Question:
Has anyone had any issues with dramatically dropping sugar levels?
I had Roux-en-Y surgery a little over 3 years ago. In the last year and a half I have suffered with severly low blood sugar. I have seen a dietician and have followed a fairly regular diet with lots of protein, but my sugar seems to crash when I least expect it. I know for a fact that I cannot eat pasta, but the frustrating thing is that I never know what I have eaten that will cause this crashing. I have had the dumping syndrome a few times and I know I cannot tolerate much refined sugar. Anything I eat, I check the package, and I only allow myself to eat a portion containing no more that 6 or 7 grams of sugar. The scary part is that my blood sugar hangs around the 60 range most of the time and frequently drops into the 40 range. Lately it has been dropping in the mid 30s. I am afraid of going to sleep and not waking up. My personal physician is certain that I am not diabetic and all of the professionals tell me it must be my diet but won't take me as a patient to run any tests. I heard a year ago about a problem that some post-op patients have a problem with an overactive pancreas. Has anyone had any symptoms that compare to mine at all? I am going to see my physician for another physical blood work, but I am getting very frustrated at not feeling well when I eat and not being able to get my blood sugar under control. I am desperate for any advise, please. Thank you, Jeri-Lynn in Michigan — jerilynn73 (posted on February 19, 2007)
February 19, 2007
As far as I'm concerned, that is the worst side effect of this surgery. We
talk about this a LOT on the Grad list, so you'd find a lot of discussoin
under hypoglycemia or reactive hypoglycemia or RHG. The link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG ... It seems to be quite
common aftre that 18-24 month period, and like you, we all can't figure out
why. We may have had NO refined carbs for 2 days and suddenly drop. Mine
can drop while I'm eating or drinking protein, 10 min later, 30 min 60 min
or dead in the middle of the night. No reason, nothing I can track it to.
On days when I HAVE rubbed up close to sugar, nothng. Maybe. Hard to
prevent what you can't see coming. I do 180g in supplement, so you'd think
if protein was the key I'd be covered. Nope. We recently had this
discussion on Grad, and basically, the rookies use sugar to correct it
(which precipitates another fall later) while the longer termers use peanut
butter on a cheap carb, like bread or keep the PB crackers handy at all
times. I know PB on bread or crackers works best for me. The carb hits
fast, the fat slows it a bit and makes it last. There is that teensy dab
of protein in there, as well. Our consensus is that PB works better than
cheese, for example. There is a condition called nesidoblastosis, which is
recently under study. Mayo has done a few of these and they remove a small
section of pancreas to turn off the over production of insulin. That makes
me kinda nervous so far, but if your episodes are dangerous to you (being
unconscious, falling), you might bring that word to your doc for further
testing. You can have them find the paper that was written on it.
— vitalady
February 19, 2007
Hi, I am in the same boat. Hypoglocemia is now my main problem. I went to
CVS drugstore and bought me a bottle of Glucose Tablets. SO when I feel
shakey and dizzy (hypoglocemic) I pop two glucose tablets in my mouth and
when minutes I am back to normal again. I am 3 years post op, Open RNY. I
wish you all the best hon, Big hugs Mickey
— MCraig3
February 19, 2007
same here.i will be 5 yrs out in july and im hypoglycimia.dr said i am not
diabetic. dr said when i get the shakes,eat something.i do and i feel
better then.
— deb44m
February 20, 2007
its happens, best to keep some high protein snacks around, like pre
packaged non refrigerated string cheese. I shake bad at those times
— bob-haller
February 20, 2007
— Jennifer K.
February 20, 2007
A number of studies have suggested (and this has definitely been the case
for me) that we tend to develop a particular sensitivity to the changes in
our blood sugar levels. In my case, when I have the worst episodes are in
mornings when I have had carbs the night before and have not had breakfast
that day. For me, the episodes had little to do with whether I had eaten
sugar (which I avoid) or refined carbs, but rather if I had just had more
carbs than I typically do.
— SteveColarossi
February 21, 2007
Wow, I just came to this site to look this subject up in the library and
here is a question on it. I too am 3 years out, rny..I get this problem
primarily at nite, after dinner. In the beginning it was just every few
months, now several times a week, and I get a "warning" sign.. my
right hand starts itching on top, then (quickly) I start to sweat, then
shake, weakness, dizziness etc. I also have been treating this with peanut
butter, which now sits like a rock in my stomach, but nothing works as
well, peanut butter and orange juice. I read about the overactive pancreas
and it is very scary. apparantly some people black out, etc. I have
actually been awakened by this and had to staggar into the kitchen and
hurridly eat peanut butter. I am trying to control it by not eating any
sugar at nite, also by eating a protien snack every 2 hours before bed. I
am interested to hear as many responses to this as possible... it is very
unpleasant and getting worse.... thanks!! Pam in GA
— pammeebr
February 22, 2007
This is my first time writing. I am three years out and have this problem,
I started drinking orange juice and I turned to candy (reese's cups). My
friend told me about Gloucose Tablets at Walmart. It just hits me and I
start shaking and feeling weak like I am going to pass out. I pop one
tablet and in about five minutes later I feel much better. I thought I was
alone with this issue thank God I am not. My Dr. checked me for diabetes,
no I don't have that " Thank God" but for some reason this keeps
happening.
— calsgirl007
February 22, 2007
WOW! I could have written your post and all of the responses also. I am
having all of the same problems as everyone else. I am 2 years out and
have drastic problems with keeping my blood sugar at a good level. I am
also eating peanut butter and glucose tabs to help. My main crashes always
seem to be at night when I am asleep and I am awakened by them. I awake in
a sweat, shaking and freezing at the same time and dizzy and confused. As
soon as I eat something or take the glucose tabs, I start to feel much
better. I am scared of what might happen if I don't wake up during a
crashing episode. I am seeing a diabetic/endocrine specialist right now
and just had a kazillion tests done. I hope to have some answers from all
the tests by the time of my next appointment on the 28th. I was a type II
diabetic before gastric bypass and haven't been since the day of surgery.
Since surgery, it's just the opposite.....low low blood sugar levels. Is
there a group started somewhere on this website where we can all talk about
this and learn together? If so, please let me know. My email is:
[email protected] and I would love to keep in touch with all of you
who are experiencing the same problems. Good luck to everyone. Destrie in
California
— DestrieLea
February 22, 2007
My son is missing an enzyme that allows his liver to release glucose during
periods of fasting (he has Glycogen Storage Disease). So, when he sleeps
at night his blood sugar crashes to the 50s. We give him one tablespoon of
cornstarch in glass of water before bed & he has never crashed at night
again. Have any of you tried cornstarch at night or is this a no-no? I know
it sounds odd but it REALY works if you have low blood sugar. It saved my
son's life! If you are skeptical please Google Glycogen Storage Disease
and see what they have to say about low blood sugar.
Jennifer
— Jennifer K.
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