Sugar = Sick

[Saljae]

Sooo.. Anyone else get sick after having sugary foods or drinks?
I was trying to figure it out for the past week what is going on and suspected something with my blood sugar or maybe iron-defficiency anemia. I had my hemoglobin checked the other day and it was 12.8 which they said was normal. So not anemia.

It seems to happen after I have something sugary - usually comes on fairly quickly afterward. I get weak, shaky, generally don't feel well and sometimes feel breathless and dizzy.

Any ideas????

 

[purechaos109]

You should get checked out by a doc asap about that! Gestational diabetes is nothing to mess around with and if there is even the slightest chance that you might have it you need to talk to a doc soon! Until then I would avoid eating foods high in sugar! It might be nothing but it is not worth the risk to not find out! GL I hope all goes well! Keep us updated!

 

[vintage67]

I am diabetic and you just described how I felt after high carb or high sugar meals without medication or insulin.

 

[babyhopes2010]

go get GTT test hun x

 

[Saljae]

Thank you guys!
I did tell my midwives about it and all they did was check my hemoglobin. I was very frustrated that they didn't do more. All they said was "definitely tell us if it happens again and we'll have a look."...... I was like... "That's why I called in in the first place. Because it was happening and it felt important."

ughhh. I remember feeling this way with my last pregnancy but it wasn't as bad. Mostly I just had to avoid sodas to keep it away. But I always pass my glucose tests - which always surprises me. She also said they don't do their GD tests until 26 weeks. I'm feeling like, even if I'm feeling so crappy NOW?

Are they always accurate? The ones where you don't eat and then go in and drink the nasty glucose drink and then they take your blood?

@Vintage67: That is what concerns me! I had to eat out yesterday and really didn't want to feel sick so I looked online for what diabetics can eat at restaurants and ordered a chicken salad with dressing that had next to no sugar. I felt awesome afterwards.
I'm just confused though, because I haven't pinpointed yet if pastas and breads do the same.. It seems mostly to be really sugary things. It caught me off guard because it doesn't matter if I've had a full meal before hand or not - one little popsicle and I feel bad again

 

[Saljae]

I think it may be hypoglycemia. That would explain passing my glucose test right?

 

[vintage67]

Pastas and breads metabolize a little slower than say a candy bar. That's why the effect is so immediate and different with "simple sugars". Pastas and breads make me so exhusted. Exhausted and a rapid heartbeat.

 

[purechaos109]

hypoglycemia would not fit the bill! I have a grandma and several other family members with Diabetes and my MIL has Hypoglycemia! My MIL gets sick if she does not eat constantly because her blood sugar drops! My grandma has to take insulin to help break down the sugar after she has eaten otherwise she gets sick!!

Here is an idea... Go to your local pharmacy or walmart (if you have one cause its cheaper at the bigger chains) and get a blood sugar meeter! Pay attention to which one has the cheapest strips because thats what will cost you not really the meeter! Then start taking your blood sugar before you eat and then again 1hr after you eat (or close to it check online for the exact times diabetics take their blood sugar after eating)! If you are not diabetic your bloodsugar should be in the 90-120 range (120 being the highest) if you are diabetic right after you eat sugary foods your blood sugar levels will spike! I would keep track of this for a week or 2 and what you ate that brought on the blood sugar levels and take the info to your Doc (or midwife)! They can't ignore you if you have documented evidence that your blood sugar is spiking after you eat!

 

[Amberyll23]

I know they say they don't test until 26 weeks--but that is just the standard. Some gyns will test sooner if you have the symptoms--mine did, and I am so glad they did. I had my GD diagnosed at 13 wks, early onset. If you continue to feel this way, I would push them for an early glucose test. I also like the suggestion by one of the other ladies to get a meter and test yourself at fasting (first thing in the am) and 1 hour after meals. I was told I have to keep my fasting level under 90 and my post-meal levels under 140.

 

[AimeeM]

It sounds like reactive hypoglycaemia. I have it normally and it has been worse during pregnancy. Best way to avoid it is to try avoid high carb and high sugar meals. It can't be treated with medication so has to be controlled by diet.

 

[Saljae]

Okay! I came here to post an update and saw I missed the last 3 responses. Our internet is out at home until the 2nd so I'm off and on here until then!

I had my appointment at the Diabetes and Endocrinology center to check my thyroid and also inquired about my blood sugar. She said my thyroid wasn't anything to be concerned about after she did the ultrasound and that many pregnant women have a slight increase in the TSH production during pregnancy and that these women usually experience increased morning sickness (I've had pretty bad in all 3 of my pregnancies).

As for the blood sugar she said she suspects reactive hypoglycemia but can't give me the diagnosis without testing exactly when I am feeling that way, which is difficult because sometimes I'm fine! She suggested eating proteins with my simple carbohydrates and that should help. I did tell her that I had a bad episode with it just last week and I had had a large grilled chicken sandwich with a soda. She said that it shouldn't be bad if I had a chicken patty but whatever..

They drew my blood for a random glucose test. She asked if I had eaten (it was at 9 am) and I told her I had 2 eggs, 2 pieces of toast with butter and cheese. I should get my results tomorrow. I'm honestly expecting them to be just normal but we'll see. Of course it wasn't until half an hour after testing that I started to feel unwell. I just have to eat and eat! It's obnoxious because I feel I have to eat more than what my appetite is to keep from feeling this way!

 

[tink30]

Hi Hun,

I'm diabetic, but what u describe could just be normal pregancy sickness xx dont cut carbs.. diabetics have to eat them to keep sugar levels at an even level, as sugary treats make them go up quite fast. They will do a simple blood test, which tests your average sugar levels to see what happens. Good luck xxx

 

[tink30]

Hi Hun,

I'm diabetic, but what u describe could just be normal pregancy sickness xx dont cut carbs.. diabetics have to eat them to keep sugar levels at an even level, as sugary treats make them go up quite fast. They will do a simple blood test, which tests your average sugar levels to see what happens. Good luck xxx

oops.. was going to say a hypo- is low sugar leves below 3.5 and a hyper is high sugar levels. If your diabetic any food would make you go high not just a sugary treat.. potatoes, bread etc xx

 

[Allie84]

Thanks for the update! I hope your random glucose levels come back normal.

I've never heard of reactive hypoglycemia.

Sometimes after I eat a lot of carbs I get a fast heart-rate, but not if I've eaten candy or sweets...vintage67, you said a fast heart rate was one of your diabetic symptoms?

 

[Saljae]

I just got results back today.
Thyroid levels are normal.
They said my blood sugar was a little low @ 58 & want me to come in Thursday to talk with an educator.

 

[tink30]

I just got results back today.
Thyroid levels are normal.
They said my blood sugar was a little low @ 58 & want me to come in Thursday to talk with an educator.

Hope they sort things for you hun, definetly dont cut yr carbs if yr sugars are low ,Normally if they get too low a diabetic would need a sugary drink.. quickly follwed by a carb.. xx Just try to eat regular xx

 

[Saljae]

Thank you, I am. I guess they want me to log my diet and blood sugar for 4 weeks. :O It's going to be tough! I remember when on diets having to write down everything you eat and it's not fun!