I've been hypoglycemic my whole life, but
didn't know it till last year. It became
much worse after giving birth and then,
later in the year, running a half
marathon. Now I struggle every day to
manage it. I have lots of questions, but
I figure I should pose the one that seems
to be becoming the source of a big fear
for me now. Based on all the literature
I've read, I would have to guess that, if
you happen to be hospitalized for whatever
reason, any intravenous glucose would only
make things worse. Possibly scary worse.
I'm also aware, more and more all the
time, that much of the medical community
has absolutely no clue about hypoglycemia
and how to treat/work with us that have
it. So now I'm getting scared of anything
that might put me in the hospital because
I'm convinced that (if incapacitated and
unable to stop them) I will receive
intravenous glucose or something else will
be done to me that will threaten my life
or cause my illness to become worse.
Have any of you been hospitalized for
anything? Even surgery or something
unrelated to hypoglycemia? Are there
special instructions you give? What do
they give you?
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PlacidIntricacy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 76 Location: Ohio, 43566 USA
Thanks: 5
Thanked:7
hello Posted: 05-14-08 04:10am
i dont have this problem personally. but
my girlfriend does. she never really did
much in the hospital. sometimes she gets
blood drawn. they also made her wear a
hear monitor one time, but that was just
to check for more severe problems.
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VictoriaGB
Supporter
Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 103 Location: Wales, UK
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Posted: 05-19-08 18:36pm
The whole "don't take glucose when your
blood sugars are low" applies when your
blood sugars are low, but high enough to
make a conscious decision. If you know
your blood sugars are going low, then have
a nice piece of protein and all is well.
But if your blood sugars are THAT low that
you need emergency treatment, then yes
glucose is necessary. Very low blood
sugars are extremely dangerous. If you
have fallen unconscious then emergency
services will administer glucose to bring
your blood sugars up to a level that you
regain consciousness. Then you can have a
nice healthy meal to maintain your blood
sugar levels.
However, unless you are type 1 diabetic,
such a low blood sugar level is unlikely.
The majority of people with non diabetic
hypoglycemia can manage a low blood sugar
themselves without the need for emergency
services.
Don't worry about being hospitalised - if
you are then accepting emergency glucose
is the least of your problems. Just follow
the correct diet and avoid those low blood
sugars to begin with.
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smaflenna
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 3
Posted: 05-19-08 21:29pm
Thanks for the answers. I guess that
would answer part of my question. But I
have heard of numerous cases of people
developing hypoglycemia after being in the
hospital for non-hypoglycemia related
things, like surgery.
So, let's say I'm in a car crash or
something and I'm totally incapacitated.
I suppose they have no other option but to
feed me intravenous glucose (I'm just
guessing), but wouldn't such a thing be
dangerous to my system? If not, then I'm
not sure I understand why I can't just
keep eating sugar all the time, see what
I'm saying?
My cousin's son has type 1 diabetes and
has had several scary lows. My cousin
tells me that one time he also had a
really scary high and his endocrinologist
gave him insulin AND glucose so that he'd
come down in steps. So special care had
to be taken because of his condition. It
seems likely to me that if special care is
not taken with hypoglycemics, our
condition will worsen. I'm wondering what
that special care might be, so I can know
what to have my husband tell my doctors if
the situation ever presents itself and we
have no experts available. I have
searched online but not found any answers.
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VictoriaGB
Supporter
Joined: 25 Apr 2008 Posts: 103 Location: Wales, UK
Thanks: 1
Thanked:0
Posted: 05-19-08 22:12pm
Have you actually been diagnosed with
hypoglycemia, if so what type?
It's common for people to suffer
hypoglycemia following surgery such as
stomach surgery. But this is nothing to do
with glucose being administered, it's just
the nature of the surgery.
If you suffer from reactive hypoglycemia
then yes, eating glucose from day to day
will cause problems and you won't see
relief of symptoms - it's a vicious
circle. However, if you are suffering from
a serious hypo attack and fall
unconscious, NOT administering glucose is
far more harmful (potentially life
threatening, depending on your condition)
than the aggravation that may follow a
glucose dose.
If you need emergency treatment then trust
those who are qualified to help. Receiving
glucose to regain consciousness in nowhere
near as harmful as not receiving it.
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This page was last updated on June 11, 2008
