hypoglycemia

I know the dumping deal- have had it a few times- lousy, don't like it- usually happens right after I have had something I shouldn't have had- but the other day it was very different- had lunch- my usual salad- had something sweet after- another thing I shold probably avoid but nothing that gives me trouble- 90 minutes later- I was at work- and began to drip sweat, thought I was going to faint, and became so disoriented that I couldn't leave the office and get home on my own.  This took about 45 minutes to subside- I didn't know if I should eat anything because I was afraid that it would make things worse- but I basically crawled (!) to the nearby CVS and bought some peanuts and started to feel a little better.  But it was still scary. Another thing:  night sweats unbelievably.  Now I am reading that I could be essentially "dumping" in my sleep- I wake up with soaken sheets and I am simultaneously freezing! any one else?  I am almost 2 years out......

this has been happening to me, too. the dripping sweat and feeling confused. i think it's low blood sugar, but don't know for sure as i haven't gotten a meter to check it. i'm nearly 3 years out, and this started happening about six months ago...not frequently, but it's very disconcerting when it happens. it seems like it happens when i eat something with carbs, not something with sugar. when it happens, i eat or drink something and it helps it within a short time. i been having issues with night sweats for quite awhile -- being 50, i assumed that was menopause!

Read this:  http://meltingmama.typepad.com/wls/2007/11/asbs-on-post-rn.html

I have developed reactive hypo-glycemia. I eat something with sugar, even natural sugar like fruit, and it kicks my blood sugar up, insulin kicks in over drive and the I crash.  I told the doctor about the blood sugar problem and he gave me a prescription for a meter and all the other stuff to go with it. The cost was just $40 because of co-pays so it was a great deal. The test strips are what costs a ton if you don't have insurance but we don't have to test all the time so they last a long time. Now I can verify the sugar levels, some as low as 50. They should be 80-120. To control this I must have protein with any sugar. It also helps to eat the sugar thing first and then follow it with the protein. So if I have an orange I eat some almonds after. This helps the blood sugar stay up after the insulin kicks in to deal with the sugar. I also had a problem when I would work out so I have to eat 10 grams of protein before I work out per my NUT. I hope this helps you. OH, also if you go to a meter site like "one touch" you can often get a free meter because the money is made from the test strips. Peace out!

We're talking about this a few posts down. What you want is PB crackers. Ideally, you won't like them well enough to munch 'em without a crisis.

The cheap carb hits fast to turn off the insulin pump, the fat in the PB sustains it long enough to not send you up and over again.

Glucose tabs stop it, but then another is likely to follow.

i think i have low blood sugar too, but they keep telling me i don't. maybe it's hard to detect in us, because I fit EVERY sign of it, yet they can't find that I have it.  weird to hear the same sort of thing.  good luck to you!

You need to be tested AS the symptoms occur.  Regular hypo testing doesn't help in our situation - it's taken me years to get testing.  I am still waiting.

There is a disease that is called nesidioblastosis.  It's being found with more frequency in people who have had RNY.  The beta cells in the pancreas go nuts and produce way too much insulin inappropriately.  It is not a true reactive-hypoglycemia.  It will get to the point where it won't matter what you eat, you will drop.  But today it may be chili, tomorrow, it won't.  If you internet search for nesidioblastosis + gastric bypass, you will find info on research that Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN has, and is, doing on this.   Conservative treatment did not work for me.  I tried precose and all it did was make me sick.  Diet didn't work.  I would drop on protein shakes that had only 5 carbs.  Wendy's chili was especially bad for me.  I drop to 36 with that.  The end of June I had 60% of my pancreas removed and my spleen.  They share an artery.  I still drop but not as far and not as frequently.  It is progressive so I may continue to have symptoms and they may worsen over time.  They just don't know.   My local endo says that milk is the thing to bring you out of a hypoglycemic attack.  The sugar is fast acting and with the protein, it will stablize your sugar. Mine started at 2 years out.  It took me a year of trying to finally be diagnosed.  My PCP told me to come talk to the nurse educator to learn how to eat.  I had been eating the same way for 2 years and suddenly it became a problem.  True, some of it is self-induced but a large part isn't.   Internet search and find the articles written by F. John Service MD, Adrian Vella, MD, Geoffrey Thompson MD.  Take it to your doctors.  My WL doc said that this summer at a conference, nesidioblastosis was finally be talked about.   Lyn

Ok having dealt with this for the past two years I have figured out some things.... I sometimes get attacks from what I have eaten the day before. I could have a piece of choclate cake today for lunch, and have an attack tom.. Sometimes it takes a full 24 hours to reaact. Sounds wierd but I can swear to it. Also, when working out you use up more of your sugars, and tend to have more attacks. (not sure the medical terms). Try to eat a source of protein before you work out. Should help you avoid the attack. What I also keep with me at all times is Glycemic tabs. You can buy them in CVS or any health food store. They are great at bringing your sugar levels up quickly and maintaining them. (better and quicker then any candy, peanuts or cheese has ever worked) Hope this helps...this condition is horrible isn't it??? Best part is we can somewhat control it....which i tend also not to do so well...lol