Unexplained Hypo's

[hazels]

I have tried posting questions about this before and I really do need some help. None of the doctors seem to have any answers and I have now been scheduled for Carpal Tunnel surgery which I believe is unnecessary.
I am a type 2 diabetic, and I have unexplained hypo's when I wake. I wake because I have terrible cramps in one arm. It happened yesterday morning again even though I had been out for a large meal the night before and I would have expected my blood sugars to be high.
This started to happen when I was on Simvastin for high cholesterol 6 years ago. I stopped the Simvastin and the problem stopped. Interestingly it was the other hand/arm, and I have had no further problems since.
I was recently persuaded to start taking another cholesterol drug and the same problem happened. Since I stopped it the problem still happens but not as frequently.
The pain is unbearable at times, I have had nerve tests and seen a hand specialist and the diagnosis is Carpal Tunnel syndrome.
Although the feeling is not good in my hand, this pain always coincides with unexplained plumetting of my blood sugars, it can happen most days for several weeks, a one off and have weeks between attacks. It always happens when I am waking in the morning. If I sleep at other times there is no problem.
Can anyone help please?

 

[uart]

I
Although the feeling is not good in my hand, this pain always coincides with unexplained plumetting of my blood sugars, it can happen most days for several weeks, a one off and have weeks between attacks.
Can anyone help please?

Hi Hazels, can you tell us how low your BGL's generally are during these events?

 

[hazels]

The pain starts when I get down in the 4's, I normally run very high,(very long story), but gets very severe in the 1's 2's and 3's, lowest I have monitored was 1.9

 

[Lamont D]

I have the carpel tunnel op on my right hand and it was great, no problems at all. There is hardly any pain afterwards. I had all the problems you are talking about, they went afterwards!
The pain at night is a symptom. I had to wear an arm guard on my wrist for months while I was asleep. I would rather have the surgery than go to the dentist, it was that good and I watched it being done. I recommend it highly. My hands are like I was a young kid and very malleable, I can work with it without thinking.

The low blood sugars, could be a few things. Are you on meds?
Do you low carb?
What is your daily intake like?
It could be the stress of the impending op!
Can you give us more details as it always helps.

 

[Brunneria]

Is it poss that your BG plummets because of the pain?
I find stress affects my levels tremendously, both up and down (because nothing is EVER simple, is it?)

You may already have had all this checked out, but
- as you know, statins can often cause aches and pains that get blamed on other stuff. Supplementing with Q10 can help A LOT
- have you been checked for vit D and vit B12 deficiency? Both of those cause symptoms that mimic symptoms like carpel tunnel.

There are some excellent documentary style you tube videos on these, if you have a look.

Well worth a look!

Good luck.

 

[SandyDee]

Hi, I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and given wrist restraints to wear. I had always slept with my hands in a very awkward position (I kind of bend them back on themselves) and I think it was probably this that was causing the wrist problems. Using the restraints I taught myself to change my sleep position and now have virtually no problems with them. I don't know about anyone else but I find any aches and pains feel far worse when hypo, so that may not help. I think the most important thing is to treat the hypos' because if you're going that low it's very important to sort that first. The wrists can wait, the hypo can't. I don't know if you're on medication but maybe it needs adjusting, or a bedtime snack ? Sorry I'm a bit clueless about the procedure for Type 2 but a hypo is still going to be just as dangerous and scary. Good luck, I hope someone can help.

 

[hazels]

I have the carpel tunnel op on my right hand and it was great, no problems at all. There is hardly any pain afterwards. I had all the problems you are talking about, they went afterwards!
The pain at night is a symptom. I had to wear an arm guard on my wrist for months while I was asleep. I would rather have the surgery than go to the dentist, it was that good and I watched it being done. I recommend it highly. My hands are like I was a young kid and very malleable, I can work with it without thinking.

The low blood sugars, could be a few things. Are you on meds?
Do you low carb?
What is your daily intake like?
It could be the stress of the impending op!
Can you give us more details as it always helps.

Thanks Nosher, I am not that worried about the surgery, just don't want to have it if I don't need it. I do believe this is somehow related to the stations, as this was a problem 6 years ago in the other arm, stopped taking the stations end of problem. Start taking statins, it starts in my left hand. It also only happens when my blood sugars are really low. I am on metformin 2,000mg and glimepiride 6mg. Was on insulin 6 years ago the first time this happened, but nt now but should be. Blood sugars are high and have been difficult to control even when on insulin, which makes these crashes all the more confusing.[/QUOTE]

 

[hazels]

Is it poss that your BG plummets because of the pain?
I find stress affects my levels tremendously, both up and down (because nothing is EVER simple, is it?)

You may already have had all this checked out, but
- as you know, statins can often cause aches and pains that get blamed on other stuff. Supplementing with Q10 can help A LOT
- have you been checked for vit D and vit B12 deficiency? Both of those cause symptoms that mimic symptoms like carpel tunnel.

