Another hypoglycemia question

[Guest guest]

My BP is low., very low. Has been all along, and except for the un-dx sleep

apnea period, has always been, no matter how heavy I was.

I like your dad's idea better than any of the weight gainer ideas suggested.

Shooting yourself with refined sugar will just send you to the moon and back

to the basement again. Level is what you're after.

Thanks,

Vitalady, Inc. T

www.vitalady.com

If you are interested in PayPal, please click here:

https://www.paypal.com/affil/pal=orders%40vitalady.com

Another hypoglycemia question

> Ok I know this has probably been discussed to death here, but I need

> some info. I have hypoglycemia since my surgery and it has been

> getting so bad that I've been passing out and am on doc's orders to

> not drive. They did my A1C labs and I think they were 3.4 (either

> that or 3.6, don't have it right in front of me). I saw the local

> doc yesterday and was sent home with this device to check my sugar

> levels. Well, I was very careful last night and even woke up about

> every 3 hours or so to eat something. So I checked my sugar this

> morning and it was 36. Local doc wants me to see an endocrinologist

> in Seattle.

>

> Anyway, now for my questions. Does having hypoglycemia mean that I

> am gonna get diabetes or in the case of " us " , is it simply an effect

> of the surgery? Do I follow local docs advice to start taking in

> some sugar (her suggestion was gatorade or 7 up)? Do they give you

> any meds for this or is it simply a " manage by food " kind of deal?

> The local doc called me this morning and I have been instructed to

> eat every 60 minutes or so today.

>

> My dad has type 2 diabetes so I asked him about it (a little). His

> suggestion was to add in some " good carbs " (such as 1/2 piece of

> whole grain toast, etc). Is this good advice? His opinion was that I

> wasn't taking in enough carbs to keep my blood sugar up (but again,

> he has high blood sugar and mine is low).

>

> This thing has thrown me for a loop and I guess I was kinda ignorant

> to think that since I skated through this surgery with no

> complications, I was scott free! (LOL, kinda) Also the doc said that

> she was alarmed by my blood pressure, which makes me a little

> scared, cause I typically run either 80/60 or 90/70 (and she is well

> aware of that)...so I can only imagine how low it is.

>

> Thanks in advance for any advice...

>

> ~Kricket

> 298/140

>

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kricket, I think we are sisters! My mom also had diabetes that was never

well controlled despite the BEST attempts and compliance. It is one of the

reasons I had the surgery. For the past couple weeks I had noticed definite

times that I was getting extremely shaky, light-headed and felt like I was

going to pass out. Usually I attributed to something stupid I did and was

dumping. Or I figured it was postural hypotension (drop in blood pressure

when changing postions quickly) Almost wound up on the hall floor at work

while passing meds one day.

I had blood work drawn 11/11 for my surgeon's office for the 1 year check

up, (ok, so I held on to the script for a month before I got it, crappy

insurance that I have). Anyway the day I had it done, it was late afternoon,

not fasting, and I felt great! No problems at all. This Monday I felt

horrible, all day I was winding up on the couch, trying not to pass out. I

had shrimp for lunch and felt the big dump coming on. DH was ticked! He

wanted me to go to the doc then. I had an appointment for the next day

anyway so told him I would wait.

Tuesday I had my appointment with the PCP. He walks in and says Do y ou

realize your blood sugar was 42 when you had this blood work taken? hmmmmmmm

ok maybe this is my problem? My blood work was marked Critical low and FAXED

to my surgeons office. The NP apparently found no reason to call me! My PCP

had received the copy of the tests that morning and was ticked off! I too

now have a BG monitor with instructions to check everytime I am symptomatic.

I was told also to eat 5-6 small meals a day. ( I work nights, it is a

nightmare to get on a schedule with food) and to up my protein shakes (gotta

love this guy, he learns soooooo well from me!) Was also told to carry a

candy bar with me. I told him no, it won't stay there. He said carry some

candy you don't like, I said it has never been invented. I also told him I

will carry peanutbutter crackers, as I need to have the protein to keep it

up after it goes up. LOL he said I hate taking care of nurses, but he

learned again.

The scary part is that I was asymptomatic when my BG was 42! How the heck

low was it when I thought I was dying???????

