#: 668376 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 25-Nov-96 17:10:20 Sb: Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: RobinHarrison-SYSOP 73670,3675 To: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 >> ...we do not often discuss diabetic diarrhea (which may affect as many as 70% of diabetics eventually) << You got my attention, Paula. I've heard mention of this before, but only in passing. I know that this part of my system gets imbalanced very easily, and I don't believe a month has gone by in at least a 7 years that I didn't experience a minimum of two bouts per month. What role does diabetes play in this uncomfortable malady? TIA, Robin #: 668433 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 25-Nov-96 20:47:08 Sb: #668376-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 To: RobinHarrison-SYSOP 73670,3675 Dear Robin, It just so happens there's a file here in the forum Library about it! (g) It's called DMDIARR.TXT and discusses some of the theories of causation and what can be done about it. One medical text characterizes diabetic diarrhea as typically involving attacks of diarrhea every 2-12 hours, lasting up to 24 hrs, with attacks often occuring at night, and sometimes associated with fecal incontinence. Often the bouts are preceded by some indigestion (belching, etc.), lower abdominal discomfort and a bad taste in the mouth. Others describe it as just a phenomenon associated with having diabetes that can occur day or night and cause intermittent attacks that can last for days. For many of us, the cause isn't all that clear at all, but if it becomes a problem, there are ways to search out the cause and try to treat it. For some, it can be due to autonomic neuropathy, with some changes in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves and ganglia; for others, it can be due to bacterial overgrowth in the stomach and small intestine, which can be helped by broad-spectrum antibiotics. Sometimes it can also be due to celiac disease, pancreatic enzyme deficiencies, general gastrointestinal transit problems (like delayed stomach emptying and intestinal transit disorders), or simply high blood sugar levels. It seems important to know that, even though we might not hear about it that much, it is a well-recognized part of having diabetes that affects a great number of us -- and that, whenever we have diarrhea, we need to be especially careful to make sure we don't become dehydrated. Ever since a member posted about a research study he was conducting on diabetic diarrhea, I've been amazed to read up and find out just how common this problem is for us. I hate to think that many of us might be thinking we are the only ones with the problem, so I'm so glad you mentioned it! - Paula #: 668938 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 26-Nov-96 15:59:17 Sb: #668433-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Carl Tebbs 101457,3530 To: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 Hi Paula, Thought I would throw in my experience for what it's worth. I June this year, just before going to Spain for a week I started to suffer from diarrhea. While I was away it got so bad that I spent the whole week in the hotel and even tried not eating for a day. Even with no food and taking more Insulin my BG's were still too high, so I know something major was wrong. After I came home I spent two weeks in hospital where I was diagnosed with Colitis and was off work for a total of 12 weeks. For most of that time I was feeling so ill and weak that getting out of bed was hard work. It has settled down a lot now, though I'm still taking a lot of drugs. I have to go into hospital for a colonoscopy tomorrow (27th) and that means that I can not eat for 24 hours before. Just hope I can keep my BG's under control, as I don't want to end up having to stay in hospital overnight. Carl (It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice) #: 669357 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 27-Nov-96 06:13:51 Sb: #668938-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 To: Carl Tebbs 101457,3530 Dear Carl, You sure went through the wringer with your colitis -- 12 weeks is a long time to have to miss work! I hope the colonoscopy tomorrow goes very easily and reveals very good results. Please be sure to let us all know how you made out. Do they usually give you some medication before the procedure to make it more comfortable? - Paula #: 669296 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 27-Nov-96 01:30:28 Sb: #668433-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: JOSEPH COOKE 100617,341 To: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 Dear Paula, <> I down loaded DMDIARR.TXT and took a brief look at it. Diarrhea is a major problem with Dorothy. It didn't occur to us that it might be a basic comp of dm. She had it very badly in 1992, when she was on chemo. The chemo seemed to damage her GI tract seriously. She has never really recovered. Now, since she has this foot ulcer, she is worse. The med team guess that this is a result of the antibiotics. Recently, after a culture swab showed yeast, she has been on an anti fungal, and is even worse. Kaopectate and Immodium don't seem to help much. One of the nurses suggested eating yogurt with live cultures. <> Yep. That's us, alright. I recognize the description. Especially the "fecal incontinence". To Dorothy, that is the most dismaying part of her whole illness. In spite of everything, it is