I seem to have fixed reactive hypoglycemea (sp)?

I was having episodes of what my doctor said was probably reactive hypoglycemea.  I was getting shaky, fuzzy headed, weak, etc. on a regular basis. Very much like my diabetes symptoms.   I would have to pop a sweet into my mouth to get right quickly, then I was left with a head ache.  I was having these episodes once or twice a day.  I was scared especially when I would have them while driving.  I was surfing here, and by reading other posts, I started feeling guilty because I had not been taking vitamins.  I started a strict vitamin schedule.  I take 2 cal citrate, 1 fish oil, 1 vita d 3 chewable and one soy something for menopuase in am.  2 flints for lunch, 2 flints for dinner, iron and fish oil at night.  I have not  had any type of reaction for at least a week.  I have been taking vits like this for about a week.  Could I have been having vit deficincy probs instead of hypoglycemea?  I wonder.  I do feel great though since taking vits.  My head is really clear. I am getting a lot done.  I am eating a lot though. But I don't seem to be gaining anymore.  Also, my eyesight is getting better.  Is this very strange?  D

My reactive hypoglycemia (spelled right I think)...is caused from too many white carbs like white bread or pasta or rice...Soon after I eat that stuff my blood sugar rises but then drops suddenly and that's what causes the shakes and such...If I have a sweet when I'm having it, it just starts the cycle all over again..so I have something that is high in protein along with it...like cheese stick with deli meat wrapped or crackers with peanut butter or that deli meat...The protein will hold the blood sugar up at a respectible level instead of  letting it drop suddenly.

It could be a vitamin deficiency but in order to test for the hypoglycemia they have you fast and then give you a syrup drink...I don't know about you, but I'd end up in a coma if I did that...I'd be barfing one minute and then out cold...So I told the doctor I would just consider the source is my diet and stay away from the white carbs. No need to rack up a hospital bill with a ride in an ambulance, thanks.

I was told to drink milk when this happends. It has natural sugar to raise your blood sugar back up and then some protein to sustain it. I can drink a glass and within about 5 min I am starting to feel better.

I'm sure there's some vites def going on, since you're barely covering basics there, but the RHG is pretty expectable at about 2 yrs.

Most of us long terms are like Dawn in that sugar to stop attack #1 just sets us up for another and another. What you'd use for a diabetic is not what we want. Not juice or candy or any other simple sugar thing.

We just carry PB crackers. All the time, everywhere. 1 lady wanted to argue about making fresh special crackers because she doesn't like PB. OK, whatever. Since I've been using it medicinally for years, PB doesn't flip my switch, either, but it beats kissing the floor, KWIM? The cheap carb hits fast, the PB slows it down so it doesn't start the cycle.

I also react to potatoes and bread. Can eat safe amounts of pasta and rice and complex carbs, but bread or potato alone and I am guaranteeing a crash 1-3 hours later.

I have refused the GTT. My ND wanted to do one to prove it. Why do I need proof? If it has a physical cause (nesidioblastosis), I'm probably not going to do the surgery to fix it if I can control it with diet. And the only way I'd submit to GTT would be if emergency personnel was right there. I would have NO idea how to correct that much of an insulin over load, esp without a functional brain.

It's very common and yes, it's called reactive hypoglycemia.  It can also be very dangerous.  My blood sugar can spike to the 300s, crash to the high 30s.....scary?  Yeah.  And although many folks reccomend PB crackers...it's not for everyone.  I have an intolerance to wheat so I use a pack of raw sugar followed by a 3 oz pack of peanuts.  I'm feeling much much better within 15-20 minutes and I do not yo yo.  I know my body though, I would reccomend that you figure out what will work best for you if you trigger with wheat products, which many of us do.  For me, it's usually what causes the episode in the first place.  And it doesn't happen every time with me either which is my pancreas's way of trying to find it's own balance.  My doctor tells me to "challenge" it once in awhile and in time, it may balance out.  I think the milk suggestion someone made is great if you're not allergic like I am. 

Carol J
HW/350 CW/145
RNY - 1/30/06

I agree with all of the posts above. I am glad to hear you are feeling better but I am pretty religious about taking my vitamins and I still have the reaction if I eat bread, sugar, pasta ect. I am also finding it with fried foods which I forget about as I rarely eat them. It seems if I pair fatty with a carb I am doomed to crash.
I got a blood glucose meter and I test my own blood. I have never had the glucose drink test but the finger ***** is proof enough that I drop to 40-50 quickly if I eat the wrong thing.
I keep glucose tabs with me and PB crackers to help prevent the rebound crash.
Good Luck as it can be a dangerous thing.

 I searched for eyesight improvement and your post came up. Do you think thats is only hypoglycemia related? I had an eye exam last week and had massive improvement in my vision from 2.5 yrs ago. Then I was 1.5 yrs postop, now 4 yrs as of this past Monday. I thought my glasses were giving me issues because they were too big. I had coke bottles as a kid, crossed eyes when I was 3-5 yrs old. This time they said no correction in left and only .25 in right. I was told that I could go without them but if I got headaches to go ahead and get new scripted glasses. I have astigmatism. They say that not all people with that wear glasses. I am unsure of whether or not to get new ones or just try some OTC reading glasses. 
Shannon

I'll do this if have have to many junk carbs by themselves.  I can eat some sweets after a meal but if I eat to much by itself, crash about an hour later.

I'm trying to get this under control, too much grazing..............

A friend of mine just had a VSG so I'm feeling all excited like the olds days, maybe I can get back on track.