Blood sugars and medication?

Prior to my RNY, I was on a combination blood sugar medicine called Kombiglyze and Amaryl.  After surgery, the combo med was stopped, leaving me only taking the Amaryl twice a day.  In the beginning, my fasting blood sugars were running about the same as prior (on both meds) at anywhere from 130ish to 150ish.  My PCP and NUT both thought that was okay because I was only on the one medicine and still running about the same.  In the last few weeks, my fasting sugars have been coming down to a "normal" reading...80ish to 110ish.  Around midafternoon, I begin to get shaky, sweaty, slightly confused and just feel horrible.  When I check my blood sugar, it's a low normal...in the 70's and 80's.  Since I've always run a fairly high normal reading, my body is reacting as a normal person's low reading?  So, since I can't have sugar to bring it up, which is what I would have done in the past, if I had ever had a low reading...I'm trying to take in what I can think to bring it up.  Today, I had a protein shake, half a protein bar, then some skimmed milk when I could drink again.  It did finally come up and I am feeling okay again.  I have a call out to my PCP.  What do other RNY diabetics use to bring sugars up when they drop low? Someone was telling me that Glucose tablets come in a low sugar (2gm) per tablet...is this something others use? I've not really changed my diet.  I usually eat meals of mostly proteins, occasionally something with veggies...like a casserole or soup of primarily meat and some veggies.  No breads, rice, pasta, or other carbs. I'm going to hold off on the nighttime Amaryl if I don't hear from my PCP today.  Heck, maybe even tomorrow morning's dose?

The secret for me is to not let my blood sugar get too low - a good protein/fat/carb combination every 2-3 hours keeps me nice and even ...   I am usually good with cheese, yoghurt or milk, now I am not lactose intolerant.

The worst thing we can do is use glucose or sugar because we'll spike and then crash and then will feel like crap and need to do the whole thing over again because we WILL crash again ...    Any carbohydrate or sugar you have should be accompanied by protein!

The ONLY time I would consider using a sugar (like soda, orange juice, glucose etc) would be if I were in a very low blood sugar state ie 20 or 30 (which can be life threatening) - this should then be followed up immediately with a complex carb with protein and a bit of fat  ...

I'm probably going to go with eating every 2-3 hours.  My NUT wants me to go every 4-5 hours with 3 meals a day...no snacks.  That was her suggestion.  I added a nighttime snack simply because I get hungry and I always gave snacks to diabetics that I took care of...made sense to me.  She was ok with that, but still wanted me to do the 3 meals a day.  I think, we are all individuals and what works for most, or some, may not work for all.  Obviously, this is the case with me.  I'm still waiting for my PCP to call.  His nurse called and said that it would be easier for him to talk with me, rather than for her to give him a message...I agree!  In the meantime, I have napped (which I haven't done in forever) and feel some better. 
Are you on any medications for your diabetes, Sin Kim?
I'm so scared of dumping, that I think I'd rather pass out from a low sugar than try sugar!  :)
 

I'm on Metformin 1500 mg per day which with my overall good health and fitness, works to give me great A1C numbers (5.7).   I would struggle to subsist on 3 meals per day to be honest - because I don't do protein supplements - all real food ... and it takes a lot of work to get 80-100gms per day!!!!!

You need to do what works for you in this - your NUT may have her theories but you have to live with this.   As you get further out you will get more confidence in knowing what works for you to keep you fit and healthy!  

when I get that - and have milk - or plain yogurt -that usually work fast. Then I can eat some proteins.

The thought of milk came to me after I had taken an EAS protein shake, 1/2 protein bar, some cottage cheese and I was a little confused...and panicky.  In the process of trying to bring my sugar up and feel better, I ate WAY too much. My tummy was full and I was burping like mad.  When I mentally added up the calories that I had taken in, I was upset with myself.  But, it's a lesson learned and I will pull up my boot straps and move forward.  Are you on medication for your diabetes? 

I don't have diabetes. I never had, even before RNY. I developed severe RH - Reactive hypoglycemia post op RNY. Took me a while (1.5 years) to really find out what I can eat - and what I can't, and how much.  But that 1.5 years - was really difficult. I am 4.5 years post op and the RH got worse as the time went by.  Now - for over 5 months I may have maybe one low blood sugar episode - and that was my own fault. Now I don't take any meds and control my blood sugar with an extreme diet (meats and other protein, non-starchy veggies, low sugar dairy, nuts , with some  small amount of starchy veggies - no grains and no sugars, even fruits).  

 

Oh, ok.  I just assumed.  I had low blood sugars before I was diagnosed with diabetes years ago, but can count on one hand the times that I had an episode after being diagnosed.  I'd have high sugars, with an occasional thought that I need to eat...but probably not a true low sugar.  So, this is really new to me.  It was frightening.  If carbs make me react this way, I don't see them in my diet anytime soon.  I suppose I'll just have to try things to see what I can tolerate.  Do you eat every few hours, also?  Or are you on a 3 meal a day intake? It's good to know that you've found success, so far. 

I used to have to every 2-3 hours. But since eliminating grains and fruits - I don't need to., I want to - but I am OK if I don't. I still try to eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks but it is not an emergency any more.

I had hypoglycemia for about 20 years so I was nervous about after the surgery since my doc also wants 3 meals a day no snacks. The nurse said to have cheese on a cracker if I need it she said that little cracker is far better than ending up in the hospital and she's right. I've had to do it a couple of times now.