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crohn's and diabetes

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 6/20/2010 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't been on here in a long time. I finished school and am working with Bayada nurses 2 days a week with a pediatric home care case.  I have been flaring for the last 3 weeks and I don't want to go back on prednisone.  I am watching my diet, however, I just found out that I have type 2 diabetes.  I can feel myself going into depression.  I have a doctor apt. tomorrow with my family doctor.  I have numbness in my toes and heels and I get sharp pains in my fingertips and the tips of my toes.  Can any of this be related to the crohn's?  I know arthritis can be related to crohn's and I have OA.  I guess I am writing to you because I need some input from fellow crohn's sufferers.  My daughter and husband think that I can just pop a pill and feel better.  My GI and PCP won't refer me to pain management, they feel that if I cover up the pain I could be masking something more serious.  I'll appreciate any input you can give me.  Thanks

Debbie

Crohn's since 1992, in remission until 2005, now I can't get back in.  I take 1000mg Pentasa, Bentyl, calcium, Vit D, E ,B6, B12 injections, 150mg Imuran, Ativa as needed, Digoxin, 81mg aspirin, 1000mg Metformin. 

Posted 6/21/2010 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Debra Anne,

I'm sorry to hear what you are going through. I understand. Having both can be quite a balancing act! Takes awhile to get used to it.

Was dx with Crohns in 05' and now Diabetes as of Aug of 10'. Dr.'s also say I have RA and Fibro...yipee!!!  When they caught the Diabetes through a blood test I WASN'T surprised by some of my symptoms. The thing is when your flaring from Crohns you eat alot of Carbs to offset having to digest veges and fiber. Guess I'm done with having lots of Carbs. It was fun while it lasted!

I get depressed too.  Mentally there are days I just don't want to be tied down to pills, times to take pills, and constant bathroom visits.

It's pretty difficult to work at all anymore.  In 05 went to part-time.  In 08 went to semi part-time. Now, I'm completley undependable...and have lost my job. 

I see my Nutritionist and Diabetic nurse every 2-3 months for a year then twice a year after that. I am thankful my insurance covers these appt's. It helps to talk about it.

There are a few others on this web-site that have both and you'll be in good company with them. It helps alot!

Just take it one day at a time...

 

Posted 6/21/2010 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
The numbness sounds worrying; I'm worried about the beginnings of tissue damage.

The sharp pains in the finger tips could well due to be diabetes-induced peripheral neuropathy - or B12 deficiency (or other causes, but I'm listing the most likely two). Your sig says you're getting B12 injections however, so...

Are you keeping a tab on your blood sugar levels? One member here had to move onto insulin because the pills were no longer keeping his blood sugar levels in check. It's no fun injecting yourself every day but insulin does really work. I had an uncle who lived until almost 80 with type 1 diabetes for most of his life. At any rate, it's just a possibility...

I do think it sounds like neither your Crohn's nor your diabetes is being treated adequately at the moment. I think you should make your symptoms plain to the doctor tomorrow.

Good luck :-/
Posted 6/21/2010 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Debra Ann: I agree whole heartedly with NiceCupofTea (and NiceCup-well said).
Posted 6/22/2010 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for listening as I vented. I was at myPCP yesterday, he prescribed Ultram for the pain from the crohn's flare to help me manage while I got to a strict crohn's diet. He also took blood to check my A1C, lipids, kidney function, Liver function (because of Imuran) and my B12 level. After we get these results, and if the B12 level is good, he will figure out what we will do for the numbness and tingling in my fingers and toes. The specialist that my GI sent me to see has been doing blood work every 2 months and my white count is low, so we will have to keep watching it the next blood test. I did make my PCP aware of the results from the specialist. Thank you again for listening to me and helping me figure out what is going on with the pain.

Debbie
Posted 6/23/2010 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
What's a strict Crohn's diet consist of?  Just curious - my GI said anything was ok, no food restrictions except for high residue during flares (of course he didn't identify what high residue was besides nuts . . . )   so I have to figure it out for myself . . .what's new with that?! 
Posted 6/23/2010 10:03 AM (GMT 0)
My GI says a liquid diet, soft foods and low residue. GI says I can eat a little fiber and the specialist says no fiber. I usually go with the soft foods until I am no longer flaring.

Debie
Posted 6/23/2010 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Debbie,  I found out I had Crohn's 8-06 during emergency resection.  I was put on prednisone and developed steroid-induced diabetes in 11-06.  Not a fun few months.  Try figuring out a Crohn's and Diabetes diet at the same time.  Talk about going nuts.  How anyone lived with me those few months was incredible. shocked    It does get some used to.

 My recommendation is to test your blood sugar often and see how different foods effect your sugar levels.  I would test up to 8 times a day (fasting and 2 hours after eating.)  Just to see what was effecting my numbers.  I started off using insulin (while on Pred) then tapered down as the steroids left my system. Now I'm only on 250mg of metformin and only test once a day. 

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