Reactive Hypoglycemia - flat curve response

[Linagirl]

I've had a duck salad for tea Nosher! Right up your street

 

[Jey]

Hi Misdiagnosed and welcome. Hope u don't mind me asking! Does your husband had his thyroid tested? And Vit B? Why I'm asking is I read about flat curve RH and they mentioned that that starts with overfunktion thyroid!!!! Probably u did read that befor!

 

[Jey]

Thanks BRUNNERIA that video is very interesting. Would it be great to have a specialist, like Noshers, opposit you who believes you and is interested. Lol

 

[misdiagnosed]

Hi Misdiagnosed and welcome. Hope u don't mind me asking! Does your husband had his thyroid tested? And Vit B? Why I'm asking is I read about flat curve RH and they mentioned that that starts with overfunktion thyroid!!!! Probably u did read that befor!

Thank you so much for that obsevant concern of yours. You are correct too - i did read about that on an Austrailian web site. But he has already been tested for that. He has had loads of tests and they all come back clear. That is another reason i am soo sure that he has RH. Just wish we could all get professional support with this in England though. It seems that the only people who have treated this in great numbers is the Chariity groups in America and Austrailia. They seem to have a lot more experience with how to diagnose it and how to treat it better than anyone in the Medical proffesion.
I am glad at least we can communicate with other suffers in UK on here though. Cus before I spotted nosher on here It seemed i was the onlyone in England who had found out about it and I felt very lonely, cus non of my family even understood what I was talking about, after I discovered all about it in 2010. A lot of confusion comes from how it gets mixed up with diabetes. And that is why I find it hard to communacate with anyone about it. I bet even if my husband was finally given the 6 hour Gtt test - that they would not be able to translate it and read it properly, and I bet they would still give him all the wrong advice.
From what I can gather though from all those books I have read from the chritiy group in America Flat Curve Response is slower to respond to the correct diet though. And i think it is important that other RH sufferers are made aware of that. Atherwise they would become dissappointed that the diet would appear to be not working. I have read in "Hypoglycemia The Classic Heathcare Handbook" by Jeraldine Saunders and Dr Harvey M Ross ISBN 0-7582-0132-X that it took 4 months for someone with similar results to by husband to get over their headaches. My husband suufers bad eye socket pains too. He has only been on the diet for ! month and I have to keep reminding him not to give up hope. Jeraldine Saunders is a dietritian who treat many RH suffers in America - so I like that she has lots of experience of treating people with RH. And the charity group in America www.hypoglycemia.org seem to have got together with the Dr's that do understand RH in America (Not all of them do understand it either). They also have qualified dietricians and they have all got together to form this charity that is only funded by chartities and not the medical proffesion. It is impossible for us to contact them by email though cus i have tried and they can't keep up with all the enquiries that they get per month. But they have put a lot of answers directly on their web site for free. But like you said "it would be nice if we could speak with a professional Dr who was like Nosha and others on here. From reading thoses books in America that I ordered from Amazon - i have worked out that a group of people got together and a lot of them were suffers - like you are all doing on here. The only thing we are lacking though are proffesional Dr's who understand it in UK.
Thank you for your kindness....

 

[SugarTiger]

Good morning, I am now dragging my 'bag of bones' body along trying to get a proper diagnosis for what sounds like 'reactive hypoglycaemia', hence joining and posting here. Even when a small child I was overweight, very much so for most of my adult life, and on consideration I had a lot of these symptoms for a long time. Three years ago they began 'in earnest' and I dropped from 87kgs to my current 42-45kgs, most within first year. I am on point of making formal complaint about 'treatment' received from GP surgery, but concious of lack of alternative if I do, but am currently waiting for apt at uclh for several days of tests to confirm what is causing hypo symptoms hour or so after eating [I have connective tissue/neurological conditions, hence 'specialist' hospital investigations]. I'm currently left trying to help myself through how/when I eat, having problems with gluten makes it more tricky, but I have discovered Quinoa (which 'specialist' says is better gi option) even in flour and 'porridge flake' option, so breakfast is at least easier (but pricey!). Currently making some kefir as convinced have mouth thrush (very red, sore tongue and throat, sugar, even in form of dextrose tabs, burn and hurt when I eat, other food doesn't, hence self-help) have bought couple of otc fluconazole tabs in past couple weeks, took 2nd dose yesterday as 1st helped but it crept back & gut pain seems linked, gut pain faded after taking too, so I have to try what seems to help as 'left adrift' by GP. Won't repeat tho if it comes back as know it's not ideal, but fingers crossed... Ok, ramble over, hello again, thanks for all helpful info read so far, at least I can try & help myself while I wait and wait and ....

