I know I have reactive hypoglycemia. If it's not reactive hypoglycemia, there is no one in the entire world that can tell me that my problems aren't due to food. I've done many tests such as not eating sugar, fasting, eating all sugar, testing my blood sugar, etc. In the past year, I've had MAJOR problems. About a year ago, I had an inner ear infection that permanently altered my vestibular system. Most of my dizziness/vertigo issues have resolved, but I suffered HORRIBLY for almost an entire year with this, along with other symptoms that recently got unbearable. I'm not going to name off all of my symptoms of hypoglycemia since most are aware of the symptoms, but all I can say is that I need help badly. I'm 19 years old and cannot work or attend school because my problems are so horrible right now and I have insurance from the state of Connecticut, which is pretty cruddy insurance. I saw one endocrinologist recently and she absolutely firmly believes that I CANNOT be hypoglycemic if my fasting glucose isn't under 49. My fasting glucose is never under 49 because I have a blood glucose monitor. She believes that hypoglycemia is ONLY caused by a tumor and everyone else who claims to have the symptoms is suffering from a major anxiety disorder. To make it worse, I have suffered with anxiety since I was 13 and she REALLY doesn't believe me. She also does not believe in reactive hypoglycemia. She ordered me to get the fasting bloodwork done (which I haven't done yet) and she's also checking my thyroid levels. Every single day is a battle and my physical and mental health is completely out of control. When I don't have any sugar, I'm extremely depressed and dizzy and when I have sugar, I have stomach distress and every other symptom in the book. I have not yet been able to find a middle ground on my own and don't know what to do. My insurance doesn't cover any other endocrinologists in this area, and definitely doesn't cover a dietician. I may have to travel, I suppose. I've heard that hypoglycemia is a huge controversy among doctors and many refuse to acknowledge that it exists except in very rare cases. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what foods I should eat? I try to eat high protein but can't really afford it and don't really know what to make. I NEVER eat pure sugar anymore and tried to eat whole wheat, but even with whole wheat I'm crying my eyes out 45 minutes later.

Sounds like an Endo. issue for sure. Just curious how much.. and what do you eat.. and when...? Are you on many(any) meds? Have you tried taking you BG before and 2 hours after and four hours after you eat. I had to keep a maticulous log for about a month and things seemed to explain themselves. It seems doctors are at a distinct disadvantage. They can only see you about 15 minutes(+_10) and they have to analyze your opinion of your recent history. Sorry about your ear issues! Sounds tough! Better Luck!

Katalina, I know what you are going through... when I was 20 years old (23 years ago)I had accute hypoglycemia. I was in college at the time... my first incident was when I went into a "natural" insulin shock and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. The doctors never bothered to take a blood test, accused me of being a drug addict, gave me a valium and sent me home. I woke the next morning in worse condition... My parents flew me home and made an appt for me at a place in Great Neck, NY (not too far from you!!!) that had been recommended to them - It was called the North Shore Mental Health Clinic. Don't be alarmed by the name -- they treat all kinds of things and they often use a more holistic approach. I had an 8-hr glucose tolerance test done there which proved my condition, without doubt. I also had a complete chemical analysis done that helped them determine where my body was weakest as a result of the hypoglycemia. I worked with a dietician/nutritionist who created an entire personalized program for me. It included vitamin/mineral supplements and restricted diet... within weeks I was sooooo much better, although it took a good 2-3 years to fully get it under control. To be honest, I don't know if this place still exists or if they still do this type of work - it was 23 years ago, but its worth looking into.

I do remember feeling all the things you describe - the anxiety, the awful symptoms, the sugar "addiction" and feeling sick ALL THE TIME. Its mentally draining and its even worse when the doctors ignore you or don't believe you.

I do remember that early on in my treatment I had to go through a bit of a sugar withdrawal - it lasted about 2 weeks. There was a period where I was not allowed to have anything made with refined sugar, corn syrup, or white flour. I went through my cupboards and threw everything away!

Please don't misunderstand - I am not suggesting that you not see a doctor - I am simply telling you that when I had hypoglycemia, my medical doctors would not and could not help me. Now, 23 years later, I am a type2 Diabetic and I do see a medical doctor who is treating me.

Please let me know if I can offer you any help or advice... I know exactly what you are going through.

Katalina, I forgot to mention - I also have MANY food allergies - I saw that you mentioned you have allergies. Food allergies can contribute to many of the symptoms you are experiencing so you want to be sure to document everything you consume and keep track of your symptoms. You can often find a pattern that will help figure out what is triggering some of your symptoms.

Food allergy symptoms can often be similar to blood sugar problems... dizziness, rapid heart beat, feelin "off", anxiety, etc... and they typically happen 1-3 hours after you eat.

