Hypoglycemia?

aalixandruh

Does anyone else experience horrible sugar drops? I experience them almost daily; sugar drops, shaky, weakness, confusion, and if it gets bad enough- I pass out. I've been to the doctor for it so I have it under control but I swear sometimes I think I'm the only person in the world with this condition. Anyone else?

medic2038

aalixandruh wrote: »

Does anyone else experience horrible sugar drops? I experience them almost daily; sugar drops, shaky, weakness, confusion, and if it gets bad enough- I pass out. I've been to the doctor for it so I have it under control but I swear sometimes I think I'm the only person in the world with this condition. Anyone else?

You're not!
Diabetic problems are super common, and I see them on the regular. Interestingly enough it seems like the education aspect is rather horrible. A lot of people don't increase their food intake, despite activity.

Someone goes and cuts the grass, or moves some furniture around; and the next thing they know they're looking up at me!

Sabine_Stroehm

I used to have them often. When I changed my diet (reducing the refined carbs and sugar) my symptoms improved dramatically. I try to eat to stabilize blood sugar.

aalixandruh

[quote

You're not!
Diabetic problems are super common, and I see them on the regular. Interestingly enough it seems like the education aspect is rather horrible. A lot of people don't increase their food intake, despite activity.

Someone goes and cuts the grass, or moves some furniture around; and the next thing they know they're looking up at me![/quote]

Thank god! Lol. My doctor was helpful enough but not super helpful. He just said DONT eat candy bars (that's what I was doing to get my sugar levels up). He said that's only a quick fix and I'd find my sugar dropping again in an hour or two. And he was right. He said eat high levels of protein instead. So that's what I've been doing. Lol. Are you a paramedic?

aalixandruh

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

I used to have them often. When I changed my diet (reducing the refined carbs and sugar) my symptoms improved dramatically. I try to eat to stabilize blood sugar.

Same here! Ever since I started watching what I eat I've gotten a lot better. On days I have class though its horrible. I can never seem to bring enough food! Plus, one of my classmates has a severe peanut allergy and my protein bars (my life savers) have peanut products in them so I can't eat them.

medic2038

aalixandruh wrote: »

[quote

You're not!
Diabetic problems are super common, and I see them on the regular. Interestingly enough it seems like the education aspect is rather horrible. A lot of people don't increase their food intake, despite activity.

Someone goes and cuts the grass, or moves some furniture around; and the next thing they know they're looking up at me!

Thank god! Lol. My doctor was helpful enough but not super helpful. He just said DONT eat candy bars (that's what I was doing to get my sugar levels up). He said that's only a quick fix and I'd find my sugar dropping again in an hour or two. And he was right. He said eat high levels of protein instead. So that's what I've been doing. Lol. Are you a paramedic? [/quote]

I am!
I usually try to take some time to help educate people after we "fix them up". A lot of the time they know what happened and just had an off day type thing. Other times they legitimately never received information they should have regarding their medications and diabetes. Sometimes they just need their meds adjusted.

Insulin and Metformin work differently, but both can be extremely dangerous if someone is careless (either the patient or MD).

I usually have people eat a sandwich, peanut butter toast, or some other "real" food (since most people use OJ or OJ+sugar at home to spike their glucose).

nvmomketo

I had reactive hypoglycemia too. I would shake liek I had parkinsons. Passed out a few times too.

Since going LCHF, it is no longer an issue for me. I went from shaking a few hours of everyday to it happening maybe once a month. When glucose is not my primary fuel, I no longer experience hypoglycemia.

aalixandruh

nvmomketo wrote: »

I had reactive hypoglycemia too. I would shake liek I had parkinsons. Passed out a few times too.

Since going LCHF, it is no longer an issue for me. I went from shaking a few hours of everyday to it happening maybe once a month. When glucose is not my primary fuel, I no longer experience hypoglycemia.

What is LCHF? Sorry, I'm still learning all of the MFP and exercise lingo lol.

nvmomketo

aalixandruh wrote: »

nvmomketo wrote: »

I had reactive hypoglycemia too. I would shake liek I had parkinsons. Passed out a few times too.

Since going LCHF, it is no longer an issue for me. I went from shaking a few hours of everyday to it happening maybe once a month. When glucose is not my primary fuel, I no longer experience hypoglycemia.

What is LCHF? Sorry, I'm still learning all of the MFP and exercise lingo lol.