Phyllis

Another hypoglycemia question

Ok I know this has probably been discussed to death here, but I need

some info. I have hypoglycemia since my surgery and it has been

getting so bad that I've been passing out and am on doc's orders to

not drive. They did my A1C labs and I think they were 3.4 (either

that or 3.6, don't have it right in front of me). I saw the local

doc yesterday and was sent home with this device to check my sugar

levels. Well, I was very careful last night and even woke up about

every 3 hours or so to eat something. So I checked my sugar this

morning and it was 36. Local doc wants me to see an endocrinologist

in Seattle.

Anyway, now for my questions. Does having hypoglycemia mean that I

am gonna get diabetes or in the case of " us " , is it simply an effect

of the surgery? Do I follow local docs advice to start taking in

some sugar (her suggestion was gatorade or 7 up)? Do they give you

any meds for this or is it simply a " manage by food " kind of deal?

The local doc called me this morning and I have been instructed to

eat every 60 minutes or so today.

My dad has type 2 diabetes so I asked him about it (a little). His

suggestion was to add in some " good carbs " (such as 1/2 piece of

whole grain toast, etc). Is this good advice? His opinion was that I

wasn't taking in enough carbs to keep my blood sugar up (but again,

he has high blood sugar and mine is low).

This thing has thrown me for a loop and I guess I was kinda ignorant

to think that since I skated through this surgery with no

complications, I was scott free! (LOL, kinda) Also the doc said that

she was alarmed by my blood pressure, which makes me a little

scared, cause I typically run either 80/60 or 90/70 (and she is well

aware of that)...so I can only imagine how low it is.

Thanks in advance for any advice...

~Kricket

298/140

Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

[Guest guest]

I had to laugh at the part about not being able to carry a candy bar

around, it most definately would not last with me either :-) And

ditto to the " that candy hasn't been invented part! (LOL) My DH has

been ticked at me too...saying that I waited far too long to do

anything about " this " .

The good news is that I did a fasting blood sugar level today and it

was 82 (yes!), so all that frequent eating yesterday did me some

good.

I too carry the PB crackers around with me. I have to hide them on

the kids or they wipe them out.

I hear ya on the " how low was I when I was feeling really crappy? "

part as well. The same exact thing crossed my mind the other day.

My local doc consulted with the endo yesterday and then gave me his

recommendations as to how to proceed. So I am feeling a bit more

confident today.

~Kricket

>This Monday I felt

> horrible, all day I was winding up on the couch, trying not to

pass out. I

> had shrimp for lunch and felt the big dump coming on. DH was

ticked! He

> wanted me to go to the doc then. I had an appointment for the next

day

> anyway so told him I would wait.

>Was also told to carry a

> candy bar with me. I told him no, it won't stay there. He said

carry some

> candy you don't like, I said it has never been invented. I also

told him I

> will carry peanutbutter crackers, as I need to have the protein to

keep it

> up after it goes up. >

> The scary part is that I was asymptomatic when my BG was 42! How

the heck

> low was it when I thought I was dying???????

> Phyllis

[Guest guest]

>

> The scary part is that I was asymptomatic when my BG was 42! How

the heck

> low was it when I thought I was dying???????

Most likely it wasn't low at all or it was going up really fast and

dropping even faster that's what happened to me. At 10 months post

op It would shoot up to 200 within 15 min after eating then 15 min

later it would be 80 then another 15 min later it would be 60.

There were times when I had a sugar of 42 and felt great. Seemed

like mine would never go above 60 unless I did something stupid. I

felt the worst when it went from 200 to 80 in 15 min. I wasn't even

eating anything really carby or had too much sugar actually I had

protein with my meal. Now I don't get reactions this bad now unless

I do something very stupid like eat a candy bar and drink a bottle

of water. This hypoglycemia lasted from 10 months out to 20 months

out. I had to eat every two hours and always cary food with me it

really sucked. My guess is that your pancreas doesn't know you lost

your weight and puts out as much insulin as say when you were pre-

op. It will eventually even out though. Still 4.5 years later I

have to be really careful and not go too long with out eating or

really watch what I eat.

