Question:
Anyone have problems with shakes, dizziness, etc??
I am almost 2 years post-op. My surgery was a great success and I really have not had any problems. This past 6 months have me with some concerns though as I have noticed that at no certain times during the day I will get shaky, sweaty, dizziness, and faint feelings. Close to the feeling you would get with a panic attack but I know it is NOT that. The doctor says I need more protein intake but I am getting that. It's not low blood sugar either as I have had this checked out. My labs are all normal and my food intake is good. These spells are very annoying. The only thing that does make them go away is when I do eat more protein but it seems like I am getting too much. Does anyone else have this problem???? Thanks! — Melissa T. (posted on March 25, 2010)
March 25, 2010
Have you had labs lately? Thats where I would start could be thyroid
— T R.
March 25, 2010
Melissa: I don't know your age and I don't wish to pry, but you mentioned
you've had labs -- so could it be pre- or post-menopausal symptoms? Sure
sounds like it with the shaking, sweaty, dizzy feelings? Good luck!
— momeego
March 25, 2010
get your gallbladder checked?
— Atomickitten613
March 25, 2010
This is exactly what happens to me. For me it is high blood sugar. I go up
and down rapidly. I have to be very careful with sugar intake. I DO NOT
have anything with more than 4 grams, and even that is rare. I have to
watch carb intake because that will set it off too. It is a miserable
feeling. I have a glucose monitor to check my level at regular intervals.
My A1C tests are normal because I go up and down so often. (60-400+) Good
Luck and if you find it is something else, please let me know.
— Kelly P.
March 25, 2010
I have this problem. The first time I thought that I was having a heart
attack. Figured out that certain things that I am introducing into my
diet, cause a sugar rise, followed by a drop causing hypoglycemia. I carry
some hard candy with me all the time as well as fluids. If I were at home I
would do protein. The spells last about 20 or 30 minutes, then I am fine.
— sandorah
March 25, 2010
I would suggest to get your gallbladder checked. These are some of the same
systoms I've had and today I am going to get schedule my gallbladder
surgery. You could also be getting dizzie from not drinking enough water.
So up your drinking and then get an ultrasound done on you gallbladder.
Good luck.
— dsquire
March 25, 2010
Thanks so much for everyone's input. I have had all normal labs. The
gallbladder is interesting and I will see about getting that checked. I
don't take in alot of sugar. I was never really a big sweets person. My
blood pressure has been really low since I dropped weight. I usually run
about 60/90 which has been a problem. I am starting to wonder if it's more
of the hyperglycemia problem. As far as the menpausal problem I never
thought about that but I would think it would be early as I am only 35.
Anyway, again thanks for everyone's input. It definitely gives me ideas to
bring up to the doctor on my next visit. This website is really great!
— Melissa T.
March 25, 2010
I had this problem also and my doctor suggested a multi-vitamin with folic
acid and additional B-12. When you are not eating pasta, bread, waffles
etc. which is a big source for folic acid you need to supplement it. Hope
this helps.
It's worth a try :)
Joann
— Redhead7977
March 25, 2010
I have had this problem and I have had labs very recently that were ok. I
have to make sure that I eat at least 6 small meals aday ( 3 meals 3 snacks
) with plenty of protien and I lay off the sugar. I really think it has to
do with eating properly. We get busy and forget to have a good meal at the
right time. This has helped me I am over a year out and I hope this will
help you good luck & I hope you feel better.
— sse032568
March 25, 2010
I am a diabetic and it sounds kind of like a major glucose level change
(either up or down) or dehydration. I am having my gallbladder removed
same time I have my RNY on April 20th.
— Cindya19
March 25, 2010
Sounds like a fairly typical hypoglycemic episode, at least for me and many
others. It usually happens awhile after eating, your blood sugar will
suddenly plummet. You need to go see your Dr. about it, she will hopefully
give you a glucose meter to check yourself when it happens. The important
thing is to get your blood sugar back up, the best recommendation I got was
to eat some of those peanut butter crackers, that way you are getting a
little protein in with the sugar. Just eating something that is full of
sugar can put you in the cycle of having it plummet again. The
crakcer/peanut butter combo seems to keep that from happening. For me an
attack does not have to be related to having high carbs, although if I do
that I can count on getting an episode. It has happened to me after eating
a well-balanced meal. The key for me has been recognizing the early
symptoms and taking care of it before it gets too far. Good luck, go see
your Dr. Blessings, Anita
— ALF
March 26, 2010
THis happens to me as well - it turned out that I actually needed som carbs
- I was too far over on the side of protein and as soon as I added some
nice, whole grain comples carbs it helped. It didn't slow down my weight
loss at all. Not a lot, more like a half of a piece of toast w/ my eggs at
breakfast, or 2-3 bites of rice w. my food, etc. I can't explain it, but it
totally worked. I still keep a piece of candy around me at all times for
"just in case", though.
— stellarsan
March 26, 2010
Yes, when I eat too many carbs, or I haven't hydrated enough. But labs
wouldn't hurt. Take your vitamins, get in a little extra protein and drink
A LOT!!!
— lesleigh07
March 26, 2010
For me it was low blood pressure. I am on Metroprolol for my heart and we
had to lower the dose then I was fine again.
— trible
March 26, 2010
i use 2 tablespoons of milk of magnessia before going to bed at night, and
then a cup of coffee in the morning and i'm good to go.
— Chris O.
