Irnldy001

When I first quit, I had a number of blackout episodes from hypoglycemia. I've visited doctors' and clinics, Thought it was under control from diet but I still have scary episodes. I am mindful of diet/sugar and try my best. I'm a bit depressed that it still happens.
Anyone else out there still experiencing these episodes, and what has worked for you? I am terrified of this turning to full blown diabetes.
I now know this is an issue for sober alcoholics, but haven't really seen how these people get it under control.
Help please! And yes again under doctor supervision and a dietician. I am at a loss for how to fix the damage I have done. If anyone knows of a specialist in the southern Ontario province of Canada I'd appreciate a referal. My doctor doesn't seem to know anyone except the diabetes clinic at a local major hospital. I seem them every three months to tweak diet. Still keep a daily blood sugar journal as well as notes on all I eat.
Thanks in advance if you can add (PS to moderators, I am not seeking medical advice, but hoping for people to steer me in a direction towards professionals I can see that can help me care for my condition).

daisy1

Diabetics have trouble keeping their blood sugar from actually BEING low. Diabetics only have hypos if they have too much insulin/hypoglycaemic meds or not enough food after having those meds.

Hypoglycaemia is something different on its own - do you avoid sugar and eat plenty of healthy fats and complex carbs and also protein? I used to struggle with low blood sugar but the dr said it was because I was actually eating a diet that was too sugary, causing my pancreas to produce a load of insulin which would then make me crash.
I now rarely eat sugar, white bread rice or pasta, and get my main calories from thinks like chicken, potatoes with skin on, salad drenched in olive oil, oily fish etc and it sorted it.

daisy1

Ps it seems like you are under very good expert supervision so I probably just told you what you already know, sorry!

Maybe an endocrinologist or liver expert could help?

Soberwolf

I havnt experienced this but wanted to congratulate on your 15 month milestone

entropy1964

I am no expert but many big names in recovery (notably Bill Wilson, founder of AA) draw a very compelling link between hypoglycemia and alcoholism. Google Bill W and hypoglycemia and you will see an enormous amount of data from many different drs. I don't know if this will help you find ways to better treat your condition. I am hypoglycemic as well. I try to stay VERY hydrated to stave off tachycardia and dizzy spells. Exercise helps me too. I try to stick to a keto-paleo nutrition approach that minimizes carbs (no sugar at all) and maximizes healthy fats. But of course, talk to your dr (or a new dr) and do what works for you. That is what works for me.

Zeroine

I've had hypoglycemic episodes, but not to the point of blacking out. I had blood tests that showed I had problems not just with my liver but also my thyroid, adrenal and pineal glands and pancreas. My non-medical take on the results was that my endocrine system was shot.

I chose to see a general practitioner who had a special interest in endocrinology. His approach was to focus on lifestyle approaches and supplements before turning to pharmaceuticals. I tried some complementary therapies, the most effective of which for me was applied kinesiology (it's used for diagnosis but can also be used for treatment). I followed a healing diet for about 10 months - not just a healthy diet but one planned to promote the body's own healing.

My blood sugar is much more stable now. I still have thyroid problems, but I think I haven't done enough on that yet. One thing at a time...

I'm not suggesting that you're the same as me. I just wonder if you've had blood tests to check out your endocrine system as a whole, or seen an endocrinologist?

PurpleKnight

I had some real issues with not blood sugar and low blood pressure in the first year and it can be very unsettling.

However with regular checkups and some good medical advice things got better, my body had clearly not reacted well to Sobreity, prolonged drinking had taken it's toll, but the body did an amazing job of repairing.

Keep seeking out that medical advice, and 2nd opinions if you feel you're not getting it . . . hang in there!!

Irnldy001

I follow the diabetes diet religiously. If I start to feel ill/dizzy, I start with boxes of apple juice and move to gatorade. But if it goes too far I black out and it takes me 2-3 days to feel normal. I lost about 20 pounds after I was first diagnosed from the extreme diet change. NO SUGAR in my diet unless I'm having an episode, and then it's quick shots of sugar via juice. I can go months without incident, but if I'm not PERFECT it happens. I see an endocrinologist, and also a diebetic dietician. My GP is in charge of overall care. The other issue is that I have abnormally low blood pressure, and if it dips too low with low blood sugar it's the perfect storm.
I'm ok today though I did a lot of napping. Hoping Sunday is more productive. Thanks for the suggestions all - I'm going to the doc on Monday to let him know this is still far from perfect. My liver function was luckily close to normal when I stopped drinking. It seems I've mostly healed from my drinking career. But I think it takes the body a long time to get used to not having those huge daily hits of sugar (wine, bourbon etc). When you take it away and there isn't much other sugar in your diet, I guess you plummet.

D122y

Glad you posted because the hypoglycemia thing is why I quit drinking.

Long story, but I quit in time...

I eat clean usually, and work out moderately.

No rx drugs. My problem went away.

Now I have a ptsd issues from my incidents w hypo. Those are fading fast as well.

Thanks again.

daisy1

It might be different over there, but over here the diabetes diet is actually quite rich in carbs and they don't encourage enough fats as a source of energy. I know of a few patients that had less hypos and reduced their medss by eating less carbs. However your hypos sound really serious and you have no choice but to follow orders?
I don't suppose you take beta blockers do you? These can be linked with severe hypos.

daisy1

I don't know if it helps, but when I used to run, I noticed that a bowl of porridge oats would take me miles further than any other food - do you eat them?

Irnldy001

No - no porridge oats
My diabetes diet sounds different
Very low sugar
High protein, high vegetables, slowly digested carbs such as barley, quinoa etc. I haven't had bread, rice, or anything close in a long time. Corn is mostly out.
No fast food, no soda,
All the dairy I want (not milkshakes, ice cream etc) but I love a good stinky cheese so I eat what I want there.
I only use sugar when an episode begins - then it's juice boxes.