Low Blood Sugar?

April 4, 2002

Hello all, From the past 5 posts, I am wondering if anybody on this list has been diagnosed with hypoglycemia? I have been having different health issues, fatique, headaches, dizziness, etc. and was recommended to get a glucse tolerance test to see if I might have reactive hypoglycemia. That would explain a life-long neccesity for sweets. I was curious if anyone else on the list has been diagnosed? Thanks!

~ Amy

wrote: There are 5 messages in this issue.Topics in this digest:1. Re: link between sleep/appetite/impaired glucose toleranceFrom: "T. Francesca Skelton" 2. Re: Re: link between sleep/appetite/impaired glucose toleranceFrom: sully@...3. cravings.. post exercise or coming off high carbs?From: "rachael_lamkin" 4. Re: cravings.. post exercise or coming off high carbs?From: "papilio28570" 5. re: Bob's suggestion for post exercise cravingFrom: "rachael_lamkin" Amy PurdumCommunications SpecialistBill CenterPh: (408) 850-6156email: ap4bwc@...http://www.billwilsoncenter.org

April 4, 2002

Hi Amy,

I have been diagnosed as being hypoglycemic. It is a long and painful

story. I will try to give the short version here. I would personally

not bother with the test again, it made me feel sick. Instead, I would

try the treatment and see if my symptoms improved. I was put on a high

protein diet, told to eat frequently, and told to learn to manage my

stress, as adrenalin can cause secretion of insulin. I started

transcendental meditation. After I had been on this treatment for

awhile, my new doctor insisted on retesting me. I had to drink some

horrible glucose stuff after fasting 12 hours. Before the test I was

weak, tired, aching, irritable and upset. After drinking the stuff I

felt nauseous, and angry. After the test they told me I was normal.

Well, if they thought that was normal, I was not interested in talking

to them further. I returned to my previous doctor's directions and

continued to normalize until I could once again go without eating, if

necessary, without feeling like I was going to fall apart. At the time,

I was a zookeeper, and involved in intense physical activity, not to

mention my personal exercise regime. Later, I learned a lot from one of

my biochem prof's whose research area was carbohydrate metabolism. I

have the phenotype of a person prone to develop adult onset diabetes, so

diet control is an important consideration. I now subscribe to a

" Zonish " diet, which is very freeing for me. It has considerably

lessened my sweet tooth.

Best wishes,

Kayce

Amy Purdum wrote:

>

> Hello all,

>

> From the past 5 posts, I am wondering if anybody on this list has been

> diagnosed with hypoglycemia? I have been having different health

> issues, fatique, headaches, dizziness, etc. and was recommended to get

> a glucse tolerance test to see if I might have reactive hypoglycemia.

> That would explain a life-long neccesity for sweets. I was curious if

> anyone else on the list has been diagnosed? Thanks!

>

> ~ Amy

>

> wrote:

>

> There are 5 messages in this issue.

>

> Topics in this digest:

>

> 1. Re: link between sleep/appetite/impaired glucose

> tolerance

> From: " T. Francesca Skelton "

> 2. Re: Re: link between sleep/appetite/impaired glucose

> tolerance

> From: sully@...

> 3. cravings.. post exercise or coming off high carbs?

> From: " rachael_lamkin "

> 4. Re: cravings.. post exercise or coming off high carbs?

> From: " papilio28570 "

> 5. re: Bob's suggestion for post exercise craving

> From: " rachael_lamkin "

>

> Amy Purdum

> Communications Specialist

>

> Bill Center

> Ph: (408) 850-6156

> email: ap4bwc@...

> http://www.billwilsoncenter.org

>

> -----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

April 5, 2002

Hello Amy,

I've always had a passion for sweets but am not hypoglycaemic. I

was thoroughly tested. I would certainly get the glucose tolerance

test done as recommended and not judge your condition based on

replies here to your question. You need to find out what is going

on for sure because fatigue, headaches, dizziness, etc are not

normal body responses to being well.

Having a sweet tooth is normal though because eating fruit was part

of our diet way back before Noah sailed the only sea;-). Without a

sweet craving we would have eaten fruit before it was ripe and

nutrient dense. That ole sweet tooth makes us wait until the fruit

is ripe (unless of course Mom is making fudge brownies). Yum Yum

Bob

There are 5 messages in this

issue.

>

> Topics in this digest:

>

> 1. Re: link between sleep/appetite/impaired glucose tolerance

> From: " T. Francesca Skelton "

> 2. Re: Re: link between sleep/appetite/impaired glucose tolerance

> From: sully@p...

> 3. cravings.. post exercise or coming off high carbs?

> From: " rachael_lamkin "

> 4. Re: cravings.. post exercise or coming off high carbs?

> From: " papilio28570 "

>

> 5. re: Bob's suggestion for post exercise craving

> From: " rachael_lamkin "

>

> Amy Purdum

> Communications Specialist

>

> Bill Center

> Ph: (408) 850-6156

> email: ap4bwc@y...

