RH question

Last night I had popcorn for a snack.  Yes, I  know carbs, no protein.  I eat popcorn for a snack often lately.  But I guess I have to change that.

About two hours later, I was feeling just fine, and all of a sudden got extremely shaky, blurred vision, dizzy, feeling just awful.  I knew it was low blood sugar, but usually it doesn't happen that instantly.  I usually don't even bother to check my blood sugar anymore when it happens because when I do, it's always low, I can tell by how I feel, so I just grab some protein and fix it.

But last night I decided to check it because it seemed worse than usual.  I had trouble doing the test because my hands were shaking so bad.  It was 36!  So I grabbed a protein bar and 30 minutes later, it was 130.

So I know I need to be careful about eating so many carbs without protein.  But my question is about how quickly it dropped that low.  36 is like low enough to pass out, isn't it?  Does anyone else have theirs drop that quickly?  That's the part that really scares me.  What if I hadn't been able to make it to the kitchen to get a protein bar?  What if I hadn't had any protein bars?  There's no way I could have fixed something to eat.  I guess the answer to that is to make sure I always have quick and easy protein around, huh?  I'm just freaked out about it.

No answers but I did want you to know the same thing happened to me when I went to the movies with my daughters last week. Except I was in the middle of SUPER Wal-Mart when I bottomed out. Headed straight for the granola aisle and dared an employee to stop me!

Kids had to pull the cart (with me attached to it) to the register. I think I need to give up the ghost and get a monitor. It really, truly doesn't happen that often and I sort of know when it's going to happen but still...time to adjust!

Kelly,

I've been low as 18 (Canadian system 1.1). 

I start dropping earlier than you - I start dropping at the one hour mark and by 1:15-1:30 I am at my lowest. 

Quite simply - you know what sets you off, so should be anticipating this low...so you should have something to eat at the hour mark or (just before whatever your time marker is) to anticipate that drop and bring blood sugar higher....rather than just wait for the drop.

For instance if I have something like pancakes or waffles for breakfast (unusual) I know that at an hour or so out, I'd better have something to send my sugars up more or they will come crashing down too far.  It's much better to prevent a crash than it is to experience one. 

As well, make sure that what you are eating at that moment is enough to bring sugars up without dropping them again.

Dawn

Kelly, I've had mine drop that low 3x and you're right...it's terrifying. I was
so weak, shaky and sick that had I been home alone, I would not have been
able to even get to the kitchen to get myself some protein. I maybe would have
died.  Thankfully, I know what did it. The first time I had sweetened pie cherry filling
on top of my Greek yogurt...way too much sugar. The other times I had
some tortilla chips and salsa with no protein.  I don't do that anymore. If I
have carbs, I eat some protein...period.  But....I always carry a protein bar
with me everywhere I go and I have a stash in nearly every room of the house.
I had a 4th event and while it happens really FAST, I knew it was coming when
my peripheral vision started to darken a bit. I grabbed my meter and saw that
my bs was at 54. I was able to make a protein drink and it turned around really
quickly. Again, it was carbs without protein...all of these "events" happened in about
a 3 week period until I got the message. I haven't had it happen in a while now since
I started my "no carbs without protein" rule. I too love popcorn and while it hasn't
bothered me yet, I have a measured amount and I sprinkle cheese on it and melt it.
One night I didn't feel like cheese popcorn so I ate a spoonful of PB.
Hang in there and I agree with your plan to make sure you have quick, easy protein
nearby.

 I eat a cheese stick with my popcorn...

Lora

I am only 8 1/2 weeks out, and haven't had this issue, but as nurse,I have a couple suggestions. The easiest fix is grab a spoon of peanut butter. If its really bad forget the spoon use those shaky fingers. I like the idea of keeping protein bars in purse and every room you hang out in, as long as you aren't shaking so bad you can't get them open. iI think the worst thing about RH is things don't bother you forever, then suddenly you crash and burn fast.

Yeah, I eat popcorn fairly often and usually it's OK.  But it might have to do with how long it's been since I've had some protein.  I guess I need to start being stricter about the carbs.  I just don't wanna 'cause I like them.  And lots of times I can get away with them.  Blah.

 I've never stopped to check my blood sugar when I've had an RH episode.. but wanted to offer a suggestion on what I eat .. cheese sticks.  Frankly I feel like a frickin vaccuum when I'm trying to recover and thankfully I haven't done it since Dec 21st when I ate quaker granola bars and coffee with sugary creamer in it on the way home from a trip to Green Bay.  Thank goodness I didn't crash until I got home, but as soon as the hot flash started I knew it was coming.  After having a handful of RH episodes over the prior year, I think I'm starting to know what just isn't worth eating anymore.

 I have never had my blood sugar drop quite that much based on symptom severity (I don't have a monitor), but when mine occasionally drops suddenly, I have found that drinking some milk is the fastest way to alleviate the symptoms (and then I follow it with some solid protein).

Lora

I am add Parmesan cheese to popcorn. It adds protien.  We have all been there.

It is always scary,