Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 Kristie How are you careful? Anything else besides watching the carbs? I already posted that I restrict them severely now. My doc just said to take a small amount of sweet when I feel bad, but that does not help me at all; if anything it makes it worse. I don't think the docs really know or take it seriously. Mayo Clinic has a very disappointing attitude towards it. I forgot exactly how they put it, but almost saying it was emotional or exaggerated, or something. I don't think so!!! The GTT was one of the most frightening experiences I ever had. No one told me how I might feel. I was crawling out if my skin with discomfort. Everything bothered me to the extreme...noise....,light...... I could not concentrate to read a light magazine article. It took all my will power to just do the appropriate things and get myself home. Like I wasn't me. An extremely bad feeling, hard to describe. Later, I realized I feel like that some other times too, and really got motivated to try to minimize it. It is still an open question for me, what causes it, and what to do to minimize it. Thanks for your post, Kristie Sunny > Yes Sunny, > I test positive for hypoglycemia and have to be very careful. I > recently had a very scary episode of autonomic crisis brought on by > hypoglycemia. > > Kristie > > > > Message: 5 > Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2004 12:46:16 -0400 > From: z39z@... > Subject: Re: aspertame - aspertame, con't > > Yes, thanks for the article on aspertame. Another consideration > about > it getting hot - do we know how hot the pop got in trucks and > storage? > We used to keep our diet pop in the garage, even in the summer. > Then > we started storing it all in the house. Now we drink plain old Club > Soda. After a period of adjustment, we find we like it better than > diet pop. > > One more thought about all diet foods and sugarless gum as well. It > is > claimed that the artificial sweeterners by themselves can stimulate > the > pancreas to release insulin. Too much insulin can cause the blood > sugar > to go down too far, resulting in fatigue. > > Since fatigue is such a huge problem for me, I try to watch all > possible sources, and just have cut out all sources of artificial > sweeteners that I can. I also trying to keep my carb consumption low, > restricting myself to the healthy fruits and veggies as much as I > can. > I have posted before that I think I feel better on a higher protein, > lower carb diet.. Still, I can't be sure, because sometimes I still > get > those awful and sudden bouts of fatigue without any other explanation > other than mito. > > Has anyone else tested positve for hypoglycemia? > > Even though I don't post too much, I come daily to read, and > appreciate > all who share their experience and knowledge. It has been a huge > help. > > I am not sure about Pittsburg yet, but am hoping I can make it, and > look forward to meeting you. > > Thank You > > Sunny > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 I don't think the docs really > know or take it seriously. Mayo Clinic has a very disappointing > attitude towards it. I forgot exactly how they put it, but almost > saying it was emotional or exaggerated, or something. I don't think > so!!! Some docs have burned out on the hypoglycemia issue because so many people in the general population think they have it. Traditional medicine says it is rare. But it IS associated with various forms of mito, especially in children, so IMO, anyone with a documented mito diagnosis deserves a careful workup. The other issue is that different docs may define hypoglycemia differently. I don't know how Mayo defines hypoglycemia, but the consensus of mainstream medicine seems to require glucose at least 50 or lower to qualify. Most docs will take anything below 40 very seriously because brain damage can occur. http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic384.htm This article on hypoglycemia says 40 mg/dL is required to diagnose hypoglycemia in children. > The GTT was one of the most frightening experiences I ever had. No one > told me how I might feel. I was crawling out if my skin with > discomfort. Everything bothered me to the > extreme...noise....,light...... I could not concentrate to read a > light magazine article. It took all my will power to just do the > appropriate things and get myself home. Like I wasn't me. An extremely > bad feeling, hard to describe. Later, I realized I feel like that > some other times too, and really got motivated to try to minimize it. > It is still an open question for me, what causes it, and what to do to > minimize it. When my glucose drops into the 30s, I brown-out--tongue turns numb, garbled speech, mental confusion, muscle weakness. Essentially a stroke-like episode. However, random testing has found glucose as low as 43 when I did not have those obvious symptoms. Go figure. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 Barbara, Thanks. I believe mine was in the low 30's. No further testing or suggestions made other than what I indicated. And this from 2 endos and a GP. I have other endo issues to try to decide what to do about, so I did not push it either. Just seemed futile. One more description of how what happens when I feel like that. At that particular time, I am so stupid that I don't even realize how abnormal I am. Like a drunk who thinks he is perectly fine, till he sobers up and things back to what he did. I have only one thing I can concentrate on, and that is to function - do whatever I need to do to survive minimally. Later, when I look back, I realize I was not right. Very strange feeling. I am not aware of any physical symptoms such as you describe. Thanks for the refererence. Warm regards Sunny > I don't think the docs really > > know or take it seriously. Mayo Clinic has a very disappointing > > attitude towards it. I forgot exactly how they put it, but almost > > saying it was emotional or exaggerated, or something. I don't > think > > so!!! > > Some docs have burned out on the hypoglycemia issue because so many > people in the general population think they have it. Traditional > medicine says it is rare. But it IS associated with various forms of > mito, especially in children, so IMO, anyone with a documented mito > diagnosis deserves a careful workup. The other issue is that > different docs may define hypoglycemia differently. I don't know how > Mayo defines hypoglycemia, but the consensus of mainstream medicine > seems to require glucose at least 50 or lower to qualify. Most docs > will take anything below 40 very seriously because brain damage can > occur. > > http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic384.htm > This article on hypoglycemia says 40 mg/dL is required to diagnose > hypoglycemia in children. > > > > The GTT was one of the most frightening experiences I ever had. No > one > > told me how I might feel. I was crawling out if my skin with > > discomfort. Everything bothered me to the > > extreme...noise....,light...... I could not concentrate to read a > > light magazine article. It took all my will power to just do the > > appropriate things and get myself home. Like I wasn't me. An > extremely > > bad feeling, hard to describe. Later, I realized I feel like > that > > some other times too, and really got motivated to try to minimize > it. > > It is still an open question for me, what causes it, and what to > do to > > minimize it. > > When my glucose drops into the 30s, I brown-out--tongue turns numb, > garbled speech, mental confusion, muscle weakness. Essentially a > stroke-like episode. However, random testing has found glucose as > low as 43 when I did not have those obvious symptoms. Go figure. > > Barbara > > > > > > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained > herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of > this e mail is entirely responsible for its content. List members are > reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the content of the > postings and consult with their physicians regarding changes in their > own treatment. > > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends > one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of > the attack. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 > Barbara, > > Thanks. I believe mine was in the low 30's. No further testing or > suggestions made other than what I indicated. > And this from 2 endos and a GP. I have other endo issues to try to > decide what to do about, so I did not push it either. Just seemed > futile. This I understand too! But I am surprised that 30 something did not get their attention. Sheesh! Sounds like you are doing a good job of trying to manage it at home, which is maybe all that could be done anyway in the way of treatment. I presume you have a glucometer. I don't use mine every day, but at times it is very helpful to sort out what is going on. Take care, Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 I am a non insulin dependent diabetic. I start to have problems when my blood sugar readings go below 85. They are noticeable problems, even at that point. In my last hospital stay, they were monitoring my readings regularly and when the reading hit 85, the rushed to get me a snack. If my blood sugar becomes lower than 80, I feel the stupor you are describing. Last winter, I was going thru some problems with my sugar readings and the lowest it got was at somewhere around 50. It was all I could do to put my thoughts together enough to find something to eat and it took a very long time to get it there. For someone who is having these problems there are a few suggestions I can think of off hand. Orange juice is usually a good way to bring it back up safely. Getting some protein in your system immediately is a good idea and what they've lately recommended for me is cheese or peanut butter and crackers so I keep a block of cheese in the refrigerator for that need. You can also