Waking up in middle of night with shakiness and palpitations...ugh!

Hi all, I am 3 months out of having RNY and about 1 month ago I started waking 2-3 times a night where my entire body feels like it's shaking and sometimes along with that, palpitations.  I've adjusted the way I eat to where I have some complex carbs at the end of the night, to no avail.  What I am sure of, is that I'm aware that I'm not eating enough food during the day.  I just do not feel hungry and it also feels as though the food I did eat is still there curbing my appetite.  I'm taking all recommended vitamins and getting between 70-80 grams of protein during the day (with the help of protein shakes).  I have lost a total of 69.6 pounds since 7/10/14 and I'm wondering if such a quick weight loss has somehow messed with my thyroid. My Dr. is sending me for blood work to check on this. Researching symptoms is a nightmare in print, because, it could be pretty much ANYTHING, anywhere from, hypoglycemia to ulcers to sepsis, depending on what you read. Has anyone had this experience?  If so, what was your outcome and what did you do to alleviate this?  Truth be told, it's scaring the heck out of me.

Those complex carbs at the end of the night might be a culprit!   Most people find that a protein with good fat will help with this - nuts/nut butter for example.   Also be prepared that you may need to do this when/if you wake in the night.  

Don't be tempted to treat this with carbs/glucose/orange juice etc, this will just put you into an insulin spiral.

It is most likely that this will just need a dietary adjustment and is not something that needs a medical intervention, so if your blood tests come back within normal range, don't be surprised.

This is very common, BTW!

Kim, thank for your post.  I will try the 'good' fat with some protein before bedtime.  I did try rearranging my meals a few times, but I don't think I ever hit on the fat/protein combination.  I guess I have to learn to stay off the internet, it only makes me crazy with half information.  Thanks again, will start doing this today....I'll let you know how it works for me.  At my wits end, keep your fingers crossed.

Sounds like low blood sugar.  I eat a protein snack at bed time which often helps.  When it happens, does eating something with protein help?

Hello Kelly, I did have my blood sugar tested when this first started and it was completely normal.  I did try eating some cheese right before bedtime and still awoke shaky, I'm going to try some 'good' fat along with some protein and see how that works.  I'll update any changes, thanks so much.

This still happens to me sometimes.  I keep glucose tablets in the nightstand.  I test my sugar and it is below 80 when it happens.

Hi, did you have sugar problems before your surgery?  I am a little hesitant in taking glucose supplements, maybe we should both try the 'good' fat/protein snack before bedtime.  I think tonight, I'll start having some milk with a couple of chunks (small) of cheddar cheese.  I'll let you know how that works out after a couple of nights.

I agree... Likely hypoglycemia.  I eat something small right before bed to avoid waking UP shaky, etc., but I am very careful to make sure that it is a combination of protein and carbs. I usually opt for half a glass of milk or some cheese because tensor are limited in calories and have both protein and carbs.

If it were your thyroid, you would not be feeling it only at night, you would be feeling it all day long.  Weight loss doesn't "mess" with your thyroid.  If you take thyroid meds already, though, you might not be absorbing all of it.

If you are not having pain, it is almost certainly not an ulcer OR sepsis!  Stay off the internet medical sites, and try a combination of carbs and protein right before bed.

Lora

Lora, I agree, I also thought that if it were my thyroid, I would be feeling this way all day and not just during the night.  Also, I've never had thyroid problems before surgery.  I will, however, try the carb/protein combination before bedtime.  I will stay off internet sites, I was just trying to find some help in avoiding this disturbing facet of my post-RNY life....many thanks.

The heart palpitations made me think of low Potassium...because I have had it. Believe it or not a good source of potassium is low sodium V-8. I just drink one of those little cans, doctor it up like a bloody Mary and/or if salt isn't a problem add some salt. I know why buy low sodium if you are going to add salt? It has more potassium... Anyway, just a thought.