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 just got a refill on my birth control prescription and noticed that it says diabetics should be careful with oral contraceptives because they can alter your blood sugar. After some quick research on the internet, I'm finding that the pills tend to raise a woman's blood sugar. As I think back, I don't recall having any symptoms of hypoglycemia before I started birth control pills, but then again, it's probably just a coincidence. So I was wondering, have any of you been on birth control pills and noticed a difference in your symptoms of hypoglycemia when you are on or off the pill? I'm tempted to go off it for a few months just to see if there are any changes in my symptoms, but I thought I'd check first to see if anyone else had looked into this.
Then I went on birth control, and I didn't notice the correlation, but my hypoglycemia improved greatly. I thought I just learned to deal with it.
I found your post this morning because, after going off the pill after 9 years a few weeks ago, I got up this morning feeling that old feeling. I was dizzy, and had to sit down to finish getting ready for work.
So - I would say I personally noticed a difference in my symptoms. It was much easier to keep things balanced while I was on the pills. However, I still don't plan on going back on them!! But that's a whole 'nother story ;)
I'd like to hear from other women too that have had problems with birth control.
When I was on bcp, within a month I started developing stronger symptoms . I was on them for 4 months. By the end of the 4 months, my hypoglycemia was so bad I couldn't take care of my kids. My symptoms could not be controlled, and I had digestive and muscle problems too. The doctors told me that my symptoms were not due to the bcp, but I knew better. I went off the bcp and each month I felt better. It took me over a year to get back to where I was before the pills.
Many people develop symptoms from taking birth control pills. Their symptoms are unique to the person. Some feel tired, some gain a lot of weight, some get headaches, some experience digestive problems, some get red blotches on their face (I did), some experience hypoglycemic symptoms, and some experience a combination of many different symptoms. I reacted very strongly to Low-estrin. And of course some people do not notice any side effects. Our bodies are all different.
Keep us posted on how things go for you.
Patti
Thanks so much for your insight. It has only been just over 1 month since I stopped the BCP and I am feeling better already. I was getting severe hot flashes, palpitations and chest pains which I have not had lately. Also, my low sugars have improved. I'm having severe hunger feelings where i know my sugar is on the way down, but I seem to catch it before i get the severe 'shakes', etc. Wow, it took you a year to improve after the BCP. I probably have a long road ahead as well. How do you feel now? How often to you get lows with symptoms?
Thanks again :-)
I'm doing much better now, but still have symptoms now and then. My symptoms are not as severe.
My low blood sugar is more difficult to control around the certain time of the month, the second half of my cycle. Now that I know what's going on, I can prepare for it and be very strict with what I eat, how often I eat, how much I eat for each meal and snacks, etc.
When I was taking bcp and then went off, I noticed an improvement right away with some of my symptoms. It took at least a year to no longer experience my digestive problems. My hypoglycemia symptoms gradually got better each month.
My hypoglycemia symptoms were terrible when on bcp. I could not control and stabilize my blood sugar no matter what I did. Each month I felt worse. I was not diagnosed with hypoglycemia until after my last birth control problems.
Keep us posted on how you're doing. I hope you feel better soon.
Does anyone think that the bcp would have any effect on my situation since I've been on them for so long? I've heard that they can have an effect but I don't really want to go off them if it most likely isn't the problem. I guess I just feel like since I've been on bcp for so long why all of a sudden would it be a problem?
Any suggestions?
I've talked to a few doctors over the last year. The most useful info I've received was from one who checked all the latest publications for me and told me that nobody has really done the research, but that it would be a really interesting experiment to see if going off the pills changed how my blood sugar acted. She wanted me to let her know if I went through with it and noticed any changes. Of course, being a busy person who doesn't like to have to worry about birth control if I don't have to, I haven't made any changes since I first posted the topic, but I'll be sure to update when I do decide to switch to something else.
I don't know what chemicals or additives that are included in the drug that can have a negative affect on blood sugar.
My mom was on Hormone Replacement Therapy for a while. After a long time of being on it, she started developing severe symptoms similar to the symptoms I was having on Low Estrin. She decided to go off the drugs. Her symptoms went away. I think hormones can have an affect on blood sugar, and can affect other areas of the body. She probably would have stayed on the drug and looked for other reasons if her symptoms didn't mimic mine.