So Discouraged, Hypoclycemic And Stomach Inflamation

[CynthiaSt]

Hi,

  I am so depressed and discouraged. I have been gluten free for almost 3 months now.

 The hypoglycemia is such a scarey problem. I have finally been able to tolerate eggs, shrimp,quite a few vegetables. A lot more food than 1 month ago when I was living primarily on rice. I am now on a high protein diet to deal with the hypoglycemia. I have only been on it for 1 week so it is still difficult to transition from primarily rice (which converts quickly to sugar) to high protein. My body is adjusting and I am having quite a bit of constipation.

   There is so much anxiety with the hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is actually caused by adrenal fatigue. My naturapath also believes I have extreme adrenal fatigue.

 

I went to my naturapath and he was very pleased that I was able to tolerate more diversity of foods. He explained that I had to solve some of the nutritional deficiencies before he could do any other treatments for the adrenal fatigue. He gave me vitamins and a plant based digestive enzyme. I believe I have a a stomach ulcer and the vitamins and digestive enzyme totally inflamed my system. Extremely painful. Perhaps I will be lucky and it is just stomach inflamation from the gluten. I will find out on Jan 21 when I get results from the last scope.

 

   Now I am so depressed because the pain is awful. Even worse it will put me behind in fixing the adrenal fatigue which would fix the hypoglycemia. It is like being in a trap. Everything I try to fix sets off something else.

 

  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheerio

CynthiaST

[kareng]

Maybe you should see a doctor about testing and treatment for that stomach ulcer. Sounds like you can't eat because of it. What did the doctor that found the ulcer tell you to do to treat it? Do that before you go looking for alternative treatments. If the stuff this person gave you is making the ulcer worse - stop taking them!

[CynthiaSt]

Hi Kareng,

    I have an appointment on Jan 21 to get the info on the scope the doctor did for the stomach ulcer.

At this point I don't have a definite diagnosis that the ulcer exists, although my naturapath does feel it is an ulcer.

He had hoped that I could tolerate the supplements.

  I have stopped taking the supplements until I am sure.

cheerio

CynthiaST

[pricklypear1971]

Please get a complete thyroid panel and rest free t3, free t 4, reverse t3, and antibodies. If you have insukin resistance or too low if t3 that could be contributing to the hypoglycemia.

[CynthiaSt]

Hi pricklypear1971,

Thanks so much for the info.

I am definitely going to get that test done.

   How do they do the thyroid test? Is it a blood test?

If so, do I have to fast overnight?

What do you take to fix it?

Cheerio

CynthiaST

[pricklypear1971]

It's a blood panel. You don't have to fast, but most do especially when on thyroid medications.

You take thyroid replacement medication - a hormone. The meds themselves are quite benign without side effects. The trick is finding dosage and brand that works for you.

[CynthiaSt]

Hi Pricklypear1971,

   I hope I don't have to fast because the hypoglycemia is very bad at night. I am not on any meds so hopefully I will be ok without it.

Cheerio

CynthiaST

[pricklypear1971]

I do advise doing it first thing in the am, regardless of fasting. And fasting would mean not eating breakfast before you do the draw.

[kareng]

If you have hypoglycemia - what do the doctor say about that?  How did they diagnosis it?  Thyroid issues?  These are some serious medical conditions to be going to someone who is not a doctor to get treated for.  I urge you to seek medical help.  It worries me to see people not getting real medical help for serious illnesses.

[1desperateladysaved]

I am not sure if everyone knows this or not.  I use to deal with hypoglycemia and from my experience, one needs to:

 

Avoid foods with high sugar content and no nutrients.

Use bites of fruit rather than whole pieces. 

Don't use fruit juice.  Fruit juice equaled brain fog for me.

Eat a meal at least 3 times a day with 3-5 ounces of protein, 1 Tbsp fat and 27 carbs.  (The ratios should be kept, but quantities can be greater)

I have done best on an SCD diet.  You can google Breaking the Vicious Cycle or SCD diet to find what is on it. 