 

[Linagirl]

Hello could you say what your connective tissues issues are if you don't have any objection just out of interest. I am hashimotos and RH (self diagnosed at the moment). I also have issues with carbs in respect of fainting.

 

[Lamont D]

Good morning, I am now dragging my 'bag of bones' body along trying to get a proper diagnosis for what sounds like 'reactive hypoglycaemia', hence joining and posting here. Even when a small child I was overweight, very much so for most of my adult life, and on consideration I had a lot of these symptoms for a long time. Three years ago they began 'in earnest' and I dropped from 87kgs to my current 42-45kgs, most within first year. I am on point of making formal complaint about 'treatment' received from GP surgery, but concious of lack of alternative if I do, but am currently waiting for apt at uclh for several days of tests to confirm what is causing hypo symptoms hour or so after eating [I have connective tissue/neurological conditions, hence 'specialist' hospital investigations]. I'm currently left trying to help myself through how/when I eat, having problems with gluten makes it more tricky, but I have discovered Quinoa (which 'specialist' says is better gi option) even in flour and 'porridge flake' option, so breakfast is at least easier (but pricey!). Currently making some kefir as convinced have mouth thrush (very red, sore tongue and throat, sugar, even in form of dextrose tabs, burn and hurt when I eat, other food doesn't, hence self-help) have bought couple of otc fluconazole tabs in past couple weeks, took 2nd dose yesterday as 1st helped but it crept back & gut pain seems linked, gut pain faded after taking too, so I have to try what seems to help as 'left adrift' by GP. Won't repeat tho if it comes back as know it's not ideal, but fingers crossed... Ok, ramble over, hello again, thanks for all helpful info read so far, at least I can try & help myself while I wait and wait and ....

Hi @SugarTiger

If you are RH, and you have trouble with gluten.
Why are you trying to eat low GI?
We do have a forum on RH, and there is lots of information on there and how to control the condition. And the recommended lifestyle is very low carb. Because if you stay in normal blood glucose levels all the time you won't hyper and then obviously won't hypo.

In my experience, GPs do not have the specialist training in endocrinology, so he should refer you and not treat you as he thinks will do. There are some specialist endocrinologists that don't believe that we exist!

I am 'allergic' and have 'a tolerance' to all grains, starchy vegetables, rice, and dairy.

I can only eat a few carbs. (In vegetables) with my protein, to feel good.

Please have a read of our forum.

 

[SugarTiger]

Thank you Nosher, I could not find the forum before, don't know what was doing wrong! I was told by doc to try low gi, I saidI had been trying low carb, more protein & veg, but my weight is so low & I can't take much fat as my gallbladder was removed several years ago (just incase it Was gallstones symptoms!) so it seems they were trying to keep 'food' in my system for longer to get more nutrients into me? As I said, i'm flailling about trying to help myself until have tests at uclh. I have Hypermobility Syndrome which causes problems with my internal structures (which is why my good gastro wanted me seen at uclh to rule out a Hypermobility cause for 'speeding' of digestion etc). Up until 'this episode' started the Hypermobility mostly just affected my blood pressure/heart rate standing or after walking (pretty rubbish, but got use to it & how to deal with those problems). I was told quite few years ago that i'm at least sensitive to gluten (both my daughters are allergic) so I avoid it, I do eat gluten free bread/crumpets for quick meal or snack, but I would love to know for sure the best things to help me. I have always found 'grazing' through the day is better for me, but it seems that three years ago a 'firestorm' happened in my system & my usual regime stopped working, and briefly, the lack of help from gp surgery as whole (ignored glucose tolerance test pointers more than once just one of the complaints I have-I recently requested my medical notes) has meant i've gone steadilly downhill as nothing I try seems to work. I am pleased to have found this forum and I will have a good rummage to see what 'golden nuggets' might point me in better direction. Thank you so much

 

[SugarTiger]

Hello could you say what your connective tissues issues are if you don't have any objection just out of interest. I am hashimotos and RH (self diagnosed at the moment). I also have issues with carbs in respect of fainting.