Hope this helps trust me I know what you are going through and it

will get better honest. I had to keep track of everything I ate the

reactions and had to test my sugar all the time and I was not

diabetic before surgery hypoglycemic yes but didn't really know it

cause I had to have a candy bar and Mountain Dew to get through

class. Which made the cycle worse.

I hope I helped somewhat,

Kristy

>

[Guest guest]

How about a packet of Lifesavers (irony not intentional). That's what I

carry around (have developed hypoglycemia too, as well as intermittent periods

of

postural hypotension -- WHY does this happen to us?) Lifesavers I can

resist, anything with chocolate would be deadly. And the good thing is they

don't

rot in your bag or get moldy or crushed up etc., and take up almost no space.

Lucille

In a message dated 11/21/2003 4:34:23 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Graduate-OSSG writes:

>

> I had to laugh at the part about not being able to carry a candy bar

> around, it most definately would not last with me either :-) And

> ditto to the " that candy hasn't been invented part! (LOL) My DH has

> been ticked at me too...saying that I waited far too long to do

> anything about " this " .

[Guest guest]

http://www.tidalweb.com/fms/rhg.shtml

Reactive Hypoglycemia (RHG): FM/MPS Perpetuating Factor

Devin Starlanyl, MD

This information may be freely copied and distributed only if unaltered, with

complete original content.

There are three basic types of nutrients. Beef, fish, poultry, cottage cheese

and tofu are foods that are largely protein. Butter, cream, and vegetable oils

are fats. Vegetables, fruits, grains, pastas, and cereals are carbohydrates

(carbos), and so are many so-called " junk " foods, such as candy. These junk

foods have little if any nutritional value, and may carry fat as well as carbo.

People with reactive hypoglycemia(RHG) are often (but not always) overweight,

and unable to lose the extra weight. A fat pad develops on the belly, and won't

go away.

The often-overlooked factor is that carbos stimulate insulin production. Insulin

enables blood sugar to move into our biochemical " factories " in the cells, where

it is burned as fuel. If there is an excess of insulin as well as an excess of

carbos, the excess carbos are stored as fatty acids in fat cells. The excess

insulin also prevents the carbos from being used. You not only gain fat, but you

are also prevented from losing this fat because of the availability of excess

carbos.

RHG is not the same as fasting hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar that

occurs when you do not eat. For this reason, RHG is not always picked up on

routine medical tests. RHG occurs within 2 to 3 hours after a meal of excess

carbos, when there is a rapid release of carbos into the small intestine,

followed by rapid glucose absorption, and then the production of a large amount

of insulin. Adrenalin production should be measured as well as glucose, as occur

at abnormal times. RHG is also called " insulin tolerance " , " postprandial

hypoglycemia " , " carbohydrate intolerance " and in severe forms, " idiopathic

adult-onset phosphate diabetes " . This condition can lead to type II diabetes.

RHG is common in people with FMS and FMS/MPS Complex. In FMS, it is enhanced by

dysfunctional neurotransmitter regulation and other systemic mechanisms. With

FMS, you crave carbohydrates but cannot make efficient use of them because of an

electrolytic imbalance and other biochemical imbalances in your body. We produce

adrenalin even when the blood sugar doesn't fall. We crave carbos, because we

need energy. Since our insulin level is high, our bodies take the carbos and

store them as fat, often in the belly. We can get the body balanced by eating a

balanced diet, and teach it to metabolize our fat for energy.

When you consume carbos, your insulin production increases. If you have RHG,

your body overcompensates. This results in low blood sugar. RHG can range from

very mild to severe. Symptoms include headaches (usually in the front or top of

the head), dizziness, irritability, chronic fatigue, depression, nervousness,

difficulty with memory and concentration, nasal congestion, heavy dreaming,

palpitations or heart pounding, tremor of the hands (especially if a long time

elapses between meals), day or night sweats, anxiety in the pit of the stomach,

anxiety, leg cramps, numbness and tingling in the hands and/or feet, flushing,

and craving for carbos (especially sweets). The hunger pangs experienced in

reactive hypoglycemia can come in the form of acute stomach pain and nausea.