There are some excellent documentary style you tube videos on these, if you have a look.

Well worth a look!

Good luck.

Thanks Brunneria. I have been taking Q10 for 3 months now with no real change to anything. I got my Dr to check for vit D levels and they were good but I was already supplementing. I need to ask him to double check on this as I have a condition called sarcoidosis which has been dormant for about 15 years and this can cause complications with vit D and calcium levels. I take a multi vit B, but I don't think my B12 levels were checked.
I also suffer from extreme tiredness and exhaustion and have been referred to a sleep clinic. This could be the result of high blood sugars or depression.

 

[hazels]

Hi, I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and given wrist restraints to wear. I had always slept with my hands in a very awkward position (I kind of bend them back on themselves) and I think it was probably this that was causing the wrist problems. Using the restraints I taught myself to change my sleep position and now have virtually no problems with them. I don't know about anyone else but I find any aches and pains feel far worse when hypo, so that may not help. I think the most important thing is to treat the hypos' because if you're going that low it's very important to sort that first. The wrists can wait, the hypo can't. I don't know if you're on medication but maybe it needs adjusting, or a bedtime snack ? Sorry I'm a bit clueless about the procedure for Type 2 but a hypo is still going to be just as dangerous and scary. Good luck, I hope someone can help.

Thanks SandyDee. I agree about the hypo's, don't know why these are happening, as I have said I normally run very high. I live on my own and am very worried about having the hypo's when I sleep. When these start to happen, I find myself eating to get high before I sleep but find I will still plummet before I wake up. I have spoken to my GP, my diabetic Dr and nurse, and the Carpal Tunnel specialist but no one seems to have any answers. 6 years ago a different diabetic doctor also suggested Carpal Tunnel, stopped taking stations and was fine for 6 years until I started taking them again.

 

[hazels]

It happened again this morning, woke up to blood sugar of 4.5 and pain and numbness starting. Ate sweets and arm went back to normal, blood sugar now 6.5, which is still low for me.
Thanks for all the suggestions, any ideas are welcome.

 

[Lamont D]

It happened again this morning, woke up to blood sugar of 4.5 and pain and numbness starting. Ate sweets and arm went back to normal, blood sugar now 6.5, which is still low for me.
Thanks for all the suggestions, any ideas are welcome.

Yes, it is low for you, if you have consistent high numbers, the sudden drop could be causing problems, but they could be false hypos as your levels are not below 4mmols. The symptoms are the same, but persevere with your low carbing and this should go away.
You have so much going on its difficult to pin down the sudden drops from your normal high levels, it could be the meds. But I don't know enough about sulfonerias to be sure.

I suffered from high and low blood levels and I had a terrible time then.
My low carb diet sorted that out. It brought my fasting levels to normal then because I didn't go high, I found out I didn't go low!
But that would not be a quick end to your problem. That's a change in lifestyle.
You do need to see your doctor about what is going on and I recommend a low carb way of eating, it really does work!

 

[hazels]

Yes, it is low for you, if you have consistent high numbers, the sudden drop could be causing problems, but they could be false hypos as your levels are not below 4mmols. The symptoms are the same, but persevere with your low carbing and this should go away.
You have so much going on its difficult to pin down the sudden drops from your normal high levels, it could be the meds. But I don't know enough about sulfonerias to be sure.

I suffered from high and low blood levels and I had a terrible time then.
My low carb diet sorted that out. It brought my fasting levels to normal then because I didn't go high, I found out I didn't go low!
But that would not be a quick end to your problem. That's a change in lifestyle.
You do need to see your doctor about what is going on and I recommend a low carb way of eating, it really does work!

The blood sugar wasn't that low this morning, although perhaps I caught it before it dropped too low. The real pain starts when it goes as low as 1.9 and in the 2's and 3's. I will go and see the Dr again, but nobody seems to be trying to join up the dots, and I don't want surgery if I don't need it.
Incidentally you are not supposed to have hypo's when on Metformin.

 

[Lamont D]

The blood sugar wasn't that low this morning, although perhaps I caught it before it dropped too low. The real pain starts when it goes as low as 1.9 and in the 2's and 3's. I will go and see the Dr again, but nobody seems to be trying to join up the dots, and I don't want surgery if I don't need it.
Incidentally you are not supposed to have hypo's when on Metformin.

If you are going that low, then it will be the meds or you have another hypoglycaemia condition.
If you read my information below my post, that's what I come under, I have a condition called Reactive Hypoglycaemia. Which means if I have a high carb or glucose meal, I hyper, then I hypo. This is only determined and diagnosed by tests.

You can have hypos on metformin, my doctor told me the same! He was so wrong!
It's a myth, T2s do have hypos on metformin!

If you do see the doctor ask for a referral, GPs aren't experts in blood glucose problems. An endocrinologist would sort you out, if he recognises the symptoms!