> http://www.billwilsoncenter.org

>

> ---------------------------------

>

April 5, 2002

I too, have wondered if I had hypoglycemia. I have an insatiable sweet tooth

and often come home from rounds at the hosp.(nursing school) w/a huge

I-need-it-now-or-I-will-die hunger. As I have written many times before to

this group, all I want to eat is sweets(fruits and other not so healthy

sources) even when I'm croning. Although croning soes help a bit w/it. I'm

often irritable and fatigued. I've had my blood glucose tested a few times

over the years w/out any indication of hypoglycemia. I'd love to hear more

advice as how you went about " curing " yourself of it. Or anyone else for

that matter. It's extremely frustrating.

-Becky

April 5, 2002

> Hello all,

> From the past 5 posts, I am wondering if anybody on this list has been

> diagnosed with hypoglycemia? I have been having different health issues,

> fatique, headaches, dizziness, etc. and was recommended to get a glucse

> tolerance test to see if I might have reactive hypoglycemia. That would

> explain a life-long neccesity for sweets. I was curious if anyone else on the

> list has been diagnosed? Thanks!

> ~ Amy

Amy: who recommended the test for hypoglyecemia? I would suggest going to

a good doctor who might recommend that and probably other tests. Your

symptoms are indicative of a VARIETY of conditions; for example, very low

blood pressure, anemia (correct me if I'm wrong, Dean P. but weren't those

the very same symptoms that you had before your anemia was recently

diagnosed?) which are a couple of conditions that come to mind. So go get a

checkup because it might NOT be what you think.

April 5, 2002

Since I have started my research on hypoglycemia, I see that the

responses on the board are very similar to the responses by the

medical community. " They " say that there are doctors who belive that

hypoglycemia is a " fad " , and that it is in the patient's

head. " They " also say that often times, even with a glucose

tolerance test, hypoglycemia might not even be diagnosed because the

results can be evaluated incorrectly by the doctor.

I am not sure whether this is a ligit disease or not. I know I have

very similar symptoms that are discribed by those who have been

diagnosed hypo, but as Francesca said, it could be other health

issues that generate similar symptoms. I have an appointment for the

16th for a full physical and will talk it over with my doctor then,

and hopefully I will find something out.

In the meantime, many say to try a hypo diet to see if one feels

better, as opposed to taking the GTT. It takes a minimum of 7 to 10

days to begin to tell whether or not the diet helps, and in that span

one cannot eat any simple carbs or sugars - no candy, no caffine, no

pasta, no alcohol... you get the idea. Basically anything that is

good on this Earth cannot be eaten.

I have decided to try to cut sugar out of my diet and only eat

complex carbs, at least for 7 days to see if I feel any better. At

this point I will try anything to overcome my daily troubles with

fatigue, foggy head, dizziness, headaches, etc.

So I will keep you guys posted. Thank you so much for your advice

and comments!

April 6, 2002

Skip the test. You may exhibit all the hypoglycemic symptoms and

never test low at all. The test is at best a poor indicator of

hypo. If it is reactive hypo, then symptoms will also change

dramatically with stress and hormonal changes making it even more

difficult to test. If you have the symptoms I suggest eating a hypo

diet for awhile. If you completely cut out all carbs from grains

for three days, eat no fruit or sugar in any form and eat all low GI

veggies and see some improvement, you probably can benefit from a

hypo diet. A hypo diet is like CRON, people have different

interpretations, but basically it stresses higher protein and less

carbs from grain products especially wheat. Progress can be touch

and go, so don't give up too soon. Some people say it is 6 months

before they are feeling 100%.

I go to a nutritionist who has helped me tremendously. I would

start with a nutritionist and not a doctor. Most doctors are not

trained in nutrition. It's like going to a plumber to fix your

computer. Also, you might look up " The Low Blood Sugar Handbook " by

Krimmel. I don't agree with everything he says, but it was the book

that helped me discover my condition to begin with and changed my

life. Let me repeat that -- and changed my life --. The groups

hypo group has been helpful for me as well. Many people there will

be able to share their experiences with you and make suggestions. I

have found it extremely helpful.

Best of luck,

-Dana

There are 5 messages in this

issue.

>

> Topics in this digest:

>

> 1. Re: link between sleep/appetite/impaired glucose tolerance

> From: " T. Francesca Skelton "

> 2. Re: Re: link between sleep/appetite/impaired glucose tolerance

> From: sully@p...

> 3. cravings.. post exercise or coming off high carbs?

> From: " rachael_lamkin "

> 4. Re: cravings.. post exercise or coming off high carbs?

> From: " papilio28570 "

>

> 5. re: Bob's suggestion for post exercise craving

> From: " rachael_lamkin "

>

> Amy Purdum

> Communications Specialist

>

> Bill Center

> Ph: (408) 850-6156

> email: ap4bwc@y...

> http://www.billwilsoncenter.org

>

> ---------------------------------

>

April 6, 2002

bugnewberry wrote:

> I too, have wondered if I had hypoglycemia.

It is pretty easy to test. Just buy a blood glucose monitoring

system. I got mine (Therasense Freestyle) at Walmart for free at the

time (they were having a special). It requires only a tiny,

virtually painly pin-prick on the top of the forearm. When you are

feeling weak, light headed, or have an insatiable craving for sweets,

you can then check your blood glucose for yourself.

