Hypoglycemia?

[Guest guest]

Lilian

Do you have a blood glucose meter and test yourself when you get these hypoglycemic symptoms? Testing blood sugar does help if you feel you have issues in this regard.

I ask because I, too, started experiencing what felt like hypoglycemia regularly in the late morning and late afternoon a few years ago. It surprised me, since I had been on SCD long enough to work out that my metabolism required me to eat something every 2 to 3 hours, and I had gotten my insulin resistance under good management (my annual glucose tolerance test results improved significantly) so I was eating mostly protein and low-carbs and limiting my fruits.

Anyway, I thought I'd better get a blood glucose meter to know exactly what was going on when I felt myself slipping into what felt like hypoglycemia. Turns out that in most of the events my blood sugar levels stayed about the same, no significant drops or increases, so I've had to look at other possibilities. I'm still working on this as a matter of fact, experimenting with different food combinations, boosting my electrolytes more often. Some of it is, I think, due to my ongoing neuromuscular issues and difficulties maintaining energy. Another interesting fact I've discovered is that I tend to experience these what-feels-like-hypoglycemia episodes when I'm at work, not on weekends or days off, which rather confirms my suspicions that it's energy related.

But it helps to have a blood glucose meter and take readings regularly. I have something very tangible to work with, and my doctors appreciate having some evidence to back up my discussions of symptoms.

Kim M.

SCD 5+ years

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I have been experiencing a feeling of hypoglycemia after I eat since starting SCD. This often happens some time aftre breakfast, today I'm experiencing it after eating the chicken soup. As I don't tolerate carbohydrate well (yet!) my breakfast is usually pretty high in protein, two-three eggs are always included. Is this something that might be SCD-related? I usually don't drink anything sweet, and since starting SCD I've had orange juice (to follow the instructions for orange juice and prune for C), so that might be it. But I'm wondering if this might have anything to do with the intestinal microbial flora or something along those lines?? Any thoughts or experiences would be welcome!Lilian-a few weeks into SCD

[Guest guest]

I am on SCD for ~2 weeks now. I have also started feeling a bit dizzy in the

mornings. I also feel I have higher heart rate. I am doing the intro diet with

no juice. I have cooked spinach.

Does it make sense that it could be hypoglycemia since I don't take any

carbohydrates?

Also, I feel lot more thirsty and I pee a lot.

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

> I am on SCD for ~2 weeks now. I have also started feeling a bit dizzy in the

mornings. I also feel I have higher heart rate. I am doing the intro diet with

no juice. I have cooked spinach.

>

> Does it make sense that it could be hypoglycemia since I don't take any

carbohydrates?

Hmm, I'm wondering if a die-off of bacteria could raise cortisol levels? That

could explain hygoglycemia at the beginning of a SCD.

Lilian

[Guest guest]

Debbie-

I am afraid of adding new foods because I don't know what'll cause a reaction or

not, I am afraid... Also everybody says " GO SLOW " !! I am trying to add new

vegetables every 2 days with purely intro diet for a day between. I puree cooked

spinach and carrots with yogurt.

I am meeting my GI doc on Thu and going to ask for blood work.

Yeah, I feel little more burpy, eyes burn a bit, feeling dizzy in the morning,

and a bit increased heart rate. These are not really bothersome as yet but I am

noticing them.

Why Protonix and why do you say " protect stomach? "

I don't know what's going on -- I don't want to tell the doc all these because

he'll ask me to stop the diet and get on his clinical trial.

Thanks,

-Andy.

>

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > I am on SCD for ~2 weeks now. I have also started feeling a bit dizzy in

> > the mornings. I also feel I have higher heart rate. I am doing the intro

> > diet with no juice. I have cooked spinach.

> >

> > Does it make sense that it could be hypoglycemia since I don't take any

> > carbohydrates?

> >

> > Also, I feel lot more thirsty and I pee a lot.

> >

> > Thanks.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Debbie-

I was raised in Southern India as a vegetarian, eating tons of rice, lentils and

spices -- not even eggs -- till I moved to TX 12 years ago. My first tryst with

meat was 2 weeks ago when I started SCD. So it is indeed a big change

I think I will ask my GI for a protonix prescription... I feel some reflux for

sure.

-Andy

>

> Hi Andy, I thought of something else while I'm handing out all this advice

> to someone on the net ;-). It *seems* like people do better with the things

> they grew up eating--in my case that's a definite. I never ate a lot of

> winter squash, didn't like the winter greens or pumpkin very much but I do

> pretty well with summer fruit/veg. It seems like I've noticed that people

> who stick with whatever they are used to tend to do better with that rather

> than never hearing of something like an avocado (just an example) and trying

> to add those in early. So maybe that could also help you on the journey to

> finding the right food for you. I don't know, just an idea.

