Idiopathic postprandial syndrome
- Thread starter Lamont D
- Start Date
Hello. I just came across this forum and I’m sorry I’m late. I don’t have diabetes but for a few days I’ve been experiencing the symptoms of Idiopathic Postprandial Syndrome but I’m not sure. I feel weak and shaky in my legs and arms, tiredness, feeling sleepy, no energy, headache, heart beating fast it’s normal heart hate. I also get numbness and tingling in hands and feet sometimes arms. I don’t know if it’s coming from that. It happens after I eat food sometimes before if I haven’t eat and I get nauseous. I noticed it’s certain foods that have a lot of sugars and carbs. I check my sugar and it’s normal. I get anxiety with this and I’m scared it’s something serious but I know if it’s this it’s not serious but the symptoms are scary. I try to stay calm and positive. It’s gotten better but I still feel it. I told my dr and she done labs on me they’re normal. She’s referring me to a GI doctor but I don’t know if that’s going to help. I’m hoping I can tell them what’s going on and they can refer me to someone that specializes in this. I’ve never experienced this before until a few days ago. I keep hoping and praying it will go away and get better. Someone please help me and give me advice on this. I feel alone and I feel like people think this is in my head and that it’s anxiety but I have anxiety and I know this isn’t anxiety. I need someone’s help. Thank you.
- Messages
- 15,913
- Type of diabetes
- Reactive hypoglycemia
- Treatment type
- I do not have diabetes
Hi @Casssiexo and welcome to the forum.
I don't know if I can help you, I started this thread because it really interested me because of the very same similar symptoms to what I had experienced before I got a true diagnosis, I thought that if others seen this thread, then they would realise that such a condition was known and they weren't being hypochondriac.
I haven't got a clue what conditions you may have.
The main reason is you need a series of tests to get a true diagnosis of why you are getting the symptoms. An awful lot of conditions have similar symptoms in the endocrine system. Until each condition is eliminated, a true diagnosis is far away.
I concur that if you are experiencing such symptoms and episodes of blood sugar deregulation, then you definitely need a referral to a specialist endocrinologist who has experience with these types of endocrine conditions.
If you have read any of the threads in this sub forum of hypoglycaemia, you will find that keeping a record of what is happening to you, before and after food, taking readings from a glucometer, a food diary, to show your doctors and if your account is very unusual it will help get that referral. You need a glucometer.
In the meantime, it would not hurt if you lowered your carbs intake and stopped drinking sugary drinks, beer, only eat what doesn't upset you or gives you the symptoms.
Having anxiety is not a pleasant experience, I know first-hand, what it's like.
Trying to explain why the thoughts you have are and will question everything you do and think, second guessing yourself, judgment of what you do, not willing to do something, hiding yourself away, easier not to face the world. Can't risk upsetting someone.
Have you asked your GP about the anxiety?
Have you considered that it could be panic attacks?
They do have similar symptoms!
Idiopathic post prandial syndrome is quite rare and most specialists probably would not recognise the condition or how to get a true diagnosis, never mind treat the condition.
Always remember that this forum, didn't have our sub forum for Hypoglycaemia or similar conditions, not many including myself knew it existed, rare conditions like mine have few if any, advice or suggestions for treatment because of lack of research, everything since diagnosis, I have discovered myself, with the help I received from my questions to the knowledgeable people on here.. I would never have guessed that the normal modern diet that was making me ill! Even the dietary advice from the endocrinologist still included the food that I was intolerant to.
My only advice about your symptoms is don't give up, provide evidence that backs your symptoms, a food diary. Find out your food intolerance, I have many including dairy, wheat, grains, potatoes! Anything that has carbs.
Be sensible about your diet and drinking.
Do let us know how you get on.
Best wishes
Hi All,
I am so glad I have found this page! I have been experiencing these symptoms for around 3 years - primarily after big meals and hangovers. Doctors have only really recommended CBT, which worked great for anxiety I had at the start which centered around chest pain and I was having panic attacks etc... but now I don't have much anxiety at all (if any), I just have to put up with the discomfort
Main symptons after eating something sugary or a big meal;
- heavy heartbeat - can feel my heart beating so hard sometimes that it physically bobs my head
- tremor/vibrating type feeling in the face/chest, particuarly the mouth area
- irritability
- Pain (chest, jaw) - I've had countless ECGs, a stress test,, 24 hour monitor etc. heart is fine (I'm a 27 year old male who's in relatively good shape).
- fatigue, feeling really sleepy after meals which has got worse recently
Some things that I have found have helped me (but things are quite 'up and down').
- Duloxetine (cymbalta) - i think this has helped since starting last year, although I'm going through a bad patch with my symptons the last couple of weeks
- excercise - I think I notice an improvement when i can find time to excercise more reguarly
- Autogenic training - I managed to get this on the NHS (they only have the course in london), do some research on it - I found that it really helped with my symptons, but as I say I'm having a bad couple of weeks with my symptons but hopefully it will pass and I'm going to carry on doing more of the exercises to see if it can help further
I'm going to discuss this syndrome with my GP and also I am going to mention 'endocrinology' as mentioned above to see if thats something to explore.