A blood glucose monitor is also extremely helpful for measuring your

body's response to different foods. I highly recommend this tool,

even if you don't suspect you might have hypoglycemia.

--Dean

April 6, 2002

> virtually painly

That should have been " virtually painLESS " !

--Dean

April 6, 2002

Thanks for the suggestion. It just so happened that we were going over blood

glucose monitoring on diabetic pt's, when I was having an episode of

weakness, fatigue, jitters etc. I volunteered to have someone practice on me

and the result was 74(normal 60-100). And that was AFTER I ate some dried

fruit and walnuts about 20 min before, b/c I felt so ill. I highly suspect

hypoglycemia, I have every symptom. I will go and buy a BGS and keep

everyone posted.

-Becky

April 19, 2012

It seems that your diet consists of carbs - simple carbs not even complex. You

state that you are a vegetarian but I see a lot of bread, juice and candy in

your diet. Adding more fruit is a terrible idea.

You may not want to eat meat which is fine but ME/CFIDS/FMS folks usually have

difficulty with digesting carbs and tend to use fats as energy. That may be why

you are craving chocolate which is high in fat.

I see no protein in your diet even if it is not meat.

You may want to consider seeing a nutritionist to find out how to get more

vegetarian protein. The diet you lay out also seems very low in calories and

the calories there are empty.

The best thing I see so far is the kasha with a vegetable. I wonder if you feel

better after this meal as compared to the other meals.

I wonder if you saw the recent conversation we have had recently about craving

fats (we talked about fatty meat but since that is not in your diet - you might

be substituting chocolate for that same purpose).

Can you track your own blood sugar using a manual machine. My son does that for

his pre-diabetes. You can check your blood sugar before and after meals and

find the diet that works best for you.

Take care,

Marti

>

> Dear Group,

>

> Maybe some of you have had this problem in the past, and have gotten over it

with some special method that I do not yet know about. I get up in the morning

quite early because I have a lot of cats who wake me up at 5 am or 6 am. I have

breakfast between 6 am and 7 am, which consists of Polish rye bread with

tomatoes. I have herbal tea with this since I usually cannot tolerate the

regular kind of tea because I can have heart palpitations afterwards. At about

11 am I am so dizzy and weak, because either my sugar is low or I am then very

hungry. So I have a roll with a small bottle of juice. I often have a candy bar

instead of the roll and that keeps me steady for another hour or so. Then I have

lunch with consists of pasta with spinach or kasha with a vegetable. Now that is

really upsetting is that I once I have lunch, I have to wolf down a whole

chocolate bar to finish off the lunch. I just need the chocolate right after the

lunch or at 11 am when my sugar goes down. If I do not have the chocolate after

lunch I feel weak and I have to go bed for a few hours. For my evening meal I

have bread and my soy spread. Before that I have fruit either oranges, apples

or bananas right now. I can have the chocolate cravings throughout the day, but

I try to control those.

>

> As you all aware by now I am almost a vegan. I do eat eggs a few times a week,

but I cannot tolerate milk or milk products. After seeing a homeopathic doctor I

developed an allergy to milk! I used to eat cheese, yogurt and all of those good

things, but now they make my sinuses swell up which can lead up to a sinus

infection and the use of more antibiotics.

>

> As I am typing this, I am becoming aware that perhaps I am not eating enough

fruit. I have asked my doctor in New York City if it makes a difference to my

CFS is I am almost a vegan, he said that at this point it makes no difference at

all. So please do not write back and say that I am not taking care of myself

when I am not eating meat. I will not be a part of the industry that hurts

animals and that is all that I can say about it. I half Indian and as an adult

in my forties I decided to practice Hinduism, which was the religion of my

father.

>

> I moved back to Poland about 6 years ago after living 35 years in the US. My

mother was Polish and I was born here. I live on the edge of a Polish village

with a farm on the other side of the woods across my street. The air and the

environment are still very clean and it is very quiet.

>

> I have had blood sugar tests here in Poland. I had both tests done, that is,

the one where the sugar is tested without having breakfast and the one that

tests the sugar before after breakfast. All came out to be quite good. There are

not that many medical tests available in Poland as are available in the US. So I

am looking for a way to manage my problem on my own.

>

> I wish that I could stop myself from wolfing down that chocolate bar every day

after lunch. The problem with the craving for sweets right after a main meal

started before I had CFS but now they have become quite pronounced. I have

gained about 15 lbs or more, because of this and many of my clothes do not fit

right now. When I lived in the US I used to take Chromium three times a day and

this used to control my sugar cravings. Now when I use Chromium I feel much

weaker and my CFS seems to get worse. I am getting worried because I have a very

serious heart attack history in my father's family and most of the fat is now

located around my waist which means that my heart can be at danger.

>

> I have had CFS for the past 21 years. Did any of you have this problem with

chocolate cravings and how did you deal with it?

>

> Mira S. Ghoshal

>

April 19, 2012

u need protein