October 26, 2003
Hypoglycemia
Question from Dover, New Hampshire, USA:
I am 45 years old, have had type 1 diabetes for 17 years, and I recently had a severe low sugar attack with convulsions. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance, kept for four hours (until I could hold down food and my sugars stabilized), then released. Besides the convulsions, I vomited anything they tried to give me, and then I had diarrhea.
Since then, I have been extremely fatigued. My muscles ached so badly for about five days afterward, I could hardly go up and down stairs or move my arms. I am finally clearing out of a brain fog, but I am still having a hard time focusing and remembering. I feel depressed, although I take medication. The tip of my tongue tastes metallic and food tastes strange.
I am trying to continue my life as before, but it just doesn’t feel right. My husband and I have our own consulting business, so he travels a lot, and I run the administrative end from home. Are there supplements I can take or foods I can eat to help restore balance? Are some of the after effects I am experiencing normal? What can I do to gain some normalcy? I am tired of feeling so crummy!
Answer:
It sounds similar to many hypoglycemic episodes that my patients experience. Supplements and/or vitamins have been helpful to many of my patients, but there is no direct scientific evidence that they either help or hurt you.
I would consult with your physician regarding any additional supplements. I would also try to determine why your blood glucoses are dropping and you are having severe hypoglycemic reactions.
ABS