 

[Brunneria]

No, you are not supposed to have hypos on Metformin, but there are several people who have posted on this forum who do! I am not sure what the correct message is with Metformin. People are told that you won't have hypos, but would it be more accurate to say that Metformin wont cause hypos? This is a very different thing from saying that Metformin will stop you from having a hypo...

Personally, I think that anyone can hypo, if the circumstances are right.

 

[SandyDee]

No, you are not supposed to have hypos on Metformin, but there are several people who have posted on this forum who do! I am not sure what the correct message is with Metformin. People are told that you won't have hypos, but would it be more accurate to say that Metformin wont cause hypos? This is a very different thing from saying that Metformin will stop you from having a hypo...

Personally, I think that anyone can hypo, if the circumstances are right.

I second that emotion!!!!!!

 

[hazels]

It's so nice to talk to people who are taking me seriously on this. I was frustrated 6 years ago and then it stopped. Didn't get any answers then and not having a lot of success now apart from the offer of Carpal Tunnel surgery. I will hopefully see my GP this week and ask for a referral, he's normally pretty good.

And yes I had a couple of hypo's when just on metformin after being told they wouldn't happen and it also says that on the data sheet. First time it happened, I didn't have the foggiest what was happening.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Night pain is worse for carpal tunnel.. The fact that you are waking up is probably taking some of that pain away.

I would get a hand splint snd wear to bed. All good chemists can advise you on these.

Personally, if you have had the nerve conduction tests and carpal has been diagnosed.. I would advise to have the op...

Normally statin aches and pains are muscular and a constant with no relief 24/7/365. Unless coming off them and the pains and aches can go for some people almost instantly. Some peoples don't.

I belueve that you have carpal tunnel and would be well advised to have the op.

The fact it is more noticeable when hypo may have more relevance to you actually waking to the hypo...

 

[Brunneria]

I agree. Getting hypos (for whatever reason) is an incredibly lonely place to be.

You are often alone/stressed/tired when it happens. It is frequently at an anti-social time of day. Your symptoms are scary, mysterious, and make you feel cr*p. People haven't a clue what you are going through. Even describing the symptoms to someone after the fact sounds trivial and insignificant. You regularly don't get believed, or are told you are a hypochondriac (hypo-chondriac, see what I did there?) and even doctors may dismiss you because you don't fit into one of their neat little diagnostic models, where all blood glucose irregularities = cardboard cut out diabetes.

Rant over.

There, I feel better.

 

[Lamont D]

I agree. Getting hypos (for whatever reason) is an incredibly lonely place to be.

You are often alone/stressed/tired when it happens. It is frequently at an anti-social time of day. Your symptoms are scary, mysterious, and make you feel cr*p. People haven't a clue what you are going through. Even describing the symptoms to someone after the fact sounds trivial and insignificant. You regularly don't get believed, or are told you are a hypochondriac (hypo-chondriac, see what I did there?) and even doctors may dismiss you because you don't fit into one of their neat little diagnostic models, where all blood glucose irregularities = cardboard cut out diabetes.

Rant over.

There, I feel better.

I bet you do and I couldn't have put it any better!
My hypo hell has been well documented and I have learned a lot since then.
It is such a lonely, miserable place and you are so anxious and scared of making a fool of yourself, even posting on here was so daunting for me. I had no one to turn to, even though my family was supportive but I was angry and unresponsive and often just shouted to be on my own and dwell in my own self pity. To walk around in the middle of the night, not sleeping and not getting enough rest and trying not to remember the weird dreams that encapsulated my long nights and mornings. To be tired and the recurrent hypos that had me all over the place, blurred vision, dizziness, the permanent low level headache. The anxiety of going into depression, the lack of caring for oneself, the constant carb hunger and it not being quenched, seriously warm in the coldest months. You wonder why, the symptoms go on, listless, fatigue, no energy, you don't want to go or do anything, the frustration of it all, you become forgetful, you find yourself not wanting to shop in case you forget what you went for. The finding yourself lost and alone in a shop, why are you there, you are sweating and shaking. Clearly disoriented and you sit and cry at the most inopportune moments for no reason.
Then you get the guts to go the docs, and they say it's the diabetes that doing it! They don't have a clue and you are literally banging your head against the wall!
I was like this for years! I probably missed some of the symptoms!
This is why I am empathic to posters, when they ask for help, because this is the place that helped me so much in my darkest hours.

Rant over!

 

[hazels]

Hi everyone, had enough episode on Monday morning, nothing this morning as I didn't really sleep. Went to see my GP this afternoon, he listened, but didn't have much idea but said he would speak to one of the diabetic people at the surgery and get back to me. He phoned me later and they think it is my medication glimepiride that is causing the sugars to crash, they want me to try gliclazide? I will collect it tomorrow hopefully. I'm not convinced...........