Hypoglycemia
For the last few months, I've been having blood sugar issues. I talked to my surgeon about it last visit (about 2 months ago) and he kind of pooh-poohed me.
I saw him Tuesday (Dr. Leslie at University of MN) to go over my blood test results (everything was basically great--thanks Michelle!) However, my blood glucose level was 47 at the time they drew my blood. I had eaten about 2 hours before the blood was drawn, string cheese. Dr. Leslie was quite alarmed. I've been scheduled for food testing but not until the end of February. He says I have Postgastric bypass hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia syndrome. (It's not regular dumping. I rarely eat sugar and the highest carb meal I ever eat is an occasional high fiber 100 cal english muffin with peanut butter and sugarfree jelly.)
Dr. Leslie wants me to see an endocrinologist who has been working with patients like me. The next appointment opening with Dr. Bantle--March 11. I've emailed my surgeon's assistant (and she forwarded it to the surgeon) that I can't get in until March and what ideas do they have for me to improve things over the next 2.5 months. She basically repeated what they told me at my appointment, follow the hypoglycemia diet on the website (no carbs except those from green veggies). See below. http://www.tc.umn.edu/~lesli002/UMMC-Fairview%20PDF%27s/Post GastricBypassHypoglyemiadiet.pdf I'm also supposed to keep a food journal and record how I feel. Perhaps there is nothing else I can do but it's such a long wait to see the endocrinologist.
Dr. Leslie was showing me some of the data from their study and showed me how blood sugar reacts in people like me after a "high carb" meal and a "low carb" meal. He couldn't tell me how many carbs a "high carb" meal was in their study. I follow a pretty low carb diet but had added some carbs after my PCP's urging when I started having these symptoms. Didn't help but didn't make it that much worse. Dr. Leslie doesn't seem to believe me that I can have this happen 10 minutes or so after an all protein meal. Even a protein shake with 3 grams of carbs causes this. I have yet to find a way to stabilize my blood sugar.
I'm tired all the time and feel awful with low blood sugar symptoms a lot of the time. It happens about 10 minutes to an hour after I eat. Shaking, fatigue, sweats, heart beating fast, dizziness, sometimes confusion, sometimes near fainting. I'm going to buy a blood glucose monitor and start tracking myself. At the very least, I'll have hard data when I see the endocrinologist.
I'm reallly frustrated that my surgeon (and the websites I've read about this) say this is a serious problem but I have to wait almost 3 months to be seen. So maybe it isn't a big deal? But my understanding is that a 47 blood glucose level is pretty low and not too far from the range where things can get really bad. This is probably the worst time to post this but I finally have time as it has slowed down at work.
Does anyone else have a similar problem and/or have some advice for me?
Happy holidays!
Anna
I saw him Tuesday (Dr. Leslie at University of MN) to go over my blood test results (everything was basically great--thanks Michelle!) However, my blood glucose level was 47 at the time they drew my blood. I had eaten about 2 hours before the blood was drawn, string cheese. Dr. Leslie was quite alarmed. I've been scheduled for food testing but not until the end of February. He says I have Postgastric bypass hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia syndrome. (It's not regular dumping. I rarely eat sugar and the highest carb meal I ever eat is an occasional high fiber 100 cal english muffin with peanut butter and sugarfree jelly.)
Dr. Leslie wants me to see an endocrinologist who has been working with patients like me. The next appointment opening with Dr. Bantle--March 11. I've emailed my surgeon's assistant (and she forwarded it to the surgeon) that I can't get in until March and what ideas do they have for me to improve things over the next 2.5 months. She basically repeated what they told me at my appointment, follow the hypoglycemia diet on the website (no carbs except those from green veggies). See below. http://www.tc.umn.edu/~lesli002/UMMC-Fairview%20PDF%27s/Post GastricBypassHypoglyemiadiet.pdf I'm also supposed to keep a food journal and record how I feel. Perhaps there is nothing else I can do but it's such a long wait to see the endocrinologist.
Dr. Leslie was showing me some of the data from their study and showed me how blood sugar reacts in people like me after a "high carb" meal and a "low carb" meal. He couldn't tell me how many carbs a "high carb" meal was in their study. I follow a pretty low carb diet but had added some carbs after my PCP's urging when I started having these symptoms. Didn't help but didn't make it that much worse. Dr. Leslie doesn't seem to believe me that I can have this happen 10 minutes or so after an all protein meal. Even a protein shake with 3 grams of carbs causes this. I have yet to find a way to stabilize my blood sugar.
I'm tired all the time and feel awful with low blood sugar symptoms a lot of the time. It happens about 10 minutes to an hour after I eat. Shaking, fatigue, sweats, heart beating fast, dizziness, sometimes confusion, sometimes near fainting. I'm going to buy a blood glucose monitor and start tracking myself. At the very least, I'll have hard data when I see the endocrinologist.
I'm reallly frustrated that my surgeon (and the websites I've read about this) say this is a serious problem but I have to wait almost 3 months to be seen. So maybe it isn't a big deal? But my understanding is that a 47 blood glucose level is pretty low and not too far from the range where things can get really bad. This is probably the worst time to post this but I finally have time as it has slowed down at work.
Does anyone else have a similar problem and/or have some advice for me?
Happy holidays!
Anna
I strongly urge you to get in touch with Melting Mama here on OH....she has this and I think is collecting data on it but also might have some advice for you as to what to do next...
good luck!
ETA: a link to her profile <---link
good luck!
ETA: a link to her profile <---link
I would call around to different endos in your area and see if any of them have experience with this issue, so you can get seen before March if possible. Endos are often booked solid for months, though. And I believe in the squeaky wheel. If you can, call Dr. Bantle's office daily to see if there is a cancellation - they might get so sick of you that they squeeze you in.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, it sounds really horrible. Hang in there and stay safe.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, it sounds really horrible. Hang in there and stay safe.
Oh, Anna, I know nothing about this and couldn't even pronounce it if I tried! But. . .I did want you to know I'm thinking about you and hoping you can get a quicker appointment so you can work towards resolution. It's awful just waiting to get answers.
Do your best to have a good holiday and then start your mission to get the attention you need and deserve!
Tuna
Do your best to have a good holiday and then start your mission to get the attention you need and deserve!
Tuna
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