Type 2 stressed newbie!

[AndBreathe]

Hi @Brunneria!

My journey with RH was a strange one really. It started about 30 years ago (I'm 52 now) with just having what I described as "shaky attacks" where I'd feel odd, shaky and would need a biscuit to feel better. When it started it was only about 3 or 4 times a year and, for the most part, I ignored it. I'd heard people say things like "my blood sugar is low" and so just assumed this was something everybody had.

About 10 years ago, my "shaky" episodes became much more frequent and I realised that by eating little and often (and not eating until lunchtime) I could manage it. Bread and cereal would give me the most hypos ever. I really suffered if I had either of those so completely eradicated them from my diet. However, I had one episode that frightened me because I was literally eating teaspoons of sugar and it was taking ages to come out of the shaky/muzzy headed feeling. Where I worked at the time, there was a Doctor who was fantastic and I saw him about it. He gave me a blood testing meter and sent me away to take my bloods when I started to feel an attack coming on and to describe the symptoms I was having. Typically, my levels would go down to under 3 - and on one occasion went down to 2. When I showed him the spreadsheet a few weeks later he packed me off to see a specialist.

The specialist did a fasting test (3 days in hospital with nothing to eat or drink apart from black coffee and water) and my sugar levels were fine. No hypos. Nothing. However, towards the end, I could have happily eaten one of the nurses lol! He then did a fasting/drinking glucose syrup test. After drinking the syrup, they were taking my blood every 15 minutes. I was sitting in the waiting room feeling yuck with a hypo starting when a man from the lab came running into the waiting room shouting my name. I identified myself and he shoved some orange juice and other stuff at me and said "eat, drink"! Apparently my levels had dipped dramatically and they were worried!

So, the specialist said that he wasn't happy with my levels as they plunged so quickly and wanted to put me on some tablets that (a) would make me put on weight, (b) would give me greasy skin, (c) would cause excessive hair and (d) would give me spots! Not wanting to turn into a spotty man looking yetti I politely declined and decided to manage the shaky attacks with my diet.

All was well until 6 months ago I had a blood test and a consultant (an endocrinologist as I have an underactive thyroid) told me I was borderline T2. When he said that, I assumed I had another 10 years before anything would happen - but I had noticed my hypos were getting less frequent. Fast forward 3 months and I developed a headache that wouldn't go away and a raging thirst and to my horror/surprise/disbelief, I had tipped rapidly into T2 territory and now my sugars were out of control in the other direction.

So that's my long story (sorry if I've bored you). Interestingly, I was never worried by my RH. It was just a way of life and manageable. Being diagnosed with T2 has literally shocked me to the core and is altogether another ball game. I will beat it though. It won't beat me!

I'm sure @Brunneria will have some pearls of wisdom for you, but could I ask you a few questions?

For most T2s, they either don't produce enough insulin, or have plenty insulin, but their body loses it's ability to use it effectively. I don't know whether your "used up all your insulin" quip was based on a test or an assumption because of the high bloods you have seen recently? And, secondly, the weight you lost whilst on Metformin, did you have the cladding to lose or has that loss left you on the light side?

I don't know what sort of dietary advice you've been given, but controlled eating and drinking is critical for T2s. You state that you are now able to have a sandwich as a treat these days. Unfortunately, many T2s who want to keep meds to a minimum just can't handle much bread, or the other grains you mentioned because of how sharply they spike their bloods. Have you done much testing around your sandwiches?

I apologise if any of this post is patronising, but you are certainly unusual in your presentation. Whilst neither Brunneria nor @nosher8355 would celebrate anyone suffering RH, I'm sure they'll be delighted to have your experience around.

 

[Lamont D]

Thanks @AndBreathe.

Your post was highly significant, as anything carby would produce the spike and the reaction of producing too much Insulin.
I personally can't touch bread etc.
But as I'm used to being in ketosis and being healthy, why would I want to change?
I'm sure, as my endocrinologist and others like some other diabetics are always telling us to try this and that, to try and eat normal, but I just don't get it! But what is normal?

