Reactive Hypoglycemia

I just hit my 5 year mark in January and about 6 months ago I began to experience what I think is Reactive Hypoglycemia.

I, although I have not been to the doctor for it or been diagnosed. But after I eat a meal especially in the morning but if it has too many carbs involved like pasta or a dinner roll, I start to feel really shaky, diaphoretic, dizzy, light headed, and nauseated. And even though I may have just eaten a meal, I have to eat something else to make the symptoms stop.  These are textbook low blood glucose symptoms and I have also been diagnosed with PCOS this year which is an endocrine disorder and from what I read can cause insulin release issues.

I am just curious, what kind of things you guys experienced with the RH and have you found a way to control it?

Just the past two weeks I have been on a really low carb diet, only protein and non starchy vegetables, and I have felt better, but I had an episode just on WED where I had the RH symptoms after eating a protein bar . This honestly has me a bit frightened and I guess I should just go see my doctor, but I am not sure there is anything they can even do. Anyone else going through this RH thing? 

The fact you just started this after all these years makes me suggest strongly you should go visit your doctor as you might be diabetic not just RH.  I was diabetic pre-surgery and do have RH now and have to avoid the things you mentioned, pasta, bread, rice etc unless part of a well balanced meal.  It really is about balance in what you eat.  People will tell you it is about how often you eat and for them maybe, but I don't eat all day long at work, only drin****d tea with lemon, 60 ounces worth and I feel completely fine, I start eating with dinner.  However if I do eat, say a bagel for breakfast, forget it, I will have RH and have to eat again to combat it and depending upon what I chose this could go on and on.  But since you never had it before now, honestly let a doctor tell you that you aren't diabetic because if you are you really need to be treated.

Good Luck!

I had gastric bypass surgery in Oct, 2007. I have been diagnosed with RH over the last year. It has been hell. It has caused a lot of problems with my emotions along with being very fatigued. There were some days when I literally could not get out of bed :(

I am sure I was probably hypo before I had surgery as I do remember having some blood sugar crashes over the years. I was treated with antidepressants for many years because of depression and chronic fatigue. I remember everyone telling me that I would have a lot of energy after having the surgery and losing the weight. I never experienced any energy. I use to work out a little and do a lot of walking prior to surgery and was always so tired after doing so. I now find out that is because exertion causes your blood sugar to drop. This can only be controlled by diet to keep your blood sugar stable. You must eat protein at every meal. I was told to eat about 6 small meals a day but I am just learning how to deal with it and everyone is different. I notice that my bs doesn't start to fluctuate until I begin to eat each day. I actually feel better if I don't eat. That is why it is called REACTIVE Hypoglycemia.

I was diagnosed by an endocrinologist. My GP kept giving me antidepressants. I have been off of those for many months now. I wasn't depressed. It was my unstable blood sugar.

If you are on Face Book there is a group on there that I belong to. It is called "Reactive Hypoglycemia, the information you need to know"....I think that is correct. I have found a lot of support there and there are many that have developed it after having weight loss surgery.

I wish you well because this is not fun

Gail