Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Support Group

Hi all, I am glad to have found this forum I am at my wits end and was beginning to think I am going mad!

A couple of years ago my health deteriorated noticeably and I lost a lot of weight, I was tested for an over-active thyroid, diabetes was mentioned and eventually I was told that it might be a pituitary problem, which others have disagreed with.

Anyway suffice to say that I have not been diagnosed in any way and I am finding it increasingly difficult to cope with these symptoms.

I have real problems with my blood glucose levels, in that generally they are usually far too low and it knocks me for six every month around the same time as my periods (I am not sure if that is related in any way?) I have always needed to eat lots or I would feel “funny” and have experienced about 7 major “episodes” where I have become extremely frightened and aggressive and sometimes even "passed out" to be brought round by a spoonful of sugar.

I have been to doctors about this – OBVIOUSLY! And am worryingly getting absolutely nowhere! The first doctor I saw ran a GTT incorrectly and then left the country before advising me of the results. The second suggested an H1AC test but on the day could not draw enough blood and another have told me I am becoming fixated and really don't need to use a blood glucose monitor at all.

One doctor has suggested to me I try the GTT test again but now I am unable to fast for the 12 hours required, so the three day stay in hospital has been suggested to test for hypoglycaemia but given I am in Spain and I have not been able to gain private medical cover or work because of this all treatment is being paid for privately and I am not sure we can afford it now. I am scared that we have exhausted all medical options here as I have been told that endocrinologists are “not that great in Spain”.

Anyway this month things have got progressively worse. I was prepared with the lead up to my period for my blood glucose to drop for a day or so and have always in the past been able to raise it by eating but that didn't happen. I spent Sunday sitting on my sofa whilst my blood sugar thrashed up and down from 3.4mmol/l (61 mg/dl) to 10.2mmol/l (185 mg/dl) then back down again. It did this continuously all day and I only had to so much as look at food at it would rocket. The next day the complete opposite happened and try as I might I couldn't raise it, at one point getting as low as 2.6mmol/l (48 mg/dl) and the whole day only achieving the highest of 5.3mmol/l (95 mg/dl) through excessive eating. Today is the same, I am sitting at around 3.4mmol/l (61 mg/dl) continuously.

I have been told on so many occasions that there is nothing wrong with me, maybe I am a hypochondriac but I know I used to feel much better than this and have a much different relationship with food. I am stick thin now (under eight stone) and I am six foot tall so, as I am sure you can imagine, am not looking my greatest. This has had a profound effect on my confidence and I have become a somewhat social recluse for fear of having one of these “attacks”.

Anyway any tips or advice at all would be greatly appreciate at this time, both I and my very long suffering boyfriend would be most grateful.

Thanks in advance for any help. Make sure you all look after yourselves.
Posted on 09/22/09, 02:09 pm