Thread: ??? about blood sugars

I am on Met. and I have been warned that it may cause low blood sugar levels. Which it has, and I can pretty much tell when it's low by the way my body reacts. I start shaking, start feeling really weak, and get cold. My question(s) is this.....What is the best quick fix for low blood sugar? & Do those of you that have this problem test with a glucometer? If so, what is the best glucometer in your opinion. Ive heard that you can eat candy, drink orange juice stuff like that for low b.s. and sometimes even eat a packet of sugar if its really low. Can you ladies give me a lil more info if possible. Thanks

I answered you in the thread in the other forum.

- Jess

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is fairly easy to control. I have had it for several years, but I have had it under control for about 10 years. What I started doing when I first found out I had it, is that I eliminated sugar completely, and would eat fruit to keep my blood sugar balanced. I was in school, so I cut up an apple and left it in my locker, and would eat a piece between every class or so. Then I ate no refined sugar (it causes a quick raise in sugar, but then an even lower drop later). I would make sure and eat frequently (small amounts all day). Eat plenty of fiber, pears are EXCELLENT to keep sugar in balance. Eat lots of veggies and plenty of whole grains. Eat enough lean protein and be sure and eat enough healthy fat - not too much of course, but good fats (such as avocados, nuts, butter, etc) help keep sugar in balance. Don't go for artificial sweeteners, because for some people they trick your body into thinking it is getting sugar, and it produces more insulin (I didn't have that problem, but artificial sweeteners aren't great anyway). The sweet herb called Stevia is excellent for helping to keep blood sugar balanced, and can be used instead of artificial sweeteners. In other countries, it is even used in diet pops (sodas, sorry, I'm from Chicago).

The point is, sugar doesn't really help keep sugar balanced, it only works temporarily, and in the long run makes the problem worse. Eat fruits with lots of fiber, plenty of veggies and healthy foods, and you will find a lot of other problems are helped, too.

Look into the Natural Health Solutions book at http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/ for help with at good diet for PCOS, too.

Carla ~ met is not supposed to cause hypoglycemia. Your dr may need to adjust your dosage or you may be restricting your diet to severely. You can carry the glucose tablets in your purse for an emergency situation but it should be a rare occasion that you would need them if you are eating small frequent meals. Yes, you can eat candy or drink oj but that is also a temporary fix and you will get low b/s again after the sugar from those are processed. As for meters ~ I LOOOVVVE my Freestyle Flash. I can check my b/s on my arm and it is totally painless. I will NEVER go back to the fingerstick kind again. Your Dr should give you instructions on how often to check your b/s especially if you are on any new meds or made a change in meds. I usu check mine 1 to 2 times per day once in the am before eating and then once 2 hours after a meal. I get to pick which one but he wants me to vary and not only check after breakfast everytime. That way I can see how certain foods affect my b/s. Do you also get your hA1C? That will test the avg of your b/s over a 3 months time but if you are getting a bunch of lows (that are usu predeeded by highs) then it can skew your results and make it look like you have very good control when you actually don't

Well, thx to all of you for the advice.
~~still~~Actually I'm not even on the met anymore. I wasn't able to get my refill last month. So, Ive been off for about a month or so. But I read on the slip that comes w/it from the pharmacist that he may cause ur sugar level to be low. Unless I misread. As for my dr. I called him when I was feeling real bad the last time and my sugar was like 70, and he was like well I don't know why it's getting low. Just stop taking the Met. when you start the bcp's. But the thing is I haven't been taking them and have felt this way many other times while I wasn't on Met. I have not had that test done that you asked about. What type of doctor do you see? Mine is just an ob/gyn but Im looking into an re. Maybe I will get more help from them. It just seems like my doctor doesn't have alot of the answers and frequently has a "DUH" moment. I want someone that will help me figure this stuff out and give me the best care possible. If you know somewhere down in this area can you please let me know. I live between Houston and Austin if that helps. Well, thanks again, I better go get finished cooking dinner.

Carla ~ Sounds like you are getting lows from being diabetic possibly?? The met is supposed to help combat that. I know they have to put every single thing that could ever happen on the insert but Met is know for helping stop low b/s. I see an Endocrinologist (not the Reproductive kind just a plain one) and since he got me on the right meds I have started O'ing and getting AF on my own. Sorry, I do not know any Drs in your area. I only know the Dallas area doctors. But keep us posted on how things are going.

I have been tested over and over for diabetes and all the doctors say that I don't have it. The met was supposed to help me O and regulate everything else. Well, I'm just getting more confused about things now. But thanks for the help.