Continuing Blood Sugar Issues.....3 years post-op
Anyone else in this boat? This started for me about a year post-op. I had eaten a baked sweet potato with alittle butter on it at a holiday meal. My blood sugar spiked to the low 300s, crashed to the high 40s in the space of about 3 hours. I contacted my surgeon's office who was not then nor are they still any help at all on this. My primary physican here at home just does not know what to do to help me. At first, I knew the offending foods were any bread, dairy or corn food. So I steered away from those. Only eating fresh meat, fruit and veggies most of the time. If I ate something other than that, there were consequences. But now it seems that even foods that were okay before, will spike/crash my blood sugar. I'm 3 years post op the end of this coming Jan. And it's worse. Hair Loss is worse. I've had labs done, they are fine now, I did have a zinc problem but it's been corrected. This past weekend I felt the blood sugar crash on me. I ate a pkg of raw sugar (the single packs which I carry) and went to sleep. I just did not know what else to do. As you all know, there is not a physican near me that will touch me. El Paso is a 4 hour drive away. I live alone. So I pretty much feel stuck. And as I've mentioned, El Paso has been of no help to me at all. I even went to their website and posted a pretty direct comment and still, there's been no response. So I'm left to figure it out on my own I think.
Here is my question........is there perhaps a supplement available that would improve my pancreas function? Maybe help stabilize the function? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Honestly, this is getting scary. And I'm a nurse......I can't imagine how scared I'd be to be going thru this alone.
Carol J
Here is my question........is there perhaps a supplement available that would improve my pancreas function? Maybe help stabilize the function? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Honestly, this is getting scary. And I'm a nurse......I can't imagine how scared I'd be to be going thru this alone.
Carol J
Hi--I'm at 3+ years post op, so I know how you feel; the types of things that I can tolerate do change, too.
If you have a sugar episode, don't take more sugar: eat something of dense protein with a bit of carbs, like 1/2 a deli sandwich (one slice of good bread, with roast beef & cheese), or peanut butter w/apple slices.
We've abused our pancreases so much that I'm sure they are going to be touchy for years. I'd suggest seeing an endocrinologist; they are often more up on the pancreas, etc., than are normal PCPs.
Good luck!
If you have a sugar episode, don't take more sugar: eat something of dense protein with a bit of carbs, like 1/2 a deli sandwich (one slice of good bread, with roast beef & cheese), or peanut butter w/apple slices.
We've abused our pancreases so much that I'm sure they are going to be touchy for years. I'd suggest seeing an endocrinologist; they are often more up on the pancreas, etc., than are normal PCPs.
Good luck!
Most of us have these blood sugar issues. Took me forever to find the direct cause of mine. Since I figured it out, I've only had one unexplained one. And not THAT low.
But eating sugar is the worst! We've all learned to carry PB crackers everywhere. IN a hard glasses case for the purse. In the cars, in RV, in the kitchen--even though we can make PB on bread, who has time? I crashes in about 30 seconds and then there's no brain function.
There are a few things that help stabilize blood sugar. GTF Chromium is one. Chromium piccolinate is another. Cinnamon........ can't think of more. I do all those.
But eating sugar is the worst! We've all learned to carry PB crackers everywhere. IN a hard glasses case for the purse. In the cars, in RV, in the kitchen--even though we can make PB on bread, who has time? I crashes in about 30 seconds and then there's no brain function.
There are a few things that help stabilize blood sugar. GTF Chromium is one. Chromium piccolinate is another. Cinnamon........ can't think of more. I do all those.
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 appreciate the replies.....but if you notice, I said that wheat TRIGGERS the blood sugar spikes/crashes. And guys.....a tsp of sugar in a half a cup of juice is a trick us old time nurses who take care of the elderly have done for years and years. The dense protein DOES work to keep it up once you get it back up but you have to intake something that gets it up very quickly when it's as low as the 30s/40s....in fact the doctors recomend/order glucogon which is nothing but pure sugar when it's under 50.
