Late Dumping-Hypoglycemia

Hi everyone,

I need some info and some advice, PLEASE. I am actually pretty scared right now.

I saw my surgeon today for my 6 month post-op appointment. It went well until I explained about the weird spells I have had 3-4 times in the last three months. These spells always happen 2-3 hours after lunch and start with me struggling to focus my eyes. Then the cold sweats start, followed by the trembling hands and then the shaking legs. I have to sit down for 15-20 minutes to let the episode pass, and then I am tired but alright. He told me it was hypoglycemia, or late dumping syndrome. He asked if there seemed to be any connection to the food I had for lunch. Three times I had my salad with chicken cubes and some low-fat dressing followed by fruit. The fourth time (last Sunday) we had taken my husband's children and their spouses out to an early Thanksgiving lunch at an Indian restaurant. Not sure if there is any relationship in the food department.

So dummy that I am, I get home and 'google' hypoglycemia. Crap....seizures, fainting, blackouts,???? Is this common in post-RNY patients? Will I outgrow it? The doctor said to carry candy with me to get my sugar up when this starts. Now I am scared...please tell me if I should be terrified or if this is a 'normal' part of RNY??? How can I avoid the spells?? Thanks for any and all info, folks!!

3 ideas...don't go hog wild with any of them; Plain nuts (almonds, walnuts, dry roasted peanuts, roasted soy nuts), beef or turkey jerkey, protein bar.  Any of these can be kept in the car or in a purse.  When you feel one of these episodes coming on try one of these.  Brian  PS  These may go bad in the summer, but you should be fine through the rest of the year...

Thanks for the advice, Brian! I really like nuts and jerky and they will keep well. I am going to make a 'stash' in my car, classroom, husband's backpack, etc. Thanks for the reply!
Cindy

Carry the hard candy. Make sure it has sugar.  Juice also works. Follow it with a protein like Brian Suggested.  The sugar will get your blood sugar up fast, but it will go down quickly if you don't eat something that releases slower into your system (A protein). As to avoiding the spells? Track what you eat, see if you can trend what causes the spells, and avoid doing that.  If the sugar does not relieve your symptoms, let your Dr. know since it could be something else.  If it does relieve them, then let your Dr. know that also. 

As to how often this occurs to post-RNY I haven't a clue. I have had trouble with hypoglycemia in the past, and this is what I have done to relieve the symptoms.  As a disclaimer, this is what works for me, always take the advice of your Dr. over anything you read on the boards.

Carol

Thanks, Carol. I will track what I eat more closely. I am going to try to AVOID this spells! Thanks for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it.
Cindy

Please relax.  First of all your doctor should be doing a test to make sure that is what is wrong.  You can easily fix your problem if that is what it is.  You can eat every 2-3 hours.  Just a snack, cut your meal in half eat the other half later in 2 or 3 hours, anything, just keep food in your system and your sugar level from dropping.  I had the exact same problem, ended up in the ER my sugar dropped so bad, and I had the same symptoms you had, but I was starting to black out.  I felt it happening and it scared me to death.  As soon as the medic pushed some stuff through my IV I was fine.  I have tried to snack daily and with NO weight gain.  Instead of focusing on what could happen, focus on what you can do to prevent it from happening.  IF it still happens after you go through the food thing, then I would go back to your doctor and see what he says.  I don't know about delayed dumping but if you are following what your doctors orders were, then I don't see a problem.  Also see your regular PCP if you saw your WL surgeon.  He will more than likely handle the hypoglyecima problem

Thank you so much for replying, Diane. I always read your posts here and I have great confidence in your answers as you seem so common-sense and down-to-earth. You took away a lot of the anxiety I was feeling with your reply, and that is priceless to me. Thank goodness for the "pros" on this board--you are truly one of them! Happy Thanksgiving!
Cindy

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving....thank you for the kind words.

Diane

Here is a link to a friend of mine on OH who has the same thing and she can give you tons of info. She has had seizures and blacking out, even while driving I believe. She is a great person so please contact her. Here is her website...
http://www.meltingmama.net/wls/  she goes by melting mama on here and her website and facebook, but her first name is Beth. She ROCKS!!!
good luck and God bless you sweetie!!!

Thanks anewbecboo! I had also copied my post onto the main board and she replied to me there. I appreciated her response as it also helped me calm down somewhat. Seems like I need to be more proactive about my eating and the hypoglycemia won't be as big an issue. Carbs are TOXIC to me ****ep repeating that to myself so I will eventually believe it! LOL). Thanks..I enjoy your posts all the time!
Cindy