Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Support Group
The term hypoglycemia literally means "low blood sugar." Hypoglycemia can produce a variety of symptoms and effects but the principal problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose as fuel to the brain, resulting in impairment of function. Derangements of function can range from vaguely "feeling bad" to coma and in the worst case, can be fatal.
I have a concern for a friend. We live 3 hours apart and I have noticed some pretty disturbing traits. We have been friends for 30 years. She was always heavy set and I had seen her in 2012 and was still overweight. I saw her last year and she had lost a tremendous amount of weight. I saw her again in February and really noticed the drinking. We took a trip together this past May and she can absolutely drink me under the table. She doesn't stop. She eats 2 cheese sticks in the morning and can go the rest of the day without eating - but she will drink a case of beer in 3 days. By.Herself. So while on our trip - we had dinner and one of the meals had some honey, which she didn't realize. She mentioned that with that much honey - she may get the shakes. We got back to the hotel and she had the shakes. She needed to get up to our room and get a beer to calm down the shakes. I told her I was concerned! Other things - She has IBS. She is in the bathroom ALOT! In fact there was a time I was getting ready in the bathroom and she couldn't wait - she needed me out IMMEDIATELY. She stinks like she has gas often. She has neuropathy in her leg - she can't feel her shin. She told me of an episode at work once where she passed out for just a minute and they thought she was having a stroke. I've asked her if she is diabetic and said no - she has hypoglycemia.
So - I am extremely concerned with her health. I think the drinking is a huge part of the problem and is only making her condition worse. What really upset me was when we were in the car, she got the shakes, and needed BEER to calm down the shakes?! That is just not right...
Any thoughts?
So - I am extremely concerned with her health. I think the drinking is a huge part of the problem and is only making her condition worse. What really upset me was when we were in the car, she got the shakes, and needed BEER to calm down the shakes?! That is just not right...
Any thoughts?
I was married to an alcoholic, at the end before he hit bottom (when he was already my x) he was drinking all day long and eating nothing but m&ms. This is because the same circuits that feed the alcoholic brain also love sugar. Your friend got shaky after honey because it created an instant and dramatic need for more alcohol.
Re the passing out and hypoglycemia - alcohol of almost any kind turns into sugar as soon as it burns off. She is creating her own hypoglycemia by consuming almost nothing but alcohol all day long. If she doesn't stop, she could become diabetic because she is burning out her pancreas at a pretty fast pace.
I honor that you are trying to help your friend.
Does she have family that can help you get her into treatment?
She needs it badly.
(I have had bariatric surgery and have done the research...I do not drink, never did but sugar is my nemesis and if my brain had decided booze was it for me I'd be in big trouble)