it might be hypoglycemia - Hypoglycemia Message Board

hry33 · 04-18-2003, 06:09 PM

hypoglycemia or low bloodsugar can cause problems the same as a panic attack, the 2 things can easily be confused, some naturapaths talk of "hidden hypoglycemia" and blame it for all panic attacks

when the bloodsugar gets too low, the brain cant work properly, causing panic attack like problems

fortunately a doc can write you a prescription for some bloodsugar test strips and with a finger pricker, you simply place a drop of blood on the strip and match to the color chart, a test machine is not needed, although some will try to sell you one.
these test strips are mostly used by diabetes sufferers.
you can easily test your bloodsugar just after having a panic attack to see if its low

Graciecat · 04-18-2003, 07:01 PM

You're right, they do have the same symptoms.
That's one of the first things my Doctor tested me for...along with other things, before he told me I had panic disorder.

kat721 · 04-21-2003, 10:10 PM

Testing the blood as you are suggesting is a good idea. However, it's a little bit more complicated than the drug store home test kit.
There are two approaches.
One is a Glucose Tolerance Test.
You do the overnight fast and do a first morning blood draw.
Then the Doctor gives you the measured Glucose solution.
You can't eat anything or drink anything other than water for the next 2 hours.
Then at the end of a 2 hour period you have blood drawn again.
There are also variations of this test where you might have to go more than two hours.
Depends on what the Doctor wants to do.
There's another test that charts the levels of the blood over a course of days but it's all taken from one blood draw.
I forget the name of that test.
My Cardiologist mentioned it when we were trying to trouble shoot my problem.
Testing for blood surgar problems is a major medical event.
it's important to be accurate.
What happens if you do the home test and oops your blood sugar is off?
Do you pop a glucose tablet?
Do you eat some peanut butter?
What do you do if your blood sugar is high?
What happens if it's low?
You need a Doctor for guidence.
And maybe medication.
I take Metformin. It is an anti diabetic medication.
Mostly we know it as a medication for Diabetics.
But people with Hypoglycemia need the medication too.
Hypoglycemia and Diabeties are both problems of the cells in the body being resistent to Insulin but at different cellular entry points.
There is also a difference in Pancreatic function.
Either way, it's a medical condition that can and does become life threatening.
There's a reason the symptoms resemble Panic.
The body is freaking out that it might die.
Seriously.
When I had my GTT done my blood fell so low I was a mere two numbers off where it's time to call the paramedics because going into a coma is the next phase.
You can bet your boots the body feels panicky.
It took me weeks to get over the physical wreck of the event.
And no one ever suspected because my regular blood tests from fasting blood ALWAYS came out perfect and healthy.
I now have to take Metformin 3X a day.
Amazing ain't it.
kat