First of all, a ton of thanks to stan for
being so supportive and informative to all
of us in need.
i believe I suffer from hypoglycemia due
to adrenal fatigue. The past year was
very tough due to my mother's
schizophrenia reaching a boiling point
because of the fact that she was off of
her medicine. The constant stress drained
my adrenal & thyroid glands, thus
resulting in many bad symptoms, the major
one being hypoglycemia. Everything is
okay now, except me. I'm struggling with
my health and mental state alot now.
I figured it out about a month ago, I was
really paying notice to what made me feel
good, and what made me feel bad. I
noticed that when I would go on a fruit
diet for a day, I felt amazing. But when
I was eating regular food, I felt
completely out of my mind depressed and
brain fogged. One of my main symptoms was
the strange ability of being unable to
speak. It was very peculiar.. So I typed
in "speech problems", and up came
hypoglycemia. That's when I knew. So I
started the diet and I automatically felt
improvement within days. It's gotten
better and better as time has went on.
A few questions though!
1. As many people experience, waking up
is horrible. I feel so disoriented from
my surroundings and I feel crazy nearly
every morning. I read that you don't
recommend taking glucose tablets to raise
the blood sugar, which is what i've been
doing when I wake up in the morning to get
going. So what do you recommend to get my
blood sugar up in the quickest time
possible? Even throughout the day
whenever I feel a low, I take a glucose
tablet with my meal and usually feel
better for about 30 minutes, then feel bad
again. I want a constant steadiness of
glucose!
2. My crashes have been pretty frequent.
I've never been a full day without having
atleast 2. So before coming on here, my
diet basically consisted of apples, eggs,
meat, and nuts. However, I read that
apples aren't good to eat if you have
severe hypoglycemia, which I do have. So
maybe that's my symptoms have been pretty
consistently frequent. So my question is,
what food combinations do I eat to keep
everything situated? I'm allergic to
grains. So I really don't know where to
get a good amount of complex carbohydrates
from.
I am willing to do anything to get into
the latter stages of recovery. I've
experienced really, really positive times
lately that I haven't felt in years within
the past few weeks, and I want to be able
to feel consistently like that. It makes
me so angry that I am so intelligent,
talented, energetic, and funny.. Yet,
this disorder is keeping me from having a
social life, friends, a job, etc.!
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Stan
Moderator
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1704 Location: ,
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Posted: 01-17-07 10:43am
First off, although I don't like to say
stuff like this, your mother's
'schizophrenia' may not be much of a
mental illness at all. I'd bet blood
sugar is at least part of her problem.
Now for your questions.
1. Unfortunately, there is no real way to
get the glucose up that i've discovered
yet that can get you feeling how you want
in the morning. Normally, I wake up
feeling fine and then about an hour after
eating my first meal feel a little off
with varying symptoms depending on the
day. Glucose tablets must absolutely be
avoided all the time. Eventually, you
will start getting crashes so bad you'll
be lucky if you can move or even think
straight at all. There was a post in
this forum somewhere where a woman who was
relying on them eventually got dealt a
hard blow from it. See if you can find
it and read it thoroughly. In the
morning I always eating a whole avocado
for the carbs because it supposedly
lessens insulin response, as well as one
full apple slice (amongst some nuts and
such). Usually, 15 minutes before it
hits an hour mark after I started to eat,
I have another small handful of nuts and
this seems to keep the sugar fairly stable
for the morning. This brings us to
questions two.
2. First off, do you have any links to
anything about the apples? I myself eat
them and have had no problems. However,
I also only eat a half a slice per meal
aside from my first meal. Every meal
should consist mainly of protein, then
fat, then carbohydrates and then finally a
bit of sugar through a small amount of
fruit, as long as it's not one I say to
avoid. I've found that eating the same
amount, which is a bit different for the
first and final meals of the day, seems to
have the best result of all because your
body assumes the same amount coming at any
given point during the day. I rotate my
vegetables, and this is where you get your
main carbohydrates from. I've found that
italian cut green beans and brussels
sprouts seem to be ideal for this, as well
as green leaf lettuce (not iceburg!!!!) or
romaine. Mushrooms fried up with peppers
is also a nice treat. Depending on how
severe your case is you may be able to
handle the worst vegetable of all,
potatoes, but don't do it more than once
if you notice a reaction. You also can
get a nice amount of carbs from nuts,
keeping away from cashews.
