Reactive Hypoglycemia and Peripheral Neuropathy?

[Konzy]

Hi there,

I'm not a diagnosed diabetic and don't believe I am currently diabetic, but have recently been diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia after a 5 hours glucose tolerance test. I've had blood sugar issues for years but only recently done this test.

Apologies I don't have all the numbers to hand but I know from memory the following numbers from my test....

fasting BS - 4.7
1 hour postprandial - 8.8
3 hour postprandial - 3.1
5 hour postprandial - 4.8

Pretty much a classic hypoglycemic spike and drop. Not much that's too alarming from what I can see and the test I'm sure will exaggerate things slightly given the pure and fast acting carbohydrate load.

More alarming is I now have neuropathy symptoms which have developed over the course of a few months. I'll be honest and say my diet has still been high in carbohydrates during this time, much of which refined.

I experience tingling in my feet, that 'crawling under the skin' feeling, some light numbness in the arms, but most difficult is the shooting/stabbing pain specifically in my right foot on the right side along my ankle. At the moment I get about 5 seconds of searing pain, in waves of 2-3, then it might settle down for an hour or so, then occur again. Sometimes more often, sometimes less, but typically everyday. I might also feel less painful 'shocks' frequently. This occurs mostly in the evenings. As you can imagine not only is the pain unbearable, but sleep is affected and of course the anticipation each and every day.

I have changed my diet and reduced carbohydrates and it's early days (2 weeks) but I have experienced a decrease in numbness but an increase in shooting pains since. Whilst pain is more uncomfortable than numbness, I'm hoping that I might be experiencing the 'worse before it gets better' and the nerves are repairing, causing more pain.

I'm not currently on any medication.

Has anyone been through something similar? I'm a little worried that I'm experiencing these symptoms without diagnosed insulin resistance or diabetes....

Many thanks!

 

[candiloo]

Hi - I had the exact same pain as you and my doctor sent me for exrays for tendonitis. One year later, I still have the pain. My diabetes was not diagnosed after I had pancreatitis, for 6 months, and I had high levels and no-one was listening to me for over a year. I do the carb counting which is related to the amount of insulin I have, which is great and helps me to normalize my life and eat what I like if I go out, and inject the correct amount of insulin to keep my bsg down. The pain in my foot makes working agony, as I am on my feet for up to 10 hours at work. I asked for a transfer and my company decided that there was not enough medical evidence, when I have shown them all the evidence as to what happens when I have to keep my levels higher to prevent hypos in work, so I have had to keep my levels within the correct parameters and experience hypos almost every night. If I don't then the neuropathies will get worse. They don't seem to care that it means I could lose a limb. Employers that care are very rare, despite all the equalities legislation.

 

[CBA321]

Hi there,

I'm not a diagnosed diabetic and don't believe I am currently diabetic, but have recently been diagnosed with reactive hypoglycemia after a 5 hours glucose tolerance test. I've had blood sugar issues for years but only recently done this test.

Apologies I don't have all the numbers to hand but I know from memory the following numbers from my test....

fasting BS - 4.7
1 hour postprandial - 8.8
3 hour postprandial - 3.1
5 hour postprandial - 4.8

Pretty much a classic hypoglycemic spike and drop. Not much that's too alarming from what I can see and the test I'm sure will exaggerate things slightly given the pure and fast acting carbohydrate load.

More alarming is I now have neuropathy symptoms which have developed over the course of a few months. I'll be honest and say my diet has still been high in carbohydrates during this time, much of which refined.

I experience tingling in my feet, that 'crawling under the skin' feeling, some light numbness in the arms, but most difficult is the shooting/stabbing pain specifically in my right foot on the right side along my ankle. At the moment I get about 5 seconds of searing pain, in waves of 2-3, then it might settle down for an hour or so, then occur again. Sometimes more often, sometimes less, but typically everyday. I might also feel less painful 'shocks' frequently. This occurs mostly in the evenings. As you can imagine not only is the pain unbearable, but sleep is affected and of course the anticipation each and every day.

I have changed my diet and reduced carbohydrates and it's early days (2 weeks) but I have experienced a decrease in numbness but an increase in shooting pains since. Whilst pain is more uncomfortable than numbness, I'm hoping that I might be experiencing the 'worse before it gets better' and the nerves are repairing, causing more pain.

I'm not currently on any medication.

Has anyone been through something similar? I'm a little worried that I'm experiencing these symptoms without diagnosed insulin resistance or diabetes....

Many thanks!

Hi Konzy,

I hope this finds you well 6 years on.

I have similar results to you and was tested after having the symptoms you describe for almost a year. I've been doing the rounds with the specialists but no one has a clue as to why I have the tingling, numbness, burning and stabbing.

I wondered if you did get a diagnosis in the end which explained your symptoms and if so, would you be kind enough to share, as I feel I've just been going round in circles. Although the recent reactive hypoglycemia results from the multi-hour glucose tolerance test have been interesting, it doesn't seem to explain the burning/tingling experienced most days and this is becoming progressively worse.

Many thanks in advance if you see this request and are able to reply.

 

[type two paul]

Hi Konzy,

I hope this finds you well 6 years on.

I have similar results to you and was tested after having the symptoms you describe for almost a year. I've been doing the rounds with the specialists but no one has a clue as to why I have the tingling, numbness, burning and stabbing.

I wondered if you did get a diagnosis in the end which explained your symptoms and if so, would you be kind enough to share, as I feel I've just been going round in circles. Although the recent reactive hypoglycemia results from the multi-hour glucose tolerance test have been interesting, it doesn't seem to explain the burning/tingling experienced most days and this is becoming progressively worse.

Many thanks in advance if you see this request and are able to reply.

A Newbie responding to a Newbie. I smell Bullsh*t.