And yes, her experience will be of great help, I would like to hear her story some time!

 

[Brunneria]

Hi @Michele01

Fascinating history.
Our experiences are broadly similar, except that I started RH as a child and never got an official diagnosis (docs never thought it worth investigating). But I was lucky enough to discover that avoiding carbs kept my blood glucose from shooting up high enough to avoid triggering the RH. Limped along like that with sporadic dietary control til I eventually wore out my insulin capacity enough to move into T2 diabetes.

I'm curious what diet was recommended to you for RH?
And now as a T2?

As nosher has already said, we both eat very low carb. That's no bread or rice (not even brown), pasta, potatoes, etc. the joy (for me) is that this also gives me great control of my blood glucose. It is a rare day when I stray out of normal blood glucose after food. This gives me a total cessation of diabetic symptoms as well as a total cessation of RH. It's like being on holiday from it, after years of semi-control, always teetering on the edge, always aware of the possibility of weakening, having a 'treat' and then paying for by feeling cr*p for up to 3 days.

Now, I only risk high or low blood glucose when I eat the wrong things, get very stressed, have sudden intense exercise, or get too sleep deprived. The rest of the time, I just swan along (no, I'm not boasting, honest! ) feeling wonderfully normal. So set your mind at rest. It IS possible.

Mind you, I say that, but you have had stomach surgery, so I don't know your precise situation, and really shouldn't make such claims, should I?

By the way, I'm not using any prescription drugs. Diet only.

 

[Michele01]

I'm sure @Brunneria will have some pearls of wisdom for you, but could I ask you a few questions?

For most T2s, they either don't produce enough insulin, or have plenty insulin, but their body loses it's ability to use it effectively. I don't know whether your "used up all your insulin" quip was based on a test or an assumption because of the high bloods you have seen recently? And, secondly, the weight you lost whilst on Metformin, did you have the cladding to lose or has that loss left you on the light side?

I don't know what sort of dietary advice you've been given, but controlled eating and drinking is critical for T2s. You state that you are now able to have a sandwich as a treat these days. Unfortunately, many T2s who want to keep meds to a minimum just can't handle much bread, or the other grains you mentioned because of how sharply they spike their bloods. Have you done much testing around your sandwiches?

I apologise if any of this post is patronising, but you are certainly unusual in your presentation. Whilst neither Brunneria nor @nosher8355 would celebrate anyone suffering RH, I'm sure they'll be delighted to have your experience around.

The quip about "used up all your insulin" was mine and just a quip - not based on anything else. I have no idea if I have enough or whether I just don't use it. I don't understand why I'm unusual in my presentation? I'd love to understand how I differ from the norm because this is all new to me! Certainly my Endo gave me the impression that he was surprised at how my body has been reacting to medications etc!

In terms of bread/grains etc., my Endo and the diabetic nurse at my GP practice have both told me to try to eat normally but limit carbs and try to replace with refined carbs. That and "opt for the green or orange on the traffic light system for carbs and sugars and don't worry too much about the fats" is the only advice I've been given regarding eating. I've been enrolled on a programme run by our local diabetic team but that isn't until next week so I've been feeling my way gently since being diagnosed. In the main I've been eating mainly protein and veg/salad and trying to cut out carbs on most days. As I said, I have had the odd wholegrain sandwich at lunchtime BUT that's because I've had to cut bread out of my life for years now and being able to eat it without having a shaky attack is marvellous (although I will test to see what it does to my bloods as that will be interesting).

I had no idea that some food could cause higher spikes than others - until I read some posts on this forum today. I also didn't know that you could test before and after a meal - I was told just to test 2 hours after. So I'm still learning.

