I have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia
for 8 years now, however, without having
medical insurance, I receive little
treatment (not that there is much of one.)
Though I realize that my occasional
attacks are due to overworking, little
eating and stress, there is not much I can
do about these things.
I "lose consciousness" at least once a
day! Though I can still work through a
crash sometimes they worse than others of
course. Though I am an active gym-goer
and try to intake plenty of protein, it is
just now becoming relevant all of the side
affects to hypoglycemia that I've had for
so long and that are affecting my
life!!!!!! I had been to 3 doctors and
suffered what was almost a coma before
being diagnosed. One doctor gave me zanax
and told me to stop working so much. One
also said that it is rare for women under
30 to have hypoglycemia AFTER I told her I
was a vegetarian (which may have had
something to do with it!) None of them
tested my blood sugar, and one told me it
was "that time of the month!"
I've known since I was in High School
that something was wrong with me (I am now
33 and was diagnosed- not treated- at 25)
because I would "black out" and become
irritable. Since no one would diagnose me
with anything but stress, I thought I was
CRAZY!!!! It is STILL difficult to get
people to believe that there is something
wrong (I think people sometimes think I'm
drunk and I don't drink!) and I have
noticed the same sort of prejudices made
toward friends that are diabetic. It
seems no one takes my condition seriously
AT ALL. If I am desperate for sugar,
glossy eyed and AGRIVATTED- people snicker
and roll their eyes like I'm some hungry,
mad woman (which I guess I am sort of!)
It's embarrassing and has made it hard for
me on a social level.
What do any of you do to help people to
understand your condition and it's
seriousness?
Also, I had thought that I might be
experiencing seizures but, had never heard
of them being related to hypoglycemia- is
that really possible? Is this any more
serious than the other side effects?
- just trying to live again.... amoremme
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Stan
Moderator
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1696 Location: ,
Thanks: 3
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Posted: 06-16-08 18:42pm
Sometimes you find out really quick who
your friends are when you initially get
this. I lost a few of mine and some
relatives viewed me strangely when I was
really sick. However, I personally was
able to completely overcome my condition.
I have no symptoms anymore, work out a
ton, eat great, enjoy life, am healthier
than ever and have a chance now to get the
job of my dreams. I assume you're not
eating right, but getting people to
understand is not very easy. You need to
just explain to them the biological
reaction that takes place, so they can at
least understand there's a link to why you
act the way you do, but even then they
might view it suspiciously and think
you're nuts.
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VictoriaGB
Supporter
Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 211 Location: Wales, UK
Thanks: 3
Thanked:0
Posted: 07-07-08 15:07pm
Hi amoremme,
The best advice for you is to continue
with your doctors. If you haven't recorded
blood sugar levels of 2.4mmol or under,
then it's likely that your condition is
something other than hypoglycemia. These
symptoms are common to many conditions and
it's very important that the actual cause
is found.
If this is hypoglycemia (i.e. blood sugar
levels less than 2.4mmol), then it's still
important that the cause is found so you
can be treated properly. Treatment may be
diet control, or it may be something
different depending on the actual cause.
What you need to do is get your doctors to
understand first. Make sure you stress the
severity of your symptoms and explain how
it's effecting your life, and has been for
a considerable amount of time. I wouldn't
usually advise this, but in the mean time
you could pick up a blood glucose monitor
to see for yourself if your blood sugars
are actually falling to hypoglycemic
levels. Be careful not to become obsessed
with pricking your finger, but the
occasional reading may help your doctors a
little.