purchase glucose tablets in the diabetic section of the drug store which are specifically made to raise your sugar from a hypoglycemic level. I keep these in my purse. It's also a good idea to make sure you don't fast for an length of time. The best personal treatment would be to eat 6 small meals a day - spacing them evenly and making sure you have one of these close to bedtime. Now - if you are seeing doctors who take readings in the low 30's lightly, it's time to keep searching because those are dangerously low readings. When your blood sugar goes that low, it is affecting your brain. I hope you are taking your blood sugar readings at home regularly as you need to monitor what is happening over time. If you don't have a meter now, it would be a good idea to get one from Wal-Mart or where you would shop for medical supplies. Readings should be taken 2 hours after a meal. Since you are dealing with low blood sugar, you should probably test first thing in the morning and just before going to bed also. Keep in mind that protein is the best source of regulating sugar - not sugar. Sugar makes it rise too fast. Normally seeing your blood sugar readings consistently low means that you will be diabetic eventually as I've been told that when your blood sugar repeatedly goes low, your system is using up all the insulin. Whether that's true of not - I'm not sure. http://www.mybloodsugar.net/bloodsugarlevels.htmhttp://www.mybloodsugar.net/blo\ odsugarlevels.htm> (if my link comes up with something between <> - please delete it all before trying to get to the site. I still haven't figured out why this keeps happening but I keep picking up double sends on the links and those don't work) Here, I found a chart which is apparently what they use for determining where normal is but my own personal experience tells me that what they show as normal here is low for me. I can't stress how strongly I feel about finding the right doctor who will listen and then help you get this under control. The doctor needs to look at the whole picture and listen to the patient and how he or she feels. My PCP has taken total responsibility for my blood sugar issues as she knows my case and is willing to listen. When I book an appointment with her, I always ask for a longer one than normal (usually a half hour) so that there is time to talk without being rushed. One more thing. If you are on the mito cocktail and taking alpha lipoic acid, you should probably stop taking it as ALA causes blood sugar to lower. If yours is already low, you don't want to be taking something that makes it worse. Another supplement that can do the same thing is Chromium so look at what you are taking and see if you are getting something into your system that could be the cause of this problem. Alice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 Sunny If you have a new or old glucometer, find out if it reflects the old standards or the new ones. With the newer ones, the levels are lower than the old ones. I think that is how it goes. I have a chart that compares them. laurie > > Reply-To: > Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 08:53:40 -0600 > To: > > Subject: Sunny...hypoglycemia > > I am a non insulin dependent diabetic. I start to have problems when my blood > sugar readings go below 85. They are noticeable problems, even at that point. > In my last hospital stay, they were monitoring my readings regularly and when > the reading hit 85, the rushed to get me a snack. If my blood sugar becomes > lower than 80, I feel the stupor you are describing. Last winter, I was going > thru some problems with my sugar readings and the lowest it got was at > somewhere around 50. It was all I could do to put my thoughts together enough > to find something to eat and it took a very long time to get it there. > > For someone who is having these problems there are a few suggestions I can > think of off hand. Orange juice is usually a good way to bring it back up > safely. Getting some protein in your system immediately is a good idea and > what they've lately recommended for me is cheese or peanut butter and crackers > so I keep a block of cheese in the refrigerator for that need. You can also > purchase glucose tablets in the diabetic section of the drug store which are > specifically made to raise your sugar from a hypoglycemic level. I keep these > in my purse. It's also a good idea to make sure you don't fast for an length > of time. The best personal treatment would be to eat 6 small meals a day - > spacing them evenly and making sure you have one of these close to bedtime. > > Now - if you are seeing doctors who take readings in the low 30's lightly, > it's time to keep searching because those are dangerously low readings. When > your blood sugar goes that low, it is affecting your brain. I hope you are > taking your blood sugar readings at home regularly as you need to monitor what > is happening over time. If you don't have a meter now, it would be a good > idea to get one