In terms of whether I'm chubby or not (!). I broke my ankle significantly in March 2014 which was misdiagnosed and consequently my ankle seized up which meant I found it difficult to walk and couldn't exercise for almost a year. During that time (and until the end of January 2015 when I had it fixed) I put on about two stone. So in truth I probably had at least 2.5 stones to lose (probably a bit more)!!!! My Endo has been very surprised at the rapid weight loss. He said he hasn't seen it happen quite so quickly but it is a known side effect of Metformin and also with Forxiga. I would like to lose another stone but no idea if I will or not and that's really a secondary issue for me. Getting my T2 under control is most important.

 

[Michele01]

Hi @Michele01

Fascinating history.
Our experiences are broadly similar, except that I started RH as a child and never got an official diagnosis (docs never thought it worth investigating). But I was lucky enough to discover that avoiding carbs kept my blood glucose from shooting up high enough to avoid triggering the RH. Limped along like that with sporadic dietary control til I eventually wore out my insulin capacity enough to move into T2 diabetes.

I'm curious what diet was recommended to you for RH?
And now as a T2?

As nosher has already said, we both eat very low carb. That's no bread or rice (not even brown), pasta, potatoes, etc. the joy (for me) is that this also gives me great control of my blood glucose. It is a rare day when I stray out of normal blood glucose after food. This gives me a total cessation of diabetic symptoms as well as a total cessation of RH. It's like being on holiday from it, after years of semi-control, always teetering on the edge, always aware of the possibility of weakening, having a 'treat' and then paying for by feeling cr*p for up to 3 days.

Now, I only risk high or low blood glucose when I eat the wrong things, get very stressed, have sudden intense exercise, or get too sleep deprived. The rest of the time, I just swan along (no, I'm not boasting, honest! ) feeling wonderfully normal. So set your mind at rest. It IS possible.

Mind you, I say that, but you have had stomach surgery, so I don't know your precise situation, and really shouldn't make such claims, should I?

By the way, I'm not using any prescription drugs. Diet only.

Hi @Brunneria! I was beginning to think I was a freak so thank you for confirming there are others like me around!

Like you, when I had briefly mentioned my "shaky attacks" to my GP before diagnosis, it wasn't taken seriously and I wasn't referred to see anybody. Surprisingly, despite seeing an Endo for the RH (the one that did all the tests), I was never given dietary advice apart from to "eat small frequent meals". That's the extent of it. Nothing about avoiding carbs etc. I worked out the bread and cereal for myself but potatoes, rice and to a large extent pasta, never really gave me a hypo. I must sound very stupid and naive but honestly I'm not!!!

My stomach surgery was as a result of a botched operation and I now digest food totally differently - I don't know if that makes me able to tolerate some foods better than others?

If I'm brutally honest with myself, I don't think I could ever manage my T2 with diet alone. I applaud you for doing so. I'm also not sure that I can completely cut carbs out of my life. I guess I might have to but the thought of that is really scarey for me because I love food. That sounds very stupid I know and I'm sure with time that thought process will change BUT as I've said earlier, this has been a real shock and I'm still dealing with it all. I'm semi in denial until I think about the complications that can occur and then I frighten myself stupid!

 

[AndBreathe]

The quip about "used up all your insulin" was mine and just a quip - not based on anything else. I have no idea if I have enough or whether I just don't use it. I don't understand why I'm unusual in my presentation? I'd love to understand how I differ from the norm because this is all new to me! Certainly my Endo gave me the impression that he was surprised at how my body has been reacting to medications etc!

In terms of bread/grains etc., my Endo and the diabetic nurse at my GP practice have both told me to try to eat normally but limit carbs and try to replace with refined carbs. That and "opt for the green or orange on the traffic light system for carbs and sugars and don't worry too much about the fats" is the only advice I've been given regarding eating. I've been enrolled on a programme run by our local diabetic team but that isn't until next week so I've been feeling my way gently since being diagnosed. In the main I've been eating mainly protein and veg/salad and trying to cut out carbs on most days. As I said, I have had the odd wholegrain sandwich at lunchtime BUT that's because I've had to cut bread out of my life for years now and being able to eat it without having a shaky attack is marvellous (although I will test to see what it does to my bloods as that will be interesting).

