"Late Dumping Syndrome" - long-time post op issue

Hey y'all, So ... I had my 1 year anniversary on March 30th and in the last two weeks, I've been on a virtual rollercoaster ride with hypoglycemia ... feeling great one minute, then energy goes into the toilet, heart starts to pound, queasy yet not-quite-fully-nauseous, cold sweat that changes to hot sweat, dizzy and shaky, just generally feeling horrible. My PCP has had me dealing with it by eating fruit or PB ... since candy is out, and I don't really keep juices around either. Usually, within a few minutes of that all is fine again, but it's distressing while it's going on. I saw my BS yesterday and he dubbed this "Late Dumping Syndrome" and said it wasn't all that uncommon at a year out and would pass in a month or so. He said it was simply a situation where my body was producing maybe a bit more insulin than normal, causing my blood sugar to drop too far, too fast. Both he and my Nutritionist (saw her yesterday also) said to use protein to counteract the situation. My BS also wants me to divide my *formal* meals (breakfast, lunch, etc.) into halves and eat the halves with a 30 minute break in between them, wants more protein in them, and upped some my supplements (iron, calcium, etc.). Just prior to this all starting up, I'd been plateaued and then began to lose weight again. I've dropped 21 lbs between March 6th and yesterday (YAY!), and am wondering if that could be at the back of this whole thing? Like maybe it's an adjustment my body's doing after being stalled so long? I guess I'm just stymied because to me "dumping" was defined as something that happens just *after* eating... and this is usually before eating or in the hours between meals. It just doesn't seem to be connected to anything in particular that I've eaten that I can see, and I've not really changed my diet lately either. Yesterday morning just taking a shower made me exhausted and brought all this on. That was pre-breakfast ... in fact pre-everything for the day! I had to lay down for about 5 minutes and it passed enough for me to feel better. So I hurried and ate something. Then mid-morning, on the drive to my doctor's offices, it happened again, but I'd packed PB in my travel kit so I had a couple of teaspoonsful and it got better in a few minutes. Of course, with my family's history of diabetes (both sides), anything even remotely having to do with blood sugar gets my attention. I'm the only one of all my siblings that isn't diabetic ... and, as obese as I was, I seemed like the "walking talking poster child" for it, a prime candidate. Somehow I side-stepped it. Again, . Sorry for the long post, but this has seemed really weird to me, and I wanted to hear from anyone else that has had something like this go on? thanks!! from Missouri Myra G

Sorry ... left out one of the most distressing symptoms of this whole thing ... breathlessness ... like my chest feels heavy. Add that to the rest of it and it's a really crappy feeling. I asked my BS and PCP to be sure it's not anything to do with heart etc. and both said nope ... it's all to do with hypoglycemia. MG

Myra, This has not yet happened to me, but, it is happening to a couple of women in my surgery support group. I don't have any answers for you, but, it sounds like you are doing the right thing. Hang in there! Lori

good morning myra: i'm so sorry you're going through this new and mystifying challenge. i'd be willing to bet, though, that it is a symptom of your body's most recent weight loss. and it's adjustment to it. imho, we smo'ers go through a prolonged range of symptoms and/or reactions. that's just one of the many reasons i'm glad we're all here for each other. i read your more recent post (which reminded me that i wanted to respond to this one last night but i was too tired). and i saw your newest pics. you're doing so very, very well, girl. please take care of you, though. i'm glad you're getting checked out from every possible angle. only God knows what the real issue is - and she ain't talking. i haven't been able to get an accurate scale reading since early march, because of the cast. and i'm starting to worry cause my rings are getting tighter. but i guess i figure once i can get moving again it will be better. until then, i'm just trying to keep a good thought. kudos, by the way, on the major loss of weight after the prolonged stall. i'm so happy for you. and i hope you're feeling much better very soon. i loved the profile and pics you've got set up, by the way. thanks for sharing. the parallel you draw to the phoenix, in your profile, is a really good one, and i thank you for sharing it, too. have a wonderful rest of the week. hugs dorthe

Thanks all of you! I got two very informative responses on this in the main board: The first is a link to OAC (Obesity Action Coalition) that explains "dumping" from all angles ... excellent information: "What is Dumping and why and I experiencing it?" http://www.obesityaction.org/resources/oacnews/oacnews3/healthquanda.php And the second is a response from a member: "RE: Late Dumping Sydrome" A lot of post ops get what's called rebound hypoglycemia. It's different than reactive hypoglycemia. We need to eat protein more often if it keeps happening. When it's already here (levels have already dropped), carbs or sugar alone will raise the levels but you'll drop more later when that wears off. Recent recommendations say we should have protein WITH a carb for longer lasting results. Many carry diabetic glucose tablets with them for when it drops too low and peanut butter crackers in those small packets are recommended when we know it's starting but blood sugar isn't low yet. More sustainable protein throughout the day, and a protein and carb combination will keep it from happening so often and levels can be evened out. The protein or sugar by itself doesn't work when levels drop. Always follow either with a carb of some kind." So ... add this info to your brain databanks, SMOers ... at least I have a better idea of what I'm dealing with now, and can figure out a better defense against this ... cause it's truly not pleasant at all. As usual, I'm sooooooooooooooo grateful for your support and help ... you're my extended (and more knowledgable about SMO) family and I realize just how much I've counted on you when things like this come up. Dorthe: Thanks Buddy for the sweet words. RE your swelled fingers... if you've gone back to work now and you're not able to keep that foot elevated and are having to sit a lot (which is basically all I did in my job), edema's going to find it's way in somehow. Doesn't mean the F word is finding its way back (you know which F word I mean ), just means you've got some complications going on right now. Keep the faith, Friend, and when that cast comes off you might just be surprised!! I was at this last month ... totally unexpected!! (((hugs))) Myra G