Severe RHG can cause hypoxic symptoms such as visual disturbances, restlessness,

impaired speech and thinking, and blackouts. You can expect excess body fat,

high triglycerides/cholesterol, fluid retention, dry skin, brittle hair/nails,

dry small stools, decreased memory and ability to concentrate, fatigue or dips

in energy, grogginess when waking, mood swings/irritability, and sleep

disturbances. In cases of chronic MPS, the process of eliminating TrPs is

hampered or even thwarted by the presence of hypoglycemia. TrP activity is

aggravated and specific therapy response is reduced by hypoglycemia. Recurrent

hypoglycemia attacks perpetuate TrPs. MAny of these symptoms are caused largely

by circulating adrenalin, which is also increased by anxiety.

Hormones in a given system usually work in a set, called an " axis " . The most

important in RHG is the insulin-glucagon axis. Insulin drives down blood-sugar

levels, while glucagon raises it. If insulin is too high or glucagon is too low,

the result is hypoglycemia. Insulin resistance means that the insulin levels are

elevated but blood sugar levels remain high, because the target cells no longer

respond normally to insulin. This can eventually promote diabetes.

Insulin is a storage hormone. It takes excess glucose from carbos in your food

and stores them as fat. Then it locks the fat in place. Insulin drives down

blood sugar. Glucagon, on the other hand, is a mobilizing hormone. It releases

stored carbos as glucose. Glucagon restores blood sugar levels.

The release of insulin is stimulated by carbos, especially heavy starches like

bread and pastas. Glucagon is stimulated by dietary protein. If you eat a big

carbo meal for lunch, by 3 pm you are ready for a nap. Excess carbos have

generated overproduction of insulin. As your blood sugar drops, your brain

begins to fall asleep. Because the massive amount of carbos you ate drove your

insulin level up and your glucagon down, the fats stored in your body can't be

released. But you feel fatigues, so you crave energy and more carbos. This

happens in 50% of all people. In 25%, the normal fat response is blunted, so

they can get away with eating a lot of excess carbos. Yet 25% of us have an

extremely elevated insulin response to carbos. Many of these people have FMS or

FMS/MPS Complex. Hypoglycemic tendency is inherited, and often comes with a

family history of diabetes.

Remember, insulin triggers an adrenalin response. Coffee, tea and colas

stimulate the release of adrenalin, as does nicotine. All carbos stimulate the

secretion of insulin. Fatty acids are actually the preferred fuel for building

new muscles and for energy. A high-carbo diet means fat is deposited and it

stays. Dietary fats decrease the flow of carbos into the bloodstream and dampen

the insulin response. Dietary proteins enhance the mobilization of fatty acids

from fat cells and fat loss. We need a balance.

Weight loss on a high carbo diet is mostly water and muscle loss. Any subsequent

weight gain is fat gain. Also, the more carbos you eat,the earlier adrenalin is

produced as the blood sugar goes down. Blood sugar swings are more extreme and

faster the more carbos you eat, and your mood and energy swings go right along

for company. Studies show that high carbo intake and resultant hyperinsulinism

can contribute to every known disease process.

The hormonal response from a balanced meal lasts 4 to 6 hours. Serotonin

regulates the appetite for carbo-rich foods, and this neurotransmitter is often

out of balance in FMS. Serotonin is also influenced by photoperiodism -- the

dark/light cycle. (Often carbo cravers overeat only at certain times of the

day). The rate of conversion of tryptophan to serotonin is also affected by the

proportion of carbos in a person's diet.

Dr. Barry Sears wrote a book with Bill Lawren, called Enter " The Zone " ,(Harper

N.Y.N.Y. 1995) It explains in detail why a ratio of 30/40/30 (the ratio

of protein to fat to carbohydrate) is the healthiest balance for a majority of

people. You are eating 30 percent of fewer calories as fat, and that fat is

being used for energy. Every meal and snack must be balanced because there is a

hormonal response very time you eat. 30/40/30 is an adequate protein, moderate

carbo, low fat diet. At the same time, you will need to adjust your caloric

intake and exercise to meet the needs of your body. In this diet, it is helpful

to have minimal alcohol, sugar (in any form), fruit juice, dried fruit, baked

beans, black-eyed peas, lima beans, potatoes, corn/popcorn, bananas, barley,

rice, pasta, caffeine, or other heavy starches. Avoid caffeine, as its breakdown

products tend to increase insulin levels.