I had no idea that some food could cause higher spikes than others - until I read some posts on this forum today. I also didn't know that you could test before and after a meal - I was told just to test 2 hours after. So I'm still learning.

In terms of whether I'm chubby or not (!). I broke my ankle significantly in March 2014 which was misdiagnosed and consequently my ankle seized up which meant I found it difficult to walk and couldn't exercise for almost a year. During that time (and until the end of January 2015 when I had it fixed) I put on about two stone. So in truth I probably had at least 2.5 stones to lose (probably a bit more)!!!! My Endo has been very surprised at the rapid weight loss. He said he hasn't seen it happen quite so quickly but it is a known side effect of Metformin and also with Forxiga. I would like to lose another stone but no idea if I will or not and that's really a secondary issue for me. Getting my T2 under control is most important.

By saying your presentation was somewhat unusual, I meant that we don't seen many folks who have knowingly arrived at T2 via RH. Of course, unfortunately, some RH sufferers have problems finding a reason for their symptoms, s we may actually have encountered them unknowingly.

The dietary advice you have received sounds fairly common to newly diagnosed diabetics, but the reality, for those who do finger prick testing, that many of those individuals can't handle the carbohydrates. Now, that's clearly good news and bad news! The good news is it could be worse because much as we usually quite like carbs, we can happily live without lots of them. It's nigh on impossible to eliminate carbs from the diet as they are present in all sorts of foods, including vegetables, but many of us find our bloods improve dramatically if we limits carbohydrate consumption. The bad news is that all carbs are not equal, and some will spike more than others on any given carby food. So, your meter is going to be your new best friend!

Have a read around the forum, including the Low Carb areas, where there are hundreds, if not thousands, of ideas of what to eat. I suggest you test before you eat, then 2 hours after your first bite. You'll be looking for the rise between the two readings in the first instance. Many like to keep the second figure to within 2 (that's 2.0) of the pre-eating score. Much more than that and a smaller portion might help.

My diagnostic HbA1c was similar to yours, and I have been very fortunate to be able to effect a seismic shift in my levels by diet alone, but not everyone is so fortunate. I would be confident that if you are eating refined carbs you will be able to make an impact by adjusting your diet. Only time will tell how much.

Finally, I completely agree with your primary objective of getting your bloods in check, with trimming up being secondary. I felt exactly the same. But, the great big bonus for me was that I really trimmed right up as I reduced my carbs. So, I got a slimmer waist without trying for it! The reason I asked about that was that fat around our internal organs can inhibit the efficiency of insulin use.

It's bound to be a bit of a jigsaw for now, and if you're like the rest of us you will initially have more questions than answers, but just ask them.

 

[Michele01]

By saying your presentation was somewhat unusual, I meant that we don't seen many folks who have knowingly arrived at T2 via RH. Of course, unfortunately, some RH sufferers have problems finding a reason for their symptoms, s we may actually have encountered them unknowingly.

The dietary advice you have received sounds fairly common to newly diagnosed diabetics, but the reality, for those who do finger prick testing, that many of those individuals can't handle the carbohydrates. Now, that's clearly good news and bad news! The good news is it could be worse because much as we usually quite like carbs, we can happily live without lots of them. It's nigh on impossible to eliminate carbs from the diet as they are present in all sorts of foods, including vegetables, but many of us find our bloods improve dramatically if we limits carbohydrate consumption. The bad news is that all carbs are not equal, and some will spike more than others on any given carby food. So, your meter is going to be your new best friend!

