blood sugar dropped!!

Something scary happened to me tonight and I'm hoping someone can help me understand how it happened.  I had just finished dinner at my mother's house and we were sitting in her den.  My mom's house is cold all the time, so I freeze to death when I'm there.  But I suddenly started feeling very warm, then it felt like a cold sweat.  I started feeling very weak and dizzy too.  My mom is a diabetic, so she very quickly figured out what was wrong.  I asked her to check my blood sugar and it was 59.  80 is considered the low side of normal.  So, she gave me half a banana and a few M&Ms, which is all she had handy.  Eventually I felt better.

This has never happened to me before.  I am not diabetic and never was diabetic.  I'm trying to figure out HOW it happened.  I'm wondering if the watermelon I ate after dinner made my blood sugar spike which kicked in my natural insulin which triggered the drop in blood sugar.  Does anybody know if that's probably what happened?  I didn't feel nauseous and I didn't get diarrhea, so it wasn't like the dumping I've felt if I ate too many carbs.  This felt very strange! 

Unfortunately, not an uncommon problem.  It's known as Reactive Hypoglycemia.  You may want to keep a protein bar with you from now on to counteract the drop.  If you eat refined sugar you'll raise your blood sugar but it will drop rapidly again.  The protein and complex carbs brings up the blood sugar and keeps it normal for a longer time.

You may have had a reaction to the watermelon, everyone is different.

I get it when I have been too long without food, or when I eat refined carbs that are too sugary I get "carb coma".  Fortunately, I haven't yet fallen asleep at the wheel, although it has been close a time or two when I was on a long road trip and ate some crackers.  Had to find a place to pull over and take a nap!!

Good luck.

You're right!  I googled "low blood sugar after gastric bypass" and found "reactive hypoglycemia."   It is a complication of gastric bypass and can surface YEARS after surgery.  In my case it's been 19 months since my surgery.  I don't remember reading about this complication before.  This is a scary complication!   I read that sometimes the hypoglycemia can be so severe it results in a seisure or blacking out.  OMG!  I have also now read that some patients have to have some or all of the pancreas removed.  EEEEEK!!!  And to make matters even MORE scary, it can happen in YOUR SLEEP! 

I have had watermelon before with no problems.  I have snacked on pretzels, Edys no-sugar-added fruit popsicles, no-sugar-added ice cream, and Cheez-its with no problems before too.  I don't understand why I'm just now having problems with some watermelon after dinner tonight.  This seems so weird to me.  I wonder if I'm going to have to be super vigilant now about eating my protein.  Will a simple protein bar do it?  The web sites I went to all said I need to drink orange juice or eat something with sugar to quickly counteract the problem.  I would think a protein bar wouldn't have enough sugars to help.  I guess it depends on the protein bar though.  The Adkins bars are relatively low carb with little or no sugar.

On Monday I'm calling my surgeon AND my PCP.

The info re: the pancreatic reduction surgery is a little out-dated.  They've found that just eating protein w/complex carbs is the best way to stay level.  There are a lot of folks here that get this syndrome, and just like me, manage to cope with it by eating 5 or 6 small Protein/complex carb meals a day.

I've read of some folks who make sure they have a serving of nuts at bedtime to counteract the nighttime RH.

By eating a protein bar, you get the protein and the complex carbs, which are better for blood sugar regulation than sugar or juice.  You get a longer save, and a smoother downturn.

The only time it can get to be a real problem is, as you've said, when the sugar drop goes too low and you get the blackouts.    The frequent small meals takes care of that.  Or keep some turkey or beef jerky nearby (purse or glove box).  I can feel when I'm getting close--I get "the Trembles" and I MUST eat something.  I'll have a meat & cheese rollup and then I'm good to go.  Luckily this only happens rarely, like when I've been too busy to eat for some reason.

Just don't panic!!!!!  Most PCPs don't know anything about it! 

Best wishes,

Thanks so much!! You have been very helpful.

I looked up the glycemic index numbers on watermelon and discovered its GI is VERY high which means it's notorious for spiking blood sugar, causing insulin to kick in, thereby causing hypoglycemia.  So, one way to keep this from happening is to keep these high GI foods to a minimum or not to eat them at all!

Well, I LUV watermelon, so I promise I'll just eat a small serving!!

By the way, there's a thread about this same topic about 8 entries below yours which has some good info from MM.

Best wishes,

I LUV watermelon too!!!!!!!!! 

I will look for MM's thread.  Thanks again!!!

 What you say you read. I know for a fact it is true. Have had the seizures and now reoccuring dzzness and blackouts. Landed me in the hospittal ICU for 2 weeks but even though the hospital I went to was and far as I know a center of bariatric excellence ( I question the accrediation process another issue enitrely) I had seizures every couple of hours , they knew what to feed me they had a bariatric unit, but feed made me worse hooked me up to an I V of glucose and antiseizure meds. Seen 9 specialist while I was there and told me not to let the neurologist put me on Dialantin or anyother  seizure meds and treat the reall  cause. It fell on deaf ears. 2 years latter. I am considered disabled.  Still have seizures black out spells are more frequent. So I cant drive and am afraid to go out anywhere even if someone ele take me.  My last doctor told me under no cir****tances to exercise. Its even been suggested that I find a knowledgable gastrointerologist and endocrinologist. I follow the rules and still no answers.  Good luck getting straight answers from your surgeon and you PCP. and  pray that you out come is better than  mine. Its nothing to fool around with.  Best regards and to a healthy life.  Take care. 

.

Meredith, I know you have already had your surgery so saying anything about your choice would be less than helpful but in my profile are some articles that might help with your visit to your doctors. At least you would have some articles to back you up.

Also check out these threads:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4215265/High-glucose-tests-after-wls-I-dont-eat-sugar-and-am-not/
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/diabetes/4214136/1-year-post-op-now-very-LOW-blood-sugar-levels/
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/diabetes/4209653/LOW-bloodsugar/
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/4213166/Any-long-term-studies-for-return-of-NIDDM/

There may be some suggestions in them for dealing with Reactive Hypoglycemia that might help.

Good luck with your doctors.

Liz