Hypoglycemia

[Poimen]

I think I may have Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If so, then much of what has been perceived as panic disorder related over the years may actually not be. Now, it is certain I have had panic attacks, and probably do have a panic disorder. BUT, much of the ongoing symptoms and lack of ability to effectively treat or stop those symptoms, also perfectly matches with what I've read about hypoglycemia.

What made me look into this is that I started again having, out of the blue, sleepy spells hit me (as if I had taken a sleeping pill). I have had them off and on over the years, and have assumed they were panic related and/or allergy med related. After all, the blood tests say my sugar is fine.

Anyhow, long story short, the symptoms are virtually identical between hypoglycemia and panic disorder -- except for meal related symptoms and the sleepy spells (both of which I have).

I have NOT been to the Doc yet. I plan to go first of the week (after payday). I stumbled across a site on hypoglycemia, took an indicator "at risk" test. A score of twenty or more puts you at risk. I scored 108.

I have been tested several times and my sugar levels were always great, near perfect. Diabetes has always been ruled out. Hypoglycemia too, I guess. But, based on the info I've read it sure seems like a perfect fit.

So... what do you know about it? Anyone else here deal with it? What kind of treatments can I expect if diagnosed? Any thoughts?

[Full Quiver]

I always tested well also Chris but they have to test you during a spell. The doc diagnosed me in December and told me how to treat it and since then I have done quite well IF I follow his instructions.

[Pastor Don]

I think I may have Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If so, then much of what has been perceived as panic disorder related over the years may actually not be. Now, it is certain I have had panic attacks, and probably do have a panic disorder. BUT, much of the ongoing symptoms and lack of ability to effectively treat or stop those symptoms, also perfectly matches with what I've read about hypoglycemia.

What made me look into this is that I started again having, out of the blue, sleepy spells hit me (as if I had taken a sleeping pill). I have had them off and on over the years, and have assumed they were panic related and/or allergy med related. After all, the blood tests say my sugar is fine.

Anyhow, long story short, the symptoms are virtually identical between hypoglycemia and panic disorder -- except for meal related symptoms and the sleepy spells (both of which I have).

I have NOT been to the Doc yet. I plan to go first of the week (after payday). I stumbled across a site on hypoglycemia, took an indicator "at risk" test. A score of twenty or more puts you at risk. I scored 108.

I have been tested several times and my sugar levels were always great, near perfect. Diabetes has always been ruled out. Hypoglycemia too, I guess. But, based on the info I've read it sure seems like a perfect fit.

So... what do you know about it? Anyone else here deal with it? What kind of treatments can I expect if diagnosed? Any thoughts?

Hey Brother
I really thought someone would respond to this and they may have privately. If so feel free to disregard this response. It will be very generic.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is diabetes. In fact it is just as dangerous as the high blood sugar counts and even more so if you take into account that low blood sugar can cause death more quickly than high. What I mean by that is normally a person with a blood sugar level of <35 will lose consciousness (diabetic coma)...and yes I have seen it go even lower but that is the exception not the rule. If the person is driving or in a dangerous situation the loss of consciousness could result in death very quickly. However; even if a person is in a diabetic coma it is commonly correctable with an IV infusion of dextrose: therefore not fatal in and of itself.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) on the other hand has a much more devastating effect on the body. When the body's blood sugar reaches >200 it begins to have harmful effects on the kidneys. It is a long slow process but the higher the level and the longer it stay over that 200 mark the more damage to the kidneys. There is a long explanation as to how that works but for simplicity sake lets just say the high blood sugar destroys the kidneys from the inside out. Taking years to do so. It also affects the eyes in a similar fashion. It is also the leading cause of prolonged healing of minor and major injuries to the body.

As for the diagnosis of Diabetes just having an episode of high or low blood sugar does not confirm the disease. It is in conjunction with a daily monitoring of blood sugar levels along with the reading and interpretation of a persons A1C levels and even possibly 5 part glucose tolerance test. All of this must be done by Doctors of course.

As far as the treatments, they are as varied as the disease itself. Medically it can be treated with as little as maintaining a diabetic diet or the diet in conjunction with one or two pills a days, or the diet along with insulin therapy. Fortunately the insulin therapy is when all other treatments have failed. There are many homeopathic treatments as well but you will not find one that works with out proper diet and exercise! Lack of proper diet and exercise is the # cause of type II diabetes. Contrary to popular opinion it is not primarily caused from eating too many sweets. That is a contributing factor but not the primary cause. In fact Bread and Potato's and their by products are as just as or even more so damaging than pure sugar.

A major way to tell the difference between panic disorder and diabetes is that if your symptoms are immediately reversed by a high dose of carbohydrates or sugar. If it is not then your problem is not hypoglycemia.

There is only one way to find out for sure. That is medical evaluation. People can tell you what to expect and can speculate as to whither your problem is this or that but the only way to definitively know is proper medical diagnosis.

I will say that it is nothing to drag your feet about. It is now the #2 cause of death in the US second only to heart disease. So as a friend please get checked...it is worth it.