This is one tough diet, because if you need it, you REALLY crave carbohydrates.

You only have to try it for a few days and your body informs you, " Yes, this is

what you must do, " because you are attacked by whopping headaches and extreme

fatigue as soon as your body begins its struggle for balance. Your excess fat

will start to break down and release large amounts of toxic substances and waste

material. It is not fun. As Dr.St.Amand says, it is not for the faint of heart.

But " diet alone " is a treatment that works.

When you start each meal, it is wise to eat some protein first. That allows its

products reach your brain first. Exercise regularly to decrease the amount of

insulin in your blood. Drink at least 8 ounces of water or a sugar-free decaf

beverage with each meal or snack. If you are hungry and craving sugar 2-3 hours

after a meal, you probably ate too many carbos.

Now that you are aware that sugar can ease your " carbo " withdrawal " symptoms in

the short term, you may be tempted to cheat. If you do, you cheat yourself. If

you don't cheat, in one month you will see considerable improvement. Within two

months, the RHG symptoms should be gone. When all is in harmony, your body is

your best doctor. Once you are in balance, it will tell you a great deal, if you

listen.

Learn to eat like a gourmet. Eat slowly, chew thoughtfully, and enjoy each bite.

Eat less, but eat mindfully, and you will be satisfied. You may have the bad

habits of a lifetime to break, but if you succeed , you will have a better

chance to live a longer and healthier life.

Thanks to Drs. Lynne August, Barry Sears, St.Amand, Janet Travell and

Simons and the Wurtmans for the basic research.

Devin Starlanyl, MD

This information may be freely copied and distributed only if unaltered, with

complete original content.

It is thought that up to 85% of people with FM could have this condition.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have any comments or suggestions you can contact the

author of this webpage.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/25/2003 10:39:56 PM Central Standard Time,

shihtzumom@... writes:

> RHG occurs within 2 to 3 hours after a meal of excess carbos, when there is

> a rapid release of carbos into the small intestine, followed by rapid

> glucose absorption, and then the production of a large amount of insulin.

----------------------------------------------------

I have experienced RHG after eating plain old nuts. I never considered them

carbs. Am I missing something?

Carol A

[Guest guest]

Wow, this is interesting and in many was seems to describe me to a T. May I

assume that FMS is fibromyalgia?

Phyllis

Re: Another hypoglycemia question

http://www.tidalweb.com/fms/rhg.shtml

Reactive Hypoglycemia (RHG): FM/MPS Perpetuating Factor

Devin Starlanyl, MD

This information may be freely copied and distributed only if unaltered,

with complete original content.

There are three basic types of nutrients. Beef, fish, poultry, cottage

cheese and tofu are foods that are largely protein. Butter, cream, and

vegetable oils are fats. Vegetables, fruits, grains, pastas, and cereals are

carbohydrates (carbos), and so are many so-called " junk " foods, such as

candy. These junk foods have little if any nutritional value, and may carry

fat as well as carbo. People with reactive hypoglycemia(RHG) are often (but

not always) overweight, and unable to lose the extra weight. A fat pad

develops on the belly, and won't go away.

The often-overlooked factor is that carbos stimulate insulin production.

Insulin enables blood sugar to move into our biochemical " factories " in the

cells, where it is burned as fuel. If there is an excess of insulin as well

as an excess of carbos, the excess carbos are stored as fatty acids in fat

cells. The excess insulin also prevents the carbos from being used. You not

only gain fat, but you are also prevented from losing this fat because of

the availability of excess carbos.

RHG is not the same as fasting hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar that

occurs when you do not eat. For this reason, RHG is not always picked up on

routine medical tests. RHG occurs within 2 to 3 hours after a meal of excess

carbos, when there is a rapid release of carbos into the small intestine,

followed by rapid glucose absorption, and then the production of a large

amount of insulin. Adrenalin production should be measured as well as

glucose, as occur at abnormal times. RHG is also called " insulin tolerance " ,

" postprandial hypoglycemia " , " carbohydrate intolerance " and in severe

forms, " idiopathic adult-onset phosphate diabetes " . This condition can lead

to type II diabetes.