Have a read around the forum, including the Low Carb areas, where there are hundreds, if not thousands, of ideas of what to eat. I suggest you test before you eat, then 2 hours after your first bite. You'll be looking for the rise between the two readings in the first instance. Many like to keep the second figure to within 2 (that's 2.0) of the pre-eating score. Much more than that and a smaller portion might help.

My diagnostic HbA1c was similar to yours, and I have been very fortunate to be able to effect a seismic shift in my levels by diet alone, but not everyone is so fortunate. I would be confident that if you are eating refined carbs you will be able to make an impact by adjusting your diet. Only time will tell how much.

Finally, I completely agree with your primary objective of getting your bloods in check, with trimming up being secondary. I felt exactly the same. But, the great big bonus for me was that I really trimmed right up as I reduced my carbs. So, I got a slimmer waist without trying for it! The reason I asked about that was that fat around our internal organs can inhibit the efficiency of insulin use.

It's bound to be a bit of a jigsaw for now, and if you're like the rest of us you will initially have more questions than answers, but just ask them.

Aaaaaah all that makes sense @AndBreathe thank you! I tested my bloods before dinner this evening (bearing in mind they've been out of control with the Metformin and it's too early to tell whether the Forxiga is going to suit me) and they were 8.6 and 2 hours after dinner 11.2 so it's slightly higher than the 2.0 you've mentioned. I'm going to keep a log of what I've eaten and check against my pre/post eating bloods. Thanks for the reassurance.

I do know that I will have to tackle carbs fairly soon!

 

[Brunneria]

The 'enjoying a sandwich' because it didn't trigger RH any more really rings bells with me.

I was actually silly enough, about 4 years ago, to think I might have actually 'recovered' from RH, because I was no longer having hypos after carbs.

Turns out that was when I slipped into full blown T2 and my BG hiked up out of the hypo zone.

It's interesting about bread and cereals being a big trigger for you.
You'll be able to use your BG meter to test exactly how big that trigger is, compared with the carbs you say are ok for you.
Ever been tested for wheat intolerance? Or grain intolerance?

It isn't beyond the bounds of possibility that wheat (or grains) trigger your RH, rather than carbs in general... But don't quote me on that, I'm just speculating in an idle-late-night-wibbling way.

 

[Michele01]

The 'enjoying a sandwich' because it didn't trigger RH any more really rings bells with me.

I was actually silly enough, about 4 years ago, to think I might have actually 'recovered' from RH, because I was no longer having hypos after carbs.

Turns out that was when I slipped into full blown T2 and my BG hiked up out of the hypo zone.

It's interesting about bread and cereals being a big trigger for you.
You'll be able to use your BG meter to test exactly how big that trigger is, compared with the carbs you say are ok for you.
Ever been tested for wheat intolerance? Or grain intolerance?

It isn't beyond the bounds of possibility that wheat (or grains) trigger your RH, rather than carbs in general... But don't quote me on that, I'm just speculating in an idle-late-night-wibbling way.

@Brunneria that's an interesting theory! No I haven't been tested for wheat or grain intolerance but that would certainly explain how I react to some and not others. One of the most successful diets I've ever been on was the Slimming World green days (where I literally ate my body weight in pasta and had no issues). I may ask my GP about testing. Thanks for the suggestion. x

 

[Brunneria]

Morning!

Another thought:
Recent study results (known as 'Newcastle Diet' if you want to google it, or search the forum about it), is showing that excess weight has a great deal to do with the onset of T2.

Very briefly, and glossing over all the scientific detail, everyone has a 'personal fat limit'. Above this threshold, the body starts storing fat around and inside the organs as well as under the skin. Once this happens, the fat stored in the liver affects its performance, and triggers type 2 diabetes.

Provided that this process hasn't gone on too long, and the liver hasn't been permanently damaged, then losing weight may 'reverse' the type 2, and the person no longer gets the T2 symptoms. Sometimes it doesn't work and the person remains T2 for ever, no matter what weight they are.

