 pm and skipped breakfast. That had a few benefits a) allowed me to go long periods of time with relatively stable bood sugars b) allowed me to watch my sugars very close at night c) allowed me to feel pretty decent at work.
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Figure out how much insulin you need to maintain your weight. I need 30 units per day and if I go under that I start losing weight. Do whatever you can to eat to that.
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Figure out what foods your body likes. I also was told to puree my food and that made me feel like crap. I tried low carb, but I couldn’t eat enough to maintain my weight, so I needed carbs.
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For years I set my alarm at 1:00am to check my BS and if need give a correction bolus. Nothing will kill you day like starting at 250.
Good luck and remember there is hope of getting your stomach working better, but it will take time.
interesting I didn’t really ever thing about weight and insulin. I just always thought food calories and insulin to cover it. Also I have been trying to eat like shakes and maybe add some food In and blend it up. But that even kinda makes my stomach up set. Also I keep dealing with low blood sugars. Like Iv dropped my long acting by 6 units but it’s still going low sometimes before meals and sometimes hours and hours after. I notice no matter what too once I go to bed I almost always get low by the morning. But once I stand up and move around blood sugar goes ups almost like it’s sitting in my stomach and once I stand up it slowly goes into my small intestine.
Gastroparesis sucks! I’ve had it for a few years. There are a few medical interventions, but I’ve found them not terribly effective and one can cause a permanent neurological disorder. The best stuff is not approved by the FDA - Domperidone. It’s available in most of the rest of the world. You can get a doctor to prescribed it and get a personal supply at your own expense via mail.
Everything the prior poster wrote is excellent advice. There are food you shouldn’t each “officially” with GP, but many of them are fine with me. There are others that work terribly. Don’t know what I’d do without the Domperidone though.
Iv read about that drug and heard some scary side effects. I’m not officially diagnose but me and my doctor are pretty sure I have pots syndrome as well
Not officially diagnosed yet either but my endo and I suspect I have gastroparesis and I’m waiting to schedule both a gastric emptying study and a tilt table test because of symptoms that could be POTS-related. I’ve tried to find other diabetics with POTS but haven’t found a lot so far outside of case studies and academic journals. Good luck with any testing/your diagnosis journey!
Im new to this GP thing. Have you tried regular insulin for a high protein/fat meal?
No, I like the flexibility of faster insulins.