from Wal-Mart or where you would shop for medical supplies. > Readings should be taken 2 hours after a meal. Since you are dealing with low > blood sugar, you should probably test first thing in the morning and just > before going to bed also. Keep in mind that protein is the best source of > regulating sugar - not sugar. Sugar makes it rise too fast. Normally seeing > your blood sugar readings consistently low means that you will be diabetic > eventually as I've been told that when your blood sugar repeatedly goes low, > your system is using up all the insulin. Whether that's true of not - I'm not > sure. > > http://www.mybloodsugar.net/bloodsugarlevels.htmhttp://www.mybloodsugar.net/b > loodsugarlevels.htm> > > (if my link comes up with something between <> - please delete it all before > trying to get to the site. I still haven't figured out why this keeps > happening but I keep picking up double sends on the links and those don't > work) > > Here, I found a chart which is apparently what they use for determining where > normal is but my own personal experience tells me that what they show as > normal here is low for me. I can't stress how strongly I feel about finding > the right doctor who will listen and then help you get this under control. > The doctor needs to look at the whole picture and listen to the patient and > how he or she feels. My PCP has taken total responsibility for my blood sugar > issues as she knows my case and is willing to listen. When I book an > appointment with her, I always ask for a longer one than normal (usually a > half hour) so that there is time to talk without being rushed. > > One more thing. If you are on the mito cocktail and taking alpha lipoic acid, > you should probably stop taking it as ALA causes blood sugar to lower. If > yours is already low, you don't want to be taking something that makes it > worse. Another supplement that can do the same thing is Chromium so look at > what you are taking and see if you are getting something into your system that > could be the cause of this problem. > > Alice > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 I didn't mention charting the readings. Keep a good record of the time of day you took the reading and what you have eaten. Do this over the course of about a month and see what you come up with. Has anyone ordered an AC1 lab test for you? Alice Sunny...hypoglycemia > > I am a non insulin dependent diabetic. I start to have problems when my blood > sugar readings go below 85. They are noticeable problems, even at that point. > In my last hospital stay, they were monitoring my readings regularly and when > the reading hit 85, the rushed to get me a snack. If my blood sugar becomes > lower than 80, I feel the stupor you are describing. Last winter, I was going > thru some problems with my sugar readings and the lowest it got was at > somewhere around 50. It was all I could do to put my thoughts together enough > to find something to eat and it took a very long time to get it there. > > For someone who is having these problems there are a few suggestions I can > think of off hand. Orange juice is usually a good way to bring it back up > safely. Getting some protein in your system immediately is a good idea and > what they've lately recommended for me is cheese or peanut butter and crackers > so I keep a block of cheese in the refrigerator for that need. You can also > purchase glucose tablets in the diabetic section of the drug store which are > specifically made to raise your sugar from a hypoglycemic level. I keep these > in my purse. It's also a good idea to make sure you don't fast for an length > of time. The best personal treatment would be to eat 6 small meals a day - > spacing them evenly and making sure you have one of these close to bedtime. > > Now - if you are seeing doctors who take readings in the low 30's lightly, > it's time to keep searching because those are dangerously low readings. When > your blood sugar goes that low, it is affecting your brain. I hope you are > taking your blood sugar readings at home regularly as you need to monitor what > is happening over time. If you don't have a meter now, it would be a good > idea to get one from Wal-Mart or where you would shop for medical supplies. > Readings should be taken 2 hours after a meal. Since you are dealing with low > blood sugar, you should probably test first thing in the morning and just > before going to bed also. Keep in mind that protein is the best source of > regulating sugar - not sugar. Sugar makes it rise too fast. Normally seeing > your blood sugar readings consistently low means that you will be diabetic > eventually as I've been told that when your blood sugar repeatedly goes low, > your system is using up all the insulin. Whether that's true of not - I'm not > sure. > > http://www.mybloodsugar.net/bloodsugarlevels.htmhttp://www.mybloodsugar.net/b ttp://www.mybloodsugar.net/bloodsugarlevels.htmhttp://www.mybloodsugar.net/b> > loodsugarlevels.htm> > > (if