Reactive Hypoglycemia - what to say when having an "attack" .

[wherethewindblows]

I occasionally have episodes which I assume are reactive hypoglycemia .I am pretty good at spotting the signs and carry dextrose tablets .

Despite this on a couple of occasions I've not managed to nip things in the bud and this results it what feels like seizures . I've no idea what I look like but it feels like I'm being switched on and off with my vision zooming in and out and involuntary cries escaping from me !

This has happened twice while I've been travelling and a few days ago happened at the airport and ended up with police ,paramedics being called etc . And missing my flight !

My question is - what do I say to people asking me if I'm alright to reassure them ? I need something that an ordinary concerned will understand .Reactive hypoglycemia is ok for medical people but I'm keen to stop their arrival by explaining to your average passer by .

Should I go for " I have a condition similar to diabetes ,I've taken some dextrose and will be ok soon ." ?

If I'm with it enough to say that .

Also I'm worried that these attacks are somehow causing me more long term damage . I'm so much more vague and forgetful that I used to be .

[brucemillar]

You really need to try and single out what is causing your blood glucose to spike. The inevitable crash after each spike will eventually lead to a loss of consciousness, if not prevented. I fractured my spine in two places during a siezure.

I now use a blood glucose meter which allows me to monitor my levels. Over time that showed me where the danger times were and from that the trigger foods & drinks. No real surprises here. Sugary/sweet foods and drinks, with chocolate and caffeine being an absolute no for me. Over time using the meter I have been able to adjust my diet so that I now have no symptoms and no collapses.

I also met a Gastroenterologist who prescribed me Acarbose Tablets (taken three times a day with food). These slow down the body's rate of sugar digestion so "can" help flatten out any peaks. For me these tablets have given me the confidence to return to work and commuting again. After several collapses, that was not easy.

You can get a Medical Alert Bracelet (I gave up when the A&E people just ignored it). I also carry Dextrose. Since being able to manage my own levels I have not had to explain to anybody what is happening. Beware though you could end up unconscious and it can be fatal. So it must taken seriously. My best advice based on my own experience would be to get a Blood Testing Meter that records the results to a PC (Accu-Check Mobile) You can then fairly easily manage this by adjusting your diet.

[Hsbc]

Yes I find that it helps to say something about it's very similar to diabetes and I ask the helpful people to leave me sitting upright with legs straight in front otherwise reflux becomes a big problem. If your response to this -which is a form of early dumping- is that you get a bit of notice that it's happening to you, then grip your knees and fists together to keep up your blood pressure and get y ourself comfortable with a sweetie! Good luck.

[wherethewindblows in reply to Hsbc]

Thank you both ,very helpful .

I'm going to go with similar to diabetes .

Do either of you get the feeling that you're having fits ?

Stupidly I hadn't thought about low blood pressure being involved .Sitting down sharpish would be good option wouldn't it ?

[gutlesswonder]

PLEASE PLEASE take this matter very seriously as it can so easily be fatal.

Like brucemillar I have two highly debilitating fractures of the spine incurred by the violence of spasms during a seizure. You may strike your head when falling - kerbs are quite hard! Or how about falling in front of a bus/tube train etc?

As to appearance it is to all intents and purposes an epileptic fit and so is alarming for bystanders.

It is vital to carry a card warning aiders not to place you in the recovery position otherwise you may drown (or at best get pneumonia) from your reflux - remember that you are now missing most if not all of the three protective sphincters which you were born with and also being curled up compresses the intestines.

My Neurologist said that you lose may'be five (5) per cent of cerebral capacity with each incident - that damage is progressive and cumulative.

Sitting down wherever you are, even in the street is the best defence as you must avoid depleting the last remaining dregs of blood sugar by more exercise. Eat a simple sugar the instant you feel "woozy"; then you should avoid losing consciousness.

There are other defensive measures which should become second nature.

Avoid high GI foodstuffs,adjuvants such as caffeine; and, for me the single most important factor is not to move (even stand up) while the pseudo-stomach tube still contains a significant amount of Chyme (partially digested food plus saliva/acid/enzymes/mucus). This avoids the compromised Lower Pyloric Sphincter giving way and allowing an avalanche down in to the Duodenum where the signals to secrete Insulin are generated.

I just say to people "I'm hypo" they all know that this is associated with diabetes and are sympathetic ..... what you want to avoid (if you are not fitting) is being mistaken for a drunk or a drug addict as there have been numerous deaths of subjects being mistakenly restrained and/or taken in to custody and then not given the appropriate medical attention.

My family and friends all know what is happening if I say "I'm getting the wobbles".

This syndrome is probably the worst side effect resulting from our surgery and a great deal has been written about it on this site - dig it out and digest it.

[wherethewindblows in reply to gutlesswonder]

Gutless I've only just seen your reply .Apart from your post I've never seen anyone mention the seizures . I'm sure that's what I have but I've been on my own when it's happened and asking the people who help me whether they think I'm having a fit never occurs to me at the time .

I've mentioned it to the nurse and dietician at follow up appointments more than once but they seem unconcerned .And I have a huge fear of "making a fuss " .

You mention exactly what I'm concerned about - the worry about it causing progressive brain damage .I really can't afford toi loose any of limited cognitive skills .

I'm not so worried about sudden collapse as I do get warning ,but the last episode at the airport ( and missing my plane ! ) did scare me as I'd taken my dextrose and thought it would pass more quickly than it did .

Have been thinking a lot about what precipitates an attack and Im coming to the conclusion that it's largely brought on by standing and moving around following food .

Thank you very much for reply - it's what I needed to take this seriously .

[Super80]

diagnosed reactive hypoglycemia secondary to EPI. I’ve had what I thought everyone gets “ low blood sugar “. It just got worse over time. No Matter how healthy I eat.

I’m going to get an ID bracelet or necklace. It may be ignored by some ignorant people but it is “ on record “ that it will be life saving.

I have to take prescription enzymes to absorb food. Careful with any other prescriptions that interfere with blood sugar. I also raise my sugar first then lock it in with protein.( I take doctors advice but in the end I am the one who has to deal with this) protein first lowered my blood sugar. Tried this after being told by a doctor to try it at bedtime.

When I was taken to the hospital by family , I had no way to communicate and I tried to tell the nurse and was given water. juice would have been fine cause I couldn’t swallow dry foods anyway. Water was like saying here stupid we like putting people in comas.

No matter what anyone says take care of you . U know your body well enough to know something is wrong. I didn’t really get a diagnosis until damage done. So much suffering. Some don’t listen but they still get paid? U make me worse and there should be a consequence.

[Super80 in reply to Super80]

Oh yes and a glucose sensor is best to scan when ever u need. The finger stick is ok for some checks but with low blood sugar u need to be able to check more often than finger stick. The sensor shows the direction your sugar is headed. Or when it can be difficult is when trying to sleep so no Matt what the situation I can scan. Now with an iPhone too.