 

Fat actually helps me to feel full and keeps me full for a long time.  Mostly, though you need to get to the root of what is causing the low blood sugar and solve that.  For me celiac was at the root of it and the blood sugar improved as the villi healed up.

 

D

[CynthiaSt]

Hi Kareng,

  I am going to a Gastrointestinal doctor and a naturapath.

I get the results from my scope on Jan 21 from the Gastrointestinal doctor. In the meantime I am working with the naturapath to solve some nutritional issues.

 

1desperateladysaved,

  I agree with you on the diet. I am finally getting some relief from the hypoglycemia with this diet.

Open Original Shared Link

 

My Gastrointestinal doctor believes the celiac is the root cause of the hypoglycemia but will confirm things from the scope on Jan 21.

Cheerio

CynthiaST

[pricklypear1971]

Hi Kareng,

I am going to a Gastrointestinal doctor and a naturapath.

I get the results from my scope on Jan 21 from the Gastrointestinal doctor. In the meantime I am working with the naturapath to solve some nutritional issues.

1desperateladysaved,

I agree with you on the diet. I am finally getting some relief from the hypoglycemia with this diet.

Open Original Shared Link

I want to point something out that is key.

Hypoglycemia can be caused by various underlying conditions. The tie between thyroid hormones: t3/rt3 is very real for me and many others.

I would experience good periods without hypoglycemia, but in the end it would keep recurring without elevating t3 and lowering rt3. I could (and did) eat the best, highest fat, high fiber diet possible and was still on a glucose see-saw.

So, that is why I urge testing - because if you are stuck in that loop you won't get out until you resolve the thyroid issue. And the thyroid issue (t3 ratio) may be caused by nutritional deficiencies caused by celiac. These may or may not self correct. Don't assume they will. Keep testing.

[kareng]

Hi Kareng,

  I am going to a Gastrointestinal doctor and a naturapath.

I get the results from my scope on Jan 21 from the Gastrointestinal doctor. In the meantime I am working with the naturapath to solve some nutritional issues.

 

1desperateladysaved,

  I agree with you on the diet. I am finally getting some relief from the hypoglycemia with this diet.

Open Original Shared Link

 

My Gastrointestinal doctor believes the celiac is the root cause of the hypoglycemia but will confirm things from the scope on Jan 21.

Cheerio

CynthiaST

 

 

The GI isn't really going to deal with anything other than GI issues - an ulcer or the basics of Celiac.  That is why I was hoping you would see a medical doctor who could look into other causes of the hypoglycemia such as thyroid, diabetes, etc.  Maybe you don't even have hypoglycemia if  a doctor hasn't diagnosed it.  Getting help with the nutrition is nice, but getting to what is causing the issues seems more important, to me, then paying someone who gave you things that make an ulcer worse.  

 

If you don't want to seek medical help, I can't force you.  I hope you feel better soon.

[CynthiaSt]

Hi ,

   I have every intention of taking your advice and getting the thyroid test you recommend.

I am taking a printout of your post to my doctor to make sure he orders the correct test. I do not want to be caught in this loop.

  

I also know that the true name for hypoglycemia used to be "Adrenal Fatigue".

My doctor believes the celiac caused the adrenal fatigue.

If it is the thyroid that the celiac affected the only way I can cure the adrenal fatigue is to fix the thyroid.

I know there are herbs and medicines to correct the adrenal fatigue, but I would not want to miss fixing the thyroid if it needs to be fixed.

 

Kareng,

I will follow through on all of this with my family doctor.

 

I so appreciate everyone's help in this.

My hope is that with all of the help everyone here in the forum are giving me when I go to the doctor on Jan 21 I will be educated and able to get ALL of the celiac issues corrected.

 

Cheerio

CynthiaST

[NoGlutenCooties]

I dealt with hypoglycemia for years as an adolescent and into college - I still find that I feel better if I eat something with protein every 2 - 3 hours.  And I never eat fruit all by itself - I always have some protein with it; cheese, cottage cheese, etc.  Before my Celiac diagnosis I was also having symptoms of thyroid issues, hormonal imbalances, and possible adrenal issues - mostly pre-menopausal type symptoms.  I got a lot of relief from taking the following two supplements:

 

Adrenal Support:  Open Original Shared Link

Thyroid Support: Open Original Shared Link

[pricklypear1971]

Well, if you're going to show a doctor something try a study.

