hypoglycemia

I recently had a hypoglycemic episode last week that caused me to be incoherent and confused. My husband informed me the incident the following morning because i had no recollection of what had occurred. I remember eating oatmeal for dinner and having cheese with a few whole wheat saltines for a snack. I have experienced dumping syndrome and am diligent about what i eat (do not usually eat crackers, ever). I have been eating protein every 2-3 hours to prevent any further issues. Should i follow up with my primary physician? I have researched others posts and it seems that a glucose tolerance test would be a miserable, time consuming, vicious cycle of dumping. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.

I know I have what is known as Reactive Hypoglycemia, which means that when I eat too many carbs (which for me is more than one serving) at any given time, between 1-3 hours later, my blood sugar plummets.  It is controlled by eating small portions frequently, like what you describe.  I don't think the GTT is recommended for us because of the issues you mention.  What you described eating would not have caused that kind of reaction in me.  What fixed it for you?  My dietician recommends I down a glass of milk when I feel my sugar dropping, but when it happens, I'm ready to eat everything not nailed down!

I would get RH if i ate what you did.  Even so called "complex carbs" are still carbs, and my body reacts to that. I gave up grains and starchy carbs. 

I had that happen a few years after I had my gastric bypass in 2008 and it's because I ate some oatmeal with raisins for breakfast. It has gotten better over the years but I will have occasional episodes of hypoglycemia. You just have to avoid the high carbohydrate foods I think. 

I can't eat oatmeal for this reason - happens with any cereal I have ever tried

Same here.... 

I don't like going to the doctor, so I would try and manage it myself first since it was one episode so far. Don't eat carbs without protein if you can.  Good luck!!

Sherrie

Keep in mind that there is a difference between regular hypoglycemia and reactive hypoglycemia.  The latter is relatively common after RNY.  I, however, have the former (but thought for a while that it was the latter).  

I have no trouble at all eating oatmeal for breakfast (had it this morning, in fact) or something carb-heavy BUT if I go more than about 3.5 to 4 hours without eating (depending on the contents of my last meal), I can become very ill.

Eating every few hours AMD making sure you eat a combination of proteina nd carbs (and a little fat) will probably keep your blood sugar stable and not require medical testing or intervention.

Lora

Thank you for the feedback and helpful information. I appreciate your expertise.