Caffeine and reactive hypoglycemia

 Hi, everyone!  I have been struggling with reactive hypoglycemia more and more frequently over the past few months.  It began right at about 1 year out from my rny (which everyone said was really early), and it seems to be getting worse.  I'm having reactions almost every day.  I've read that caffeine can be a problem.  Can anyone explain to me how caffeine relates?  I find that if I drink caffeine all day long when I'm at work (like sipping on a coffee/milk mixture, maybe a total of 3 cups by 3:00 or so), I don't have problems, BUT on the weekends, when I'll have 1/2 cup in the morning and none the rest of the day, I have problems.  I don't drink caffeine after 3:00 or so, and I'm finding problems in the evening, as well.  Is the caffeine "sipping" keeping my levels up, and when I stop, they drop?  Or is this coincidence?  As far as food, I pretty much eat a lot of beef jerky, peanut butter and crackers, and small amounts of whatever else everyone else is eating for meals.  I DO notice a problem if I stray from healthy eating (like if I go to the movies and have some popcorn mixed with m&m's...even a small amount...I WILL have a reaction in about 2 hours or so...)  

So, the big question is this:  How does caffeine affect reactive hypoglycemia?  Does anyone know?

I can't say that any caffeine bothers me; accept, when I have been eating sugar.  Okay, this is what happens, I eat sugar in the evening, and little or no dinner.  I know, I know this is not a good thing!  Anyway, if I have my coffee with sugar free creamer and wait on breakfast, I have a reaction.  If I have some eggs, greek yogurt or some regular breakfast food, I will not get the shakes, after having my coffee.  My friend calls them the "weak trembles."  I do feel for you, as that out of body experience is not pleasant.  You may want to keep a pack of peanuts in your purse/desk.  I have opened them in the store under duress, and paid for an empty sleeve at the register.  Also, if I am really watching my diet, I find that small meals every few hours truly works great for me.  You may want to consider this approach.  Good luck.

 Hmm...I do exactly what you described quite often:  coffee with sugar free creamer in the morning, but no breakfast, and when I'm at work, I usually have some peanut butter crackers, but I don't do that when I'm at home.  IT's when I'm at home that I end up really tired...

I may need to journal everything I eat for a few days and see what's causing it. 

I went without caffeine today to see if it would help, and what I really got out of it was a really, really bad headache!  UGH!

I am feeling the same as you at 3 years out.  I drink hot tea all of the time.  When i go a while without some, I get foggy and shaky and and afraid I will pass out.  I think I have an addiction to caffine now. 

This must be what I have, only I get it regardless of caffiene. Ofcourse if I eat right Im fine but if I eat simple carbs with little protein or just too many at one time in about 2 hours I am feeling weak, in a cold sweat, shaky, foggy mind. The only thing that seems to counteract it is a glass of milk.  I have talked to several other people about this and they just look at me like they don't know what Im talking about. I started having this problem right at about a year out.

I don't know that the caffiene is related, but the creamer most likely has lactose in it, which is a sugar and would help with the fatigue/shakes/dizzy spellls.

I actually have the same issue, but both ways.  If I eat simple carbs (crackers, bread, rice, pasta, bananas, dairy products, etc...) that i get the same feelings as if i don't eat at all.  I'd not heard the term reactive, but that is exactly it.  My body reacts to the intake and the lack of sugars.  I do best when I eat every few hours, usually 6x a day.  I usually do a lean protein with a veggie.  I usually steer clear of carbs just becuase of how bad I know that I'll crash (and cramp/gas).  I know the intake reaction is a type of dumping, but the lack of is interesting.  You're not alone, but it sounds like more frequent meals/snacks may be our answer. 

I drink coffee all day long with fat free creamer.
My reactive hyopglycemia is caused by me eating simple carbs. without any protein.
I need to eat or drink some form of protein every 3 to 4 hours otherwise I will have the reaction.
So I really don't think it's your coffee drinking that's causing it.  it may be the lack of protein with the simple carbs.
hope this helps.
I hate the feeling and the other day it happened as I was driving on the highway.  Thank God my husband was with me so I pulled over and had a protein bar and let him continue to drive.

Koukla

I actually have felt disoriented in the store and not known why...perhaps this all has something to do with it! I do know that I have to limit my coffee intake daily and that I NEED to eat protein every 2hrs. It's a very strange feeling indeed. Good Luck! Trish

I have had this issue for 2 years now. My Dr and I thought it was due to what I was or was not eating. It has been getting really bad over the last month so I have been researching it on the internet. I found a Dr who has written several papers on it.  This condition looks like it has less to do with what we eat, and more of a long term side effect to weight loss surgery. I contacted the Dr and he called me back today. He gave me the names of several Dr local to me that have experiance with hypoglycemia after gastric bypass.  I will keep you all posted as to what I find out.

I battled RHG for a long time and was frustrated when I'd see doctors and my nutritionist and no one knew what the problem was.  Because of this, I conducted my own "whats wrong with me" and went to my dr. with the results to find out it was reactive hypoglycemia.  One thing I've found that has helped tremendously is taking chromium picolinate every day.  Years ago it was a diet fad, but its truly helped keep my blood sugar more level.  Also, cinnamon is a great spice to help with blood sugar, try adding it to any and everything you think would taste good with it (yogurt, cinnamon, coffee, hot cocoa, etc )

here are a couple old posts with great info from members (and my experiment) good luck with your rhg

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_grads/3444286/Reactive -Hypoglycemia/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_grads/3495670/Hypoglyc emia-Low-Blood-Sugar/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_grads/3528990/2nd-appt -with-endocrinologist/

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/wls_grads/3453812/Reactive -Hypoglycemia-my-trial-error-research/

good luck :)