Just 1 tsp of plain sugar should not elevate one's blood sugar more than 20, 30 pts which is what sugar NORMALLY does in the body, surgery or not.....not sure if you all realize that or not. A fasting normal blood sugar is 70-110 or 80-120, depending on which lab values you follow.
I like the suggestion about the endocrinologist though, I will call my primary and see what he thinks today. Thanks for listening.
Just 1 tsp of plain sugar should not elevate one's blood sugar more than 20, 30 pts which is what sugar NORMALLY does in the body, surgery or not.....not sure if you all realize that or not. A fasting normal blood sugar is 70-110 or 80-120, depending on which lab values you follow.
I like the suggestion about the endocrinologist though, I will call my primary and see what he thinks today. Thanks for listening.
That is how regular BS issues are treated, true. I usta do it myself. Mix sugar in water to get it down fast.
But we're talking a whole different animal here. Broken pancreas. Does whatever it wants to do. Mine are triggered by white breads or potatoes, but not rice or pasta. ???
But in the past when i used sugar or glucose to stop the drop, that was fine (acted more slowly than PB crackers), but then 3 hrs later, crash again. Roller coaster. If you wanted to roll through 10 yrs of archives on yahoo grads, you'd see that most of us went thru this reasonable process. Treat it was you would a diabetic crashing. But we're not. This isn't that. So, by now, most of us support the PB cracker industry.
I've been known to "drink" a crushed package from a purse. Well squished. LOL Of course, with no saliva on board, I literally drink them down anyway. Bite, chew, wa**** down to hit fast and solve the dry mouth issue.
I'm talking 3 PB crackers, not several packs. You might have to use the cheese ones, which I think work better, too. Sadly, I bought the Costco size wheat crackers model just about the time I figure the true trigger (not a cookie, but the potato!), and am stuck with several million packs. I don't like them, so no chance I'm going to eat them on purpose.
I met a girl years ago who thought she was controlling her BS issues by drinking regular Mt. Dew all day. CAN YOU IMAGINE? And she wondered why she gained back 60#!
But we're talking a whole different animal here. Broken pancreas. Does whatever it wants to do. Mine are triggered by white breads or potatoes, but not rice or pasta. ???
But in the past when i used sugar or glucose to stop the drop, that was fine (acted more slowly than PB crackers), but then 3 hrs later, crash again. Roller coaster. If you wanted to roll through 10 yrs of archives on yahoo grads, you'd see that most of us went thru this reasonable process. Treat it was you would a diabetic crashing. But we're not. This isn't that. So, by now, most of us support the PB cracker industry.
I've been known to "drink" a crushed package from a purse. Well squished. LOL Of course, with no saliva on board, I literally drink them down anyway. Bite, chew, wa**** down to hit fast and solve the dry mouth issue.
I'm talking 3 PB crackers, not several packs. You might have to use the cheese ones, which I think work better, too. Sadly, I bought the Costco size wheat crackers model just about the time I figure the true trigger (not a cookie, but the potato!), and am stuck with several million packs. I don't like them, so no chance I'm going to eat them on purpose.
I met a girl years ago who thought she was controlling her BS issues by drinking regular Mt. Dew all day. CAN YOU IMAGINE? And she wondered why she gained back 60#!
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 can see your point but honestly, if wheat TRIGGERS it then crackers whether it's cheese or PB really doesn't matter. It's the crackers themselves that would rollar coaster me. And I don't do the sugar by itself, I also consume a 1 oz pkg of peanuts. I have fibromyalgia as well and brain fog sometimes makes me forget to tell the whole story. But so far this works for me. The protein from the peanuts stabulize it and the sugar gets it up quick. I am hoping that with time, the pancreas will sort itself out. All the information I read says the only real treatment is removal of the pancreas and that's for extreme cases. I think some would consider my case extreme, however I am not about to go to this extreme to fix the problem. I was hoping someone could reccomend a natural supplement to enhance pancreas function or something along those lines. I would rather try anything else other than another surgery at this point.
