Very Low sugar episode!

Hey guys,     I got very ill last night. I have been cut way down on my sugar medicine; from 4 pills daily to half pill at night. I woke in the middle of the night in an extremely cold sweat, my heart racing, cold & calmy, shaking, unable to think straight. I took a glucose reading and it was only 42! A friend told me that is far to low; and could have put me in a coma!? I drank some o.j.; and ate a little peanutbutter on wheat bread.. I am not going to take my meds tonight and call doctor in the morning! How low can your sugar go before you are in serious trouble? Thanks, Judy R  P.S. do you think if I am not eating enough during the day that I am effecting myself at night in this way???

This was happening to my sis while she was losing weight. She was actually passing out!  Her Dr is checking her meds vs blood sugar every 2 weeks now, or sooner if she starts feeling any signs of dizziness ect. Check in with your Dr as soon as possible, because yes you could go into a coma or worse. Good luck

After his surgery, they took my husband off all his diabetes medicine and he hasn't been on them since - hasn't needed them.

Judy, 42 is very low. I will not scare you with details.   When they do the gastric bypass, the glucose is now metabolized in the small intestine, and the whole insulin thing is changing.  A lot of RNY patients especially type 2 come off their meds.  It has very little to do with how much you are eating during the day, it is all in the glucose metabolism.  Watch your refined sugar intake.   It sounds like you might have  had an episode of "dumping".  Hope that helps.     Carol

Hi Carol,     I don't eat any refined sugar if I can help it; I try to use splenda and things with slenda in them! Are there refined sugar's in fruits or other things I am unaware of? I am calling my doctor this a.m. ! I did not take my meds last night sugar 106 this morning.. I would like to know details please? Thanks for your input. Judy

Hi, I am a type I diabetic and my sugar has gone in the 30's.  I think since I am exercising now, my need for more insulin shots has reduced.  Are you a type II?  Maybe since your surgery your PCP needs to reevaluate your need for meds.  As far as how low your sugar can go, it depends on the person.  My dad used to react when his was in the 50's, I can still function normally when its in the 40's. Good Luck and keep calling your Doc, its his job

Hi Belinda,    I am type II diabetes! I reacted when I got down to only 53 once. I shake, break out into cold sweat, get clammy, headache, confused; it is very frieghtening.. I have called my doc waiting for his return call.. thanks, Judy R

I have been dealing with the same thing. I will be two years out in Sept. They tell me it is our bodies needing time to catch up with the changes.  The body has been use to producing insulin for our obese weight and not the new weight so it over producing.  This is what my dr suggested and I have to say it is working great.  Get up at night and eat a piece of cheese or protein bar, when you get up in the morning be sure to eat something your body has depleted itself and needs to be refueled in the night.  Also, for sugar do not eat grapes, bananas or apples they are very high in carbs for a fruit. He said stick with melons and berries.   I have done what he has told me and in about 5 weeks now I have not had one incident of my blood surgar dropping. Before that, it was on a daily basis and always in the mornings. I hope this helps! Good luck! Melody

Thanks Melody,      I will try it! It helps to have someone with the same things give you a new perspective! It is one of the scariest things I have been through in quite some time, since my WLS. Hope our bodies catch up soon.. Hugs, Judy R