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Recent surgery/blood sugar too low

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Posted 8/7/2015 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
My husband has had diabetes for years. His whole family has it. Recently he had a very dangerous open gall bladder surgery ( he's a bleeder) and now he seems to have early satiety. Can only eat very small bites which fill him up and cause stomach pain right away.

So, he's not eating much at all, taking his insulin at night and waking up with very low bs. We're going to try switching his shots to the morning and see what happens.

Does anyone have any information about this or know anything about this fullness in his stomach? I've read that diabetes CAN cause it. He also has non alcoholic cirrhosis which causes the bleeding. Could all this just be part of the healing process of surgery?
Posted 8/7/2015 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
He should be taking a lot less insulin than normal till he gets back to normal more blood testing (BS) should be done to get a handle on it. what type of insulin is he on
Posted 8/7/2015 3:14 PM (GMT 0)

Will-Sandy said...
He should be taking a lot less insulin than normal till he gets back to normal more blood testing (BS) should be done to get a handle on it. what type of insulin is he on





He is taking Lantus ( Glargine) at night. Depending on how he tests, it's between 25 and 35 units. He hasn't been shooting in the morning unless he really tests high. Do you know anything about the eating problem? Thanks
Posted 8/8/2015 6:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ozarker! I'm sorry that your husband is suffering with these issues. As far as the stomach problem, he may have Gastroparesis and should be tested by his Endo for it. Many Diabetics have this complication due to extended high blood sugars. I don't know how long he has had Diabetes but some Type 2's can have Diabetes for a few years with no or few symptoms that they don't associate with Diabetes.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/basics/definition/CON-20023971

I don't take the long acting Lantus anymore, I use Levemir instead since it seems more balanced with little or no peaks throughout the day. A lot of Diabetics who use Lantus or Levemir split their dose in half(50/50) to morning and evening to see if it works better. If not, they use a 60/40, 70/30 or 40/60, 30/70 doseage split until they find what works for them.

Will is right. If your husband hasn't lowered his blood sugar already since he noticed these symptoms, then he should if he knows how to. Many Type 2's also use fast acting Humalog, Novolog or Apidra Insulin before meals. Some of their Drs.(old school) refused to write the prescription, so the Type 2's find a Dr. who does prescribe fast acting Insulin because they know it works well for them also, at the right doseage, thus lowering the long acting Insulin usually. Low or moderately low carb meals also work better to keep the high blood sugars in the good range.
Posted 8/8/2015 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. His problem is not high b/s, but very low in the morning. He adjusted his insulin last night and is much better today. And he is beginning to be able to eat better. I suspect the surgery has thrown him off kilter. He is stubborn and will not go to an Endo. He has been treated thru the VA for years and we all know how NOT informed they are! I am trying to get him to switch. As long as he has good days, he's satisfied. So I leave printed articles around the house for him to "find", hoping he will learn something.
Posted 8/8/2015 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
I used to use Lantus in the morning and use regular during the day at meal times and after blood tests, after my bypass I wasn't eating too well either, actually the first couple of days after I didn't eat anything the surgeon said it was something starting with a E or M don't remember much of those day :-)
Posted 8/8/2015 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Sam also had a triple bypass about 10 years ago and has had several stents since then. His major problem is that he is a bleeder due to cirrhosis. He is doing a little better today so far. Working around the house a little, helping our daughter make pickles and eating a little better. I still think surgery stresses the body and throws everything off.
Posted 8/8/2015 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Good to hear he is improving, I totally agree about the stress thing, I've had 5 stents inserted 2 have failed and I expect the other 2 too fail too they put in the wrong stents for a Diabetic after my initial Heart Attack
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