
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.

deleted_user
Hi everyone.
My problem is that my doctor didn't really think of hypoglycemia as an issue.
For a long time, I have had many (like 98% of the symptoms) of this. I KNOW this is what it must be. But when I went to the doctors, and told her all the symptoms, she said, "oh, it's just low blood sugar." She didn't even test me. She kind of threw it to the side, and I had to bring it up again and ask, "what do I do about it then?" and she just said, "just carry around some food with you for when you get hungery."
I know this is true, but there is so much more to that. I started to read up on hypoglycemia, and how important it is to take care of yourself, and make dietary changes. I feel as if my doctor didn't take me seriously.
Has anyone else felt like this? and what did you do about it?
My problem is that my doctor didn't really think of hypoglycemia as an issue.
For a long time, I have had many (like 98% of the symptoms) of this. I KNOW this is what it must be. But when I went to the doctors, and told her all the symptoms, she said, "oh, it's just low blood sugar." She didn't even test me. She kind of threw it to the side, and I had to bring it up again and ask, "what do I do about it then?" and she just said, "just carry around some food with you for when you get hungery."
I know this is true, but there is so much more to that. I started to read up on hypoglycemia, and how important it is to take care of yourself, and make dietary changes. I feel as if my doctor didn't take me seriously.
Has anyone else felt like this? and what did you do about it?
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My doctor did test me, but the reason he tested me was because he thought I was diabetic. He got the results the same day and called to tell me right away that I was Hypoglycemic, and that I come in two days later. He didn't really know much except to eat more times a day, so I went for nothing. He could have told me that over the phone. lol.
I went to a Dietitian and she had no real clue either. She put me on a diet that landed me in the E.R.
Yes, I've been where you are and so have many of us here. I started searching as you have and I have failed and succeeded with things. I have found that protein intake is a huge help for me to keep this balanced.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
As to what to eat; I don't have first-hand experience with doing a hypo/vegetarian diet, but I would recommend using lots of nuts, eggs, and dairy products as protein sources, as well as soy/tofu. For cereal, I've found that Bear Naked High-Protein granola works pretty well. You can also buy the plain soymilk, or unsweetened if you can find it, and add some vanilla extract and/or agave nectar to sweeten it a bit.
Vegetables are also a really important part of a hypoglycemic diet. You should be careful of carrots, peas, pumpkin and other winter squashes, and eggplant, as these are fairly high in sugar/starch. (This doesn't mean they're off limits, just eat them in small quantities along with some protein.) Pretty much all other vegetables are fine. So for meals, I would recommend things like salad with either nuts or cheese or egg for protein, omeletes with lots of veggies, or stir fry/curries with tofu and veggies.
Oh, and as far as nut butters go--there are some out there without sugar, you just have to take the time to read labels. I'm allergic to peanut butter, so I usually eat cashew or almond butter, and I haven't had a problem with those having sugar. You may need to look at a health food store rather than the grocery store to find these, though.
I think this post is long enough, but feel free to ask if you have questions!
Stay away from caffeine in any shape, not being a vegetarian, I'm not sure you would have anything to do with that or not.
Also, watch your fruits, they have natural sugars that can set you on the road to a low, tomatoes are loaded with sugar so stay away from that one, allot of people don't think fruits are bad but to us they are.
Whole grain flour is a good sub for white flour and wheat pasta too. I have not cut all sugar and white flour out, just allot of it.
Basically---A low carb, high Protein( I'm sure you've gotten that idea already though. LOL.) diet.
Carb intake should be Complex carbs not simple carbs. Simple carbs burn to fast and you face possible crashing, while slow carbs stay with you longer. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.
Did you also know that Hypo can cause depression, and many other things? If I find the site I'll send it to you, just so you are more familiar with what you're going through.
Talk to you later
I have another couple questions though! lol. How have you explained it to your Significant other, parent or child? How have you dealt with it so that you don't feel as if your holding them back? (ie. my boyfriend loves hiking, and feels like he wouldn't be able to bring me now. Another is how we go out to eat at a fancy Italin restaurant on our anniversaries *pasta and white bread*). How do you deal with this kind of thing? I know that's a loaded question and that there is no real way. But any examples could help. Thank you!
As far as going out to eat, italian may not be the best option for you. Maybe Asian food (just eat the protein and veggies, and leave the rice)? Indian food and middle eastern food both have lots of vegetarian options, too. Again, just don't eat the rice or bread (yes, I have eaten hummus with a spoon...). Stick to dishes based on lentils, chickpeas, etc. I know its inconvenient if your traditional "going out" place is italian, but just look at it as an opportunity to explore new restaraunts.
Hope this helps.
At places that have pasta find out if they have the other pasta and maybe a sauce other than red and white sauce, maybe see if they have pesto or something with less sugar than the other typical pasta sauces.
Alcohol is a big no no. lol. Sorry, but that stuff drops everyones sugar allot, so for us it would be very harmful.
Pizza is something I do on occasion, maybe once a month and if I'm being a good Hypoglycemic, it won't hurt me that bad, nothing a quick protein shake wont fix.
As far as telling everyone, I just came out and told them "I have low sugar, my I.Q. will drop from time to time but that just means I'm low on sugar, So please let me know when I start acting stupid so I can fix it". lol. I had to add humor in there simply because, I thought if I didn't make a big deal out of it neither would they, and therefor wouldn't treat me like I was dieing. lol.
Basically, keep living, you should anyway, it's better to get out and about, but just take things with you that will help keep your sugar stable. Don't leave home without it. lol.
Please do remember that this is serious, I simply joked about it to my family, friends and co-workers so they'd stay off my back.
I'll start looking for that web site and send it to you soon. I'll look now but my eye lids are dropping, not sure how long I'm going to last here. I'm old. lol.
Hope this helps a bit as far as what to do and say. Talk to you later.
Have a nice weekend Ladies, if we don't meet sooner.
http://www.fred.net/slowup/habul44.html
http://www.drpodell.org/hypoglycemia_symptoms.shtml
http://va.essortment.com/hypoglycemiasym_rjfc.htm
I'm actually looking for one specific site, it was very helpful but I forget where it was. Do get that book cactusren mentioned as well, Hypoglycemia for dummies. My family and friends do know about Hypoglycemia, they asked questions and they searched as well for answers.
as soon as I find that one I'm actually looking for I'll send it along. Do watch looking and asking because allot of info on the web is about a diabetic having Hypo because of their meds.
http://dailystrength.org/discussions/Hypoglycemia_low_blood_sugar/messages/1451771
http://www.hypoglycemia.org/diet.asp
Ok, I am sooo going to bed now. lmao.
The ideas and tips to do are very helpful and I will definitly do them. And I'll have to go get that book, "hypoglycemia for dummies", it sounds very helpful. And those websites are awesome.
And Hummus with hala and pita bread is Amazing! lol. And I thought the comment with this link was hysterical, I hope you got a great night sleep! lol.
And for one last question: Did you guys seem to have what felt like withdrawals when you cut the sugar and white flour? Because I've lowered my intake (today is only the 2rd day) and last night I was very nausaus and dizzy - and I ate great! Did this happen to you guys? Thank yous!
Talk to you later.
I know I said that last question was the last, but I have one more, I promise(I hope!) this is the last! lol. And it's because I couldn't really find a straight answer. How about evaporated cane juice and fruit juice sweetened products? Because I bought plain soymilk and it has that in it. I know it's a sugar, but does the fact that it's unrefined make a difference? lol. Thanks.
P.S. By the way, how were you guys' weekends? We've all been talking alot this weekend so I thought I'd ask how you're doing and how your weekends were.