hypo episodes in someone not diagnosed?

[welshbiker]

Hey there, first post today

I've recently been to the doctors for symptoms related to hypoglycemia, she requested I get a blood test. I've noticed a rapidly increasing frequency of "episodes" since visiting the doctors only a few days ago. I now wake up shaking early in the morning everyday even if I've set my alarm for several hours later.

The shaking goes away quickly after consuming a juice drink and sugary foods, however the frequency and time between feeling OK, and barely being able to hold the food I'm making is becoming shorter?

I'm not 100% sure I actually have diabetes, maybe one distant realitive has it and it's all happened rather suddenly after having several infections at the begging of the year. My symptoms have been gradually increasing over the last few months, I have complained previously about extreme fatigue, confusion, hard to focus vision, light headed, perspiration issues, shortness of breath, join pain and very weak immune system.

Just wondering if I should notify my doctor about the episodes, I have to wait a week after I have the blood test done to see what is the issue. It concerns me how quickly it is progressing, and I'm not sure if it's the stress (I suffer from depression and anxiety) that could be making everything worse.

Sorry about the long post and any grammatical errors (dyslexic as well ).

 

[robert72]

You wouldn't normally expect to suffer from hypos unless you were taking diabetic medications that lower blood sugar.

From your description, it sounds a lot more like a panic attack.

 

[Mud Island Dweller]

My other half had something similar except was at any time of day and usually after exercise but not always. He had every test they could find from sucking all his blood out for testing to cameras in Opps places ending with a 72hr fasting. Thankfully nothing found but after the fasting he has had no more episodes. I think it was down to stress he started after moving house refused help and did loads of train trips carrying heavy loads. I have no idea why they stopped after fasting buy glad they did.
The powers that be decide that he just wasn't digesting his food properly and if he had an episode have some food.

It is worth checking it out even though they found nothing they may have and it has taken a lot of worry off the mind..

 

[Brunneria]

Welcome!

I'm 47
I've had hypos all my life (well since my mother first noticed I went white and listless if I didn't get fed regularly, aged 3)
I've been identified as pre- diabetic for about 15 years, but the truth is that should be 20+ years.
But it is only now that I am nearing a diabetic diagnosis.

Of course, I don't know whether you are hypoglycaemic, pre or diabetic, type 1 or 2, - or if there is something else going on. I would definitely advise you to see a doctor.

But in the meantime, you need to start thinking about what you are eating, especially before bed, and in the middle of the night.

Are you eating sugar/fruit juice and sweets to try and keep your sugars up? This could easily be part of the problem.

Glucose is great for countering hypos in Type 1 diabetics (they can inject insulin to compensate, if necessary). It's not so good for hypoglycaemics and prediabetics (a simple explanation is that the quicker sugar enters the bloodstream, the more insulin is produced, often in excess, that can lead to a sharp drop, a hypo.) It is like a seesaw. Too much sugar leads to too much insulin, leads to low blood sugar, leads to a hypo, leads to eating carbs, leads to too much blood sugar... and the cycle begins again, often escalating with time.

There is a condition called reactive hypoglycaemia where exactly this happens.

So until you get doctors advice I would suggest you have a non-sugary snack before bed. Ham, cheese, celery with cream cheese, pate, nuts, sunflower seeds. Nothing sweet. No cereals. No bread, cake or biscuits. You can eat just as many calories, and get just as much energy, but the difference will be that it will release slowly over several hours. So it won't dump you, white and shaking, craving sugar in the middle of the night.

Likewise, when you wake up , it would be better to have fruit juice on hand for an emergency, but you could also try cheese or any of the snacks you ate at bedtime - because they are slow release (I like baby bel, because they can live on the dressing table for a couple of days, nice and hygienic in their little red waxy wrappers).

But I repeat, see a doctor.
And you could always get yourself a blood glucose monitor. At least that way you would know what the numbers are, and tell the doctor. Evidence is always good.

 

[Mud Island Dweller]

My other halfs lowest was 2.8 and he was half collapsed in Sainsburys shoved in a couple of glucose tablets. The drs refused to believe any readings we took in.