Protein Shakes Make Me Feel Shaky

I have searched and only found a handful of posts over the years that address this - and those aren't completely on point.

So, whenever I have a protein shake (it doesn't matter what kind, how much, what time of day, etc), I start to feel shaky, clammy, achy (back), and need to sit down like right now.  I am only 3 weeks out (not even yet).  This doesn't happen with any other food, just shakes.  I feel like I get pale (I don't), but I certainly don't feel good.  The feelings definitely go away, but it depends on the amount of shake I've had as to how long the feelings stick around.  I just had 4 ounces, and the feelings finally left about 10 minutes later.  I once had about 20 ounces, and it took about an hour for the feelings to go away.

I have had Atkins, EAS, Designer Whey, Six Star, Syntrax Nextar, and about a small handful of others that I can't remember right now.  Each and every time it starts with a clammy feeling in my arms, then a shaky feeling, then achy, then the pale feeling.

Is this Reactive Hypoglycemia? Is it just me being weird?  I've eaten shrimp and tuna, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, refried beans, greek yogurt - none of these feelings happen after eating these.

Thanks in advance for your help.

I do not know what is causing it, but I have a post op buddy who has exactly these symptoms from protein drinks. It is entirely possible to get all your protein from food. Not at first, but gradually over time. I learned a great rule from Sin Kim about this: 30 grams of protein at 30 days, 60 at 60, and 90 at 90. I am not anti protein drink or bar, but it is possible to eat your protein without having protein drinks, especially since they make you feel awful.

Yeah, that is definitely the route I am going to take.  It is difficult to get it all in right now (since I can only eat 2 ounces at a time, 3 times a day), but my doctor is pretty liberal with the amounts of protein he requires right now, so I don't think it is a big deal at this point in time.  I also really, really don't like the feeling I get from the shakes.  Thanks!

You're welcome. Feel better soon.

i wouldnt think it was reactive hypoglycemia.  Reactive hypoglycemia is when the blood sugar levels  rise dramatically and then drops suddenly, usually from the pancreas over producing insulin.   i have reactive hypoglycemia occasionally and it is no fun.  Usually this happens with too many carbs, accidently eating sugar, or artificial sweetners. 

Make sure you are eating every 3-4 hours and getting a lot of protien.  i wonder if you are not eating often enough and your sugar is actually dropping.

Tamara

I would have thought that too, except for this happens whenever I drink a protein shake - even if it is 30 minutes after eating tuna or shrimp.    And it doesn't happen when I eat anything else.  Only protein shakes.  I was thinking maybe the artificial sweetners in the shakes were effecting me.  Thanks for your insight.

This happens to me as well. I start to get clammy, then shaky.  Sometimes if it is really bad the I have to lay down and sleep it off. It is worse if I drink a protein shake in the morning before I have anything else to eat for the day.  I also have problems with a lot of protein bars.  I don't know the cause.  It is the same feeling I get if my blood sugar drops or if I eat a lot of sugar.  I have done this all my life.  As a kid if I ate donuts for breakfast I would feel this way.  I drink my protein shakes in the evening.  I do well with bariatric advantage with water not milk.  

I know this isn't much help, but you are not alone.

Thanks.  I might try drinking them in the evening and see if that helps.  I only make my shakes with water, but I haven't tried Bariatric Advantage so I might try that.  I can only get so much protein in 6 ounces a day right now, so I know the protein shakes help.  Ugh.

Maybe try something that is lactose free. or even a soy protein that is lactose free. I react that way to the dairy. even still sometimes the whey makes me have an upset pouch for about 30-45 mines.