RHG is common in people with FMS and FMS/MPS Complex. In FMS, it is enhanced

by dysfunctional neurotransmitter regulation and other systemic mechanisms.

With FMS, you crave carbohydrates but cannot make efficient use of them

because of an electrolytic imbalance and other biochemical imbalances in

your body. We produce adrenalin even when the blood sugar doesn't fall. We

crave carbos, because we need energy. Since our insulin level is high, our

bodies take the carbos and store them as fat, often in the belly. We can get

the body balanced by eating a balanced diet, and teach it to metabolize our

fat for energy.

When you consume carbos, your insulin production increases. If you have RHG,

your body overcompensates. This results in low blood sugar. RHG can range

from very mild to severe. Symptoms include headaches (usually in the front

or top of the head), dizziness, irritability, chronic fatigue, depression,

nervousness, difficulty with memory and concentration, nasal congestion,

heavy dreaming, palpitations or heart pounding, tremor of the hands

(especially if a long time elapses between meals), day or night sweats,

anxiety in the pit of the stomach, anxiety, leg cramps, numbness and

tingling in the hands and/or feet, flushing, and craving for carbos

(especially sweets). The hunger pangs experienced in reactive hypoglycemia

can come in the form of acute stomach pain and nausea. Severe RHG can cause

hypoxic symptoms such as visual disturbances, restlessness, impaired speech

and thinking, and blackouts. You can expect excess body fat, high

triglycerides/cholesterol, fluid retention, dry skin, brittle hair/nails,

dry small stools, decreased memory and ability to concentrate, fatigue or

dips in energy, grogginess when waking, mood swings/irritability, and sleep

disturbances. In cases of chronic MPS, the process of eliminating TrPs is

hampered or even thwarted by the presence of hypoglycemia. TrP activity is

aggravated and specific therapy response is reduced by hypoglycemia.

Recurrent hypoglycemia attacks perpetuate TrPs. MAny of these symptoms are

caused largely by circulating adrenalin, which is also increased by anxiety.

Hormones in a given system usually work in a set, called an " axis " . The most

important in RHG is the insulin-glucagon axis. Insulin drives down

blood-sugar levels, while glucagon raises it. If insulin is too high or

glucagon is too low, the result is hypoglycemia. Insulin resistance means

that the insulin levels are elevated but blood sugar levels remain high,

because the target cells no longer respond normally to insulin. This can

eventually promote diabetes.

Insulin is a storage hormone. It takes excess glucose from carbos in your

food and stores them as fat. Then it locks the fat in place. Insulin drives

down blood sugar. Glucagon, on the other hand, is a mobilizing hormone. It

releases stored carbos as glucose. Glucagon restores blood sugar levels.

The release of insulin is stimulated by carbos, especially heavy starches

like bread and pastas. Glucagon is stimulated by dietary protein. If you eat

a big carbo meal for lunch, by 3 pm you are ready for a nap. Excess carbos

have generated overproduction of insulin. As your blood sugar drops, your

brain begins to fall asleep. Because the massive amount of carbos you ate

drove your insulin level up and your glucagon down, the fats stored in your

body can't be released. But you feel fatigues, so you crave energy and more

carbos. This happens in 50% of all people. In 25%, the normal fat response

is blunted, so they can get away with eating a lot of excess carbos. Yet 25%

of us have an extremely elevated insulin response to carbos. Many of these

people have FMS or FMS/MPS Complex. Hypoglycemic tendency is inherited, and

often comes with a family history of diabetes.

Remember, insulin triggers an adrenalin response. Coffee, tea and colas

stimulate the release of adrenalin, as does nicotine. All carbos stimulate

the secretion of insulin. Fatty acids are actually the preferred fuel for

building new muscles and for energy. A high-carbo diet means fat is

deposited and it stays. Dietary fats decrease the flow of carbos into the

bloodstream and dampen the insulin response. Dietary proteins enhance the

mobilization of fatty acids from fat cells and fat loss. We need a balance.

Weight loss on a high carbo diet is mostly water and muscle loss. Any

subsequent weight gain is fat gain. Also, the more carbos you eat,the

earlier adrenalin is produced as the blood sugar goes down. Blood sugar

swings are more extreme and faster the more carbos you eat, and your mood

and energy swings go right along for company. Studies show that high carbo

intake and resultant hyperinsulinism can contribute to every known disease

process.