The one thing I can say is that,
unfortunately, depending on severity, it
can take up to over a year to notice
really good changes in your health. I'm
still going along smoothly, but I have my
run of two to three bad days here and
there where I feel unmotivated and out of
sorts, but able to function. My case was
incredibly severe and verging on
schizophrenia at one point, but i'm doing
great now, exercising and weight lifting
and feeling healthier than I ever have,
for the most part, on top of going to
graduate school! You can make it, but it
takes work, and you can't expect to feel
all the way better immediately. It does
happen to some people, but don't be
discouraged if this isn't you.
Typically, it only seems to be a reality
for those who gets drops around 3-5 hours
after eating. I get mine every hour, so
that was out of the question for me.
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wdiguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 78 Location: fl
Posted: 01-17-07 16:09pm
Hey crystalline, I get the speaking
problems too. I feel like I slurr
sometimes and just cannot pronounce words
correctly. My mind feels like theres a
block from me being able to think clearly
and stay focused. Hard to explain. But I
have these days where I feel 100%, but it
only last for a couple hours. To me its
the worst symptoms when you cant be your
normal self, I too was the energtic,
funny, caring guy. I feel like I lost it
and I dont what my interest are or
anything. I dont feel relaxed and know
wha I want. I too have thyroid problems
and hypo. I am wondering if my thyroid is
playing a part. Im on synthroid now but
was told armour is way better. Im gonna
see if my doc will switch me.
|
wdiguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 78 Location: fl
Posted: 01-17-07 16:14pm
Stan you did you ever have problems with
speaking or pronouncing words? Im talking
im like this everyday all day. Dont have
that clear mind. I have a neurologist
schedule me to do an mri on my brain just
to make sure no tumors or what not. Its
sad to say but I would be happy if they
found a tumor, thats how bad the symptom
affects me.
|
Stan
Moderator
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1704 Location: ,
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Posted: 01-17-07 17:26pm
I actually did have speaking problems.
Words wouldn't feel 'real' and i'd have
trouble talking, but mostly I would start
to mix russian into my english and it
wouldn't make any sense at all.
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Crystalline Green
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 10
Posted: 01-18-07 03:33am
I use to be able to talk and think as
clear as day. Everything came out
perfectly. My speech was like a rocket.
My vocabulary was amazing, the way I spoke
was genius, everything was so creative and
intelligent. And now, all I can say is
"no", "yes", "okay", and cry.
So your speech symptoms cleared up? This
is the most frustrating symptom of all,
since I am a very social, talkative
person.
|
Crystalline Green
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 10
Posted: 01-18-07 03:53am
Also, my hypoglycemia has improved greatly
also due to all the adrenal & thyroid
supporting supplements i've been taking.
I read in a few places that hypoglycemia
is basically adrenal fatigue.. And once
you strengthen the adrenal glands and get
them running efficiently again, that
hypoglycemia goes away with it. Even
before I started the hypoglycemia diet, I
was taking adrenal and thyroid supplements
for around 3 months... And my
hypoglycemia attacks were improving during
that time, even when I wasn't on the
diet.. So the 2 combined will surely
speed up recovery to i'd say... About
another 6 months.
I'd recommend people here try looking into
getting some glandular extracts & some
other natural herbs like ashwagandha,
kelp, & licorice to help support your
adrenal & thyroid, which will then
eventually resolve your hypoglycemia.
|
wdiguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 78 Location: fl
Posted: 01-18-07 09:07am
I notice people always say they have these
attacks. I dont think I have had an
attack, I just feel like crap constantly
and certain things I eat makes me feel
worse. Thats what makes me wonder if im
having hypo or not.
|
Stan
Moderator
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1704 Location: ,
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Posted: 01-18-07 09:19am
The best thing you can do is get tested
for everything under the sun. Don't let
them dustbin you with cfs or something
though. Licorice lowers blood sugar.
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wdiguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 78 Location: fl
Posted: 01-18-07 14:23pm
Yeah I have a bunch of test being done,
some neurological stuff and I got my
thyroid doctor again next week. So you
think theres a possibility me not being
hypo since I dont have attacks?
|
Stan
Moderator
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1704 Location: ,
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Posted: 01-18-07 21:09pm
Well, perhaps. There are plenty of cases
like this where it just sucks for awhile
and then gets slowly better. You don't
necessarily need to have 'attacks.' but,
the main thing is to make sure it's
nothing else, so it doesn't hurt to get
tested.
|
Crystalline Green
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 10
Posted: 01-19-07 08:36am
Wow! I sure am glad I came to this site.
After eliminating various foods from my
diet and stopping the glucose tablets, I
have never felt better! Today, I went all
day without having a crash. I felt myself
starting to get abit "fuzzed" at times,
but it automatically went away once I ate!
Maybe my hypoglycemia isn't as bad as I
once thought, and the glucose tablets were
just sending me through a roller coaster
ride.