I am also tempted to ask for something like proponal to help with my heartbeat at times, does anyone take this or something similar?
I am absolutely certain I can beat this, as I've had a couple of weeks where I had almost no symptoms, so keep the faith. I've been through some very dark moments over the last three years and I'm still here so keep positive people.
I am so glad I have found this page! I have been experiencing these symptoms for around 3 years - primarily after big meals and hangovers. Doctors have only really recommended CBT, which worked great for anxiety I had at the start which centered around chest pain and I was having panic attacks etc... but now I don't have much anxiety at all (if any), I just have to put up with the discomfort
Main symptons after eating something sugary or a big meal;
- heavy heartbeat - can feel my heart beating so hard sometimes that it physically bobs my head
- tremor/vibrating type feeling in the face/chest, particuarly the mouth area
- irritability
- Pain (chest, jaw) - I've had countless ECGs, a stress test,, 24 hour monitor etc. heart is fine (I'm a 27 year old male who's in relatively good shape).
- fatigue, feeling really sleepy after meals which has got worse recently
Some things that I have found have helped me (but things are quite 'up and down').
- Duloxetine (cymbalta) - i think this has helped since starting last year, although I'm going through a bad patch with my symptons the last couple of weeks
- excercise - I think I notice an improvement when i can find time to excercise more reguarly
- Autogenic training - I managed to get this on the NHS (they only have the course in london), do some research on it - I found that it really helped with my symptons, but as I say I'm having a bad couple of weeks with my symptons but hopefully it will pass and I'm going to carry on doing more of the exercises to see if it can help further
I'm going to discuss this syndrome with my GP and also I am going to mention 'endocrinology' as mentioned above to see if thats something to explore.
I am also tempted to ask for something like proponal to help with my heartbeat at times, does anyone take this or something similar?
I am absolutely certain I can beat this, as I've had a couple of weeks where I had almost no symptoms, so keep the faith. I've been through some very dark moments over the last three years and I'm still here so keep positive people.
- Messages
- 15,913
- Type of diabetes
- Reactive hypoglycemia
- Treatment type
- I do not have diabetes
Propanol is a beta blocker, so it should help when you get those symptoms of your heart and chest tremors.
Anxiety and panic attacks are symptoms of this type of condition.
In the end like I had to, go on a voyage of discovery to find what was good for me.
I fear regardless of diagnosis, you will have to discover your balance of foods to rid you of your symptoms and have a healthier lifestyle.
You mention hangovers! Is this something you can take out of your way of living. Alcohol can be detrimental to your health, even something like a glass of wine or half a pint of beer, could be causing so much of your health problems.
Endocrinology is to do with your organs, because if you have a problem with your liver, it may not be able to process the alcohol, hence the symptoms.
I haven't drank alcohol for fifteen years now because the after effects of even a little alcohol was causing problems, namely my fatty liver, little did I know it was after this that I discovered that certain foods and drinks were causing all the symptoms I was getting, my body couldn't cope with carbs and sugar, and alcohol that I drank, (beer) was full of carbs!
But after reading your post a couple of times I'm gonna say that it does seem to be probably that the symptoms that you describe, that you are having recurring panic attacks, as part of your actual condition.
Hope you get sorted.
Best wishes
Anxiety and panic attacks are symptoms of this type of condition.
In the end like I had to, go on a voyage of discovery to find what was good for me.
I fear regardless of diagnosis, you will have to discover your balance of foods to rid you of your symptoms and have a healthier lifestyle.
You mention hangovers! Is this something you can take out of your way of living. Alcohol can be detrimental to your health, even something like a glass of wine or half a pint of beer, could be causing so much of your health problems.
Endocrinology is to do with your organs, because if you have a problem with your liver, it may not be able to process the alcohol, hence the symptoms.
I haven't drank alcohol for fifteen years now because the after effects of even a little alcohol was causing problems, namely my fatty liver, little did I know it was after this that I discovered that certain foods and drinks were causing all the symptoms I was getting, my body couldn't cope with carbs and sugar, and alcohol that I drank, (beer) was full of carbs!
But after reading your post a couple of times I'm gonna say that it does seem to be probably that the symptoms that you describe, that you are having recurring panic attacks, as part of your actual condition.
Hope you get sorted.
Best wishes
- Messages
- 15,913
- Type of diabetes
- Reactive hypoglycemia
- Treatment type
- I do not have diabetes
The post you are quoting from is a very old post.
And if I remember correctly, no not on metformin, as soon as my doctors were aware of hypos, they told me to stop taking it.
If there is a chance of meds that change your blood sugar levels, is something to be avoided or discussed with your medical team. Especially if your doctor hasn't come across a hypoglycaemic patients before.
