2 Questions - Hypoglycemia & PPI's

Good Morning,

I have two questions that I could use some advice/experience etc.

1.  I got a new shipment of Protonix this week and they sent me generic, not Protonix. My Sleevie has felt irritated all week.  Last night, for the first time since 3 nights post-op, I woke up at 1am with a mouthful of acid.  Can you say... Oh Freakin Crap that burns and is disgusting?   I'm wondering if I have a Sleevie Ache or if the difference between generic and label can be that vast.  Any experience to share peeps?

2. For history,  I had my 1 year bloodwork done.  My random glucose on 12/8 was 70 and on 2/8/2011 was 87.  My A1C on 8/18/2010 was  5.7 and on 2/8/2011 was 5.6.  I started drastically lowering my carbs on 1/10/2011.  Since then I've had bouts of getting extremely hungry and feeling a little lightheaded.  I didn't think much of it until on Monday night I got ravenous about five hours after eating.  I got anxious, lightheaded and racy feeling.  I ate a high protein bar ( I was at WW and had an emergency bar in my car) and got somewhat better.  An hour later I had that bottomless pit feeling again.  I went to sleep still feeling racy.

Loverofcats suggested that it might be hypoglycemia (thanks Gail).  I've never had anything like that in the past.  Did years of Low Carb with no ill side effects.   Have any of you gotten strange reactions at around a year out from surgery?

I was supposed to see my surgeon tomorrow but it got cancelled and rescheduled for 3/30/2011 so I can't talk to him tomorrow.  I'm sending him an email to ask him these questions but I love the experience shared here!  Thanks gang.  :)

Lee, they SAY there isn't a difference between generic and brand but there is. What you can do is get with whoever prescribed your PPI and have them re-write the prescription to say no generic substitution.

Do you have a glucose meter? If not, call your pcp and get an appt with him and tell him about your symptoms. He will probably test you and see what it says. To be honest, going more than 2-3 hours without something to eat sends ME in a tailspin. Next time tho, eat a peanut butter cracker. The peanut butter is a good source of protein and the cracker is just enough carbs to to act as sugar to go a bit high on the peanut butter.

Liz

Thanks Liz,

I emailed my surgeon to ask if he can change it to Protonix instead of the generic.  GRRRR on just buying a new bottle and getting generic instead.

I don't have a glucose meter because I've never had a problem with my sugar levels.  I wrote surgeon and asked if this is an issue for PCP or for him.   Problem in talking to him is that my plan from him is to eat 3x a day with nothing in between, eating every 4-6 hours.  That doesn't appear to be working for me right now.  The peanut butter cracker (does it come that way or you do it yourself?)  sounds like something I would love to binge on.  :(

Thanks for responding!!

You can do it yourself or yes, they come that way in a six pack :)

As far as a glucose meter, sometimes you can find one cheap at WalMart, they have their own brand which is super cheap. Or if you are lucky and find out about a Diabetes Fair in the area (local hospital), they might be giving away meters there.

Liz

OH yeah, it sounds like I'd find a reason to eat all 6 just cause the sun was shining. :)

Maybe Kaiser has glucose meters.  I'll check and see.

I have been having trouble with my sugar spiking at night and bought a glucose meter at walgreens for 20 bucks, refill test strips are 25 vs 199 for some others. I found it has been well worth it.

Hi Stacey,

I'll see what Kaiser says, and definitely keep Walgreen's in mind.  I bet Costco might have one as well.

 Lee, I have been on generic Protonix from the beginning with no problem. It may be a change requires adjustment. On another website for my autoimmune condition, there is always controversy about generic vs. original. The one thing that made sense is the drug may be the same, but the coatings or fillers may be different. Hope you get resolved soon.

I am no expert on blood sugar even though I have been diabetic. I have read that there are issues for some of us after surgery going too low. I know you are a good advocate for yourself, so keep pushing for answers.

Hi Wendy,

You may be right about the fillers etc.  I"m sure I'll get it resolved.  :)

Lee, as a nurse, I see people react differently to some generic medications vs trade name ones. If people are started off on generics, there is usually less of a problem, but if they have been used to the name brand medication, then there can be problems. I once had a pharmaceutical rep tell me that trade name medications are strictly regulated and the release of the active ingredient is pretty standard and doesn't vary very much. With generics, the release of the active ingredient can be more variable, as well as have different fillers. What we do, when people are switched from trade name medications to generics and start having problems, the docs will put them back on the original medication, and specify trade name only. The docs can use an exception code. This often takes care of the problem. If you are waking up with acid, then the generic version isn't working for you and you need to go back to what was working for you. See, if you can get into see your PCP, because he/she can prescribe the protonix. When pepcid wasn't working for me, my PCP put me on protonix and it has been working better. In addition, the protonix tablet is so small that it doesn't irritate or hurt the sleeve going down.

As far as the blood glucose, the only way to really know is to check your blood sugar at the time that you are experiencing symptom. If the symptoms are relieved by eating something, then you know that it is hypoglycemia. Maybe, you do need some carbs with your meals. Not alot, but something. Perhaps, your body is more sensitive.

Also, your blood glucose levels are great and your HgA1C is within mid range. Were your random blood glucoses drawn after eating or fasting? If done without eating, then those are great values for fasting.

If the generic protonix isn't working as well to control your stomach acid, maybe some of your symptoms could be related to that, and going back to the trade name medication will take care of the problem.

Talk with your PCP. He/she has great experience dealing with these symptoms and medications.

I used to use Gaviscon or Mylanta for break through acid symptoms, which seemed to help to relieve some of the symptoms..