SEVERE Hypoglycemia
I have never posted here before (probly because up until today, I didnt know this forum existed)..but I am desperate for help, answers, suggestions. Anything.
For the past two years or so (I am 3 years post-op RNY) I have been suffering from attacks that are very debilitating. It started out as hot flashes, dizziness, and hunger. When Id eat something, Id feel better. But they started getting worse as time went on. I started getting blurry vision, sweating profusely, dizziness, inability to stand or walk, confusion. It started to scare me... After some research I found the symptoms were that of Hypoglycemia. So I mentioned something to my gastric surgeon..and he confirmed that was what I had. He told me that if it got worse, that Id need to see a Dr and be treated for it. And also, to get a meter and start checking my blood sugar. So I did. The attacks were much more intense..but for a while, became scarce and random. So I stopped checking my blood and just let things be. They started back up again in full force after a period of time. I tried to figure out why..what I had been doing with my diet that may have caused this. But I hadnt changed a thing. I started having 4-6 attacks a day. This went on for almost 2 months. Over that time, I noticed they were happening more after I wouldnt eat (not when I wasnt eating...which makes more sense seeing that your sugar level drops if you dont eat to keep it up)..so I was confused. I would eat a meal. And within an hour, Id have a sugar attack. Sometimes I would dump first...then have one. But this would happen all day...Eat, Dump,Sugar attack, (eat sugar to stop the attack) then dump from it, then have another sugar attack. It was pure hell!! So after weeks and weeks of this..I decided to stop eating. I went on a liquid diet. And then they stopped almost completely! Again...this confused me. my sugar HAD to be low from not eating...so why did things get better then??? I slowly started eating again..and things evened out. Id have an attack at random. Not every day... maybe 3 times a month.
Well...now (again) they have started up again. But they have gotten even more scary and severe. I have all the same symptoms from before...but now I come close to passing out, my mouth, lips, tongue, and fingers go completely numb, and I am unable to think straight.
I had blood work done last week...all levels were normal. The doctors here are confused. But after a LOT of research, I am not. This is not normal Hypoglycemia. Its specific to Gastric Bypass...and will not respond to the typical treatments. (Here are some links to read about it)
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/PancreaticDisea ses/1399
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18438618
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/10/12/13727.aspx
So after finding all of this, now I must figure out what to do. I dont even know where to start. I need to find a doctor that can help. Has anyone been through this or know of a doctor that can help me (in PA).... Im just at a loss...
This happened to me in the car yesterday. It came on very fast. I was forced to pull the car over and eat a bunch of glucose tabs. They however didnt stop the attack. So I had to risk my (and others) safety and continue to drive until I got to a gas station where I got some fruit juice and candy to stop it. VERY SCARY :(
For the past two years or so (I am 3 years post-op RNY) I have been suffering from attacks that are very debilitating. It started out as hot flashes, dizziness, and hunger. When Id eat something, Id feel better. But they started getting worse as time went on. I started getting blurry vision, sweating profusely, dizziness, inability to stand or walk, confusion. It started to scare me... After some research I found the symptoms were that of Hypoglycemia. So I mentioned something to my gastric surgeon..and he confirmed that was what I had. He told me that if it got worse, that Id need to see a Dr and be treated for it. And also, to get a meter and start checking my blood sugar. So I did. The attacks were much more intense..but for a while, became scarce and random. So I stopped checking my blood and just let things be. They started back up again in full force after a period of time. I tried to figure out why..what I had been doing with my diet that may have caused this. But I hadnt changed a thing. I started having 4-6 attacks a day. This went on for almost 2 months. Over that time, I noticed they were happening more after I wouldnt eat (not when I wasnt eating...which makes more sense seeing that your sugar level drops if you dont eat to keep it up)..so I was confused. I would eat a meal. And within an hour, Id have a sugar attack. Sometimes I would dump first...then have one. But this would happen all day...Eat, Dump,Sugar attack, (eat sugar to stop the attack) then dump from it, then have another sugar attack. It was pure hell!! So after weeks and weeks of this..I decided to stop eating. I went on a liquid diet. And then they stopped almost completely! Again...this confused me. my sugar HAD to be low from not eating...so why did things get better then??? I slowly started eating again..and things evened out. Id have an attack at random. Not every day... maybe 3 times a month.