Hi Linagirl, sorry for delay, flaming wifi kept cutting out today. I have Hypermobility Syndrome and this in turn causes my POTS. My Hypermobility affects my internal connective tissue, like a worn elastic band it stretches but doesn't completely spring back, meaning my blood pools in my lower legs & feet when standing and after walking & stopping, causing me to feel faint or pass out if I can't sit/lay down, a right pain on bum when shopping etc. I'm waiting for tests at uclh to see what is cauding my rh symptoms, hoping that it Isn't anything to do with Hypermobility (though that generally causes it to work to slowly) and is 'chemical' & therefore 'sortable'. RH seems to fit with what happens to me, and on refection a version of the symptoms have been happening to me for many years.

 

[Linagirl]

The reason I ask is that I have some sort of issue with almost passing out after eating a heavy meal. The room spins and I get very very dizzy and lose oxygen. Sort of dumping syndrome but not quite and I also have RH syndrome but lots of dumpers do. I have been poorly for a few months. They thought I had had a stroke but it seems I haven't. I'm seeing an endo in February so we will see what he has to say and whether he thinks I need to see another type of Doctor. I also have low vitamin d which I am correcting and lupus anticoagulant antibodies which they are retesting. It's not lupus but is an indicator of Hughes syndrome or sticky blood!

Hope you find your answers soon.

Emma

 

[Brunneria]

Hi and welcome @SugarTiger

Your condition sounds like an ongoing nightmare!
Hopefully some of the info on the forum will help to reduce what you have to deal with.

Please, ask anything.
Can't guarantee we can help, but it is always worth asking.

 

[Lamont D]

Hi Linagirl, sorry for delay, flaming wifi kept cutting out today. I have Hypermobility Syndrome and this in turn causes my POTS. My Hypermobility affects my internal connective tissue, like a worn elastic band it stretches but doesn't completely spring back, meaning my blood pools in my lower legs & feet when standing and after walking & stopping, causing me to feel faint or pass out if I can't sit/lay down, a right pain on bum when shopping etc. I'm waiting for tests at uclh to see what is cauding my rh symptoms, hoping that it Isn't anything to do with Hypermobility (though that generally causes it to work to slowly) and is 'chemical' & therefore 'sortable'. RH seems to fit with what happens to me, and on refection a version of the symptoms have been happening to me for many years.

One of the things that surprised me during my hypo hell stage before diagnosis and low carbing was the variation in symptoms and the list of which others like yourself are describing, the list is practically endless due to the fluctuating blood glucose levels and the way the body 'reacts' to going hyper, then hypo constantly. The constant abnormal blood glucose, glucagon, glycogen and insulin over loading really does mess with your physical health. It also plays havoc with your mind and the way your brain works. Anxiety and depression is just a couple that are widely seen in RH patients.
As I say nothing would surprise me with what the body reacts to the condition.
If you have read my blog or my threads, my life was in the toilet! I was really ill with awful problems with my organs because of everything that was going on.
The difference is remarkable in my health since diagnosis, all my health problems have gone and I'm fitter and healthier and a lot lighter than I have been for decades. I'm really fit for my age, and my only health issue is the RH!
I don't want to give you false hope, I'm not saying that you will be better, but I believe everyone will benefit from low carbing, taking into account of your own problems and dietary needs.
But isn't it worth trying, it does actually work! Nothing else has. You can personalise it to your own tastes and habits. Grazing is ok and it will stop the hypos, I eat every three hours or so. I have got myself in a routine and I cook and shop for me and my unusual and unique tastes.
You have to realise that RH is only in its infancy with research and how to treat it.
I feel sometimes that I have a personal crusade to get the help and support for us unique people. There isn't that many out there and not much help.
So, we have to help each other and anything we can do, suggest or support. Even if we don't agree on some stuff, isn't it better to discuss the reasons behind it!
Sorry for the long post.
But I struggle to do small posts!

 

[Lamont D]

Dumping syndrome is actually what most RH ers do.
We get rid of our glucose very quickly and therefore the insulin excess is left to build up.
We all use our glucose at different rates, so we hypo at different times. The difference could be between one hour and three hours. It also depends on how much fat to slow digestion down. It also depends on how many carbs are in the meal and the amount we eat.
The variation in how it affects us all is so diverse, it can't be really predicted how and what will happen. This is why it is so interesting and why doing without the 'baddies' is so important.