I posted this in the gastroparesis group, too, but if anyone here has any input, I'd love to hear it.
I have had occasional, but now worsening, symptoms of gastroparesis. I've vomited up my dinner the next morning a few times over the past few years. This happened again a few weeks ago (this time with diarrhea), and ever since then I've had very little hunger and a sensation of fullness after eating only a small amount of food. I've also had a lot of constipation and abdominal bloating/distention. I'm keeping it in check right now with small meals, many of which have been liquid or practically pureed. Animal fat seems to be a no-go. I've suffered from GERD and been on prilosec for about 15 years. I was diagnosed with T2 three and a half years ago (I'm now 35), and I've always maintained good control with my A1Cs around 6.0-6.3 with diet, exercise, and metformin.
My question is: I have always assumed that gastroparesis is a complication that resulted from long-term diabetes, and that it is more common in T1. With my history, is it possible that something else is causing my gastro problems? I don't want my doc to write this off as diabetic gastroparesis if something else is going on here. I'm seeing my doc in about three weeks, at my next scheduled follow-up appt for my labs. Thank you!
Do you have any back pain ? Animal fat can set off gallbladder problems. I have gastroparesis and it usually involves constipation for a couple of days, then diarhhea for day. I've never vomited because of it. I know we're all different, but I had gallbladder problems a few years ago and your symptoms sound more like that to me. I'm not a doctor.
Worth seeing a gastroenterologist because it could be something else. I'm T1 & gastroparesis was diagnosed almost immediately after diabetes from severe lows after eating. Not the same as you, of course, since I use insulin.
Sorry for what you're going through. Miserable dealing with that. GERD can cause delayed stomach emptying & Prilosec can cause diarrhea.
I've never vomited from gastroparesis, but do often feel uncomfortably full & queasy after meals. I tried liquid meals for a short while, but it didn't make a difference.
Hope you get real answers from your doctor. Please keep us posted.
It is also worth suggesting the R-R interval study. Gastroparesis is caused by neuropathy in the vagus nerve and the basic R-R interval study is an easy technique to detect damage to the vagus nerve, Most doctors can perform the R-R study on their own with simple equipment they have around the office (like an ECG). Dr. Bernstein has also written a number of articles on gastroparesis.
There is a simple test for gastroparesis ask to be tested. Your problems could also be caused by the Metformin. My brother is a very skinny T2 and suffered the symptoms of the oral meds for years, gas, bloating, he also has aced reflux, and I finally talked him into using insulin and it has turned his life around he uses 8u a day and his BG is great. He has also been able to gain some weight he was even suffering from malnutrition, diet control was just not a good solution for him and he spent years suffering with trying to live up to someones expectations. He feels great...
Metformin can sometimes play havoc on your digestion issues, constipation and diarrhea. I have noted when I change brands it can effect me and I have noted a difference in Xtended release is a lot differnt for me than regular metformin.
You look thin and you are young. Are you sure that your a type 2 ? You may be LADA. How high are your numbers 2 and 4 hours after eating?
I didn't experienced any side effects that seemed to be directly linked to the metformin when I started taking it. I've always taken the extended release version, and I don't think my pharmacy has changed the manufacturer recently.
My numbers almost always read around 100-130 two to three hours after eating. I rarely check four hours after since I usually eat small meals about three hours apart. I generally avoid anything that makes me spike over 180, and eating the smaller meals really seems to help with that. I very rarely see anything under 100, though, even with all the exercise I get (at least 1 hr/day, 6 days/week of weightlifting and mod-high intensity cardio). My regimen seems to be working well enough right now. I definitely keep LADA in mind, in case I do ever see crazier numbers.
I'm type 1, I had what I thought were gastroparesis symptoms (feeling full after eating a little bit of food, bloating/gas/abdominal bloating and distention, constipation & diarrhea. Brought it up with my endo, she suggested that I might have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease, since my control has been pretty decent. Turns out she was right, I definitely have a gluten intolerance, and very likely celiac disease. My blood test for celiac was negative, although that particular test apparently can give a lot of false negative readings. The definitive diagnostic test is an intestinal biopsy, but I opted to just quit eating gluten, since it has made me feel so much better any way. I've stopped eating gluten and it's totally taken care of what I thought were all those gastroparesis symptoms. I'm not saying this is what is going on with you, but I try to get the word out that, at least in my experience, the symptoms can be very similar. Good luck, and I hope you get some answers and are feeling better soon.