March 26, 2010
First, I'm assuming you had RNY GB...As you can see the symptoms are quite
common for a variety of different things. You said that your labs are
"fine"...Did your doctor tell you that or did you see the labs
and levels yourself? Were ALL THE VITAMINS checked or were basic labs
done? My PCP (Primary Care Physician) is CLUELESS about the RNY body and
what labs to run. I give my PCP a list of the labs I want her to run every
6 mos...When my labs are low she tells me they are "fine". But i
keep a chart and copies of all my labs so I can make sure I am taking the
right vitamins and doses. At this point, you should be on a high quality,
high potency, adult vitamin. (Not including B-12, Iron Calcium and extra
Vit D3) I know better after 6 years of this Bull! I suggest you become your
own health care advocate and learn about labs RNYers need...I now get
copies of my labs and I request the vitamins I want tested as well as the
regular labs. When I had these symptoms I was borderline anemic (In normal
low ranges) In a year, my iron was low I almost needed blood
transfusion...My magnesium (shortness of breath, dizziness, panic attacks)
was also deficient and those two deficiencies in combo made it a dangerous
situation for a heart attack from lack of oxygen in the blood...At two
years PO, your bodies vitamin storage is probably now depleting and
rapidly...This is common...I'd get copies of your recent labs and they will
show you that you are low even if you are in normal ranges. Check to see if
your labs include :Vit A, B1, B6, B-12, Vit D, Vit E, Vit K, Magnesium,
Iron, Ferritin, Parathyroid Hormone(PTH), Thyroid panel...Your labs are
probably NOT "fine"...
— .Anita R.
March 26, 2010
I am SO thankful for this site again!! I am getting such good responses
that are helping me for my question! I have to admit most of the things
being said I have done or tried. TO ANITA---I am wondering if it has more
to do with labs or hypoglycemia. I have thought that for a while. I did
have RYN. My doctor (luckily) is the same one I see who did the surgery. He
is one of the best at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. He does check
ALL labs. My potassium has been very low in the pass, dangerously low. My
iron has also run low but my vitamins seem to bring it up. I take a b12
shot once a month, 3 vitamin (600 mg) Calcium with extra D and a potent
prenatal vitamin 2x daily to get extra vitamins in with that particular
brand. I drink water, tea (no sugar, decaf) all day long so I know I'm not
dehydrated. My husband is a past phlebotomist (mispelled) who checks my
labs so I don't know. Sometimes I just feel like their not right, you know?
I will definitely write down the labs you suggested though and look at my
next visit. Thanks!
— Melissa T.
March 26, 2010
Our bodies can not get too much protein throughout each day. The body will
only absorb 32 grams of protein every three hours though. But also what
you've described sounds as your body is Dehydrated. Are you drink just zero
calorie beverages that are not also diuretics, such as tea? The suggestion
is at least one gallon a day but two gallons is better of such like water.
— Michael Eak
March 26, 2010
Have you checked your blood sugar yourself? Low blood sugar levels are
extremely hard for doctors to detect. Often, you can have low blood sugars
at certain times and NOT have them when tested at the doctor's office. The
BEST way to detect low blood sugar is to test yourself regularly to
establish a base line blood sugar level, and then test yourself when you
feel one of these attacks coming on. You will be surprised to find that
you probably DO have low blood sugar, but the doctor failed to catch it.
The easiest (and least expensive) way to test yourself is to get a home
blood sugar testing kit from your local pharmacy. Walmart, drug stores,
and even grocery store pharmacies often carry inexpensive store brand kits
that you can get for under $20.00. I have seen them for as little as
$10.00. They come with a very limited supply of test strips, so keep that
in mind when choosing a test kit. Pharmacies and the kit manufacturers
make their money on the test STRIPS, so you can get the machine for little
money. Often these starter kits come with 10 or 20 test strips, so use 4
or 5 strips to establish your base line blood sugar (following the
directions included with the machine). Take samples before and after
breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner to get a good representative
sample, and then use the machine to test your sugar level when you feel one
of the attacks coming on. This will help you to help your DOCTOR diagnose
any blood sugar problems you may be suffering from. Be sure to keep
records of when you tested your blood, and what the level was. Most kits
have a little book that you can use to record this type of information.
Most modern blood testing machines also record this information
automatically, but you do want the paper back up in case something goes
wrong with the machine. Should you find that you ARE suffering from low
blood sugar, try to identify the TRIGGER for the bouts. For many, the
bouts of low blood sugar are caused by strenuous activity. Others have
these problems triggered by fasting. Still more have these attacks after
eating high carbohydrate foods. Man made sugar (not sugar from natural
sources like fruits and veggies), foods made with white flour (as opposed
to whole grain flour), and high starch foods (like mashed potatoes) are
frequently triggers for some people. Basically, what happens is that the
body gets a rush of sugar or carbohydrate, and the pancreas kicks in and
over produces insulin, which causes the blood sugar to drop precipitously.
To avoid having these problems when caused by strenuous exercise, you will
need to eat some carbohydrate before starting to exercise. Try to avoid
"free" carbohydrates such as sugar, white flour, and honey, and
instead eat an apple or a baked potato before exercising. If your low
blood sugar is triggered by fasting, make sure that you eat healthy foods
on a regular basis (every 3 hours or so). If it is triggered by high
carbohydrate foods, avoid them, and eat more protein. Should you discover
that you DO have low blood sugar using the machine while testing yourself,
make sure that you bring the kit with you to the doctor's office. You can
be sure that the doctor is going to ask you if you have been using the
machine properly. You can take the machine out and DEMONSTRATE how you
have used it. This usually takes care of any concerns about your ability
to test yourself, but you can be sure the question will come up. If you do
have any questions on how to use your machine, find a friend that has
diabetes, and ask for help. You can be fairly certain that a diabetic will
know how to use a machine that is similar in function to the one that you
have. I hope this helps.
— hubarlow
March 26, 2010
Has anyone suggested you have a tilt table test? It happens to me and I
have even passed out. I have neurocardiogenic syncope.
— Elizabeth K.
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