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Chronic indigestion and diabetes

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Posted 1/22/2011 2:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone, I usually post in the GERD section, but thought about asking a question here if that's ok. I was just thinking, with me having such chronic digestive problems (I haven't strictly speaking had a diagnosis of GERD but found this forum to be of help anyway). I was just wondering whether it is worth me being tested and checked for diabetes?

I've had a big sweet tooth for years, and if I'm honest probably ate too much in the way of sugar in the past, and then 18 months ago, my digestive problems really flared up.

I know I might be annoying my doctor by going back and forth all the time, but I am just wondering if it is worth getting checked for that - I just want every condition to be ruled out before I'm just diagnosed with general 'dyspepsia' which is the furthest I've gotton so far! :(

Posted 1/22/2011 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think that would be one of the major symptoms although gastroparesis is associated with diabetes.  I think some symptoms of gastroparesis include heartburn.  Normally you should have reason to suspect being diabetic, like family history, being overweight, thirsty, tired, jittery.  Any or all of these could be significant.  When was the last time you had complete blood tests?  Glucose readings are part of those tests and if you have a high reading, then your doctor would order more tests specifically to test for diabetes.  
Posted 1/22/2011 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
I've had a lot of blood tests over the last 18 months...don't know if they tested my glucose levels though. I wouldn't be surprised if I have had a mild case of gastroparesis though, I've had virtually all the symptoms apart from vomiting.

Post Edited (judy02) : 1/22/2011 8:47:34 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/22/2011 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
If I were you, I would get copies of the blood tests.  This is your right.  (In fact, from now on, you should always ask for copies.  I ask my doctor to do this during the app't and she notes it on the chart.  Only once did the lab or nurse forget to send a copy to me and when I reminded them, they sent it.  I believe the doctor has to ask them to do it.)  Anyway, ask the doctor for the results and see what the blood sugar was.  And, again, if you have family history of diabetes or if you have some of the unexplained symptoms, then you should be tested.  It's simply another blood test.  First, I would get copies of the old blood tests and then pursue it with the doctor.
Posted 1/22/2011 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks...I don't know if I am being overly anxious or paranoid, but if I get an accurate diagnosis that helps my symptoms more, then that is better than nothing. Much in the way of sugar affects me very negatively, but I guess that can be common with indigestion too.

As far as I know, there isn't any family history...but then there isn't much family history with digestive disorders either. Other than my grandad having a mild case of gastritis decades ago.

Post Edited (judy02) : 1/22/2011 9:49:56 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/22/2011 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm, seems like some unknowns here about what's causing the symptoms, so the best way to start (my opinion!) is to see what the blood tests come up with.  Since you've had some, I'd go back and look at the results and see if there were any out of the norm.  Nowadays, labs post what the norms are and if any of your tests come up out of the normal parameters, it's noted on the lab results paper.  At the same time, it seems to me that the doctor would have talked about that - so that's a puzzle.  All this can cause stress which no one needs.  Be proactive about your medical care.  By that I mean always request copies of the tests so you can look them over.  That's one place to start.  If all the blood work seems ok for blood sugar, then at least you could be relieved about it.
Posted 1/22/2011 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
Do all blood tests show glucose levels?
Posted 1/22/2011 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
No.  General blood tests do, like the ones given for physicals.  If a doctor orders only specific blood tests for particular conditions, blood glucose (sugar) might not be on them.
Posted 1/22/2011 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
OK then, thanks for that information :)
Posted 5/15/2011 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

New to the site and just found your posting. Before I was diagnosed I had terrible problems with indigestion, whatever I ate I had indigestion particularly after sugary food, I couldn't eat jam or honey. I also had problems swallowing, and my food seemed to take for ever to digest leaving me with a full stomach long after I had eaten. I had two endoscopies and was prescribed proton pump inhibitors. Since being diagnosed 3 years ago I have religiously low carbed and can honestly say I have only had indigestion a couple of times. I would definitely class indigestion as being a symptom of diabetes, I had a lot of other symptoms too, but indigestion and the terrible sweats I had stick in my mind.
Posted 5/30/2011 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
High carbs and indigestion have always gone hand in hand for me, too. Whenever I fall off the wagon and start eating carbs for a holiday weekend or big family event I inevitably end up with a Gerd flare. Doc tells me that carbs stimulate inflammation throughout the body and my arthritis certainly believes her as well! turn
Posted 7/7/2011 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
You could say I had indigestion after my cycling trip last weekend.. My stomach wasn't working properly from sunday evening to today. I don't know did I eat something spoiled, or was it caused by wildly fluctuating/high blood sugar levels. My blood glucose first dropped very low during cycling so that at halfway point I ate 40 grams of pure glucose (!), a pack of bread that I bought from a store on the way (maybe 30g carbs) and still felt weak. An hour later back at home, my blood glucose level was still as low as 4.3 mmol/l. I ate a lot more until by the end of the day my bgl was way over 10 after also lowering insulin dose. Could it be that some or all of this gave me indigestion/runny stomach, because having it as bad as this is not typical to me?

I was just trying to find an answer to what it would feel like to cycle to work (~17km). Looks like I won't be making this a habit any time soon, eh..
Posted 7/8/2011 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know.  Sometimes it's the meds that cause the indigestion.  Metformin can do that.  And the exercise can do it.  Cycling is good exercise though.
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