Please can you tell me about diabetic digestive neuropathy?

Do you mean gastroparesis - when the food sits in the stomach and the stomach takes a long time to empty?? There is such a thing as diabetic gastroparesis and the majority of patients with GP have it as a result of diabetes.

No I have the opposite. I have diarrhea. I can't eat a lot of different foods.

oooh okay - so you have lower GI issues... i have gastroparesis so i was going to give you some info on that - however it seems, as you say - you have diarrhea..

@nazleer, I'm not familiar with diabetic digestive neuropathy but did find an older research article that sounds similar:
--- Diabetic neuropathy in the gut: pathogenesis and diagnosis: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-015-3831-1

Is it a form of an autonomic or sensory neuropathy associated with diabetes? Didn't your doctor discuss possible treatments after you were diagnosed?

@nazleer

Another name for Digestive Neuropathy is Autonomic Neuropathy. I am not diabetic .. but I have looked at the article before thinking it might be part of my problems or part of what is going on with my diabetic husband now. You don't have to be diabetic .. there are other factors too.

This is from the Mayo Clinic site. After reading the first part go past the words “ Request an Appointment .. Print” and click on “Diagnosis & Treatment” that is in a blue box.

I hope it is helpful to you.

ZeeGee

No evidently there are not many options. I take Imodium as needed almost everyday.

@nazleer I have diabetic gastroparesis. It was explained to me this way. It is a complication of diabetes when diabetes causes internal nerve damage (autonomic neuropathy). These are the nerves that help control the function of internal organs. In this case it is your stomach, gastrointestinal system and even the colon. Sorry this description will get graphic. It is kind of like a plumbing system. The stomach doesn’t move food through to the GI part at a normal rate. It can sit there, rot and cause nasty symptoms (nausea, heartburn, cramps, vomiting). This can be diagnosed by undergoing a stomach emptying test. Eventually the food will move through the GI system but by then it something of a clog (more system & symptom distress). By the time it gets to the colon it is pretty bad, then all h—- breaks loose (diarrhea). I’ve gone through this cycle many times.

I learned that certain foods aggravate things at the top/stomach. For me it was fiber. Which is sad because fiber helps with blood sugar control. I was referred to a dietician that specializes in diabetic diet and was familiar with gastroparesis. This was hugely helpful. I also was put on a prophylactic daily dose of Imodium to deal with the diarrhea on the other end. The generic is Loperamide and is over the counter. I take just a half tablet daily (1 mg). In addition to eating right and taking the small dose of med I found it was even more helpful keep blood sugar in range, stay hydrated, and exercise. Those last 3 can be tedious but are not impossible. Do you have a family member or friend that can support you in these endeavors? That helps a lot.

What med are you taking besides Imodium?

@nazleer because I’m diabetic (for nearly 50 years) I’m currently using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and an insulin delivery system (pump) that is filled with Humalog or Lispro insulin. I have an endocrinologist that prescribes diabetes related stuff.
Diabetes and hypertension (high BP) are two leading causes of kidney disease. I have chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 4). I have a nephrologist for things related to this. I am on medications to help control blood pressure. They are Torsemide, Amlodipine and Losartan. My doctor also recommended sodium bicarbonate which is an over the counter (OTC) antacid because he felt my urine was too acid.
I take Rosuvastatin to help control cholesterol.
I also have osteoporosis and receive an injection of Prolia every 6 months. My doctor has recommended that I take calcium and Vitamin D, which are over the counter (OTC) supplements.
I nearly forgot, I have obstructive sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine at night.
Last but not least is Tacrolimus which is an immune suppressant. I had a pancreas transplant nearly 18 years ago. The Tacrolimus is to prevent rejection.
These are a lot of conditions and medications. I’m blessed to have my providers (primary, endocrinologist, nephrologist, & pulmonologist for the sleep apnea, as part of the same health care system so they can collaborate for my best care and I have confidence that we are all on the same page so to speak. My nephrologist also works with the transplant center to address any transplant issues.
I was wondering why you want to know about my medications? Do you have other medications causing you concerns? How can I help?

Sorry I didn't mean to be invasive. I wanted to know what other medication was helping you with the diarrhea. I too have problems with fiber. My doctor is suggesting a Lactose intolerance test. Could you tell me what foods you are avoiding completely?