>

> Debbie 40 cd

>

[Guest guest]

I used to have that problem too. I always had to take something with me when I

went out (like a can of pineapple juice), even if it was just a trip to the

grocery store. At some point, it went away, so my body adjusted. It was several

months into the diet though.

Holly

Crohn's

SCD 12/01/08

>

> I have been experiencing a feeling of hypoglycemia after I eat since starting

SCD. This often happens some time aftre breakfast, today I'm experiencing it

after eating the chicken soup. As I don't tolerate carbohydrate well (yet!) my

breakfast is usually pretty high in protein, two-three eggs are always included.

Is this something that might be SCD-related? I usually don't drink anything

sweet, and since starting SCD I've had orange juice (to follow the instructions

for orange juice and prune for C), so that might be it. But I'm wondering if

this might have anything to do with the intestinal microbial flora or something

along those lines?? Any thoughts or experiences would be welcome!

> Lilian

> -a few weeks into SCD

>

[Guest guest]

I used to have that problem too. I always had to take something with me when I went out (like a can of pineapple juice), even if it was just a trip to the grocery store. At some point, it went away, so my body adjusted. It was several months into the diet though.HollyCrohn'sSCD 12/01/08I have been experiencing a feeling of hypoglycemia after I eat since starting SCD. This often happens some time aftre breakfast, today I'm experiencing it after eating the chicken soup. As I don't tolerate carbohydrate well (yet!) my breakfast is usually pretty high in protein, two-three eggs are always included. Is this something that might be SCD-related? I usually don't drink anything sweet, and since starting SCD I've had orange juice (to follow the instructions for orange juice and prune for C), so that might be it. But I'm wondering if this might have anything to do with the intestinal microbial flora or something along those lines?? Any thoughts or experiences would be welcome!Maybe have some vinegar along with it:http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/health/24really.html?ref=instapunditThe Claim: Vinegar Can Help Lower Blood Sugar LevelsBy ANAHAD O’CONNORPublished: November 23, 2009THE FACTS Thanksgiving marks the start of a season that poses particular hazards for people with diabetes and others who are sensitive to the blood-sugar spikes that can follow big meals.But several studies have revealed a possible way to reduce the impact of a carb-laden dish: add a little vinegar. Doing so seems to help slow the absorption of sugar from a meal into the bloodstream, apparently because vinegar helps block digestive enzymes that convert carbohydrates into sugar.One study by Italian researchers showed, for example, that when healthy subjects consumed about 4 teaspoons (20 milliliters) of white vinegar as a salad dressing with a meal that included white bread with a little less than 2 ounces (50 grams) of carbohydrates, there was a 30 percent reduction in their glycemic response, or rise in blood sugar, compared with subjects who had salad with a dressing made from neutralized vinegar.In 2004, a study published in Diabetes Care, a journal of the American Diabetes Association, found similar effects in people with diabetes or insulin resistance who consumed a vinegar solution or placebo before a carb-heavy meal.Nothing replaces increased physical activity and portion control, said Sue McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the diabetes association. But people with diabetes might find it worth a try, she said, to consume two similar meals — one with vinegar, and another without — and compare their effect on blood sugar.THE BOTTOM LINE Studies suggest that adding vinegar to a meal may reduce its impact on blood sugar.

[Guest guest]

Andy,My husband was raised in Bangalore/Pune area of India. He has been eating meat for sometime though. You might want to investigate some SCD legal enzymes to help with digestion. It is entirely possible that your body isn't prepared to breakdown protein and fats from animal sources.Just a thought. My husband's cousin once mentioned that meat, especially beef, gave him problems if he hadn't eaten it in a while.AmeliaHusband UC 9 years, SCD 15 months

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the note, Amelia.

I guess I will give some time and see how things -- else would consider legal

enzymes.

Also, I will probably catch you offline on how to manage SCD in India (assuming

you know), as I have to go to India in June...

>

> Andy,

>

> My husband was raised in Bangalore/Pune area of India.  He has been eating

meat for sometime though.  You might want to investigate some SCD legal enzymes

to help with digestion.  It is entirely possible that your body isn't prepared

to breakdown protein and fats from animal sources.

>

> Just a thought.  My husband's cousin once mentioned that meat, especially

beef, gave him problems if he hadn't eaten it in a while.