my link comes up with something between <> - please delete it all before > trying to get to the site. I still haven't figured out why this keeps > happening but I keep picking up double sends on the links and those don't > work) > > Here, I found a chart which is apparently what they use for determining where > normal is but my own personal experience tells me that what they show as > normal here is low for me. I can't stress how strongly I feel about finding > the right doctor who will listen and then help you get this under control. > The doctor needs to look at the whole picture and listen to the patient and > how he or she feels. My PCP has taken total responsibility for my blood sugar > issues as she knows my case and is willing to listen. When I book an > appointment with her, I always ask for a longer one than normal (usually a > half hour) so that there is time to talk without being rushed. > > One more thing. If you are on the mito cocktail and taking alpha lipoic acid, > you should probably stop taking it as ALA causes blood sugar to lower. If > yours is already low, you don't want to be taking something that makes it > worse. Another supplement that can do the same thing is Chromium so look at > what you are taking and see if you are getting something into your system that > could be the cause of this problem. > > Alice > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 Sunny, Sorry for the delay. I am on digest so it may take a couple of days to hear back from me. I am tube fed so unfortunately a lot of my nutrition comes in the form of carbohydrates. My nutritionist doc has me add Pro Source (a Rx protien powder) to my feedings in hopes of keeping things level, but it has not been working lately. I find that when my body is under additional stress (for me this can me just the high heat and humidity) my blood sugars are really difficult to manage. Of course it doesn't help that I don't eat by mouth. To manage the hypoglycemia I am now tube feeding 24/7. When my feeding is done I'm running electrolytes. This seems to be helping some. When my sugars dip I use Clif Shot (sports gel..brown rice and corn starch based http://www.clifbar.com/eat/eat.cfm?location=shot) to bring my numbers up quickly. Then I go back to tube feeding to get some added protein which should help keep the numbers up. If that fails then I bolus coke into my tube...sometimes this works for me...sometimes it doesn't. Failing that it is an injection of Glucagon (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682480.html) and a trip to the ER. Hope that helps. Kristie Message: 5 Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 16:15:01 -0400 From: z39z@... Subject: Re: Sunny...hypoglycemia Kristie How are you careful? Anything else besides watching the carbs? I already posted that I restrict them severely now. My doc just said to take a small amount of sweet when I feel bad, but that does not help me at all; if anything it makes it worse. I don't think the docs really know or take it seriously. Mayo Clinic has a very disappointing attitude towards it. I forgot exactly how they put it, but almost saying it was emotional or exaggerated, or something. I don't think so!!! The GTT was one of the most frightening experiences I ever had. No one told me how I might feel. I was crawling out if my skin with discomfort. Everything bothered me to the extreme...noise....,light...... I could not concentrate to read a light magazine article. It took all my will power to just do the appropriate things and get myself home. Like I wasn't me. An extremely bad feeling, hard to describe. Later, I realized I feel like that some other times too, and really got motivated to try to minimize it. It is still an open question for me, what causes it, and what to do to minimize it. Thanks for your post, Kristie Sunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 Alice, Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts. I will try to follow up on this soon. Just need to fit it in. I find I am happiest when I pay some attention to my health but not let doing it take over my whole day. Then anger and depression set in. But, I am keeping all these posts and will work on it. Again, thank you so much for your thoughts. And I don't know what a AC1 is. Maybe I have had it, and it was called something else. Regards Sunny > I didn't mention charting the readings. Keep a good record of the > time of day you took the reading and what you have eaten. Do this > over the course of about a month and see what you come up with. > > Has anyone ordered an AC1 lab test for you? > > Alice > Sunny...hypoglycemia > > > > I am a non insulin dependent diabetic. I start to have problems > when my blood > > sugar readings go below 85. They are noticeable problems, even > at that point. > > In my last hospital stay, they were monitoring my readings > regularly and when > > the reading hit 85, the rushed to get me a snack. If my blood > sugar becomes > > lower than 80, I feel the