Hypoglycemia, Anyone have it?

Either new, stupid, or they simply don't play the home game very well.

In any case, they have no effing clue what the hell they are talking about.  It's extremely common.  Seriously, average a post a day on this topic alone.


Here's what to do until then:

Eat every 2-3 hours.  Period.  I don't care if it's a shake.  Do not go too long between feedings.  In fact?  If you get up in the middle of the night to pee?  Eat a piece of cheese or something.

Keep those PB crackers.. you know the orange ones? with you at all times.  They are better pick-me-ups for us than glucose tablets (emergency only as they will throw you into a Reactive hypoglycemic spin) or candy or juice.  You want a simple carb (crackers) mixed with a fat and or protein.

And avoid really refined carbs -- juice, sugar, candy, et****il you can get a better handle on this.  Also, a journal is helpful to know what sets off RH symptoms for you.  For me, I know that drinking sugar (like a regular coke) is instant "meet the floor" for me, as are Skittles and Starburst (unless I temper them with something else like protein..) but I can generally get away with a Butterfinger because it has more "stuff" in it besides just sugar.  This is important info if you ever want to try something with sugar in it away from home.. or while driving.

NEVER HEARD OF IT?

BULL. ****

There is NO WAY.  Unless she is brand new?

There ARE STUDIES from years ago -- this happens to people with other forms of stomach surgery as well.

I am on that with Andrea and MM.. And if your doc did not hear about it - he either have not enough patients, or just refuse to acknowledge that it is very common. 

For me - unopposed carbs (even complex) or too many carbs will trigger that.  So not only do i have to make sure I eat fat and proteins with carbs (even fruits) but that I do not exceed #of carbs per meal - or 2 meals combined. And yea - eating every 2-3 hrs is a must. 

Interesting info above.  I'm almost 9 months post-op, and have had a few hypogycemic episodes that were the only dumping symptoms I've experienced -- after eating too-rich, high-fat food.  I had to eat some carbs including pieces of hard candy to get back to normal.  I'll get some of the glucose tabs mentioned above.  Thanks for bringing up the topic.

Yep, I posted a thread about it not long ago:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/4220108/blood-sugar-d ropped/

Has anyone discovered whether most people who developed reactive hypoglycemia post op were diabetics prior to surgery or had normal blood sugar?

I was not even pre-diabetic.

I was not pre-diabetic, nor diabetic. 
 I have severe dumping with reactive hypoglycemia.  I have to eat (suggested by my endocrinologist) every 2 hours.  I carry glucose tablets with me..and I never leave home without a supply of food.

  I do drink juice but, its sugar free and only one glass per day for the potassium.  My surgeon does not think its a  "common" side effect of gastric bypass surgery..but then I'm the only one of his patients that has it.  I think its more common than we think.

   good luck.
   Marcy

Print those articles off that I have in my first post to this thread and hand them to your surgeon. They are fron the ENDO side of the house not the bariatric side. YOUR surgeon is also an idoit if he hasn't heard of it either. Or has his head in the sand. One of those articles is the clinical guidelines for the Endocrine Society. The damned CLINICAL GUIDELINES!!!!

Liz

I was not a diabetic prior to surgery, and have never had any problem with low blood sugar until now.