Open Original Shared Link

[IrishHeart]

If you have issues with hypoglycemia and the thyroid, you should be seeing an endocrinologist who specializes in these organs and body systems.

 

Every alternative medicine practitioner I have ever met--and that's a few dozen!--thinks people have "adrenal fatigue". 

[CynthiaSt]

Hi NoGlutenCooties,

    I agree with you about the protein every 2-3 hours. it does really help. I am finally able to eat a lot more food like veggies,walnuts,some cheese, some yogurt, fish and chicken. That is helping me to get more stability with the blood sugar.

 

    i got a big help with the diet in the link I posted from the hypoglycemia forum. He got it from a book called "The Insulin Resistance Diet".The book has a chapter in it for hypoglycemia.

Open Original Shared Link

 

     They found that if you have a ratio of 1 gram protein to every 2 grams of carbohydrate one can stabilize the blood sugar. Understanding that ratio gave me a huge help. I realized that I was out of wack with too many carbs per protein. Now, I write down everyting and make sure I have the proper ratio. I also add more fats as I need to gain weight and it does help. I am now putting my weight back on and sleeping better at night. it is a constant challenge but getting better.

 

    The biggest challenge I am having right now is any supplements cause major inflamation and pain in my stomach. When the hypoglycemia causes the constant secretion of stomach acid after I eat it burns my stomach. Then when I take the supplements it really inflames even more.

 

I am hoping the scope will show the stomach problem and I will be able to fix it. Then I can take the supplements and get on with my life. I really appreciate the links and will definitely look into them. I know the base cause is the adrenal fatigue from the gluten constantly causing the auto immune reaction. It just seems like there are so many things to rebalance from the celiac.

.Gluten certainly plays havoc with all of the organs. i have only been totally gluten free for 2 months so I am hoping it settles down soon.

 

I do see a lot of progress though since my diagnosis.

I have gone from 103 pounds 3 months ago prior to diagnosis to 116. That is a huge relief.

3 months ago all I could eat was white rice, avocado and chicken breast.

Now I can tolerate most whole foods in the proper ratio for my blood sugar.

I used to have terrible, debilitating gas attacks both day and night. Now they are much less frequent and severe.

I still have to wait for legumes because my naturapath wants me to take digestive enzymes with them and my stomach is not ready to handle them yet.

I have more energy and certainly more hope especially because of all the help the people in the forum have given me.

 

  I appreciate all the info and help from everyone here in the forum. You all have saved my life and my spirit. You have truly created a healing center here. Everyone of you are so very valuable. My thanks to you.

 

Cheerio

CynthiaST

[CynthiaSt]

Well, if you're going to show a doctor something try a study.

Open Original Shared Link

Hi pricklypear1971,

   Thanks so so much for that link. I will definitely take this to my doctor and get that blood test. I think I will also post it in the hypoglycemia forum.

Cheerio

CynthiaST

[pricklypear1971]

I understand the stomach acid/hypo thing. I had two smallish ulcers at one point....they have me the typical meds for it...I didn't take them very long because I did better going what felt right....like drinking milk shakes . I'm a weird one whose stomach was better with milk.

Anyway, I learned to drink 8 oz of water with a cracker upon waking, and regularly to decrease acid concentration. Certain stuff set me off at certain times - but ultimately but was gluten. It's still gluten, and a glutening triggers acid/reflux for me. I'm having a thrilling time right now balancing iron supplaments with empty stomach and oj (for absorption).

Hypoglycemia or glucose swings are a real pita. The perfect balance of protein/carb/fiber is delicate. I hope you find answers and continue to improve.

When my t3 got up to a certain point the hypoglycemia just disappeared. Takes a lot of sugar stupidity and missing meals to trigger it now - and my thyroid isn't optimal yet.

