Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 14455

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Hypoglycemia???

Posted by Anon E. Mouse on November 2, 1999, at 19:47:12

Hi All!
I was wondering - for people who have realitively long periods of depression and tiredness, and intermittant hypomanic phases. Is it possible that hypoglycemia is the cause?
I noticed that a few people here mentioned having trouble with food cravings, but also just craving something to break up a life of perceived apathy.
Well, I share these symptoms, and I'm trying to figure out if something else is going on besides cyclothymia. The people on the HG websites say that hypoglycemia could be the cause to everything, but I figure there could be a lot of other things going on too.
Do any of you guys get shaky and feel like you're going to pass out if you miss a meal?

Thanks for reading my first post!! :)

 

Re: Hypoglycemia???

Posted by Racer on November 2, 1999, at 20:12:59

In reply to Hypoglycemia???, posted by Anon E. Mouse on November 2, 1999, at 19:47:12

A lot of people who claim to be hypoglycemic are not. That's the first thing you have to keep in mind. They may feel weak, or dizzy or something if they get too hungry, but hypoglycemia is more than that.

Yes, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can cause a lot of the symptoms of depression, and usually someone who is suffering uncontrolled diabetes/hypoglycemia/whatever will have some mood issues, too.

If you really think that's a problem, go get a glucometer, keep a diary of your blood sugar for one month, with a diary of *everything* you eat, when you eat it, the readings before you eat, the readings about an hour after you eat, and your mood. Take that diary to your doctor, and see what he/she says. It's not only having your blood sugar fall once in a while, but a pattern of lows that shows hypoglycemia rather than an anomolous low reading.

On the other hand, if you find that you have a problem, controlling it may help the depression. I know that I have major mood problems when my blood sugar starts falling out of its usual control.

 

Re: Hypoglycemia???

Posted by Anon E. Mouse on November 3, 1999, at 10:41:06

In reply to Re: Hypoglycemia???, posted by Racer on November 2, 1999, at 20:12:59

Racer -
Thanks for your helpful response! Would it be overstepping my bounds to ask if you have diabetes or hypoglycemia?
I'm pretty sure that I am not diabetic (although not positive). Would I be able to have the symptoms of low blood sugar with untreated diabetes?
I just thought of the hypoglycemia thing the other day. Whenever I don't eat for a while I get dizzy, and tired. My hands shake. I feel lightheaded. Sometimes I have to lie down. If I then eat, it takes a cou[le of hours to fully recover. I haven't done anything about diet yet. When I feel dizzy like that, I usually try to eat a lot of sugar really fast... Then I'll usually get a craving for something more like real food (maybe something salty too).
Once after not eating, and mildly exerting myself, I was about to pass out to the point that my legs gave out, and I hit my knee caps hard on the ground. Somehow I was able to get to some apple juice.
When I have any amount of blood drawn, I almost p[ass out. Once everything started going white.
But do you guys think these symptoms (which may or may not even be hypoglycemia) have anything to do with a severe depression with many mood swings? I haven't noticed a corrolation between my eating (or lack thereof) and my symptoms. But who knows with these things....
By the way, Racer, what is a glucometer? Does it involve needles? Don't they have some kind of a watch that measures bblod sugar?

Thanks again for the help guys!!

> A lot of people who claim to be hypoglycemic are not. That's the first thing you have to keep in mind. They may feel weak, or dizzy or something if they get too hungry, but hypoglycemia is more than that.
>
> Yes, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can cause a lot of the symptoms of depression, and usually someone who is suffering uncontrolled diabetes/hypoglycemia/whatever will have some mood issues, too.
>
> If you really think that's a problem, go get a glucometer, keep a diary of your blood sugar for one month, with a diary of *everything* you eat, when you eat it, the readings before you eat, the readings about an hour after you eat, and your mood. Take that diary to your doctor, and see what he/she says. It's not only having your blood sugar fall once in a while, but a pattern of lows that shows hypoglycemia rather than an anomolous low reading.
>
> On the other hand, if you find that you have a problem, controlling it may help the depression. I know that I have major mood problems when my blood sugar starts falling out of its usual control.

 

Re: Hypoglycemia???

Posted by dove on November 3, 1999, at 11:47:32

In reply to Re: Hypoglycemia???, posted by Anon E. Mouse on November 3, 1999, at 10:41:06

Just a quick addition, I actually faint/black-out (unconscious on the ground) when I haven't eaten. This was dxed as epilepsy when I was young then migraines and recently have noticed a connection between eating and the fainting. My p-doc has me on adderall and told me to snack every two hours because the adderall is an appetite suppressant. Since I started snacking every couple hours I have not blacked-out even once.

