Diabetes and medication following bypass - slow digestion

[Heyjude31]

Hello everyone, I hope your weekend is good. I am wondering if anyone who is diabetic and also is taking heart meds has any problem with slow digestion. I have a challenge where I have slow digestion and therefore some of my meds build up in my system resulting in some severe side effects, nausea etc and almost creating a feeling of overdose on meds, due to the slowness of my digestion, I am having this investigated but just wondered if there was anyone who had similar experience. Thank you for reading this post, really appreciate it. Judi

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello... There is a condition known as gastroparesis where the passage of food through the stomach by muscular movement slows down leading to slow digestion, nausea and other symptoms. Whilst it has multiple causes diabetes is probably the most common. It can affect your diabetes by making the absorption of carbohydrates unpredictable. In a lifetime of diabetes and involvement with support groups I have only encountered it once. Some medications, like opiates, can aggrevate the condition. Additionally some BP meds (allegedly) can have an effect. I think you have to await the results of the tests. Good luck....

I have done some digging and the most common BP medication for issues are CCIs (Calcium Channel Inhibitors) like Amlodipine and Diltiazem. Some Type II medications may worsen the problem - you do not say what type you are. Please note I am not medically qualified so you should discuss things with your GP, and cardiology and diabetes teams.

[Heyjude31 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks ever so much MichaelJH for replying. I have only had this problem since I started the meds following bypass. I have had an endoscopy and CT scan and am awaiting the outcome of my results. Thanks ever so much for the information, I will look up the Gastroparesis to understand more. Thanks and take care, Judi

[Grenfell37]

Hi Judi, I think you have inadvertently answered my own issue. I am pre diabetic and have an incredibly slow system since being on these standard heart meds. About once a month I get terrible nausea, the shakes and generally feel terrible for about 24 hours. On reflection I do feel better when my system works more efficiently, which means taking laxatives. Think I will raise this with my GP on the next visit. Sorry this may not help you, but you may have helped me. Thanks Debbie

[Heyjude31 in reply to Grenfell37]

Hi Debbie if it has helped you that’s great, we are here to support each other. The effects can be very debilitating as I get nausea every day. I do hope you are able to get sorted and I wish you well. Take care, Judi

[Wendz61]

Exactly that I had surgery two years ago my diabetes has been out of control ever since after all kinds of medication changes my digestive issues continue. What you say makes real sense to me

[Heyjude31 in reply to Wendz61]

Hello Wendz61, I am very sorry to hear of your struggles. Have you seen any improvements with your changes in medication or has it stayed the same? Two years is a very long time to be suffering like that. I am very sorry to hear the impact on your diabetes, has your diabetes team been able to advise at all. Take good care, Judi

[Hidden]

Hi, I get bunged up sometimes and find that a small amount of lactulose does the trick 👍

[Heyjude31 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Snoweybm, I do take laxido every day which does help a little. Take good care and thank you for replying. Judi

[Qualipop]

I've been on opiates for years with no problems. They do normally slow things down but mine didn't. However since my HA it's become much worse. I was put on coated aspirin because of stomach pain with the normal ones but because they stayed in the gut for so long I started to get bleeding so I'm back on the soluble ones and risking more stomach problems. I can understand your problem b ut afraid I can't help. I take laxido daily to move things along.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks ever so much for replying. I do appreciate it. I am sorry you experience awful stomach problems it really is debilitating and it seems to be constant. I have nausea every day which stops me from eating well. I do hope you start to feel better and find some sort of resolution. Take care, Judi

[Qualipop in reply to Heyjude31]

JUsta thought- do you take anything like lansoprazole oromeprazole? PPIs to protect your stomach? They are well known for causing nausea.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Qualipop]

I had to stop taking them because of nausea. It’s a bit of a battle to be honest. Judi