still nice to know that we are not alone. Thanks for the input. Joe Ontario #: 670659 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 30-Nov-96 12:12:00 Sb: #668433-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Dawn 73112,2532 To: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 Paula: My husband is on hemodialysis and also has severe cases of diabetic diarrhea. He must keep fluid levels down and cannot even have the strength to walk after bouts of this. He is currently on propulsid to assist in this process, but are you aware of any studies with dialysis and diabetes that I can check into? Thanks! Dawn #: 670751 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 30-Nov-96 14:49:34 Sb: #670659-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 To: Dawn 73112,2532 Dear Dawn, I don't know of any studies right now, but I'll be sure to look for some and post them as soon as possible! - Paula #: 674246 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 09-Dec-96 05:49:13 Sb: #670932-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Cathy J Plumlee 75711,2030 To: Dave Groves Wizop 76703,4223 dave, thanks for the confermation of the diarrhea being a side effect of gastroparesis, which was dx'd about a year ago, have had to go on and off the propulsid, as it gives me extra problem of it;s own. I would like to apoligize to you and everyone on the forum for not being around much latlely( has been VERY buy since my son Jack returned home) I will try to get here more often, I have to fight a 16 yr old for the computer Happy Holidays! Cathy & Jack #: 670334 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 29-Nov-96 14:07:08 Sb: #669357-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Carl Tebbs 101457,3530 To: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 Hi Paula, The colonoscopy was fine, I'm not sure what they gave me, but I didn't know anything about it. The worst bit was having the plastic thing put into my arm for the injections. The result was good as well, as it has cleared up and I now only have to take one of the 4 treatments I was having. That is just a tablet three times a day to stop it flaring up again. Carl (It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice) #: 670742 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 30-Nov-96 14:44:37 Sb: #670334-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 To: Carl Tebbs 101457,3530 (X) Dear Carl, What terrific news --not only were you able to go home right away, but you can drop 3 of the treatments! Congratulations on the good news! - Paula #: 671145 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 01-Dec-96 06:49:23 Sb: #670742-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Carl Tebbs 101457,3530 To: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 Hi Paula, It has been a good week for me, I also found out that I still have a job (well at least for another 3 months). #: 671239 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 01-Dec-96 14:42:29 Sb: #671145-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 To: Carl Tebbs 101457,3530 That is wonderful news, Carl! I hope you keep getting more and more good news you can share here! - Paula #: 670706 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 30-Nov-96 13:51:57 Sb: #668433-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: RobinHarrison-SYSOP 73670,3675 To: Paula D.-SYSOP 73021,567 Paula, Thanks for all the information! DMDIARR.TXT is quite thorough and contains some excellent references. It appears that diarrhea in diabetics is highly individualized. Mine seems to be closely related to high bgs. Prior to dm, I used to suffer constipation rather frequently, especially when traveling. Leafy green vegetables (spinach, collard greens, cabbage) helped some. Constipation is a pretty rare occurence since I was dx'd, having been replaced by periodic episodes of diarrhea, so it's been somewhat beneficial in my situation. >> I hate to think that many of us might be thinking we are the only ones with the problem... << Exactly! Thank you for discussing this with us, and all the excellent information you've provided! :) Robin #: 670745 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 30-Nov-96 14:46:42 Sb: #670706-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Dave Groves Wizop 76703,4223 To: RobinHarrison-SYSOP 73670,3675 Robin, I think the "diabetic diarrhea" that was being discussed is the sort NOT due to BG fluctuations, but rather to gastroparesis secondary to autonomic neuropatyhy. Propulsid, Erythromycin, Tagamet and one other drug, the name of which escapes me, have been used to help this problem for some, but the underlying autonomic neuropathy problem is a classic diabetes complication that would be consistant with the individual's need for dialysis. #: 670926 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 30-Nov-96 22:49:22 Sb: #670745-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: RobinHarrison-SYSOP 73670,3675 To: Dave Groves Wizop 76703,4223 I brought this up to Paula, and was simply seeking general information. I was relieved to know from reading the file, DMDIARR.TXT, that my symptoms are apparently _not_ related to those that would indicate autonomic neuropathy. :) #: 670932 S8/Complications [DIABETES] 30-Nov-96 23:00:48 Sb: #670926-Diabetic Diarrhea Fm: Dave Groves Wizop 76703,4223 To: RobinHarrison-SYSOP 73670,3675 That is good to hear, Robin. Gastroparesis is most unpleasant and pretty irreversable.