blood sugar

[Ollies12345]

hi everyone, dad is 7 years post Ivor Lewis surgery. He’s 86 and doing well lately his blood sugars go really low all of a sudden to2 next few hours as high as12 we have brought him a monitor so he can monitor and eat something quick does anyone know why this is really appreciate some help best wishes to all xx

[Cavalier3]

hi Ollie’s, so this was explained to me by my dietician. The removal of our oesophagus and stomach means that food hits our stomach quickly. Our body doesn’t have time to prepare for food. If we eat too quickly or eat too much sugary food our pancreas will release too much insulin. Blood sugar drops and we go into reactive hypoglycaemia. It really is about eating small and often, not eating too quickly and being careful with sugary food. Wishing your Dad well x

[Ollies12345 in reply to Cavalier3]

Thank you best wishes to you x

[Spikey]

Cavalier3 is absolutely correct. I am 17 years post-op and still suffer from this occasionally, if I eat to much or eat the wrong things. It's associated with Dumping Syndrome, about which there are many posts on this forum. Food passes through the stomach too quickly, resulting in a rush of insulin, which causes hypoglycaemia. This normally results in a feeling of extreme tiredness, but can cause you to pass out.

[Ollies12345 in reply to Spikey]

Thank you for your reply x

[ccfc]

Yes this is dumping syndrome. I am over 12 years post op and this affected me a lot in the early days before I understood what was causing it. I actually passed out twice in that period. Best wishes, James.

[Ollies12345 in reply to ccfc]

Thank you James what food caused this for you? X

[ccfc]

It wasn’t a specific food but more the fact I ate too much too quickly.

[Ollies12345 in reply to ccfc]

👍

[liz_crisp]

Hi Ollie its dumping, very common with this op can happen any time i am 14 years on and it still happens, normally when i eat too much, or i eat and walk around. It is different for everyone as to what causes it. If you search for Dumping on here you will find lots of info. Often a sugary drink, dextrose tablets, dolly mixtures, jelly babies will help. (Not the low sugar varieties). I also find when i change my routine it happens lots. Cheers lizzy

[Ollies12345 in reply to liz_crisp]

Thank you liz we have an appointment with a dietitian soon and we get dad the blood sugar monitors so he knows when it’s going low to eat something quick he ended up in hospital because of this problem and they won’t prescribe an nhs monitor as he’s not classed as diabetic so we’re paying for them it’s well worth it as it’s a prevents this problem many thanks and warm wishes to you. X

[Andersl]

Sounds like he's developed reactive hypoglycaemia. This can happen post surgery.I've never had Oespophael cancer or stomach surgery but I've had reactive hypoglycaemia for 9 years - cause unknown. My blood glucose can suddenly drop. It happens when I've had a heavy meal or too much sugar. First blood glucose will shoot up (spike) which releases too much insulin, then the insulin will cause it to suddenly drop.

Advice for your dad ... eat small snack size meals every 2 to 3 hours. Restrict carbs. Lots of advice online.

Ask GP to prescribe a continuous BG monitor as it will show when BG is dropping and give time to eat. I set my low alarm to 4.3. Enough time to get food or take a few glucose tablets (followed by a sandwich (no white bread) 30 mins later).

Aim to keep BG above 3.9.

2 is far too low.

Good luck

[Ollies12345 in reply to Andersl]

Can I ask how you got the monitor we are all chipping in for the monitor as it’s £50.00 for 15 days, the doctor said as he’s not registered as a diabetic then he can’t have a nhs one many thanks

[Andersl in reply to Ollies12345]

I was having seizures because my blood glucose would drop so quickly so my endocrinologist asked my GP to prescribe it for me. I've not had a seizure since.

[Andersl in reply to Andersl]

Ask your fathers oncologist to write to his GP to ask him to prescribe a continuous monitor. It's well known that esophageal/stomach surgery can cause problems with blood glucose so his case calls for it regardless of not being diabetic.

[Ollies12345 in reply to Andersl]

Most helpful everyone thank you for all your replies x

[Ollies12345]

aww thanks so much most helpful x

[kiddy]

Hi I am 9 years post op. Still get dumping can happen from too much Sugar, fatty food or drinking with eating.

I normally have Dextrose tablets (glucose) from Boots, Savers etc. A banana or digestive biscuits .

Good Luck to your Dad.

Best Wishes

Debbie

[grandylynda]

I am 7 yes post Ivor Lewis and still get this occaisionally. I bought a blood sugar monitor at one point but it was very fiddly to use. I tried using it to check it really was low blood sugar causing "turns" but was unable to carry out the test due to getting shaky. It is good to know what your levels are normally though. I find now I can usually recognise when blood sugar is dropping and a dextrose tablet or two puts things right. It is definitely best to stick to a routine of small meals more often.