Thanks alot! This is gonna be a great new
beginning.
|
wdiguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 78 Location: fl
Posted: 01-19-07 09:29am
Yeah im just gonna keep on getting tested
for everything untill I figure this out.
Thanks man
|
wdiguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 78 Location: fl
Posted: 01-19-07 09:45am
The only thing that confuses me is that
certain things I eat make me feel bad. My
symptoms are weird, there up and down and
the only thing really constant is
tiredness which is relieved a little bit
at sometimes. But me just not having any
feelings to express is always there too.
Its like im depressed but im not sad
inside. I just have an empty I dont care
feeling. And if I really like think hard
and make my mind clear I can get my
feelings back but I have to stay focused
or I go back into not thinking clear
again. Its a mystery for me. Im
wondering if im not on the right dose for
my thyroid.
|
Stan
Moderator
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1704 Location: ,
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Posted: 01-19-07 11:40am
Hopefully that crap isn't screwing you up.
Just to remind me, post here again what
you are currently eating. You're the one
that had problems eating vegetables,
right? Green, I want to say one thing so
listen good. It's awesome you're feeling
better, but if it happens that suddenly,
one day, you feel like crap, please keep
in mind this is part of the
adjustment. It sometimes happens to
people, but othertimes it doesn't. Just
want you to be aware that if you start to
feel bad again it's just an adjustment
phase, like a withdrawal from those
glucose tablets. Don't be discouraged if
it happens, it's natural and it means
you're getting better. If it doesn't
happen, awesome!
|
wdiguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 78 Location: fl
Posted: 01-19-07 15:06pm
Yeah im the non vegetable eating guy. I
can eat broccoli and romaine lettuce but
thats about it. Let me give you a break
down of what happens to me and how I feel.
I notice that when I eat foods with alot
of sugar or high in carbs I will get
energy but 30 min later my breathing
becomes heavy, I can feel my heart
pounding, and I feel tired. My thinking
is never clear at all, if I dont eat for a
while the tiredness starts to go away but
then im just weak and my thinking is still
not clear. I dont have a depressed
feeling inside at all, I dont feel like im
unhappy with myself or my life. I just
cant get that happy feeling like I once
did, mental alertness is gone, I cant
express myself etc. Its signs of what
depression does but im able to function
and do things and not feel sad. I just
dont have a clear head to think which I
feel blocks my interest and memory. When
I wake up in the morning I am achey and
its tough to get up. My speech throughout
the day is bad with prnouncing words but
its better if I eat something. But that
only last for a little bit. Maybe 30 min.
My whole thought process is messed up.
My anxiety is 100% gone. Probably cause I
cant think clear to cause worry. If I eat
bad foods and go off what I consider a
diet my digestive problems and
nervousness, anxiety will start come back.
But the diet that I was on was only for 1
month and 3 weeks with no bad foods or
alchohol. Then again I was eating whole
grains and stuff so who knows if that
played apart. Its obvious that food plays
a part in how I feel but who knows if I
have other things going on. Just a mess.
|
Stan
Moderator
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1704 Location: ,
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Posted: 01-19-07 15:43pm
So you are eating whole grains then?
Where are most of your carbohydrates
coming from now and approximately how much
are you eating? You may simply have a
very, very severe case like I do.
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wdiguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 78 Location: fl
Posted: 01-19-07 16:59pm
Right now im not even on it. Cause im
freakin lost and Dr.S dont help. But what
I was eating was ......
Morning: oatmeal or eggs and fruit
every 2-3 hours I would eat a mixture of
meat/ rice/ fruit/nuts/brocolli
like.......Chicken, whole grain rice,
nuts, salad, brocolli, steak, walnuts,
apples, rasberries, oranges.
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Stan
Moderator
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 1704 Location: ,
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Posted: 01-20-07 00:01am
Are you sure that rice was whole grain?
I mean 100% whole grain. If it just says
whole grain but not 100% it isn't. It
wasn't white was it? I'm sure not, but
just checking. You may just have an uber
sensitive system unfortunately, like me.
I can't handle, get this, 1 tablespoon of
buckwheat. That's caca, that's nothing.
Everything else sounds okay though.
However, are you eating large amounts of
the fruit or small amounts?
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wdiguy
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 78 Location: fl
Posted: 01-20-07 01:41am
Im eating small amounts of the fruit
sometimes, if I feel weak or mentally cant
think I eat a whole apple to hopefully
feel better, even tho it doesnt work. The
whole grain rice is the uncle bens ready
rice that comes in a orange bag. All it
says is whole grain on the front.