reactive hypoglycemia

I have reactive hypoglycemia. I really feel as though it is causing me to gain weight and eat the wrong things. I am so concerned that I won't be able to lose weight. I feel like I eat all the time cause I am constantly going too low. One day it read 25! I felt so ill that I couldn't think straight. I remember laying down on the bed and thinking i just wanted to sleep. I knew something was up so I grabbed my monitor and was shocked to see it so low. Well I am going to google this and plan a diet but if anyone has any suggestions please help me before I start gaining too much! HELP ME! Paula

Paula, I too have reactive hypoglycemia, but it's a much milder case.  I notice mine tends to act up whenever I basically do what I shouldn't...i.e. eating carbs without protein, eating sweets and some fruits.  I've noticed that I have fewer episodes when I pretty much cut out carbs (under 50 grams a day) and that includes most fruits.  I've learned that I can incorporate fruits into my meals a bit by putting mango on salads or things like that. I'm not sure if this will help you any, but it's a few things I've noticed about myself. I sympathize and hope you're able to figure something out soon! ~Lisa

I have it too, and eating all day long is the "cure," or not EVER eating. But, either option really sucks. What I've been told to do is to cut eat meal back to protein + fat, and to cut carbs down.  For meals with more than 15 grams of carbs, I have to take a pill, Acarbose, to block absorption of simple sugars in the gut.  It makes me sick and gaseous, so in turn, I hope it makes me LEARN to stop eating carbs.  It is really a horrible cycle - once in it.

I  also am  dealing  with  reactive .... Mine  is  not  set  off  by  eatting  the  wrong  carbs the  Dr  says  Hormones causes  it  to lower  and   not  feeding  my  body  often  enough... My  internal  medicine Dr  say its a  must  to   fuel  my  body with  protein & a good  carb  every  2-3  hours ... I  have   found  doing  this  that  my  counts  drop  alot  less but are  still  dropping .. Just  wish  my  level  was  much  higher  for the  average ...  My  blood  work  shows  my  average   is 68 so  when  my levels  drop  much at  all it  affects me  big  time ... I  find it  diffcult  to  deal  with  at  times.

 

I have it also. What seems to help me is to stay away from all carbs except a small fruit or veggie. It sucks! If I eat any other carb I go low in 2-3 hrs. My Dr said since my pancreus  (sp??)  was used to pumping out as much insulin as it could (I was also on 3 shots of insulin a day) it still is doing so, even now when I dont need it. I hope my body adjusts one day.

When I go low I want to eat everything in site! Its like I cant get it in fast enough. I hope you find something that works for you.

I too have it .. I just seen an endoc Dr this past week since on my test it went to 27 and I have seizures with them .. he isn't sure if for me changing my diet will help cuz he doesn't want me having to eat every hour and a half .. last resort he says is to remove a portion of the pancreas .. I posted all this a few days ago .. I can relate to ya not feeling well and sleepy and feeling like ya are just "eating" all the time .. I hope you are able to find something that works for ya! smile .. take care, Rhonda

You may have nesidioblastosis.  It's where the beta cells of the pancreas makes way too much insulin inapporpriately.  I have it.  I've had 60% of my pancreas removed at Mayo in Rochester.  It's becoming more common with RNY patients.  They don't know why yet this is happening.

For anyone who is having hypoglycemia issues, SEE AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST!  Be sure to mention nesidioblastosis.  Many have never heard of it.  Many WL docs haven't heard of it either.  You can google on nesidioblastosis  and Dr. F. John Service.  There are a few articles written about it.

If you have it, diet will not control it.  It may help but not completely.  I still drop on things like protein shakes.  One day I can eat something and it won't bother me, and the next day the same food will drop me like a rock. 

Anyone who is experiencing this needs to get a prescription for the glucose injection in case you pass out.   And be sure to tell those around you that you have low blood sugar, what they should look for and how to use the injection.  This can cause seizures.  I always check my blood sugar before I drive.  I don't want to kill myself or someone else.

I eat mainly protein and eat every 3 hours.  It's a fine line between eating to keep your blood sugar up and yet not gaining wt.  With all the extra insulin, your wt loss will grind to a halt if you aren't extremely careful.  I've gained about 13 pounds and can't get it off.   This is a serious complication.  Don't just shrug it off.  Get to a doc who can diagnose this.  Do not agree to a glucose tolerance test.  They are unrealiable for us.  You need to have an insulin level drawn when you are low, a pro-insulin, and c-peptide.  I tried the precose but it didn't do much for me.  It worked for a while, but then stopped helping. Lyn

Wow I am definately checking it out ! I just bought the book Hypoglycemia for dummies as well. Would reversing an RNY help with it if its related to it? Does having part of your pancreas removed dangerous? I am confused about that. I would wonder if it would be better to reverse an Rny. I am so confused about this and am just learning.  Thanks for your input! Paula

There has been only a little research on reversals and what there is says that it won't reverse the nesidioblastoisis.  It is a progressive process and once it starts, it just won't go away.  It's a fine line on how much pancreas to remove.  You want enough left so you don't become diabetic, but not enough to continue to cause problems.  I think they should have taken more of mine as I still drop.  But it could be that the process is still progressing in me.  I don't do anything the normal way. 

Yes, having part of your pancreas is dangerous.  However, so is passing out.  I think the key is to go to a center that is familiar with this and actually does the surgery for it.  Not too many do.  Mayo is doing the research for it and developed the calcium stimulation test that is the definative test for nesidioblastosis.   The U of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is now doing the cal stim test and the surgery.

This isn't your normal run of the mill hypoglycemia.  For a diabetic, sugar is the answer.  For us, that doesn't work so well as once the blood sugar goes up, it will go right back down if you don't temper the sugar with protein.  You have to find what works for you so you don't start the yo-yo thing.  My endo says milk is about the best to treat the lows.  It does seem to work for me fairly well.