Me and Reactive Hypoglycaemia
I have decided to write about my experience with reactive hypoglycaemia to help others.
It is not an easy decision but I know too well how when my problems started I did not know where to turn to. So I hope it will be of some comfort to some.
14 years go, I suffered minor low blood sugar symptoms such as feeling shaky. A family member at the time suggested I should see my GP. I did, had blood tests that showed I was low with sugar in my blood. I was referred to a specialist who decided the cause was due to being too strict with my diet after a heart attack.
So I went back home, was not as strict but avoided all fat as told by one person from cardiac rehab.
Once in a while I felt unwell but I knew I had to take some sugar or eat quickly.
In April 2024, while doing my garden, I felt so unwell, I thought I had a stroke. I was sweaty, my head confused, shaking so much it was difficult to walk back to my kitchen. I sat and wondered if it had to do with low sugar. I took some. I felt much better and so returned to do my gardening but within half an hour, it all started again.
It was September before I had another bad turn while walking my dog. It was very frightening. It was when I saw my GP who referred me to an endocrinologist. Of course, I waited and waited meanwhile being unwell with bouts of hypoglycaemia.
It gradually increased. I had at least an hypo every night sometimes two.
During the day was not any better. I decided to go private.
It was a matter to find out what was causing this problem.
I had CT scan that showed anomalies in my pancreas. So I had a Pet scan that thank goodness was clear of cancer.
I had numerous blood tests. The specialist asked I wear a sensor so I could with my phone be alerted when the sugar was going to low. He could also see the graphs and be informed of what was going on.
It was at a time when I did not think I would see Spring 2025! I had made my funeral arrangements…
In the meantime in February I received the waited appointment from the hospital NHS.
I saw an endocrinologist who triumphantly declared it was the medication I was taking for my heart. He referred me to Cardiology and discharged me. It was a long time before I could talk to cardiology and so my GP tried to changed my medication for another one. It didn’t work.
Cardiology phoned me in June and decided to change the medication for another one it doesn’t work. They will not call back before February 2026.
So I went back privately to my endocrinologist. We decided to change my diet as it seemed to be the problem.
Frankly, I could not see how I could change a perfect diet. I was totally confused and still having these dreadful episodes of hypoglycaemia.
I was referred to a dietitian/nutritionist.
After questioning about my problem, my health, weight, medication etc, it was decided I would start stopping carbohydrates such as white bread, white pastas etc.. all replaced by brown pastas, brown rice, sourdough bread and more.
I was offered supplements I could decide to take or not. I did as I was at a point I would do anything to be like my old self again.
After several weeks, following my nutritionist instructions, I was at last being able to sleep through the night without having the sugar falling to as low as 2.2, 2.3 and having hypoglycaemia
Just now, when I have warning about the sugar falling low, it is when I exercise too much or wait too long between feeding time.
It is best for me to have a small bite every 3 hours and have a good breakfast, lunch and evening diner
I sleep a lot better and with my supplements I am regaining my strength. I no longer need to sleep once or twice during the day.
I have been explained that I deprived my body of fat for so many years, to function properly it turned to sugar, something I was not eating either.
We need fat for our brain, eyes etc…
It is going to take a while for my body to realise fat is once more on the menu and behave accordingly.
Not eating properly while trying to avoid these nasty episodes I was eating too much sugar and too much carbohydrates. I had put on unnecessary weight which is now under control.
So, no more hypoglycaemia during the night and only a couple of times during the day in a fortnight instead of one or twice a day everyday… what a difference!
My sugar still fall low once in a while, under stress, or tiredness or gardening or cleaning but I know now how to cope with it. It is a matter of time before I feel normal again.
We are all different and each of us have different needs.
For this reason I will not tell you how to look how to look after yourself.
I was asked for the name of my nutritionist And so here is her website:
https://rebelwithveg.co.uk
Through her I have gained an incredible amount of knowledge regarding my health, food and more. I owe her my sanity. I cannot thank her enough.
