Question:
1yr out - having symptoms of hypoglycemia

I am shaky, dizzy, lightheaded and sometimes at night wake up sweating and ready to pass out. I have been checking sugar levels and they are flucuating between 60 and 70's. Have went as low as 43 after sugar intake. I have went to my general doctor and he did a blood test. Of course it was 79 at that time. He ask me if others who have lost as much weight as I have experience similar symptoms. — Sharon F. (posted on December 2, 2003)

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December 2, 2003
I have had hypoglycemia symptoms and it happens to some people. Increasing protein or consuming protien when I feel weak helps. Don't add sugar or carbs though, it just postpones the problem, it doesn't fix it. If you weren't checking your sugar I would also tell you that you may want to check your potassium levels. Low potassium cuases similar reactions. If he thinks that you may be hypoglycemic, and you think you may, ask for a glucose tolerance test.
— M B.

December 2, 2003
From what I hear its very common for us to develop reactive hypoglycemia. Sorry if I spelled it wrong. But anywho, eat every 3 hours and before bed. If you have the symptoms (shaky, dizzy,ect.)eat something ASAP. Peanut butter on a piece of bread or a cracker works great. I'm still losing weight so it hasnt been much of a problem just a pain is the rear. Good luck to you. ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 130+ and counting
— Siddy I.

December 2, 2003
I think this is very common. Small, more frequent meals, especially protein, are helpful. Try to be sure you have something with you, or within easy reach, if you're susceptible to this problem.
— Suzy C.

December 2, 2003
I developed re-active hypoglycemia post op...it became evident about a year post for me too. I did have a glucose tolerance test to confirm it. I try to regulate myself by eating small frequent meals with protein and good carbs...wheat bread, whole grain cereal...etc. It has taken me about a year to get a grip on it...but my sugar sometimes drops dramatically and I MUST have something with carbs in it to bring it back up. As mentioned below, peanut butter crackers are good, and so are apples. I prefer the apple because it is slower to eat...it only takes a little bit to bring the sugar back up...but it takes a few minutes to a happen...and when I eat something like crackers, I keep wolfing them down until I feel better....eating many more than I need. I also take 400 mcg of Chromium GTF (glucose tolerance factor) and do feel that I have fewer "episodes". Hope this is helpful. -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 282/145ish/125
— KimBo36

December 2, 2003
I have gotten up at night feeling like I was going to pass out and have enve fallen. I have lost 92 pounds. I am only about 10 pounds from where I want to be. I thought maybe I was just not drinking enough. I am almost 9 months out.
— Sandy C.

December 2, 2003
This has been happening to me for about the last 14 months (I am 19 months post-op Lap RNY). I have been to 2 endochinologists, had tons of labs, done a 72 hour fast, had upper GI studies.... I could go on for days. They even thought I might have Celiac Sprue! Yet nothing conclusive. It is that most frustrating thing in the world. In a nutshell, it is reactive hypoglycemia, after life-threatening Type 2 diabetes. I have really found that eating nothing all day, even for days really, works great. I know, that is not good. But as someone post-op who has no appetite and no "head hunger", this is easy to do. I just don't eat and I don't have the reactive hypoglycemia. You are probably thinking, "this chick is nuts." Okay, not a solution. So, really, the best solution is to eat more frequently, and get in as little carbs and sugars as possible. Bring up your blood sugars gently with protein, not carbohydrates. One really great endochrinologist told me that his field is full of docs who are very fristrated by the fact that home glucometers are lousy for reading blood sugars that go below 60. They are very unreliable. They are great for hyperglucemics... those who have typical Type 2 diabetes that are treated with drugs like glucophage, something that most of use used to take. But those machines are lousy when we get the low readings. And I know you probably never thought, when you were an obese pre-op, that you would see a 43 on your glucometer, sweaty, your hands shaking, running around the house like a crazy person. I didn't either. I taped a piece of paper to my little machine that says, "If you see a number below 60, go eat some cheese, stupid!" LOL - because at that point my brain is getting scrambled, or is about to! So, I know that might not help much, but from someone who is only about 60 minutes from the Mayo Clinic, one of the best hospitals in the world, there is not a lot of answers out there for this problem. Take care, Shelli
— kultgirl

December 3, 2003
Here's the key: Don't eat carbs right before bed. I have a couple of times woken up with hypoglycemic symptoms and it was because I ate a carb snack before I went to bed. Try a cheese stick or peanut butter instead.I am prone to hypoglycemic attacks if I eat only carbs. I don't dump right away, but 2-3 hours later I am shaky, sweaty, ravenous, and nauseated all at once. The worst culprit for me is cereal and milk, although I think the worst episode I ever had was from plain, fat-free pretzels. I would have been fine if I'd eaten peanut butter or cheese with them.Eat small, frequent meals and don't ever eat "just" carbs. You need something with fiber, protein, and/or fat in it to cushion the blow to your blood sugar!
— ctyst

December 3, 2003
I started having trouble controlling my blood sugar after about twelve months post-op and about 102 lbs. out. I finally went to the endocrinologist and he diagnoised me with "functional hypoglycemia". From what I am reading, it is similiar to "reactive". My doctor's solution was high protein (any meat, fish or chicken), cheese and eggs. And drink only water or milk. I have to check my blood sugar when it feels "low" and keep a record with my monitor. So far, with the diet change, it has really kept my sugar very normal. I notice the difference when I eat carbs--I am hungry soon and the low sugar feeling starts to come back. I hope this helps! Angela in Alabama
— Angela W.

January 30, 2007
I have been experiencing hypoglycemia reactions when I don't eat the right foods. I carry at all times glucose pills I buy at Walmart/target/CVS or any Drug Store, I usually take 3 tablets and it usually brings me back to normal. I check my levels for Blood and strangely enough it is normal, I have been told that this is an unfortunate side affect. I had my Bypass back in Sept 14, 2004 and still get these battles but not as often, as much as I try to keep track of what I eat and drink I still get bouts at times.
— apellafr

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