Poll about reactive hypoglycemia

I’m just wondering what people’s experiences have been with regard to reactive hypoglycemia.

Do you have reactive hypoglycemia?

If you do, when did you start experiencing episodes?

Would you say that reactive hypoglycemia is a minor problem for you, a big problem for you or somewhere in between?

Are you able to manage your RH pretty well with diet?

When you were advised about possible complications prior to your RNY, did your surgeon or anyone else mention RH as a potential problem after surgery?

And here are my answers:

Do you have reactive hypoglycemia?

Yep.

If you do, when did you start experiencing episodes?

About two years post op, I think.

Would you say that reactive hypoglycemia is a minor problem for you, a big problem for you or somewhere in between?

I’d say it’s in between being a minor problem and a big problem.  Recently I had about a week when I was experiencing low blood sugar daily and I was eating the same as always so I was getting pretty concerned about it.  But the last week or so, it has not been a problem at all.

Are you able to manage your RH pretty well with diet?

Usually.

When you were advised about possible complications prior to your RNY, did your surgeon or anyone else mention RH as a potential problem after surgery?

No, I was not.

Do you have reactive hypoglycemia? Yes.
  If you do, when did you start experiencing episodes? Around 2 years post op.
  Would you say that reactive hypoglycemia is a minor problem for you, a big problem for you or somewhere in between? Some where in between, I'm finding that I'm getting more and more sensitive as time goes on.  Not a lot of wiggle room in the eating of sweets dept.
  Are you able to manage your RH pretty well with diet?
If I stay away from refined carbs and sugar yes.
  When you were advised about possible complications prior to your RNY, did your surgeon or anyone else mention RH as a potential problem after surgery? No.

Yes I do have RH

I started experieincing episodes at about 11/2 years out

I would say it's minor and major, if im not careful it comes on fast and strong.

I can usually manage with diet, but sometimes even though I have a protein packed meal it  can come on shortly after a meal.

I was never advised or even heard about RH until I started having episodes and researching here on OH, I asked my surgeon about it and he said it was a type of delayed dumping.

I am just about 15 months out and so far I haven't experienced RH but I am scared to death about it.  I heard that it can start around 18 months out.  I worry about it because of my dumping.  I figure if I am unlucky enough to be one of the 30% who dump I probably will strike out in the RH department, too.
I thought I could control my dumping with my diet but I have found that it is unpredictable.  I don't just dump on sugar but fats and too many carbs.  Since I have been actively trying to gain some weight I have tried to have more healthy fats and carbs and I have found it is like playing RNY roulette.  I can be fine with something one day and the next sick as a dog.
No one told me about RH before my surgery or I may not have gotten a pouch.  Given the fact that is was about a week from consultation about having a revision to surgery I didn't have enough time to research it much.

I’m just wondering what people’s experiences have been with regard to reactive hypoglycemia. Do you have reactive hypoglycemia?

Yes If you do, when did you start experiencing episodes?

I was about a year post op Would you say that reactive hypoglycemia is a minor problem for you, a big problem for you or somewhere in between?

I would say somewhere inbetween being minor and major. Are you able to manage your RH pretty well with diet?

I can manage it pretty well. Live and learn, there are just somethings I can't eat, and it took a few to many times having my blood sugar tank to realize that I was just hurting myself and the food wasn't worth it. To many carbs is usually the problem for me, and a few times, when I have been at work but to busy to eat, and I have gone way to long without eating. When you were advised about possible complications prior to your RNY, did your surgeon or anyone else mention RH as a potential problem after surgery?

I don't think it was mentioned, but I can't really remember.

Do you have reactive hypoglycemia? Yes

If you do, when did you start experiencing episodes? 3-6 months post-op

Would you say that reactive hypoglycemia is a minor problem for you, a big problem for you or somewhere in between?

Major at first—Boy, did it take me by surprise. No one warned me about it and I had no idea it could be so severe. Minor now--

Are you able to manage your RH pretty well with diet? I limit my refined carbs/sugars, and a few other things like canned fruit and manage all right.

When you were advised about possible complications prior to your RNY, did your surgeon or anyone else mention RH as a potential problem after surgery? NO, and that bothers me but I blindly trusted the information from my surgeon's office and did little research otherwise. That was a mistake, but I survived and live to tell people to research, research, research~

Do you have reactive hypoglycemia?yes If you do, when did you start experiencing episodes? Long before the surgery - but its worse now.  Would you say that reactive hypoglycemia is a minor problem for you, a big problem for you or somewhere in between?  Minor - as long as i behave myself.  I had a bad day once - had to goto court and didn't eat much.  then i made the kids brownies and i ate one.  my husband found me unresponsive and fed me sugar to get me to wake up.    The DR wants him to call 911 next time so they can find out exactly what is going on.  I don't get hungry - i get dizzy even when i am eating right so i need to remember to eat regularly. Are you able to manage your RH pretty well with diet? Yes - as long as i stay away from the carbs and sugar. When you were advised about possible complications prior to your RNY, did your surgeon or anyone else mention RH as a potential problem after surgery?  NOPE - but I did have issues before surgery. 

Yes....I have had episodes of RH

I had my first episode at around 6 months, but I think it was an issue throughout my first year I just did not recognize the early symptoms.

I'd say it is a minor problem and very unpredictable. For me, it is completely  and easily controlled by diet.  Oddly, sometimes I can eat something that triggers it  and then eat the same food on a different day and have no issues- it all depends upon what else I have eaten or how often I have eaten. When I do have a RH episode, my BS usually drops to the low 40s but comes up quickly with orange juice, PB crackers...etc.

RH was on the list of possible complications.  I'm sure I ignored it because by the time I decided upon RNY, I was desperate for a solution.

I do not have RH.
I'm 6 years out and dumped maybe 6 times in 6 years.
No problem for me at all.
This possibility was not discussed with me, and I feel it should have been made clear that it may happen. And in fact seems more than 25% of those with RNY have it.
Just to mention, people suffer with hypoglycemia without surgery, and have crazy swings due to excess carbs, especially simple sugars, followed by a surge of insulin, causing a sudden drop in glucose levels.
It also happens with other surgeries, as I read all the boards and saw it mentioned here and there.