The hormonal response from a balanced meal lasts 4 to 6 hours. Serotonin

regulates the appetite for carbo-rich foods, and this neurotransmitter is

often out of balance in FMS. Serotonin is also influenced by

photoperiodism -- the dark/light cycle. (Often carbo cravers overeat only at

certain times of the day). The rate of conversion of tryptophan to serotonin

is also affected by the proportion of carbos in a person's diet.

Dr. Barry Sears wrote a book with Bill Lawren, called Enter " The

Zone " ,(Harper N.Y.N.Y. 1995) It explains in detail why a ratio of

30/40/30 (the ratio of protein to fat to carbohydrate) is the healthiest

balance for a majority of people. You are eating 30 percent of fewer

calories as fat, and that fat is being used for energy. Every meal and snack

must be balanced because there is a hormonal response very time you eat.

30/40/30 is an adequate protein, moderate carbo, low fat diet. At the same

time, you will need to adjust your caloric intake and exercise to meet the

needs of your body. In this diet, it is helpful to have minimal alcohol,

sugar (in any form), fruit juice, dried fruit, baked beans, black-eyed peas,

lima beans, potatoes, corn/popcorn, bananas, barley, rice, pasta, caffeine,

or other heavy starches. Avoid caffeine, as its breakdown products tend to

increase insulin levels.

This is one tough diet, because if you need it, you REALLY crave

carbohydrates. You only have to try it for a few days and your body informs

you, " Yes, this is what you must do, " because you are attacked by whopping

headaches and extreme fatigue as soon as your body begins its struggle for

balance. Your excess fat will start to break down and release large amounts

of toxic substances and waste material. It is not fun. As Dr.St.Amand says,

it is not for the faint of heart. But " diet alone " is a treatment that

works.

When you start each meal, it is wise to eat some protein first. That allows

its products reach your brain first. Exercise regularly to decrease the

amount of insulin in your blood. Drink at least 8 ounces of water or a

sugar-free decaf beverage with each meal or snack. If you are hungry and

craving sugar 2-3 hours after a meal, you probably ate too many carbos.

Now that you are aware that sugar can ease your " carbo " withdrawal " symptoms

in the short term, you may be tempted to cheat. If you do, you cheat

yourself. If you don't cheat, in one month you will see considerable

improvement. Within two months, the RHG symptoms should be gone. When all is

in harmony, your body is your best doctor. Once you are in balance, it will

tell you a great deal, if you listen.

Learn to eat like a gourmet. Eat slowly, chew thoughtfully, and enjoy each

bite. Eat less, but eat mindfully, and you will be satisfied. You may have

the bad habits of a lifetime to break, but if you succeed , you will have a

better chance to live a longer and healthier life.

Thanks to Drs. Lynne August, Barry Sears, St.Amand, Janet Travell and

Simons and the Wurtmans for the basic research.

Devin Starlanyl, MD

This information may be freely copied and distributed only if unaltered,

with complete original content.

It is thought that up to 85% of people with FM could have this condition.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

----

If you have any comments or suggestions you can contact the

author of this webpage.

[Guest guest]

Well, let's see. I just happen to have a bag of pistachios here. It says that

1/2 c of pistachios with shells(for measuring,not eating) has 9 g of carbs.

They are just dry roasted pistachios and salt. So, yep, nuts have carbs too.

And maybe some nuts are carbier (new word here) than others. I guess you could

check a glycemic index to see what kinds will convert to glucose faster.

Chrissie

shihtzumom@...

http://users.snip.net/~shihtzumom

My WLS Journey:

http://millennium.fortunecity.com/doddington/691/WLS/this_is_me.htm

Re: Another hypoglycemia question

In a message dated 11/25/2003 10:39:56 PM Central Standard Time,

shihtzumom@... writes:

RHG occurs within 2 to 3 hours after a meal of excess carbos, when there is

a rapid release of carbos into the small intestine, followed by rapid glucose

absorption, and then the production of a large amount of insulin.

----------------------------------------------------

I have experienced RHG after eating plain old nuts. I never considered them

carbs. Am I missing something?

Carol A