I think I may be hypoglycemic. Does anyone out there in Grexland have it? WHat
are your symptoms? How do you handle it?

39 responses total.

Ok, it's like this. For a while now I have found that when I get hungry, as
in right before it gets to the growling stage, I feel faint and dizzy. Not
like I am going to pass out necessarily... more like I just need to sit down.
If I get very hungry and eat, I get VERY dizzy for about 2 minutes, then I'm
ok. I am thinking htis may be due to changes in blood sugar. I usually try
to eat before it gets too bad, but as you know, ther eare times when you just
can't drop everything and eat. 

How would sugar affect this? I am not willing to give up my Snapples. >:/
I have not had a blood test in a year. I cannot stand needles, not even finger
pricks. 

Along with getting dizzy and weak, I can also get cranky. People think I am
being impatient when I tell them I need to eat NOW. Sigh.

I'll wait for otter to post, as her husband has hypoglycemia, but I think you
should talk to your doctor.  It could also be iron-deficiency anemia.  If I
haven't eaten enough iron or protein, I get intense headaches and feel dizzy.
Once I eat, the crankiness and headache goes away.  I'd have a blood test
done.  They can test for diabetes, hypoglycemia, anemia, and thyroid problems
all at the same time.  It cost me about fifty dollars (with Blue Cross
copay), but it's worth it.

The blood tests involve needles. Big bad needles that cause me pain and
bruises. <bees cries>

I don't think it's a protein thing, but I may not be getting enough. I went
meatless for a while and was fine. I'm doing the burger thing about once a
week now, but I eat a lot of chicken. I may eat steak once or twice a month.
Beans have lots of protein too... the musical fruit!

Imay not be getting all the iron I need. I like veggies and salads but I don't
eat them every day.  

Actually, hypoglycemia is more a _state_ than a condition/disease.  Normal
blood sugar ranges between, say, 80 and 120 mg% (mg per 100ml).  Steady values
much over 120, especially fasting values, can result in preliminary diagnosis
of diabetes.  I've known people to have values over _400mg%_ before they had
enough symptoms to go to the ER feeling bad.  OTOH, if your 'sugar' falls much
below 80mg% you can feel tired, sluggish, headachy, dizzy, etc.  The lower
it goes the worse it gets.  Once you pass below 60mg% it can become critical
(ever heard of "insulin shock"?).  You can lapse into coma and meet your
demise quickly if not treated.

When you eat, your sugar goes up pretty fast (depending on what you eat). 
Then your body goes to work equalizing the 'sugar load' (actually, this can
begin as soon as you -see- the food you're about to eat) by releasing insulin
to help your body absorb the sugar from your blood stream.  If you have an
over-reaction of the insulin release, your sugar will plummet.  In some cases,
it is a slow process and the sugar continues to fall even after it's become
equalized between 80 and 120mg%.

One of the treatments used for this is to eat several small meals per day...
"grazing" as it were, rather than binge eating.  This helps to keep the sugar
more constant.  Exercise also plays a role since it uses up sugar, and
carbohydrates are converted into usable sugar during exercise.  So, if you
were to eat more carbs, you'd likely be able to produce enough sugar to offset
the insulin reaction...yes?  I don't know for sure, dieticians and endocrine
specialists should be consulted on that score.

There is a very good test to see how you've been doing for a period of several
months.  It is based on the fact that your body is constantly breaking down,
and creating new, red blood cells.  Each cell can live for up to about 90 days
before your body reaps it and re-uses the components.  As the new cells are
formed, the hemoglobin which is put in them has some affinity for glycogen,
in a ratio to the concentration of glucose in your blood stream (serum).  So,
if there is a higher sugar level, more hemoglobin has glycogen attached, and
vice versa.

This test is called the 'glycosolated hemoglobin' test, or 'hemoglobin A1C'
(HgBA1C).  A single result can be a very good screening of how your blood
sugar has averaged over the past two to three months.  If abnormal, more
specific tests are required, usually.

Certainly there are other considerations such as anemia, thyroid disease,
hypotension, etc which can cause similar symptoms.  Sounds like you should
get in for an exam just to play it safe.  In the meantime, keep some fruit
around, or juice boxes (like the kids drink) and eat/drink as soon as you
begin to feel something (or better yet, _before_ you feel it).  If you still
react after getting a sugar boost just when you likely need it...run, don't
walk to your family doc and make sure it isn't something serious.

Some people, like Kenn, are hypoglycemic because their bodies produce too much
insulin. He has to remember to eat small amounts of healthy food throughout
the day or he gets dizzy, weak and *grouchy*. If he has too many "simple"
sugars at once, his insulin production kicks into overdrive and he goes into
shock. It ain't pretty.
Bees, you need to be tested, because your symptoms could be caused by tons
of different things. I have a friend who is like you about needles. I used
to go with her when she needed lab work. We would explain the problem to the
person doing the draws, and it was my job to distract my friend with goofy
stories and such until the deed was done. She usually ended up crying anyway,
but said it was not so awful with someone there to "talk her through it".

The phlebotomist makes a difference as well.  If you go to your own doc, tell
him/her of your "phobia"...perhaps s/he will do the draw for you.  When I
worked as a 'vampire' at the Cleveland Clinic there were only a few of us who
could get samples from 'difficult' patients.  If you think you have a hard
time with needles, try doing a 5 hour glucose tolerance test on a three or
four year old...it ain't pretty either.  Feel free to mail me if you want to
talk about this more, or to alieve your anxiety.  as otter said, sometimes
you just need someone to talk you through it.

Last time I hqd blood taken was when I got very sick. I felt like I was gonna
die. Turned out I had an ear, throat, and overall viral infection... my body
had basically shut down. They had to take a vial to check my white cell count.
I calmly explained to the nurse that I did not handle needles well. She was
like "Oh, I'm good with them." I didn't doubt that, but it was obvious she
wasn't taking me seriously. She had me make a fist and I began to cry. She
was like, "Oh I'm sorry... I feel so terrible." I cried the whole time and
felt all dizzy and faint afterwrds. 

I suppose it's my being alone with a person who is sucking out my blood thaty
bothers me... it would be nice to have someone hug me or something... even
hand holding does not quite cut it. :/

Hmmm... what about EMLA cream?

Interesting point in #4. Last weekend I ended up getting VERY hungry, and
became grumpy and tired and told the people I was with: "Look... I have to
eat NOW." They didn't get it. Anyway, I was almost through with a beef soft
taco when I swear the whole building spun. I felt as if I were floating. My
friends were like , "Uh are you ok?" The fllor felt as if it were moving.
After about 3 or so minutes it stopped and I was fine. 

Usually I am ok after I eat. Afternoons are hard though, I seem to have no
energy between 4 to 6 in the evenings. 

well bees, if you think you've got needle problems, maybe this little story
will give you a laugh.  This is a true story, honest.

While working at the VA hospital (Wade Park, Cleveland) I had the job of
training the new-hire phlebotomists.  One young woman came in one day and was
very attentive.  She took note as to which color tubes were used for which
tests, how much sample needed to be collected for which tests, greeted the
patients and prepared them for the draw, etc.  This was a busy draw station,
so, by the end of the morning we had seen 30 - 40 patients.  we discussed some
of the "tricks of the trade" during our lunch break (not gross things, but
those little things that help you do things intuitively), and she was very
interested in the process, and her new job.

After lunch we returned to the draw station and had several patients already
waiting.  We'd get another 20-30 during the afternoon, usually.  I
demonstrated some of the fine points we discussed at lunch, like how to avoid
that bruise many people leave you with, and how to locate a "good vein" or
stabilize a "rolling vein" so you didn't have to stick the patient several
times without getting a specimen.  since a lot of the patients there had lousy
veins, either because they were sick enough to require lots of blood draws,
or because they were abusing their veins themselves, I continued to
demonstrate technique.  finally, a man with very prominent, stable veins, and
one who I knew from before and who was quite comfortable with needles came
in for his regular test.  I looked at the new-hire and said "are you ready
to do this one?"  She replied "of course, I've been watching you long enough.
Just keep an eye on me."  I told her to just relax, and follow the routine
steps we'd gone over, and over, and over, and over, and over...all day.  She'd
be fine.

Well, she set-up her equipment, applied the tournequet, found the best site,
had a good stable stance and firm hold on the patients arm.  She told him "OK,
there's going to be a little pin prick now" and inserted the needle into the
vein, then _she_ fainted!  I had to catch her and lower her to the floor
gently while I also caught the blood vial and finished the draw.  The patient
thought it was a real hoot!  She, of course, was mortified as she came to
almost immediately upon reclining on the floor.  But, she went on to become
a good lab tech and capable phlebotomist anyway.

I can still see her face, when it went white and she went down, and her
expression when she came to and found herself on the floor.  I'm just glad,
for her sake, it happened with me and not with one of the other workers who
would not have let her live that down (I didn't tell anyone until months
later, when she had confidence and could laugh at the experience too).

Tee hee! I considered being a nurse at one point but knew I could never stick
anyone.

Rolling veins are not a problem for me. I have very pale skin, especially on
my inner arms where no sun gets to them. My veins don't stick out but you can
plainly see the blue outline of them all the way up to my inner elbow. The
nurse alays ties the thing around my arm and then a nice blue vein pops up
and they're like "ooh! That's a good one!". Then I cry.

I have heard EMLA cream, applied30 minutes before being stuck, numbs the skin
and you don't feel anything. True?

Not sure of EMLA (actually, never heard of it), but there are a couple of
options I know of...topical anesthetic, usually EthylChloride spray.  This
is very cold and freezes the skin momentarily.  Personally, I think it's messy
and the intense cold can be more uncomfortable than a quick needle stick. 
Another option is a 0.1cc wheel of local anesthetic done with a pneumatic (no
needle) device, like a Madaject or Dermaject.  Again, the feeling is like
being snapped with a rubber band.  It hurts about as much as a needle, and
only for an instant.  A good phlebotomist using a small gauge needle can get
the same effect, or even less pain, without all the traps and whistles.

But it depends (how the anesthesia will work).  Are you afraid of needles
because they *hurt*, or is it psychological?  (You can't stand the sight of
them).  If they don't hurt you, but you hate the thought of them, an
anesthetic wouldn't necessarily make it easier on you.  I hate watching it
go into my arm, so I just look away.  My veins roll, so usually I just wait
til the pricking stops, then I look down.

I not only hate the sight of them, they also hurt like hell. I know if I had
anesthetic I'd still get scared, but would feel much more relief if i knew
I could not feel it. I susually don't feel it when they take out the needle,
but by then I am about to pass out anyway.  I hate the idea of someone
sticking me and then leaving the needle there.. I can handle shots better
because they're in and out before I know it. But in blood drawing that needle
stays in for like a whole minute, which is eternity as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe you should just refuse treatment then.  Really, if it's 
that traumatic it may be the way to go.

I recommend, instead, intentionally developing the ability to apply a
little more stoicism. Having injections, or samples taken, is going to
be *inevitable* if you value your health, so since you know a needle
awaits you in the future, think out how you can accept it unflinchingly.
You have a lot more control over your reaction to fear or pain than you
apparently now think.

I, also, have never liked needles.  In fact, once when being given an
injection in my back, I passed out on the doctor.  That flipped me out so bad
I decided to make sure it never happened again.  I still don't like needles,
but I can get jabbed without passing out now!  Take heart!  It can happen to
you too!

I can relate to not taking needles well, but If you have blood drawn often
enough, you get used to it.  Last time, when I went to the hospital for a
migrane, they put a heplock in my arm and I passed out twice!  I will warn
you though, having a 3 to 5 hour blood glucose test is not pleasant.  If you
see your doctor, he/she may want to have this done.  For hypoglycemia, the
best foods to eat are complex carbohydrates and protein together.  If you have
to resort to a quick fix by eating candy or drinking pop, always follow it
with a carb/protein meal or snack after.  eating five to six small meals a
day is the best way to keep it under control.

Drinking "pop"...hee! You never ehar that in the SOuth! 

I did refuse having my finger pricked last time I went to the OB/GYN. I was
dreading that more than the exam itself. I know there are more needles in the
future for me... but there is no way I will get used to it. When I last had
blood drawn I tried to get ahold of myself but lost it anyway. 

this may sound silly, but after I accepted that I was going to loose it, it
got easier..

This item has been linked from Health 24 to Intro 45.
Type "join health" at the Ok: prompt for discussion of
bodily thingies.

Hmm. Anyway, I think someone mentioned a sugarless fiet earlier. (uh diet).
I have noticed I've been eating lots of sugar lately and I need to cut it out.
I did once give up sugar but fell off the wagon... I felt ebtter after i got
used to it, but the first 3 or days was hell. I cannot afford to be sleepy
and grumpy for 4 days in a row when I have a job to do. Even gradualy getting
trid of sugar made me go ballistic. A low sugar diet would be good for a
hypoglycemic, wouldn't it? (Sugar meaning refined sugar, like Coke and Oreos)

After all, your brain *needs* sugar ...  Aim to eat protein & complex
carbohydrates in such quantities & occasions that your blood sugar level
stays up, that's the idea, not simple refined sugars that only lift it
temporarily.

I know I need some sugar. I have protein at dinner usually. Might do a turkey
sandwish for lunch this week.  I  didn't have a real lunch today and was
crashing bad by about 3. I just could not thinkk... just stared into space!

I've been having troubles with sugar lately, meeself. . .I get these crazy
cravings for sugary foods-like wa-a-ay excessive amounts of it at a go-and
I just eat and eat until I feel ill. It's only for sweet things. It's like,
as soon as there's anough sugar in my system, it dies down, and then I'm not
hugery for a good while afterwards. . .it's resulted in some weight gain I
could do without. . .I'm really not sure what to do to counter-act it. 

Have you seen your doctor?

Ditto that, birdy. Also, you might try more complex sugars, like fruits, to
satisfy the craving. The release will be slower and more sustained, which may
help to level you out a bit. <shrug>

Ditto, otter.  =)  If you're feeling low, try drinking some orange juice. 
It should help, it's full of Vitamin C, and it's **GOOD**.

gave the fruit and fruit juice thing a shot, it helps alot. . . 

Something else I wanted to mention...  You could be anemic.  The symptoms are
similar, and fruit juice can help in both illnesses.  Have you seen a doctor
yet?  Until then, keep up the fruit juice, *green* veggies (Romaine lettuce
salads are *wonderful*), and proteins.  I am not a doctor by any stretch, but
I have anemia, and a couple of friends who have hypoglycemia.

My item hath died. To update: After getting Mono about this time last year, I
had little choice but to deal with my fear of needles. So that really isn't
much of an issue anymore.

Lately I've noticed times when I am starting to "crash". It may not necessarily
be due to hunger. Recently I was shopping in a mall, and quickly became tired
(as in I could have laid down in the mall and taken a nap), cranky, and hot. My
face felt warm. I didn't feel hungry... I'm assuming it was due to sugar levels
dropping. It lasted for about 10/15 minutes, and I hauled myself to the food
court. After a Coke and a muffin I felt better. Something tells me a doctor
visit is in order, as much as I dread that.

Feeling hot and flushed, with dry skin and a dry mouth is a sign of
hyperglycemia.  Feeling anxious, cool, pale and clammy, with maybe some
fine tremors is a sign of hypoglycemia.  They feel nothing alike.

I also think it's time you go see a doctor, Trisha.  I would rather put up
with a half-second needle prick than what you described.  =)

Yep. Well what was weird about it was, my face felt warm but when I looked in
the mirror, I was very pale. (But then I'm way white to begin with).

And I do have a doctor appointment on Oct. 29th. So now I can stop whining
about how I feel. :)

Yippee!  Please let us know what's up with you (if you're okay with sharing).
<hug>

I will Birdy... you'll probably hear it in Agora first though.

O-tay.  =)  

As you probably saw in Agora, I get to have the Glucose Tolerance Test next
Wednesday.... aggggh. I don't particularly feel like typing this all over
again. The story is in the "Bummed" item in Agora. 

Damned caffeine/sugar withdrawal!

As you may know from agora, the word is official... I'm definitely hypo.
It's definitely a change in lifestyle. I do have a few pounds to lose, so I am
wondering if the cutting out of sugar in my diet will contribute to that (I ate
LOTS of sugar before!). I will essentially be following a diabetic's diet, and
I've seen people with late onset diabetes lose weight from the new eating
pattern (not from the diabetes itself).

alas I am dying for Jif.

(See my response to the Jif thing in Agora...)

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