I am working so hard to keep my blood sugar stable, yet people just don't take this condition seriously. They think I'm changing my diet to lose weight, and try to tempt me with sugary foods.They think having lunch an hour or so later isn't a big deal. They don't understand that I *have to* eat breakfast. They don't understand that a bag of chips isn't "lunch" for me. They don't understand that I DO need to eat again even though it's "only" been 3 hours.
My lunch was delayed by almost 2 hours today (workmen repairing appliances in the kitchen showed up late) and I'm still feeling shaking, exhausted, and moody. I know from experience it's going to take me all day if not longer to recover.
The irony is-- they act as though there's something "wrong" with me-- yet don't believe that there IS-- like I'm a spoiled baby, rather than suffering from a medical condition.
I could use some support and understanding if anyone knows what I mean.
PS I don't have diabetes, but that was the closest category I can find on here.
hajakao - go and see a GOOD doctor that takes your problem seriously!
ReplyDeleteBenjamin - It is not taken seriously because hypoglycemia can be rectified by administration of dextrose or simply by eating a candy bar. It is more of a dietary issue than a medical emergency.
ReplyDeleteBoring ol' me - I suffer from hypoglycemia as well, and get what you are saying. I don't consistently have plummeting blood glucose levels, but when I do, look out. I believe many don't take it seriously because they are uneducated on the topic, personally. I've never had anyone in my nursing school class or at work (work in medical field) think it wasn't a big deal, so I'm assuming it's just uneducated fools who don't get it.
ReplyDeleteNana Lamb - Yep, my sis is Hypo!! and has been for many years. The doctors originally treated her as a "dizzy redhead" with a mental condition!! She experimented with diet and when she left off any starchy or grain foods she felt much better. So she started leaving out anything sweet, like soft sweet fruits, milk products and her much beloved frijoles.
ReplyDeleteAs long as she eats every 3 hours and never has anything that isn't meat and salad she is fine.
When workmen are in house messin with your schedule, have a can of tuna or something.
Always think ahead!! have some foods that don't need to be cooked or heated that you can eat when it is time to be eating.
LABL - Has your hypoglycemia been diagnosed as such by your physician? If so, you should as your doctor to write you a note that you could present to the people at work who seem to deny that you are having a medical issue.
ReplyDeleteDo you have reactive hypoglycemia? Much harder to diagnose that condition. You may wish to print out some of the web sites that I've included here. They could be placed in places in your employee kitchen and that might help you too.
I am glad you're taking this condition seriously. It can be a very serious issue. Make sure you wear a medic alert bracelet or neck chain that indicates that you have this condition. If you should go into a coma or even just pass out, you need to give the paramedics a chance to help you instead of trying to figure out whether or not you've passed out due to drinking or a medical condition.
Good luck and God bless you!
Noccie - If your hypoglycemia is that dramatic then you need to see an endocrinologist. Are you testing your sugar to be sure your symptoms are associated with hypoglycemia? If that really is the case, then you should have glucose tablets or orange juice on hand for such emergencies. A hypoglycemic episode should not take all day to recover from. My son's blood sugar was as low as 28 once and it only took an hour or so for him to feel normal afterwards.
ReplyDeleteMost people don't take hypoglycemia seriously because so very few people really have it.
You should be consuming foods with a low glycemic index. Those foods keep your blood sugar stable so that you can go longer than three hours between meals.
Also, hypoglycemia is not a condition, it is a symptom. If you truly have hypoglycemia then your endocrinologist should be trying to find out why. Wikipedia actually has some good information on hypoglycemia.