stupor you are describing. Last > winter, I was going > > thru some problems with my sugar readings and the lowest it got > was at > > somewhere around 50. It was all I could do to put my thoughts > together enough > > to find something to eat and it took a very long time to get it > there. > > > > For someone who is having these problems there are a few > suggestions I can > > think of off hand. Orange juice is usually a good way to bring > it back up > > safely. Getting some protein in your system immediately is a > good idea and > > what they've lately recommended for me is cheese or peanut butter > and crackers > > so I keep a block of cheese in the refrigerator for that need. > You can also > > purchase glucose tablets in the diabetic section of the drug > store which are > > specifically made to raise your sugar from a hypoglycemic level. > I keep these > > in my purse. It's also a good idea to make sure you don't fast > for an length > > of time. The best personal treatment would be to eat 6 small > meals a day - > > spacing them evenly and making sure you have one of these close > to bedtime. > > > > Now - if you are seeing doctors who take readings in the low 30's > lightly, > > it's time to keep searching because those are dangerously low > readings. When > > your blood sugar goes that low, it is affecting your brain. I > hope you are > > taking your blood sugar readings at home regularly as you need to > monitor what > > is happening over time. If you don't have a meter now, it would > be a good > > idea to get one from Wal-Mart or where you would shop for medical > supplies. > > Readings should be taken 2 hours after a meal. Since you are > dealing with low > > blood sugar, you should probably test first thing in the morning > and just > > before going to bed also. Keep in mind that protein is the best > source of > > regulating sugar - not sugar. Sugar makes it rise too fast. > Normally seeing > > your blood sugar readings consistently low means that you will be > diabetic > > eventually as I've been told that when your blood sugar > repeatedly goes low, > > your system is using up all the insulin. Whether that's true of > not - I'm not > > sure. > > > > > http://www.mybloodsugar.net/bloodsugarlevels.htm www.mybloodsugar.net/bhttp://www.mybloodsugar.net/ > bloodsugarlevels.htmhttp://www.mybloodsugar.net/b> > > loodsugarlevels.htm> > > > > (if my link comes up with something between <> - please delete it > all before > > trying to get to the site. I still haven't figured out why this > keeps > > happening but I keep picking up double sends on the links and > those don't > > work) > > > > Here, I found a chart which is apparently what they use for > determining where > > normal is but my own personal experience tells me that what they > show as > > normal here is low for me. I can't stress how strongly I feel > about finding > > the right doctor who will listen and then help you get this under > control. > > The doctor needs to look at the whole picture and listen to the > patient and > > how he or she feels. My PCP has taken total responsibility for my > blood sugar > > issues as she knows my case and is willing to listen. When I > book an > > appointment with her, I always ask for a longer one than normal > (usually a > > half hour) so that there is time to talk without being rushed. > > > > One more thing. If you are on the mito cocktail and taking alpha > lipoic acid, > > you should probably stop taking it as ALA causes blood sugar to > lower. If > > yours is already low, you don't want to be taking something that > makes it > > worse. Another supplement that can do the same thing is Chromium > so look at > > what you are taking and see if you are getting something into > your system that > > could be the cause of this problem. > > > > Alice > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 Alice, Sunny and anyone else who is interested.... My endo recommended that I carry a stash of jelly beans with me in the event of a hypoglycemic event (6-10 is all it takes). His position on this is they are easy to get, inexpensive, don't degrade in the heat and have the same glycemic value as the glucose tablets....IMHO taste better too. I just happened upon the clif shot... it works better for me (I think because of the brown rice/corn starch) and there are many flavors....it is also easily portable. As always....YMMV Kristie Message: 4 Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 08:53:40 -0600 Subject: Sunny...hypoglycemia I am a non insulin dependent diabetic. I start to have problems when my blood sugar readings go below 85. They are noticeable problems, even at that point. In my last hospital stay, they were monitoring my readings regularly and when the reading hit 85, the rushed to get me a snack. If my blood sugar becomes lower than 80, I feel the stupor you are describing. Last winter, I was going thru some problems with my sugar readings and the lowest it got was at somewhere around 50. It was all I could