The purpose of my post was to see how others manage it. Seems like all of you who have replied thus far use wheat. I'm sure the peanut butter has little protein in it to sustain a blood sugar , I mean it is catagorized as a fat but bodies are different and if it works for you all then that's great. I imagine that it's the body metabolizing the wheat into glucose that elevates the blood sugar. In a normal body I know that would throw a person into that rollar coaster thing. Anyways, I truly think that it's up to the individual to know what helps/hurts their own bodies. And as we know up, bodies differ in what works. But I do appreciate the input. Just hoped that perhaps someone had some new information that might help me help myself as the medical support in my life has or is not helpful. Thanks for the replies thus far though.
The purpose of my post was to see how others manage it. Seems like all of you who have replied thus far use wheat. I'm sure the peanut butter has little protein in it to sustain a blood sugar , I mean it is catagorized as a fat but bodies are different and if it works for you all then that's great. I imagine that it's the body metabolizing the wheat into glucose that elevates the blood sugar. In a normal body I know that would throw a person into that rollar coaster thing. Anyways, I truly think that it's up to the individual to know what helps/hurts their own bodies. And as we know up, bodies differ in what works. But I do appreciate the input. Just hoped that perhaps someone had some new information that might help me help myself as the medical support in my life has or is not helpful. Thanks for the replies thus far though.
It's called nesidioblastosis. The beta cells of the pancreas go nuts and make way too much insulin. I was diagnosed at Mayo, and eventually had 60% of my pancreas removed.
It's very hard to control this. One day you can eat something with no problem and the next day it's a big problem. Sometimes exercise makes me drop like a rock and the next day not.
My endo told me that the best thing to get my sugar up quickly is milk. But milk is a little hard to carry around. You might want to look for a protein bar that also has some carbs in it.
I usually just eat every 2-3 hours and that seems to help. However, then you can gain weight if you're not careful. The PB crackers don't work well for me either. I do agree however, that sugar should NOT be used unless you are following it up with protein pronto.
I understand your frustration at the medical community. My WLS doc told me I was screwed because in order to keep my glucose up, I was gaining wt. That was not helpful. No one else will take me because of the nesidioblastosis. My endo gets the blood sugar issue but not the wt gain. Like you, I wish I could find someone who can put it all together.
My surgeon at Mayo told me to quit checking my blood sugar, eat normally, and live my life. That wasn't very helpful either since I still drop regularly into the low 70's. While that may not seem low to many people, I feel lousy there. I get the head fog and get really stupid.
So I do feel your pain. If you email me, I can send you an article about nesidioblastosis written by the endo at Mayo. It's very informative and perhaps you could take it to your endo and at least try to get some help.
Lyn W.
[email protected]
It's very hard to control this. One day you can eat something with no problem and the next day it's a big problem. Sometimes exercise makes me drop like a rock and the next day not.
My endo told me that the best thing to get my sugar up quickly is milk. But milk is a little hard to carry around. You might want to look for a protein bar that also has some carbs in it.
I usually just eat every 2-3 hours and that seems to help. However, then you can gain weight if you're not careful. The PB crackers don't work well for me either. I do agree however, that sugar should NOT be used unless you are following it up with protein pronto.
I understand your frustration at the medical community. My WLS doc told me I was screwed because in order to keep my glucose up, I was gaining wt. That was not helpful. No one else will take me because of the nesidioblastosis. My endo gets the blood sugar issue but not the wt gain. Like you, I wish I could find someone who can put it all together.
My surgeon at Mayo told me to quit checking my blood sugar, eat normally, and live my life. That wasn't very helpful either since I still drop regularly into the low 70's. While that may not seem low to many people, I feel lousy there. I get the head fog and get really stupid.