I still need adrenal cortex to feel better. I'm hoping when thyroid levels are better and iron and d are up I can go off them. In my case, so much damage has been done from years of Hashis and strong steroids it's doubtful...but at least I know I have an option.

[CynthiaSt]

I understand the stomach acid/hypo thing. I had two smallish ulcers at one point....they have me the typical meds for it...I didn't take them very long because I did better going what felt right....like drinking milk shakes . I'm a weird one whose stomach was better with milk.

Anyway, I learned to drink 8 oz of water with a cracker upon waking, and regularly to decrease acid concentration. Certain stuff set me off at certain times - but ultimately but was gluten. It's still gluten, and a glutening triggers acid/reflux for me. I'm having a thrilling time right now balancing iron supplaments with empty stomach and oj (for absorption).

Hypoglycemia or glucose swings are a real pita. The perfect balance of protein/carb/fiber is delicate. I hope you find answers and continue to improve.

When my t3 got up to a certain point the hypoglycemia just disappeared. Takes a lot of sugar stupidity and missing meals to trigger it now - and my thyroid isn't optimal yet.

I still need adrenal cortex to feel better. I'm hoping when thyroid levels are better and iron and d are up I can go off them. In my case, so much damage has been done from years of Hashis and strong steroids it's doubtful...but at least I know I have an option.

 

 

Hi pricklypear1971

  I am so glad to hear you are better. I really don't want to take any pharmaceuticals if i don't have to. I have had so many bad reactions to them. i am really hoping that as the villi repair things will heal up.

   Also when I researched things like Gavascon and Mylanta to help my ulcer hypoglycemia was one of the main the side effects. Not a good option for people with hypoglycemia.

 

    I am drinking cabbage juice to see if it can help heal the ulcer/inflammation . I t does seem to be helping. They say It takes about 10 days and I have only been doing it for 2 but I am getting some relief.

 

    Did you find that the cracker and water helped decrease the acid concentration?

Morning is the worst for me. Was it bad for you?

I think the cabbage juice is helping with the acid reflux. The acid reflux is another major pita.

The worst thing I can do is fall asleep in the daytime. The acid is very painful at that point.

One thing I do find is if I snack on just protein and fat like cheese and walnuts or 1/2 hard boiled egg with avocado it helps stabilize the hypoglycemia.

I produce less stomach acid than I did when I was adding a carb, (like bread).

Maybe the cracker and water is low carb and does not trigger the acid?

 

Also, how did you take the nutritional supplements like vitamins etc? Did you find a way to take them without burning the ulcer or your stomach?

Cheerio

CynthiaST

[pricklypear1971]

The cracker/water wasn't low carb but it worked for acid. At the time I didn't have many hypoglycemic symptoms (at least that I recognized). Plain water upon waking helped quite a bit (chug 8 oz). And yes, first thing in the morning was awful. Water by the bed, chug chug chug.

You could make some high protein crackers out of nuts or coconut or quinoa if you can eat those. Lots of recipes online.

I still must have protein with all meals. I can recover if I don't, and perhaps it's mental.....but I feel off if I don't. I double down on protein if I skip it. And if I eat sweets - high fat. Can you say gelato and Creme brûlée???

I now notice I feel off if I get off my lowish sugar/higher protein diet and/or supplaments. I have a particular "off" feeling - kind of like "gross"....it's a hypoglycemia warning if sorts. Happens if I eat too much processed stuff, too.

As a note, when the reflux/acid was at its worst I learned to do a self-hypnosis meditation thing. It was my brain telling my stomach to stop making acid??? Anyway, it's the technique they teach people who have high blood pressure. Biofeedback? I got pretty good at it. It worked when nothing else did.

I know what it's like to react to every med. I was reacting to every antibiotic at one point....I was afraid (still am) to take them. I can say thyroid meds are well worth it. The meds really are benign compared to other meds - and they've been around forever. I take lots if supplaments, I hate it. But I've learned I hate being sick, worse.