Well...now (again) they have started up again. But they have gotten even more scary and severe. I have all the same symptoms from before...but now I come close to passing out, my mouth, lips, tongue, and fingers go completely numb, and I am unable to think straight.
I had blood work done last week...all levels were normal. The doctors here are confused. But after a LOT of research, I am not. This is not normal Hypoglycemia. Its specific to Gastric Bypass...and will not respond to the typical treatments. (Here are some links to read about it)
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/PancreaticDisea ses/1399
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18438618
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2005/10/12/13727.aspx
So after finding all of this, now I must figure out what to do. I dont even know where to start. I need to find a doctor that can help. Has anyone been through this or know of a doctor that can help me (in PA).... Im just at a loss...
This happened to me in the car yesterday. It came on very fast. I was forced to pull the car over and eat a bunch of glucose tabs. They however didnt stop the attack. So I had to risk my (and others) safety and continue to drive until I got to a gas station where I got some fruit juice and candy to stop it. VERY SCARY :(
babyface1
on 8/18/10 9:18 am
on 8/18/10 9:18 am
Ok firstly, eat every two to three hours have your scheduled normal meals and incorporate snacks, always have equal amounts of fat,carbs and protein in all your meals and snacks that should keep your blood sugars steady without giving you a dip into hypo also dont leave the house without some sort of snack with you. stay away from sugars and refined carbs as they will put you into hypos also just stick to the complex carbs.
hope this helps
hope this helps
I have a question have you had your plessuretaken when you have these episodes. Can get checked in any pharmacy free and also you can puurchase one fairly inexpensively for about $20 and it is also ok to get one that is taken on the wrist for better ease. The other thing would be to have your sugar levels checked in these episodes. If your doctor suspect hypogycemia episodes than insurance should cover the cost for the glucose monitor, lancets, and strips for machine.
Some of the symtoms are similar to low blood pressure which can be brought about by vitamin deficiencies.
I would suggest see doctor, or if having an episode goto ER to be evaluated so that it is documented and physician will not think it is in your head scenario.
With me I have episodes of low blood pressure due to my many deficiencies, I need to lie down sip on some water do reaxation techniques, guided imagry ect to help but mostly it passes on own.
Low blood pressure can also be brought on by dehydration, it does not need to be severe but in mild cases it can happen.
GL
Some of the symtoms are similar to low blood pressure which can be brought about by vitamin deficiencies.
I would suggest see doctor, or if having an episode goto ER to be evaluated so that it is documented and physician will not think it is in your head scenario.
With me I have episodes of low blood pressure due to my many deficiencies, I need to lie down sip on some water do reaxation techniques, guided imagry ect to help but mostly it passes on own.
Low blood pressure can also be brought on by dehydration, it does not need to be severe but in mild cases it can happen.
GL
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
There are hundreds of files in the archives here. This list has existed since 1999, so many of us are 10+ years out.
Look up: nesidioblastosis
One of the things ppl do is try to correct the crash with sugar, which just repeats the cycle. The ASMBS is catching onto this, since the first few studies concluded that: it's always the patient's fault.
Oh yeah, my fave reports. Blame the victim.
there are more studies showing the physiology today, but in the meantime, we've had to figure out how to treat ourselves. I *personallY* do not want to know if my pancreas has increased its size. That scares me.
I just avoid the triggers (which I finally realized were potatoes and bread) and treat with peanut butter crackers.
There are hundreds of files in the archives here. This list has existed since 1999, so many of us are 10+ years out.
Look up: nesidioblastosis
One of the things ppl do is try to correct the crash with sugar, which just repeats the cycle. The ASMBS is catching onto this, since the first few studies concluded that: it's always the patient's fault.
Oh yeah, my fave reports. Blame the victim.
there are more studies showing the physiology today, but in the meantime, we've had to figure out how to treat ourselves. I *personallY* do not want to know if my pancreas has increased its size. That scares me.
I just avoid the triggers (which I finally realized were potatoes and bread) and treat with peanut butter crackers.
