HI everyone,

I'm really hoping someone can help me with this..I put this in another thread for TIA, but I'm begining to think that it might be hypogycemia.
A few years ago I was picked up by an ambulance at work for an episode I had. I have had them before that but really didn't know what it was and it would go away after awhile. In the ambulance they took my blood sugar level and said it was at 25. They gave me a shot of glucose and by the time I got to the hospital it was up to around 70.
This is my question: The last time I was in the ER for the same thing the doctor said it was not hypoglycemia and now I have had an MRI, complete heart work up, EEG cap for 24 hours (trying to capture an episode thinking it mught be a clot in the brain). They haven't found anything. I go back to a neurologist in December to start over.
Here is my symptoms: About 1-3 times a week I have what I call an "episode". They vary in severity and length. My legs feel very weak. I get extremely tired in seconds, my legs and feet tingle and sometimes my hands. Sometimes I can talk and sometimes I can't at all. I usually am disoriented but know what is going on around me and have a hard time seeing straight. I loose muscle control in my legs and arms and hands most of the time but vary in severity each time. Sometimes I feel dizzy and sometimes not. I usually slump over or just lay down until it is over. They last anywhere from 10-30 minutes. The after effects last anywhere from a couple hours to 24 hours. Those effects are: tired, disoriented, headache, nausia, and just all around feeling ill.
Does anyone out there have these episodes? I'm frustrated and tired of going to specialist after specialist.

From the symptoms, it sound like hypoglycemia could be involved. But it also sounds like other stuff is going on. The blood glucose reading of 25 you got at the ER is very low. Normal is 70-90. Have you tested your blood glucose during any of your other episodes? I suggest going to a pharmacy and buying a tester with some strips. Next time you have an episode, do a test. Or if you are unable to do one, get someone else to do a test for you. You will then be able to see if low blood glucose is feature of these episodes.

In addition to type one diabetes, I also have a history of epilepsy. The problem is that low blood glucose precipitates epileptic episodes. I used to get violent grand mal seizures when my blood glucose dropped too low. This could be happening with you too, causing milder so-called petit mal episodes. I would suggest that finding out if low blood glucose is an issue here is the most logical first step in getting to the bottom of it.

Mark

Thank you for your input and suggestions. I will do what you suggested and find out what my blood level is when these episodes happen. I will also ask my neurologist about this this and the petit mal.
Thanks again

I was just purusing this form and read your post so I decided to register and reply. Your symptoms sound very similar to what I have experienced over the years. I would end up with episodes of weakness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, short of breath, disorientation, foggy thinking, sometimes shaking, etc. Some episodes would only display a couple of symptoms and be manageable and other times it would be horrible and very frightening. Also the after effects seemed to last hours or I even felt wiped out for a couple of days if the episode was severe. I saw several Dr.s and had all sorts of heart works ups, etc. Nothing showed up so they resorted to the usual answer when they can't find a reason for why you feel so terrible--stress or anxiety. Actually the only anxiety I felt was after being told that because I knew that something was very wrong. After a couple of years into it I found a Dr that would actually listen to me and said that it wasn't just in my head. She did some tests and my fasting blood sugar was 172 and A1c 6.5. At first I had pretty good success controlling my blood sugars with diet, but after about a year my numbers crept up and she put me on metformin. I still had times when I didn't feel well and some nasty epidsodes but they were lessening in frequency. (I totally don't understand how someone has no idea they are diabetic--for me I felt so horrific that I knew something was definitely wrong) Currently I am feeling much better and rarely have episodes. I think I can attribute it to frequent testing, learning to recognize highs and lows and quick rises or drops and eating better. I am also nearing menopause so I think the combination of the diabetes and all the nasty stuff that brings did a number on my body. There is definitely a correlation between my hormone levels and blood sugar numbers. When I experience a lot of hot flashes, my numbers are worse. When things even out hormoneally my numbers improve. Looking back on the years before I was diagnosed and how awful I felt, I think it was due to the rollercoaster of blood sugar fluctuations. I would feel hypoglycemic, eat something with lots of carbs, feel a little better, then feel awful (probably because I was too high) then eat something again and start the cylce all over. Both highs and lows produce similar symptoms for me. I think I was constantly spiking and dropping. Plus all the stuff with menopause thrown in the mix. I not so jokingly told my hubby on numerous occasions to just shoot me. I am glad he never listens to me. I would encourage you to find a good Dr. and not give up. Hypoglycemia can be a precurser to diabetes. Don't wait until you have a high fasting number if you suspect blood sugar problems. Test yourself at home frequently, journal what you eat, when you exercise, and find correlations. Insist on an A1c and fasting blood sugar if your home numbers aren't "normal". If you are diabetic, it takes some experimenting and just when you think you have it under control, it changes. Do lots of reading and research. I hope you find some answers.

Thank you so much for your reply...
I have been thinking this (hypoglycemia) for a while now and hormones. I am also approaching menopause but more interesting is that last February I had an ovarian ablation procedure done because of severe bleeding. After about 2 months the "episodes" started coming quicker and quicker. I asked doctors about this but he just keeps saying there is no way of telling whether hypoclycemia is what is causing these "episodes" unless they put me in the hospital for a fasting test. They won't do that so I guess I'm on my own on this one. I have another appointment with a neurologist in December; I will definetely bring your response to this to my doctor and hopefully she will send me to an endrocrinologist.
Thank you again