So I do feel your pain. If you email me, I can send you an article about nesidioblastosis written by the endo at Mayo. It's very informative and perhaps you could take it to your endo and at least try to get some help.
Lyn W.
[email protected]
Email sent, would love the article. And thanks so much for the explanation. I hope that my endo will be able to help me find a way to control mine without surgery though. I'm just not sure that mentally I could face another one. Maybe in a few years.....
I do consume a pack of peanuts along with the tsp of raw sugar. It works great and quickly for me. Just sugar would just spike/crash me again I'm sure.
How do you feel now though, post pancreas surgery? Has it brought on some other complication that is hard to deal with? Sometimes it seems that the ounce of fix brings on a lb of other troubles:-(
Carol J
I do consume a pack of peanuts along with the tsp of raw sugar. It works great and quickly for me. Just sugar would just spike/crash me again I'm sure.
How do you feel now though, post pancreas surgery? Has it brought on some other complication that is hard to deal with? Sometimes it seems that the ounce of fix brings on a lb of other troubles:-(
Carol J
I can't eat anything fried either but like you, I think that's probably a good thing:-) I found a boxed french onion soup but I use it like a broth or stock? And I use it to make really good soups with all fresh ingredients. I use turnips in place of potatoes, honestly you can not tell the difference. Taste and texture in the soup is the same as potatoes. Today I put a roast, baby carrots, baby bella mushrooms sliced, a can of green beans with a carton of that soup in the crock pot? I just know it's going to be a wonderful dinner for tonight after working all day:-)
It's hard to get excited about food when we have such issues isn't it? There's a part of me that wonders if the reason our blood sugar spikes/crashes with certain foods, perhaps it's because that's really something that our body just really does not want us to consume? Maybe it's trying to tell us how to eat based on what our individual needs really are? You hear so much advice about eating nowadays. And people really push the whole grains but even before the surgery I would gain tons of fluid/weight consuming whole grains or dairy. I was on 80 mgs of lasix a day for 15 years, in congestive heart failure at young as age 35. But after the surgery and no more dairy or bread? No more fluid and the weight has really pretty much just rolled off. As long as I do not consume those two main things. Being a nurse, I learned basic nutrition in school. Now I have to wonder was it all just a lie? Just someone's opinion based on what worked for them or a handful of people? Most studies if you really read them, abstracts and such that we find on line..........they make all these claims but when you look at how many people were involved in the study? It's just a handful. I don't see how they think that's an accurate "slice" across the board of people's metabolisms or body make ups.
Anyways.............I made copies of that article and sent out to folks here, I sure do appreciate it. Now I think I will work to find a natural supplement that will hopefully just enchance my pancreas function. And I have a call into my primary for a endo referral. Thanks again for your help.
Carol J
It's hard to get excited about food when we have such issues isn't it? There's a part of me that wonders if the reason our blood sugar spikes/crashes with certain foods, perhaps it's because that's really something that our body just really does not want us to consume? Maybe it's trying to tell us how to eat based on what our individual needs really are? You hear so much advice about eating nowadays. And people really push the whole grains but even before the surgery I would gain tons of fluid/weight consuming whole grains or dairy. I was on 80 mgs of lasix a day for 15 years, in congestive heart failure at young as age 35. But after the surgery and no more dairy or bread? No more fluid and the weight has really pretty much just rolled off. As long as I do not consume those two main things. Being a nurse, I learned basic nutrition in school. Now I have to wonder was it all just a lie? Just someone's opinion based on what worked for them or a handful of people? Most studies if you really read them, abstracts and such that we find on line..........they make all these claims but when you look at how many people were involved in the study? It's just a handful. I don't see how they think that's an accurate "slice" across the board of people's metabolisms or body make ups.
Anyways.............I made copies of that article and sent out to folks here, I sure do appreciate it. Now I think I will work to find a natural supplement that will hopefully just enchance my pancreas function. And I have a call into my primary for a endo referral. Thanks again for your help.
Carol J
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