Michelle
RNY, distal, 10/5/94
P.S. My year + long absence has NOTHING to do with my WLS, or my type of WLS. See my profile.
I too have developed hypoglycemia since surgery (I'm 2 years out). Be sure to have it added to your medic alert bracelet as it can be quite serious. I also have the problem of eating and then my sugar levels dropping. This is because my body is producing too much insilin when sugar enters my body. I have to be careful about how much sugar goes into my body to begin with. I always keep sugar tablets with me, but first drink fruit juice when I feel an episode coming on. Natural sugars are easiest on the body.
Take note of what you've eaten when your sugar levels drop. Chances are you ate something with sugar in it. For me, it doesn't always result in dropping sugar levels, but when it does, it's very fast.
It happened to me at a bar one night when I was drinking a vodka cooler. People just figured I was drunk, but my sugar levels were dropping so rapidly that I could barely walk. Luckily, one of my friends with me knew what was happening and gave me a sugar tablet. I was fine within 15 minutes. It IS scary though!!
Take note of what you've eaten when your sugar levels drop. Chances are you ate something with sugar in it. For me, it doesn't always result in dropping sugar levels, but when it does, it's very fast.
It happened to me at a bar one night when I was drinking a vodka cooler. People just figured I was drunk, but my sugar levels were dropping so rapidly that I could barely walk. Luckily, one of my friends with me knew what was happening and gave me a sugar tablet. I was fine within 15 minutes. It IS scary though!!
I have Reactive Hypoglycemia. I had every test I could. Mine attacks were so bad that I am have had 3-4 seizures over the last 3 years. I am on seizure meds now which control that, and I have my diet pretty regulated so I might cra****ime a week now...
when I do crash my family knows to make me 2 melted meat roll ups) slice of lunch meat with a piece of string cheese in the middle. Protein is the best fix for me.
I tried sugar and found that I could have a whole Hershey bar if I was crashing and it wouldn't make me dump so that almost became a treat, until I realized that I would crash again 2 hours later.
This is something I will probably always have, so now I just need to accept what triggers it and stay away....Good luck..
Kymber
when I do crash my family knows to make me 2 melted meat roll ups) slice of lunch meat with a piece of string cheese in the middle. Protein is the best fix for me.
I tried sugar and found that I could have a whole Hershey bar if I was crashing and it wouldn't make me dump so that almost became a treat, until I realized that I would crash again 2 hours later.
This is something I will probably always have, so now I just need to accept what triggers it and stay away....Good luck..
Kymber
On top of something being wrong with your sugar levels, it also almost sounds like you're having anxiety attacks to go with it.
That would be totally understandable considering how horrible the episodes are and it would be expected that your brain would start triggering anxiety attacks due to the fear of the episodes happening.
I'd definitely suggest it to your doctor and have them find SOME kind of meds that can at least help with the anxiety. Xanax or Klonopin would at least help you stay calmer, which may make the symptoms a lot easier to deal with.
That would be totally understandable considering how horrible the episodes are and it would be expected that your brain would start triggering anxiety attacks due to the fear of the episodes happening.
I'd definitely suggest it to your doctor and have them find SOME kind of meds that can at least help with the anxiety. Xanax or Klonopin would at least help you stay calmer, which may make the symptoms a lot easier to deal with.
I too am 3 years out with RNY and have the same problem. Very scary. I just put myself on a low, low carb diet, powdered protein drinks every hour. Don't know what I'll do when I need to start eating carbs again. This is a real problem for a lot of us, and we just need to find what works to regulate our sugar. For me, just high protein, very low carbs, little or no fat and sugar at all. Back to basics I guess.
I am 5 years post RNY and developed the BS problems a couple of years ago. I have had multiple tests and am currently managing the symptoms with a low carb diet and a drug called acarbose. I take it with each meal. It blocks some of the carbohydrate absorption so my blood sugar doesn't go up as high and consequently doesn't drop so low. It has not fixed the problem, but is helping it. You are right, it can get very scary. I have gotten confused before and not been able to speak correctly or express what I wanted to say. It can happen very quickly. I always keep glucose tabs and protein bars in my purse. I hope this helps.
Cindy
Cindy
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