[CynthiaSt]

The cracker/water wasn't low carb but it worked for acid. At the time I didn't have many hypoglycemic symptoms (at least that I recognized). Plain water upon waking helped quite a bit (chug 8 oz). And yes, first thing in the morning was awful. Water by the bed, chug chug chug.

You could make some high protein crackers out of nuts or coconut or quinoa if you can eat those. Lots of recipes online.

I still must have protein with all meals. I can recover if I don't, and perhaps it's mental.....but I feel off if I don't. I double down on protein if I skip it. And if I eat sweets - high fat. Can you say gelato and Creme brûlée???

I now notice I feel off if I get off my lowish sugar/higher protein diet and/or supplaments. I have a particular "off" feeling - kind of like "gross"....it's a hypoglycemia warning if sorts. Happens if I eat too much processed stuff, too.

As a note, when the reflux/acid was at its worst I learned to do a self-hypnosis meditation thing. It was my brain telling my stomach to stop making acid??? Anyway, it's the technique they teach people who have high blood pressure. Biofeedback? I got pretty good at it. It worked when nothing else did.

I know what it's like to react to every med. I was reacting to every antibiotic at one point....I was afraid (still am) to take them. I can say thyroid meds are well worth it. The meds really are benign compared to other meds - and they've been around forever. I take lots if supplaments, I hate it. But I've learned I hate being sick, worse.

 Do the supplements upset your stomach or ulcer? My stomach gets totally inflamed when I take them. I am ok for 1 day, then I have terrible pain from the inflammation. I have even tried opening them up and putting them in mashed potatoes. But I can still only get away with it for 1 day. I want to take them. I just need to find a way that they won't cause such inflammation.  Maybe my stomach is still healing from the gluten?

Cheerio

CynthiaST

[1desperateladysaved]

 Do the supplements upset your stomach or ulcer? My stomach gets totally inflamed when I take them. I am ok for 1 day, then I have terrible pain from the inflammation. I have even tried opening them up and putting them in mashed potatoes. But I can still only get away with it for 1 day. I want to take them. I just need to find a way that they won't cause such inflammation.  Maybe my stomach is still healing from the gluten?

Cheerio

CynthiaST

Do you know of any problem with corn?  Many supplements have some form of corn in them I have heard.  For supplements I spend hours searching for a supplement that I can tolerate all of the ingredients.  I really appreciate the products which include 1 powderized nutrient and nothing more.

 

I am taking a professional adrenal support product and it does seem to help.  My functional medicine nurse says that 30 years of celiac will stress your adrenals.  Furthermore, they need vitamin B to make cortisol, I believe she said.  My diagnosis for this was with blood tests and ortho-static blood pressure.

 

D

[CynthiaSt]

Do you know of any problem with corn?  Many supplements have some form of corn in them I have heard.  For supplements I spend hours searching for a supplement that I can tolerate all of the ingredients.  I really appreciate the products which include 1 powderized nutrient and nothing more.

 

I am taking a professional adrenal support product and it does seem to help.  My functional medicine nurse says that 30 years of celiac will stress your adrenals.  Furthermore, they need vitamin B to make cortisol, I believe she said.  My diagnosis for this was with blood tests and ortho-static blood pressure.

 

D

Hi 1desperateladysaved,

     I never thought about corn. I haven't eaten it in so long. I also never considered that there could be something in the actual vitamin that is inflaming my stomach. I get the supplements from my naturapath. They are for sure yeast,soy gluten free.

I'll have to look into the other ingredients. I do feel there is a link between the adrenals, cortisol and vitamin deficiency.

I read this about blood pressure and hypoglycemia  where they tell about the nutrients one needs to correct the hypoglycemia and adrenal fatigue.

"Magnesium.

This mineral acts as a spark plug for the production of enzymes and energy needed for the adrenal cascade, says Wilson. It also moderates blood pressure, which tends to increase with elevated cortisol output.

Best sources of magnesium: Sea vegetables, nuts, brown sesame seeds, whole wheat (if tolerated), brown rice, peas, beans"

Here's the link;

Open Original Shared Link