So, maybe you need to try eating more often and see if that makes a diference. It really makes a difference in my moods, even chomping on carrots or a couple crackers helps(although the crackers give me rebound carb cravings, I have no idea why).

dove

 

Re: Hypoglycemia???

Posted by Racer on November 3, 1999, at 16:25:10

In reply to Re: Hypoglycemia???, posted by Anon E. Mouse on November 3, 1999, at 10:41:06

> Racer -
> Thanks for your helpful response! Would it be overstepping my bounds to ask if you have diabetes or hypoglycemia?
> I'm pretty sure that I am not diabetic (although not positive). Would I be able to have the symptoms of low blood sugar with untreated diabetes?
> I just thought of the hypoglycemia thing the other day. Whenever I don't eat for a while I get dizzy, and tired. My hands shake. I feel lightheaded. Sometimes I have to lie down. If I then eat, it takes a cou[le of hours to fully recover. I haven't done anything about diet yet. When I feel dizzy like that, I usually try to eat a lot of sugar really fast... Then I'll usually get a craving for something more like real food (maybe something salty too).

Well, you remember that joke about 'Doctor, it hurts when I do this'? Don't do that! If you have to eat on a schedule, eat on a schedule. Meanwhile, don't confuse transient low blood sugar from not eating with chronic hypoglycemia which is usually a result of abnormal insulin utilization. And when you don't eat, and subsequently feel weak, don't go for the sugar. That's asking for additional problems. You're begging for worse problems doing that. Eat somehting with a mix of protein and slow carbs, like a sandwich...


> When I have any amount of blood drawn, I almost p[ass out.

That sounds more like anxiety. Having blood drawn doesn't change your blood sugar. If enough is taken, it can cause your blood pressure to drop, but passing out when any blood at all is taken sounds like anxiety, not diabetes.


> But do you guys think these symptoms (which may or may not even be hypoglycemia) have anything to do with a severe depression with many mood swings?

I'd say there is certainly a connection, but my guess is that it's less a case of your physical symptoms causing your mood problems, than your mood either causing you to bring on your physical problems (by not eating), or your being more aware of the problems because of your mood. As I believe I suggested before, if you really believe this is an issue, keep a diary of what you eat, your mood, and your blood sugar readings. Your doctor is going to want to see something like that anyway, why not see if you see something first?


> By the way, Racer, what is a glucometer?

A glucometer checks for the level of glucose in your blood. Generally, the aim is for 100mg/DL.

Does it involve needles?

Yes. You have to have some blood in order to test some blood.

Don't they have some kind of a watch that measures bblod sugar?

If they do, and I haven't heard of one, it is likely to be very expensive. The test strips themselves are expensive enough. Considering the expense of testing through low tech means, using actual blood, the thought of a non-bloodletting device is nice, but unlikely to be economical.

Here's a hint, kiddo, don't start worrying about your blood sugar until/unless you find some clear evidence that it's a problem. You don't like the idea of needles? Neither do I. You know what? It doesn't matter. I have to stick myself a dozen or more times a day. My fingertips are bruised and look like pin cushions from testing my blood sugar. Half the time, the answers I get are wrong: too high or too low. When that happens, it's not as easy as trying to "eat a lot of sugar really fast..." And I could make a wrong decision about this and die. Cease to exist. Not a lot of fun.

You sound a little young to me, and I'm going to give you some advice. I wouldn't have listened to it either, but that won't stop me: Eat. Eat healthy foods, on a regular schedule. You know, that nice, balanced meal thing. Do that EVERY day. You know why? Aside from everything else, you are starving your brain. You wonder what effect that has on moods? Gee, if you can't think straight because you're in the middle of starving to death, well, gee, think that might alter your view of the world?

Now, go forth and be hungry no more...
>
> Thanks again for the help guys!!
>
>
>

 

Re: Hypoglycemia???

Posted by Noa on November 4, 1999, at 13:35:44

In reply to Re: Hypoglycemia???, posted by Racer on November 3, 1999, at 16:25:10

> > Racer -
Your info on this is helpful to me, too.

I also have lightheadedness, etc. when I haven't eaten. I agree with Racer and Dove that it is usually simple to manage--have something available in case it happens, but mostly, plan to eat healthfully and at the frequency that your body's signals tell you to.
Also, I once had anemia that made me faint-black out, especially when changing from sitting to standing. Had my iron checked, it was low, treated the anemia, symptoms went away.
As for fainting when blood is drawn--I believe this tendency to "faint at the sight of blood" tends to run in families and has its roots in an adaptive survival strategy. I think I read about it in the book "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers" which is a terrific book about humans and stress. It is interesting, informative and very entertaining. By a physiologist whose name I cannot remember at the moment.


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