Liver dumping in times of stress

[Truffle]

Hi Everyone,

This might seem like an odd problem but I wondered if I was alone with this of not? Last night I was due to sing in a big concert and was really looking forward to it - weeks of practice and all that! I felt absolutely fine all through the afternoon rehearsals and had only eaten 10g of carbs all day but made sure that I kept topped up with snacks like walnuts and cheese. When I got to the concert in formal dress with the orchestra, soloists and large audience etc... everything was fine. We stood up to do the opening number and suddenly I felt dizzy, out of breath and a bit sweaty. This continued for about 10 minutes and then I developed a bad stomach ache and knew I had to leave the stage or risk severe embarassment! I managed to get out but after 20 mins still felt bad so went home. :sick:
I was crushed to miss the concert but did my bg as soon as my husband picked me up. Not high by some standards but 8.9 - when I had left for the concert 1and 1/2 hour previously it had been 5.3.
My husband reminded me that this has happened before, mainly when I am stressed and excited - like going on holiday and has a theory that as the adrenalin starts my liver dumps. He could be right but if so does anyone have any ideas of how to deal with it? Any thoughts gratefully accepted!

 

[noblehead]

It sounds like you had a anxiety/panic attack by what you've described, it's a shame that you missed the concert but you probably made the right decision, if it happens again it might be worth discussing this with your gp.

My bg can go up in stressful situations depending how bad I am stressed.

 

[borofergie]

Like Nigel says, it sounds entirely plausible.

Stress causes your cortisol levels to raise, which in turn can cause a liver-dump. It's a "fight or flight" response, meant to give you a burst of energy to escape a predator. I know exactly what you mean about stomach ache. I'm not sure how sensible it is, but I often take a precautionary imodium or two before I run in a race, to avoid exactly the same sort of embarassment.

What sort of choir do you sing with? I love choral singing, my wife sings for a big London choir, which has had some great engagements over the last few years...

Don't let it get you down. These things happen, just start rehearsing for the next concert.

 

[Truffle]

Thanks very much both of you... you have confirmed my thoughts... I will just have to try and not get worked up in future or try the imodium in advance trick!

I sing with Putney Choral Society and on occasion my local church choir. We were doing St Matthews Passion... never mind we will be doing Rutters Magnificat at Christmas so I hope I manage to control it by then.

 

[borofergie]

I sing with Putney Choral Society and on occasion my local church choir. We were doing St Matthews Passion... never mind we will be doing Rutters Magnificat at Christmas so I hope I manage to control it by then.

Oh dear! St Matthew Passion is lovely and must have involved a lot of work. It might be worth trying to eat some strategic carbs before the Magnificat to see if you can forestall the liver dump.

My wife sings for the Crouch End Festival Chorus, she sang on the main stage at Glastonbury 2 years ago with Ray Davies, and has been on tour with Noel Gallagher this year and Oasis before that.

 

[xyzzy]

she sang on the main stage at Glastonbury 2 years ago with Ray Davies, and has been on tour with Noel Gallagher this year and Oasis before that.

:mrgreen: in fact very very :mrgreen:

 

[Truffle]

Do they need more altos? :clap: :mrgreen:

 

[borofergie]

Everyone always needs good Altos! (As long as you aren't better than Mrs Borofergie :wink: )

 

[Truffle]

Even if I was it wouldn't matter as I would probably have to make a mad dash as soon as the performance started leaving Mrs Borofergie with centre stage! :mrgreen: