hypoglycemia anyone???

[mommyflower]

I am a newbie here to WISH. I found out in March 03 that I have a condition called hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. I have apparently had it for a very long time, but it got pretty bad after I have my DS who is now 2 1/2. It causes all kinds of problems, but I am working to get it under control. My question is does anyone else out there have hypoglycemia? And for those that don't I have to eat very low carbs. My biggest problem is snacks. Anyone have advice about low carb snacks? I could use all the advice and support I can get. At this point the only support I get is from my DH. Don't get me wrong he is wonderful, but I have a few family members who are anything but supportive! I look forward to all your great suggestions!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

I also used to suffer from severe blood sugar swings - would feel shaky and woozy and really crappy. I had found on my own that I felt better with protein when I felt that way. So, I compensated on my own.

Now that I am doing Atkins I haven't had one episode (since May). My low carb snacks are: SF Jell-o, sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts, Atkins candy bars, cheese, etc.

Let me know if you need any help.

 

[mommyflower]

disneyeveryyear,
Thanks for the reply! What do you do when your sick? For example I use to drink oj and eat soup. Now I don't know what to do. Since I started eating low carbs if I even mess up a little I start feeling the shakes and getting headaches again. Do you know if it is the number of carbs you consume or the combo between the carbs and the protein that makes the difference? My doctor basically said you have this, now go figure it out for yourself. I have gotten tons of books and read stuff on the web and am still some what confused. It seems everyone who has this problem has to deal with it differently depending on how it effects them. If you don't mind when I have questions about my hypoglycemia could I pm you? I could so use someone elses opinion who knows what it is like! Thanks again!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Well, I never was diagnosed "formally" with low blood sugar, but I had all of the signs. On Sunday mornings I would skip breakfast, ya know, getting everyone ready and out the door. I would be sitting in church and all of a sudden, I would get dizzy and drip with sweat. I felt like I had to throw up but I knew my stomach was empty. I'd have a horrible headache in a flash. I would have to walk out and get some water.

Also, when I was pregnant with my first child, I almost blacked out once. Fortunately, I was at home, and I don't know what made me think of it, but I told my husband to get me orange juice..........quick!! It worked. That got me really scared. Diabetes runs in my family.

Lo-carb has helped me so much. I never feel like that anymore.

Dr. Atkins book is a MUST READ for you. It is amazing what is in there. Gave me a whole education on my body. The web site, atkinscenter.com is good, but the book goes deeper. And I think you can get the paperback fairly cheap.

I have struggled (that's putting it mildly) on lo-carb for years. But what keeps me coming back is how good I feel when I am "a good girl". And it rewards me graciously, too. As soon as I add carbs to my diet, I feel lousy, get blood sugar swings, have to take afternoon naps (which I cannot afford to take), and gain weight fast.

I view it as a lifestyle change now. Yes, eventually I'll let myself have the occasional birthday cake, potato or noodles, but for now I have to say no. And I'll never be able to eat like I did before. Not if I don't want problems.

Sorry for the long post. But I can sense some stress in your post and I wanted you to know that you are doing the right thing.

Oh, and when I'm sick I have chicken broth. The granulated kind or the cube. 1 carb per teaspoon or cube, I think. And the longer you are on lo-carb, I think you will find that the sugar swings get better...even go away. But don't take any chances. If you think you are not feeling right, tell your doctor. And if you don't like him or he doesn't give you the attention you deserve, FIND ANOTHER ONE!

Best wishes!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Mommyflower,

Feel free to pm me if I can help you. I am not sure if it is a carb/protein combo, or what.

I really have not eaten any refined carbs since May (no flour, no sugar), so I can't help with the cheating and feeling crappy. I know other say that when you get rid of the carbs, it doesn't take very many to make you feel really poorly.

Check in and let me know how you are doing.

Hope it goes well for you.

 

[mommyflower]

Mom of Sleepy, Bashful and BabyDoc,
Thanks for your post! Your case sounds very similar to mine! I had these symptoms for years and I asked my parents for advice and they told me it was in my head. So when I finally went to the doctors for something else i asked about it and he immediately told me what I had suspected for awhile. I have figured out I can eat about 75 to 100 carbs a day mostly whole wheat products and vegetables. But sometimes I have noticed if I don't have a lot of protein with a meal I start feeling funny again. I guess I just need to pay closer attention to what makes me feel that way. I have Atkins book and have used the website. I am not a big meat and cheese person so that is something I have a small problem with. I use Atkins shakes for breakfast, they are great! Diabetes also runs in my family and my doctor said that if I don't get this in order I will very likely have it too. I too have felt how much better I feel with low carbs, so I know it is the way to go. I just need to work out the limits and what foods to definately avoid. And if you don't mind when I have questions can I pm you? I could really use the support of someone who knows what I'm going through. Thanks!

 

[mommyflower]

disneyeveryyear,
Thanks I will certainly pm you when I could use some help!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

No problem.

As far as the not liking meat and cheese....hummmmm...do you like any meat? like chicken or fish?? What about nuts? Walnuts, macedamias, soy nuts, all of those are good. Oh, and eggs...do you know the egg is just about the most perfect food there is. I read about it. It has just the right amount of fat,protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals.....and they don't have to be just scrambled. I make deviled eggs (which are heavenly )or egg salad that I dip a stalk of celery in, whatever floats your boat.

Most mornings I have a protein bar and cup of tea/coffee. That would cut out lots of carbs in just one meal.

I know lots of people do lo-carb without having a lot of meat. I LOVE MEAT, so I eat a lot of it, but I know it can be done with minimal meat.

I would do whatever it takes though, to not become a diabetic. I saw it in my future if I didn't act upon it NOW. This is totally up to you, but I would definately cut out all breads, pastas and potatoes (and sugar, ofcourse, which I think you probably already have done). Don't drink any juices either. It's much better to have the whole fruit instead. If you don't want to go as low carb as an Atkins diet, get your carbs from whole fruits and lots of vegetables. Then see how you feel. God has made our bodies wonderfully, and it usually lets us know how it is doing by how we feel.

Hope this helps. Onward and downward!

 

[mommyflower]

Mom of Sleepy, Bashful and BabyDoc,
I do eat meat, I am just very picky about it. The only cheese I can eat is american and mozzerella. I do eggs. I make deviled eggs as well. I do also eat nuts. I do eat whole wheat bread but very limited amounts mostly because I have a hard time eating meat on its own at lunch time. Maybe I just need better recipes. I don't do sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, or whole fruit. Whole fruit has a bad effect on me. I occasionally have potatoes but only in very small quantities. I am thinking of looking at my Atkins book a little closer and see if I can find some more suggestions there. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Disneyaholic]

I was diagnosed as hypoglycemic about 15 years ago. I was getting very light-headed when I didn't eat and would actually become physically ill -- vomiting and all if I skipped a meal! Not a fun time. My mother was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes when she was in her 60s, so I knew that that could very well be in my future as well.

I also try to limit my carbs (well most of the time, anyhow) and make sure I have plenty of protein. When I start feeling light-headed, I usually go for a spoonful of peanut butter -- a little sugar, but good protein and easy to grab!

Next week I am being tested for Diabetes and I will be very surprised if I don't have it. I knew it would get here sooner or later, but I guess I was just hoping it would be later. If I hadn't been eating for hypoglycemia, I have the feeling it probably would have already happened.

But, there are worse things in life than Diabetes, so I'm trying to keep my chin up!!

 

[mommyflower]

Disneyaholic,
Well I hope you get good news when you get checked. I actually think I've had hypoglycemia for 10 years at least, but I just finally decided I needed to find out for sure. I really don't want diabetes. My doctor told me it would not be good for someone my age to get it so soon. (I'm 28) I have had family members with diabetes who have lost their sight because of it, so I prefer to try hard to work against the odds.
If you do find out you have it, remember it can be controlled with diet as long as you work at it. All of us WISHERS will be here to support you! Good luck!

 

[lulu201]

Hi, Tabitha!

Several years ago I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia, too. I found a great book on low blood sugar at a book store and made a one time appointment with a nutritionist who gave me lots of pointers about combining proteins and carbs and eating small meals several times a day. Check your yellow pages and see if you can find a nutritionist nearby!

My father died from complications relating to diabetes, and I never really realized the connection between hypoglycemia/diabetes until I read the Atkins book. You're doing a great thing for yourself by trying to eat and live in a healthy way.

Best wishes,
Lulu

 

[mommyflower]

Lulu,
Thanks for your post. i have wondered about going to a nutritionist, but i have read that a lot of them are still against this way of eating. So I was unsure whether it would be a waste of my time and money to see a nutritionist. I am glad to see you had luck with someone. I think for now I will get help from my fellow WISHers and if I still feel I need more help I may look around for a nutritionist. Thanks for your encouragement!