The key thing to remember is that this is a complex process. There are no guarantees. Personal fat thresholds vary from person to person, then they vary again with age, sex, hormones, carb tolerances, other health conditions (including RH!). Nevertheless, weight loss (if necessary) is always good, isn't it? And being slim relieves other pressures on the body.

Edited to add: not that I am a good example of this - been obese for decades, and not aiming for massive weight loss, just happy to be free of RH and T2 symptoms!

So, if your weight loss continues, and you return below your PFT, then you may find your T2 symptoms lift. At which point I urge you to ask for a review of medication. Many people find that weight loss and T2 'reversal' means they stop all medication - or their BG can drop too low.

If that happens, you may go back to being 'just' RH. But by that time, if you stick around this forum, you will be such a pro at diet control that it will be a breeze!

 

[mariavontrapp]

Hi @Brunneria!

My journey with RH was a strange one really. It started about 30 years ago (I'm 52 now) with just having what I described as "shaky attacks" where I'd feel odd, shaky and would need a biscuit to feel better. When it started it was only about 3 or 4 times a year and, for the most part, I ignored it. I'd heard people say things like "my blood sugar is low" and so just assumed this was something everybody had.

About 10 years ago, my "shaky" episodes became much more frequent and I realised that by eating little and often (and not eating until lunchtime) I could manage it. Bread and cereal would give me the most hypos ever. I really suffered if I had either of those so completely eradicated them from my diet. However, I had one episode that frightened me because I was literally eating teaspoons of sugar and it was taking ages to come out of the shaky/muzzy headed feeling. Where I worked at the time, there was a Doctor who was fantastic and I saw him about it. He gave me a blood testing meter and sent me away to take my bloods when I started to feel an attack coming on and to describe the symptoms I was having. Typically, my levels would go down to under 3 - and on one occasion went down to 2. When I showed him the spreadsheet a few weeks later he packed me off to see a specialist.

The specialist did a fasting test (3 days in hospital with nothing to eat or drink apart from black coffee and water) and my sugar levels were fine. No hypos. Nothing. However, towards the end, I could have happily eaten one of the nurses lol! He then did a fasting/drinking glucose syrup test. After drinking the syrup, they were taking my blood every 15 minutes. I was sitting in the waiting room feeling yuck with a hypo starting when a man from the lab came running into the waiting room shouting my name. I identified myself and he shoved some orange juice and other stuff at me and said "eat, drink"! Apparently my levels had dipped dramatically and they were worried!

So, the specialist said that he wasn't happy with my levels as they plunged so quickly and wanted to put me on some tablets that (a) would make me put on weight, (b) would give me greasy skin, (c) would cause excessive hair and (d) would give me spots! Not wanting to turn into a spotty man looking yetti I politely declined and decided to manage the shaky attacks with my diet.

All was well until 6 months ago I had a blood test and a consultant (an endocrinologist as I have an underactive thyroid) told me I was borderline T2. When he said that, I assumed I had another 10 years before anything would happen - but I had noticed my hypos were getting less frequent. Fast forward 3 months and I developed a headache that wouldn't go away and a raging thirst and to my horror/surprise/disbelief, I had tipped rapidly into T2 territory and now my sugars were out of control in the other direction.

So that's my long story (sorry if I've bored you). Interestingly, I was never worried by my RH. It was just a way of life and manageable. Being diagnosed with T2 has literally shocked me to the core and is altogether another ball game. I will beat it though. It won't beat me!

 

[mariavontrapp]

I'm amazed at how similar your story is to mine, and yet over all those years of reactive hypoglycaemia I was treated as though I was very unusual or imagining it. I once had the ambulance out and they measured my glucose as just under 2, but when I saw the consultant he said they must have made a mistake. In the end, I had to self-help and I managed it by learning about the glycaemic index when it first came out.

