Are Loss Of Appetite And Difficulty In Swallowing Common In Diabetes Mellitus Patients?

Posted on Thu, 22 Oct 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 22 Oct 2015 Answered on

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : have type 2 diabetes. suffering from no appetite at all. forcing my self to eat.on insulin. suffering when wa;king legs are giving way and i am falling. feel exhausted all the time. My age is 77 yrs Female/
My doctor has done loads of bloodtests, nothing serious has shown. would be grateful for any advise
THANKING YOU. XXXX
Sorry.. my e=mail is YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more info

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who suffer from loss and appetite and difficulty in swallowing must get worked up. If you could attach me the reports of the blood tests already performed then it can help me to come to a better conclusion.

I would also like you to get back to me with the following details

1. Have you lost weight in the recent past?
2. Do you have pain abdomen ?
3. Is your sugar under control? Uncontrolled sugars could be a reason for loss of appetite
4. Have you undergone endoscopy?
5. Please list out all your medications you are on

Please get back to me, I am awaiting your reply

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (34 minutes later)

In answer to your questions no difficulty in swallowing.
Have not lost any wait recently, am on a lot of medication. Doctor is reducing some of the meds slowly... Trial and error!! will supply a list for you when i can. I do not have any info on my blood tests,my doctor has them.no pain in abdomen
Blood sugars are under control.
I have been feeling unwell for approx 8 weeks now/

Regards, XXXX
P,s am afraud to go out now, incase my lags give way ,and i fall
they start to shake first for approx 1 minute.. but a few weeks back the whole of my body started shaking before my legs gave way.. very frightening..

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Electrolyte imbalance

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back and sorry for the short delay in my reply to you

Weakness of the legs and feeling like it will give away could be due to several reasons and it definitely needs to be worker up. The following are the possibilities

1. low potassium and low sodium can cause weakness. Especially potassium. Electrolyte imbalance could be because of some of the medications you might be on. This can also explain loss of appetite
2. Spine- lumbar spondylosis is also a possibility, a simple x ray of the Lower spine can help you

For the loss of appetite I would want you to follow these simple instructions and see if there is an improvement

1. Tab omeprazole with domperidone once a day on an empty stomach should improve your appetite
2. do not eat in between meals
3. avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol
4. avoid milk products

I hope I was of help, please get back to me for any further queries

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D