Sorry about that. LCHF is low carb high fat. It's usually under 100-150g of carbs per day. Under 30-40% carbs of most people. I eat very a low carb, nutritional ketogenic diet, which is under 50g of carbs per day. I usually try to stick to about 20g of carbs per day. About 5% carbs. Conversely, my fat is about 70-75% of my daily intake.

gothchiq

I do too, because I am prediabetic. I manage it by eating, instead of 3 main meals, small snacks every 2-3 hours. These snacks contain both carbs and protein. Never, ever carbs alone. I avoid very processed foods. Carbs in their natural form such as vegetables and fruit are less likely to spike then drop your sugars. They still must be eaten with a protein. This keeps your sugar levels more stable as it causes the food in your stomach to digest more slowly. I have a protein shake before a workout and then a snack of peanuts and raisins afterwards. I also carry glucose tablets, which I think you should also probably do. When you feel your sugar start to drop, if you are away from food, eat 2 of the tablets. They are 15 calories apiece.

Sabine_Stroehm

nvmomketo wrote: »

I had reactive hypoglycemia too. I would shake liek I had parkinsons. Passed out a few times too.

Since going LCHF, it is no longer an issue for me. I went from shaking a few hours of everyday to it happening maybe once a month. When glucose is not my primary fuel, I no longer experience hypoglycemia.

Once, in college, I had a crash while traveling. We were staying at a friend of my friend's apt. I blacked out in the shower, and managed to pull the shower curtain and rod down. I was a sight to be seen.

Interestingly, I do find it happening a bit more with menopause, and it IS a known symptom of menopause, so I'm being even more mindful of the glycemic impact of my foods, and the timing of my eating.

auntjudith254

I've got it too. We really need to be careful not to let our blood sugar levels drop, as it can cause damage to our system.

nvmomketo

Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »

nvmomketo wrote: »

I had reactive hypoglycemia too. I would shake liek I had parkinsons. Passed out a few times too.

Since going LCHF, it is no longer an issue for me. I went from shaking a few hours of everyday to it happening maybe once a month. When glucose is not my primary fuel, I no longer experience hypoglycemia.

Once, in college, I had a crash while traveling. We were staying at a friend of my friend's apt. I blacked out in the shower, and managed to pull the shower curtain and rod down. I was a sight to be seen.

Interestingly, I do find it happening a bit more with menopause, and it IS a known symptom of menopause, so I'm being even more mindful of the glycemic impact of my foods, and the timing of my eating.

Ouch. Nasty.

My most embarassing was while at my kids' soccer practice. I managed to lie down so I only partially blacked out. I sort of remember freaking some people out because I was lying there, on the concrete...I couldn't see a thing or think straight. LOL

The daily shaking was somewhat embarassing too.

I didn't realize it becomes more common with menopause. I hope it doesn't come back for me. I'm on the cusp of that super fun stage of life.

aalixandruh

My most embarrassing one was also in a shower. But I was at a boyfriends house in high school. I completely blacked out and fell. He heard me fall and ran in, scooped me up, and laid me butt naked on his bed. He was so freaked out and I was SO embarrassed! He was at least nice enough to cover me up until I snapped out of it. Lol.

nvmomketo

LOL Oh man.

I got another! On a bus in Costa Rica, coming back from the beach. It was standing room only, until there was suddenly room for me on the floor. I'm not sure how my husband got me off that bus. LOL

pdxwine

If you are fainting, you need to see your doctor.

I have been hypoglycemic for many years. I am now under control. I am reactive hypoglycemic, so I need to keep my protein levels up. I carry almonds all the time (they are easy to carry and do not require refrigeration) and keep my meals and snacks on a schedule.

Sabine_Stroehm

pdxwine wrote: »

If you are fainting, you need to see your doctor.

I have been hypoglycemic for many years. I am now under control. I am reactive hypoglycemic, so I need to keep my protein levels up. I carry almonds all the time (they are easy to carry and do not require refrigeration) and keep my meals and snacks on a schedule.

The OP is working with her doctor.
My embarrassing moment was in 1984 and I've had mine under control since about 2001. Glad you found what works for you. I also keep nuts with me (or jerky, and a protein bar)

Francl27

Has your doctor recommended a dietitian?

I have issues that seem related to hypoglycemia and it's a huge drag. It's not diagnosed though, but I'm planning on talking to my doctor about it. Not too sure how they can diagnose it however when it only seems to happen the 2 weeks before my period (and even then, not all the time). I just try to balance my protein, fat, and carbs...

aalixandruh

pdxwine wrote: »

If you are fainting, you need to see your doctor.

I have been hypoglycemic for many years. I am now under control. I am reactive hypoglycemic, so I need to keep my protein levels up. I carry almonds all the time (they are easy to carry and do not require refrigeration) and keep my meals and snacks on a schedule.

My doctor wasn't terribly helpful unfortunately. But she did say eat lots of protein. I always carry a protein bar (20g) with me. I haven't fainted in a long time, thankfully.

nvmomketo

Perhaps take a look at a nutritional ketogenic diet (under 50g of carbs per day) and see if it appeals to you. When glucose is not your primary fuel source anymore, hypoglycemic symptoms just don't happen. I think I've been a bit low a handful of times over the past year. It used to be a daily thing.