 

[mariavontrapp]

Hi @Michele01

Fascinating history.
Our experiences are broadly similar, except that I started RH as a child and never got an official diagnosis (docs never thought it worth investigating). But I was lucky enough to discover that avoiding carbs kept my blood glucose from shooting up high enough to avoid triggering the RH. Limped along like that with sporadic dietary control til I eventually wore out my insulin capacity enough to move into T2 diabetes.

I'm curious what diet was recommended to you for RH?
And now as a T2?

As nosher has already said, we both eat very low carb. That's no bread or rice (not even brown), pasta, potatoes, etc. the joy (for me) is that this also gives me great control of my blood glucose. It is a rare day when I stray out of normal blood glucose after food. This gives me a total cessation of diabetic symptoms as well as a total cessation of RH. It's like being on holiday from it, after years of semi-control, always teetering on the edge, always aware of the possibility of weakening, having a 'treat' and then paying for by feeling cr*p for up to 3 days.

Now, I only risk high or low blood glucose when I eat the wrong things, get very stressed, have sudden intense exercise, or get too sleep deprived. The rest of the time, I just swan along (no, I'm not boasting, honest! ) feeling wonderfully normal. So set your mind at rest. It IS possible.

Mind you, I say that, but you have had stomach surgery, so I don't know your precise situation, and really shouldn't make such claims, should I?

By the way, I'm not using any prescription drugs. Diet only.

Wow, another person with RH! This is very theraputic for me, finding that others have gone through the same thing, because frankly my doctor made me feel like a complete idiot. Now that I have type 2, I thought that I wouldn't have the RH any more, but I think it is still there - if I eat the wrong thing and go too high, my sugar drops too low afterwards.

 

[Brunneria]

Wow, another person with RH! This is very theraputic for me, finding that others have gone through the same thing, because frankly my doctor made me feel like a complete idiot. Now that I have type 2, I thought that I wouldn't have the RH any more, but I think it is still there - if I eat the wrong thing and go too high, my sugar drops too low afterwards.

Yup.

Exactly my experience in all things.

I think that my insulin response is either too much, too late (even now, with T2)
Or the hormone that is secreted to halt/inhibit the action of insulin (glucagon) is inadequate, so the insulin goes on working harder and longer than people with a 'normal' insulin/glucagon balance.

 

[Michele01]

This is really surreal because up until yesterday, I had no idea that there were others with RH. I had vaguely researched it in the past but nothing came up forum wise and I would never have suspected to look on a diabetes forum! If any of my friends used to ask me about my "shaky attacks" I used to explain it as the opposite to diabetes! Sounds silly now but I never connected the two! I suspect when my levels are better controlled I will sneak back to RH on occasion. On a positive note I'm on Day 4 of Forxiga and this morning on waking my bloods were 7.0! That's the lowest they've been for ages. Interesting, I had a banana at about 11am and the spike in my bloods was horrrendous! It went up to 11.7. So I think I may have to give bananas a miss from now on!

 

[AndBreathe]

This is really surreal because up until yesterday, I had no idea that there were others with RH. I had vaguely researched it in the past but nothing came up forum wise and I would never have suspected to look on a diabetes forum! If any of my friends used to ask me about my "shaky attacks" I used to explain it as the opposite to diabetes! Sounds silly now but I never connected the two! I suspect when my levels are better controlled I will sneak back to RH on occasion. On a positive note I'm on Day 4 of Forxiga and this morning on waking my bloods were 7.0! That's the lowest they've been for ages. Interesting, I had a banana at about 11am and the spike in my bloods was horrrendous! It went up to 11.7. So I think I may have to give bananas a miss from now on!

Most T2s have to forsake bananas, at the very least for a while.

I'm sure you've been told to ensure you're drinking plenty whilst you're on Forxiga, because of how it works? @kimbo1962 has had some wonderful results using that particular drug.