>

> Amelia

> Husband UC 9 years, SCD 15 months

>

[Guest guest]

I was on Protonix pre-SCD, and within a month or 2, was able to stop taking it.

I'd hesitate to start a heavy duty acid reducer if you're only starting to have

symptoms. Also, the symptoms of having too much acid and too little acid are the

similar. You wouldn't want to take an acid reducer if what you really need is

more of it. Maybe what you need are enzymes to help you break down the food

easier.

Holly

Crohn's

SCD 12/01/08

>

>

> Debbie-

>

> I was raised in Southern India as a vegetarian, eating tons of rice, lentils

and spices -- not even eggs -- till I moved to TX 12 years ago. My first tryst

with meat was 2 weeks ago when I started SCD. So it is indeed a big change

>

> I think I will ask my GI for a protonix prescription... I feel some reflux for

sure.

>

> -Andy

[Guest guest]

I absolutely, 100% agree with Holly. I took the lot of 'em...Zantac, Prilosec,

etc. for a number of years at my doctor's insistance that I needed to protect

myself from all the extra acid I was producing. The trouble was that I wasn't

producing extra acid. I'd had some reflux before, and the occasion dose of PPI

worked okay, but I had developed serious stomach problems that didn't respond to

the acid blockers, which I know now was an h pylori infection. I kept saying

the drugs aren't working, the docs kept insisting that I was going to suffer

significant damage if I didn't take them (which I didn't, as I was scoped in the

midst of all this when my pain was still very high and there was no damage), and

quicker than you can say yeast and bacterial overgrowth, my stomach simply dried

up and my digestive system got filled up with bad things. All my symptoms (pain

in the diaphgram area, stomach pain, grippy type pains in my rib cage, burping,

indigestion, undigested bms, etc.) were caused my low acid, no excess acid. All

the reading I've done indicates that high acid is really an uncommon problem,

but I'm not sure how scientifically based that assumption is, it's just

something I've heard. I just know how it played out in my body....

I took antibiotics for the h pylori two months ago (after six months on SCD) and

had horrible stomach pain, among other things, and the doc wanted to give me a

PPI. I simply told him no and proceeded to supplement with HCl. I had to gear

up, starting low and slow, but all of those stomach symptoms are pretty much

gone after two months and I'm recovering, albiet slowly, from the overall effect

of the antibiotics on my intestinal flora. I get concerned that the h pylori

and long-term use of the acid blockers have disrupted my ability to secrete

stomach acid (both of which are are known causitive agents for this). So,

excersize great caution in using acid blockers because you can permanently

damage your body, as well as immediately exacerbate your condition. Our

stomachs were meant to be an acidic environment, and lack of acid can be a great

contributor to the bad bacteria/yeast situation many of us find ourselves in.

Your doctor will likely be very enthusiastic about giving you a prescription,

but unfortunately, I've discovered that not a whole lot of doctors know a whole

lot, and it seems like most of them simply write prescritions. I do a lot of

thinking on this great crisis in health these days, and I wonder how much

something like the excessive use of antacids may contribute to this.

Good health,

Ellen

> >

> >

> > Debbie-

> >

> > I was raised in Southern India as a vegetarian, eating tons of rice, lentils

and spices -- not even eggs -- till I moved to TX 12 years ago. My first tryst

with meat was 2 weeks ago when I started SCD. So it is indeed a big change

> >

> > I think I will ask my GI for a protonix prescription... I feel some reflux

for sure.

> >

> > -Andy

>

[Guest guest]

Your doctor will likely be very enthusiastic about giving you a prescription,

but unfortunately, I've discovered that not a whole lot of doctors know a whole

lot, and it seems like most of them simply write prescritions. I do a lot of

thinking on this great crisis in health these days, and I wonder how much

something like the excessive use of antacids may contribute to this.

Well said. I've found my own doctors to be overly enthusiastic about giving

medication.

PJ

> > >

> > >

> > > Debbie-

> > >

> > > I was raised in Southern India as a vegetarian, eating tons of rice,

lentils and spices -- not even eggs -- till I moved to TX 12 years ago. My first

tryst with meat was 2 weeks ago when I started SCD. So it is indeed a big change

> > >

> > > I think I will ask my GI for a protonix prescription... I feel some reflux

for sure.

> > >

> > > -Andy

> >

>

[Guest guest]

That's right -- the docs do like to give out prescriptions rather than playing

around with the diet. Actually, I was feeling a little better with the gas

reflux... so may be its a temporary die-off. In the worst case, I can probably

take an OTC antacid, I guess.