Reactive Hypoglycaemia

sharon80 said:

I have always been told to treat with Lucozade followed by a carb meal.... I've always thought my consultant was very good, but do i assume there is a lack of understanding of this illness?

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Yes there is a total misunderstanding of the ' reactive' part of the condition. It is not an illness either. Your pancreas 'reacts' to the stimulus of carbs and sugars because there is an imbalance in how we quickly convert them to glucose and use up that glucose quickly.
The science and the best description other than my blog on it, is Wikipedia, type in reactive hypoglycaemia and there is loads of info on the condition and how to treat it.
You have an hormone imbalance, after digestion.
If I hadn't been referred to my consultant, I would still be non the wiser, nor would my GPs!
Even some consultants don't recognise or know about it.
It is rare and only certain tests can define and give you a diagnosis.

The USA is way ahead of our doctors.

Keep asking, keep reading, keep posting, education is invaluable to a healthier lifestyle.

sharon80 said:

I have always been told to treat with Lucozade followed by a carb meal.... I've always thought my consultant was very good, but do i assume there is a lack of understanding of this illness?

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My own experience in treating hypos happened with my first OGGT in hospital.
The sister insisted on my treating it with lucozade, I was totally in the dark about what was happening, I think my consultant knew what was going on but wasn't certain. So I drank the horrible stuff, and I spiked and felt ill, not that I had control then but obviously after such a spike, I hypo again!
I was in hospital that day for twelve hours because of that lucozade and they were worried about me.
So I had a word with my consultant and suggested something with a brew that would be handy and raised my bloods slowly. It was @Brunneria that suggested to me to have a low carb meal shortly after. That is the best way to do it, but staying in control is the answer.
The symptoms go and you get some great energy and you lose weight if you do it right!

sharon80 said:

It was the nurses at the hospital that treated me with Lucozade too, followed by a sandwich, you just assume they know best and follow their lead.

It took a long time for me to get a diagnosis, I've had so many tests and been referred to another hospital for a 2nd opinion from a 'specialist in the field'. It's only now that the hypos seem to take me longer to recover from that I've started researching more, and of course the weight gain, which I have never really struggled with before.

Its so interesting to read from people going through the same.

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I think at every test I've had, I get the same old, same old, off whoever is looking after me. I always carry my pad to read when I have one and show whoever it may be the Wikipedia page on the condition.
You tend to forget that these healthcare professionals haven't been trained about our condition and why should they be because it is so rare. It is frustrating and the really annoying thing about it is they don't read your medical notes and ask about you, they just assume!

You are taking longer to normalize because you are becoming increasingly sensitive to the hypos.
And you have the knowledge now, how to counteract it.
I think I've already explained why the weight gain.
Once you start low carb, the excess insulin, won't happen, so the weight gain stops, so the reason goes away and because you are eating good healthy food, you are going to lose weight.
If you have read anything that I have posted, I believe that I am allergic to carbs, so I don't eat them.
It is a good approach on how to get your head around the condition.
You will probably be bombarding yourself with all this new information. Take your time and get used to the idea of it all. Don't stress over it, that raises your blood glucose levels!!!!!!!
Relax, this is a life changing experience and it takes time.

My first blog gives my journey, you will find the link below, it's called 'a reactionary' I think you will find it interesting.

Hi @sharon80, (again!)

I haven't asked, what happened and how you coped with your 72 hours fasting test?

Just being nosey, because of my experience!!!

Jey said:

Hi all With less carbs i don't get the shake any more! Still get low bp who makes me feel weak,dizzy, blurred vision. And get still a swollen face. My bs are still goes low but I'm not feeling as bad, maybe my body got used to that. Hope to be able to do a 72h test. Take care and sweet dreams

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That's a lot better!
Let us know how you get on!
Take care!

sharon80 said:

Day 1 was fine but I was in a room of my own, day 2 was awful, I was moved onto a ward where everyone was eating and drinking! I barely had the energy to move out the chair, sugars dropped to 2, but they wanted it lower before they could terminate the test! Day 3 sugars came up to 3 and never fell again. When I came out of hospital I picked up every infection that was going. (Sorry Jey, probably not what you want to hear) on a positive note, it was 3 days rest!

How did your starve go?

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My starve was ok except the ward! Which was horrendous!
I never went below 4!

sharon80 said:

I've had lots of tests, that one doesn't ring any bells? What is it?

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Insulinoma is a tumour of the pancreas, that is one of the causes of RH. Usually benign!

Wendolph said:

You shouldn't go lower than 2 thats dangerous and can bring on coma. Have they tested you for insulinomo?

My visit to hospital yesterday was good. The dr said i had rh and just need to confirm with tests, also testing for insulinomo just in case. My hba1c was 37/38 all other tests within range. Finally!!!!

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Yeah that's good for a diagnosis, you will probably have the 72 hours fasting test and probably others. Your hba1c results are great and I'm made up for you!