do to put my thoughts together enough to find something to eat and it took a very long time to get it there. For someone who is having these problems there are a few suggestions I can think of off hand. Orange juice is usually a good way to bring it back up safely. Getting some protein in your system immediately is a good idea and what they've lately recommended for me is cheese or peanut butter and crackers so I keep a block of cheese in the refrigerator for that need. You can also purchase glucose tablets in the diabetic section of the drug store which are specifically made to raise your sugar from a hypoglycemic level. I keep these in my purse. It's also a good idea to make sure you don't fast for an length of time. The best personal treatment would be to eat 6 small meals a day - spacing them evenly and making sure you have one of these close to bedtime. Now - if you are seeing doctors who take readings in the low 30's lightly, it's time to keep searching because those are dangerously low readings. When your blood sugar goes that low, it is affecting your brain. I hope you are taking your blood sugar readings at home regularly as you need to monitor what is happening over time. If you don't have a meter now, it would be a good idea to get one from Wal-Mart or where you would shop for medical supplies. Readings should be taken 2 hours after a meal. Since you are dealing with low blood sugar, you should probably test first thing in the morning and just before going to bed also. Keep in mind that protein is the best source of regulating sugar - not sugar. Sugar makes it rise too fast. Normally seeing your blood sugar readings consistently low means that you will be diabetic eventually as I've been told that when your blood sugar repeatedly goes low, your system is using up all the insulin. Whether that's true of not - I'm not sure. http://www.mybloodsugar.net/bloodsugarlevels.htmhttp://www.mybloodsugar.net/blo\ odsugarlevels.htm> (if my link comes up with something between <> - please delete it all before trying to get to the site. I still haven't figured out why this keeps happening but I keep picking up double sends on the links and those don't work) Here, I found a chart which is apparently what they use for determining where normal is but my own personal experience tells me that what they show as normal here is low for me. I can't stress how strongly I feel about finding the right doctor who will listen and then help you get this under control. The doctor needs to look at the whole picture and listen to the patient and how he or she feels. My PCP has taken total responsibility for my blood sugar issues as she knows my case and is willing to listen. When I book an appointment with her, I always ask for a longer one than normal (usually a half hour) so that there is time to talk without being rushed. One more thing. If you are on the mito cocktail and taking alpha lipoic acid, you should probably stop taking it as ALA causes blood sugar to lower. If yours is already low, you don't want to be taking something that makes it worse. Another supplement that can do the same thing is Chromium so look at what you are taking and see if you are getting something into your system that could be the cause of this problem. Alice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 BTW, I am on an Atkins-like diet (regular feeding, not tube), and I find my hypoglycemia symptoms are almost gone. But I do have to be careful to get enough protein and fat - if I try to eat only veggies, I almost pass out. Just had a hot dog and homemade low carb chili (very little tomato paste and no fillers). I have to mention that my mito doctor didn't recommend the Atkins diet, she said that mitochondrial problems can mess up fat digestion, but I am doing well on it (I am weird even for a mito patient). I am *still* waiting for a bunch of tests to be scheduled for me and my son, to see if my labs are negatively affected by the diet. Take care, RH > > > Sunny, > > Sorry for the delay. I am on digest so it may take a couple of days > > to hear back from me. > > > > I am tube fed so unfortunately a lot of my nutrition comes in the > > form of carbohydrates. My nutritionist doc has me add Pro Source (a > > Rx protien powder) to my feedings in hopes of keeping things level, > > but it has not been working lately. I find that when my body is under > > additional stress (for me this can me just the high heat and humidity) > > my blood sugars are really difficult to manage. Of course it doesn't > > help that I don't eat by mouth. > > > > To manage the hypoglycemia I am now tube feeding 24/7. When my > > feeding is done I'm running electrolytes. This seems to be helping > > some. When my sugars dip I use Clif Shot (sports gel..brown rice and > > corn starch based http://www.clifbar.com/eat/eat.cfm? location=shot) > > to bring my numbers up quickly. Then I go back to tube feeding to get > > some added protein which should help keep the numbers up. If that > > fails