Ugh...Hypoglycemia

[AmyBoz]

So, we had a cholesterol screening at school today. I had mine done because high cholesterol runs in the family. Mine was fine.

They also, however, checked our glucose. Mine was 80. When I was in high school, I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia, but I've always managed it, rather unconsciously through diet. Anyway, the nurse said, "Did anyone ever diagnose you with hypoglycemia?" I said, "Yep...high school." She said, "Oh okay...this is pretty bad, though. Normally 80 wouldn't be a big deal, but I just watched you eat 2 tacos, a serving of rice, a serving of corn/beans, and an ice cream bar. Your sugar should be much higher."

So, back to the old watching what I eat. It's interesting, though. Over the past few weeks I have been absolutely exhausted, yet have had insomnia. I just chalked it up to stress, but it can certainly be a side effect of my low sugar. No more sugars and starches for me!

[lwlynch]

I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I have really learned alot on what low and high sugars effect. Do alot of internet searching and you will see all kinds things.. good luck.. I am with you on watching everything to eat.. fun right...

[kittykatstrong]

I had diabetes when I was preg. It sucked to watch what I had to eat all the time. Good luck to you.

[miss_thrifty]

So this means that your sugar is low right, no matter how much u eat in carbs?

[quiltergirl2]

Not meaning to be rude, but you didn't know your blood sugar was low?

I leave the planet -- I don't know who I am, where I am, how I got there... Kind of scarey when it happens in a large crowd or at the grocery store.

[M55FF]

maybe you already know but it may be helpful to get a book on the glycemic index of foods.
they have them used everywhere at used book stores and you may run across one at a yard sale.
It helped me very much when I was low carb dieting.
Carbohydrates vary as to how good they will be for you with hypoglycemia. Often times people with that later in life develop type 2 diabetes if they don't control their weight.
I was a RN for 20 years............. you should also carry some sugary snack in your purse with you when out in case you start to have symptoms of low blood sugar.
Diabetes runs in my family ( when over 40, type 2) and I have had blood sugars that low but always feel sick when they go too low.

[quiltergirl2]

Protein is the only thing that brings me out of a hypoglycemic episode -- not sugar. So I carry nuts and cheese not candy. This is really one of those things people need to consult with their doctor about.

[AmyBoz]

I had actually had a bit of an episode earlier in the day and was feeling better after having eaten...apparently my body wasn't feeling better, though.

I agree about it being a personal thing as to what can bring you out of it. The traditional stuff doesn't always work for me, either.

My Dad is a bad diabetic and we always joke that between the two of us, we're perfect.

[smk0817]

I suffer from hypoglycemia as well. I can be fine for a while and then all of the sudden I have problems with it. I try to watch what I eat and I try to eat often. I had a bad episode about 2 weeks ago where NOTHING I ate would bring it up (it was 60). I was scared because I was home alone with the kids. Finally I got it to 80 later in the day. Come to find out I had the flu and any illness like that really throws my system for a loop!

Stephanie

[PrairieRose]

I'm sorry to hear this Amy. I hope you can get it under control with watching what you eat closely.

[forHISglory]

I have it too. Blood sugar swings wildly and makes me kind of dizzy and shaky. Dr. said to eat more protein to help stablize it, so I carry a cheese stick with me most of the time. I try to eat very few starches and even fewer sugars. What carbs I eat are usually complex carbs with high fiber. Haven't had an episode for quite some time now.

I know you are a teacher (I was, too), and that means you can have some odd lunch schedules. I kept peanut butter at my desk, and would have a plastic spoon near. It didn't take long to have a spoon of peanut butter to help stablize an episode. We weren't supposed to eat or drink in our rooms, but I kept peanut butter there, anyway!

Let us know what you do.

[AmyBoz]

forHISglory, I do keep snacks in my desk, even though we aren't supposed to have food in our rooms, either. The peanut butter is a great idea because that is one of the things that can help me out quickly in a bind. My only concern is the mice, but perhaps if I store it high, it will be fine. My students are used to me grabbing a quick bite of something during class and understand that I'm not just trying to tease them, but that I need it. My lunch isn't until 12:28, so I am teaching straight through from 7:55 to 12:28, so I definitely need the little bites here and there.

[suki]

Amy, what grade do you teach?

I was thankful for gradeschool teachers that had class snack time as my daughter needed severals snacks throughout the day and hated being sent away or stay insider from recess to have them. I think a snack time promotes healthy eating.

[Daisygirl]

Ouch. I am sorry to hear about this. I imagine by now you have Googled 15 or more websites, checked some books out of the library and bought some of the better books that you will want to refer back to. You strike me as a research kind of girl, like me!

Take good care of yourself. I am sure you will have it under control soon and feel better in no time at all!

[ladykemma2]

i am a hypoglycemic teacher. i pack lunch, fruit, and two protein filled sandwiches cut in half. 5:30 eat breakfast, 7:30 eat 1/2 sandwich, 9:30 eat 1/2 sandwich , 11 eat lunch , 2:30 eat 1/2 -1 sandwich. keep a payday peanut candy bar in purse at all times.

if i forget to eat, i can't think, become fuzzy, vision gets blurry, then i get "mean", then i see "stars"