 

[Brunneria]

* nods understandingly *

It's a steep learning curve as you start to map out what carby foods do.
If you love bananas enough to keep trying, then have half one next time. And the greener they are, the slower the glucose release, but that (for me) doesn't make a significant difference. My biggest shock was porridge. Supposed to be good, slow release, heart healthy... Well, not for me! I might as well drink lucosade.

Have you found the Low Carb section of the forum yet?
It's a mine of useful info, including a wealth of tips, tricks, recipes, menu suggestions and trouble shooting.

 

[Lamont D]

Hi @Michele01
I believe you are being given the run around by your endocrinologist, he doesn't know how to treat it. You could ask for a referral to an endocrinologist who specializes in RH.

The way I got here because I was misdiagnosed and I was trying to find things out about how to treat the symptoms.
I had a lotto help and advice. After RH diagnosis, I just stayed around to find out about developments in treating blood glucose conditions.
Me and Brun got together, to get our own forum, but ended up with a sticky, thread in the ' Ask a question' forum.
I have always believed there is a lot more RH ers out there who haven't been properly diagnosed. And like me have been diagnosed as T2 or such.
GPs haven't got a clue about diabetes, never mind RH!
The treatment to help is eat small carb filled often.
When it is definitely the carbs (and sugars) that cause spikes.
The way to treat RH is to remove as many carbs as possible from your intake, that stops the spike, hence no hypo. If like @Brunneria and myself, we do not eat carbs.
I say it is. I am allergic to carbs and sugars. That way, you don't need to carb count!
I have been testing for a long time and I know what spikes me, and it is the same old baddies, bread, grains, cereals, batter, pasta, pastry, cakes, biscuits, glucose, coke, sauces, potatoes, carrots, etc. And processed foods!
Fat is another issue, we eat full fat and stay away from low or no fat.
Cooking oils are bad for us, use natural fats, animal fats instead of polyunsaturated fats.
Please read the forums and ask questions, welcome to our rare and exclusive club!

 

[Lamont D]

Wow, another person with RH! This is very theraputic for me, finding that others have gone through the same thing, because frankly my doctor made me feel like a complete idiot. Now that I have type 2, I thought that I wouldn't have the RH any more, but I think it is still there - if I eat the wrong thing and go too high, my sugar drops too low afterwards.

Hi @mariavontrapp
Welcome to the club!
No you are not alone!
We are here to help you.
It's the docs who a r e stupid!
Do you see an endocrinologist?
He would help, as would following the dietary advice on the forum.
I feel 30 years younger and at present a full time job. With loads of energy and no symptoms. All my life signs are normal, except I flush insulin when I eat carbs.
Then hypo later.

I'm on a drug called sitagliptin, that is really helping, it has been recommended by specialists in the States. It is a diabetic med. And helps lower your glucagon and glycogen output by increasing insulin, yep that's right! For someone who produces too much, give him a pill that makes more, but it works!

Welcome to our unique club.

Have a read about the thread 'reactive Hypoglycaemia' there is a link on brunnerias post.

 

[Lamont D]

This is really surreal because up until yesterday, I had no idea that there were others with RH. I had vaguely researched it in the past but nothing came up forum wise and I would never have suspected to look on a diabetes forum! If any of my friends used to ask me about my "shaky attacks" I used to explain it as the opposite to diabetes! Sounds silly now but I never connected the two! I suspect when my levels are better controlled I will sneak back to RH on occasion. On a positive note I'm on Day 4 of Forxiga and this morning on waking my bloods were 7.0! That's the lowest they've been for ages. Interesting, I had a banana at about 11am and the spike in my bloods was horrrendous! It went up to 11.7. So I think I may have to give bananas a miss from now on!

If you like fruit, have small pieces through the day, berries are good and strawberries, yum. I have a small apple in the morning as a snack, no rise.
Quantity can cause problems, for instance, I love beans. So I cook them, strain them and reheat them in the microwave, and have about a dozen, which I can cope with, any more, and I'm struggling to keep control.
Ask questions, welcome again!