wa5ekh,
I would say I eat a "normal" amount of food, although if I didn't react to so many foods, I would eat MUCH, MUCH MORE. About six months ago, I eliminated wheat from my diet because I thought maybe wheat was the culprit and that it was an allergy. (I still think that part might be possible) I didn't eat wheat for about two weeks and I THINK I felt better, it's hard to recall. Anyway, I gave in and started eating breads and wheat products again. I continued eating what I always ate. Actually, I shouldn't say I continued eating what I always ate. In my early-mid teenage years I ate EVERYTHING I shouldn't eat. Soda, cookies, cakes, chips, greasy food AND healthy food. I've always liked healthy food, at least. Okay, I guess I'm getting off track, though:) RIGHT NOW my diet consists of no simple sugars, soda with splenda (just added recently), I just stopped drinking fruit juices and eating fruit, I eat SOME potato and corn products, I eat tons of cheese, eggs, and cold cuts, I drink water and decaf tea unsweetened, and AM STARVING. I must say, I try not to eat wheat at all or at least eat low carb wheat products, but I DO cheat all of the time. And definitely suffer when I "cheat". This diet only started the past few weeks because I had such bad stomach spasms and acid reflux everytime I put ANY food, it seemed, into my mouth, that I cut out practically everything. The acid reflux issue miraculously resolved (MOSTLY) when I cut out sugar/fruit juices/starchy stuff. Prilosec and every other acid reducer on the market didn't help a bit. I went for four days, I believe, without eating sugar and felt extremely depressed and emotionally numb. When I say that I didn't have sugar, I meant that I ate meat, cheese, and eggs all day and DIDN'T CHEAT. And you can only eat so much of that. With the point I'm at now, if I even eat a yogurt containing sugar or have too much low-carb bread or I cheat and eat a pizza bagel bite containing wheat, I SUFFER. Shortly after comes the acid reflux, stomach distress, dizziness, shaking, and all of those other disgusting symptoms. I never eat chocolate anymore or sweetened drinks or Oreos or anything like that, but I did only a month ago, and that was when the physical symptoms were at their very peak. I also haven't tested my BG at the times that you mentioned as I ran out of strips, but I will try that. I apologize if that was confusing. I confuse MYSELF because it's just so hard to remember because I'm constantly changing and revising my diet. Thanks so much for reading and helping out, I really appreciate it:)
~Katalina

jdimassimo,
Thank you so much for the hope. I WILL check out to see if that clinic still exists, just for the heck of it. It sounds great. It IS terrible when the doctors ignore and don't believe you. It helps knowing that others have gone through the same thing. I barely have any friends because they all think I'm crazy and that I can't POSSIBLY have this much wrong with me, and it hurts that I can't even be backed up by a physician. Oh well, I am determined to find one. My mom's friend just recommended Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut and it almost positive that they will take my insurance. I don't know why I didn't think of that before. It's not too far from me, and the drive it's worth it, anyway. I would love to have a personally tailored diet that would "cure" this! I am willing to be more patient now, especially since you said that it took you 2-3 years to get your sugar problem under control. I am willing to do whatever it takes. Also, I'm absolutely going to make an appointment with an allergist. I used to see an allergist when I was about 12-13, and used to get allergy shots, and was sooo much better. I'm sure since then I have developed tons more allergies, especially food allergies, because I can name quite a few foods right off the top of my head which definitely affect me negatively and cause quite a reaction. I just have one question- did you get diagnosed with REACTIVE hypoglycemia? I have read that it is reactive hypoglycemia can lead to type2 diabetes, which you now have. Thank you so very much for all of the information!!:)

I looked this up online...I am fairly certain this is the place, but I could not find anything else about them on the web... I will ask my mom when I speak to her later today. Also, try calling these folks - maybe they can refer you to a place in CT that does similar treatments.

NORTH SHORE MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
1025 NORTHERN BLVD, ROSLYN, NY 11576
Phone: (516) 627-6648

After reading your post about what you eat, I will say that your constantly changing diet is not helping you... Here is what I would recommend right now to help you get started (at least until you have some sort of diagnosis). Imediately cut out ANYTHING that has any refined or processed sugar in the ingredients. This includes sugar, dextrose, corn syrup, etc. You will have to read labels and I strongly recommend that you not eat out anywhere. Also - if you believe you might be allergic to wheat stop eating it now - this includes anything with wheat flour (bread, pasta, etc). There are lots of alternatives if you go to the health food section of your grocery store - you can find wheat free products. Eating rice cakes was my savior when I eliminated wheat (I used to be allergic to it but I am not anymore). I am not saying that eliminating these things from your diet will be easy, but I will say that if you cheat (not just with this, but any regimen) it will be impossible for you to get well. Try sticking to this for a solid 2 weeks - it will take that long for your body to adjust to your diet changes. You may feel really awful at the beginning, but it won't be worse than how you are feeling now. It may be hard, but you have to stay focused on the goal of feeling better.

Even if it turns out that you are not hypoglycemic, or if you are, but something else is also going on with your health, going on a diet like this cannot hurt you, so what do you have to lose?

Another recommendation (for allergies) is to go on a rotation diet. Trraditional allergy tests are not all that helpful in uncovering food allergies... A 4 to 7-day rotation diet is often used to uncover food allergies. Below are a few links that explain how this works.

http://www.thewayup.com/newsletters/021500.htm
http://www.dolfzine.com/page672.htm (start reading AFTER the fear factor comment)

Get a notebook as you will need to keep a complete diary of everything you eat (all ingredients), and all the symptons you have. Symptoms can occur at various times relative to when you eat - although usually 1-3 hours after you eat a food, it could take 24 hours or more for a symptom to occur.

Most important - keep your spirits up. none of this will be easy, but focus on the fact that in just a few short weeks you will feel SOOOOOOO much better.

Let me know how you are doing!

:bouncing: Both you guys! Do you remember your dietary and computer habits before you(Plural) were diagnosed with Hypo, or reactive hypo-? Were you physically active before diagnosis (..and before that injury too..and after the injury)?? Very curious. Seems like low level physical inactivity or "sudden" very high activity after VERY long periods of non-sleep and infrequent regular meals, followed but exhastion, and then sleep (frequently seen in internet "addicts" in my family and relatives!) seems to cause this exact sequence of events. I didn't think about it until you guys mentioned this- it's a long shot though...(or is it?! we all internet addicts, proof by this activity..)


Actually my retired parents have some..less frequent though.. of the same symptoms..and I hear them alot more now days(their 80)