then I bolus coke into my tube...sometimes this works for > > me...sometimes it doesn't. Failing that it is an injection of > > Glucagon > > (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682480.html) > > and a trip to the ER. > > > > > > Hope that helps. > > Kristie > > > > > > Message: 5 > > Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 16:15:01 -0400 > > From: z39z@a... > > Subject: Re: Sunny...hypoglycemia > > > > Kristie > > > > How are you careful? Anything else besides watching the carbs? I > > already posted that I restrict them severely now. My doc just said > > to > > take a small amount of sweet when I feel bad, but that does not help > > me > > at all; if anything it makes it worse. I don't think the docs really > > know or take it seriously. Mayo Clinic has a very disappointing > > attitude towards it. I forgot exactly how they put it, but almost > > saying it was emotional or exaggerated, or something. I don't think > > so!!! > > > > > > The GTT was one of the most frightening experiences I ever had. No one > > told me how I might feel. I was crawling out if my skin with > > discomfort. Everything bothered me to the > > extreme...noise....,light...... I could not concentrate to read a > > light magazine article. It took all my will power to just do the > > appropriate things and get myself home. Like I wasn't me. An > > extremely > > bad feeling, hard to describe. Later, I realized I feel like that > > some other times too, and really got motivated to try to minimize it. > > It is still an open question for me, what causes it, and what to do to > > minimize it. > > > > Thanks for your post, Kristie > > > > Sunny > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2004 Report Share Posted August 8, 2004 I wish there were some studies on the effect of limiting carbs on mitochondrial diseases... Take care, RH > > > > > > > Sunny, > > > > Sorry for the delay. I am on digest so it may take a couple of > > days > > > > to hear back from me. > > > > > > > > I am tube fed so unfortunately a lot of my nutrition comes in > > the > > > > form of carbohydrates. My nutritionist doc has me add Pro Source > > (a > > > > Rx protien powder) to my feedings in hopes of keeping things > > level, > > > > but it has not been working lately. I find that when my body is > > under > > > > additional stress (for me this can me just the high heat and > > humidity) > > > > my blood sugars are really difficult to manage. Of course it > > doesn't > > > > help that I don't eat by mouth. > > > > > > > > To manage the hypoglycemia I am now tube feeding 24/7. When my > > > > feeding is done I'm running electrolytes. This seems to be > > helping > > > > some. When my sugars dip I use Clif Shot (sports gel..brown rice > > and > > > > corn starch based http://www.clifbar.com/eat/eat.cfm? > > location=shot) > > > > to bring my numbers up quickly. Then I go back to tube feeding > > to get > > > > some added protein which should help keep the numbers up. If > > that > > > > fails then I bolus coke into my tube...sometimes this works for > > > > me...sometimes it doesn't. Failing that it is an injection of > > > > Glucagon > > > > > > (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682480.html) > > > > and a trip to the ER. > > > > > > > > > > > > Hope that helps. > > > > Kristie > > > > > > > > > > > > Message: 5 > > > > Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 16:15:01 -0400 > > > > From: z39z@a... > > > > Subject: Re: Sunny...hypoglycemia > > > > > > > > Kristie > > > > > > > > How are you careful? Anything else besides watching the > > carbs? I > > > > already posted that I restrict them severely now. My doc just > > said > > > > to > > > > take a small amount of sweet when I feel bad, but that does not > > help > > > > me > > > > at all; if anything it makes it worse. I don't think the docs > > really > > > > know or take it seriously. Mayo Clinic has a very disappointing > > > > attitude towards it. I forgot exactly how they put it, but > > almost > > > > saying it was emotional or exaggerated, or something. I don't > > think > > > > so!!! > > > > > > > > > > > > The GTT was one of the most frightening experiences I ever had. > > No one > > > > told me how I might feel. I was crawling out if my skin with > > > > discomfort. Everything bothered me to the > > > > extreme...noise....,light...... I could not concentrate to read > > a > > > > light magazine article. It took all my will power to just do the > > > > appropriate things and get myself home. Like I wasn't me. An > > > > extremely > > > > bad feeling, hard to describe. Later, I realized I feel like > > that > > > > some other times too, and really got motivated to try to > > minimize it. > > > > It is still an open question for me, what causes it, and what to > > do to > > > > minimize it. > > > > > > > > Thanks for your post, Kristie > > > > > > > > Sunny > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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