The Reactive Hypoglycemic

This is what I know.

 I've taken an intentional break from blogging to get my health situation checked out. The last two weeks has been full of doctors appointments and tests. Not fun at all. I didn't want to write about it until I knew exactly what was going on...hence my hiatus from writing. It's been the only thing on my mind for weeks, but I didn't want to worry you guys.

This is what I know: Part 2.

I have reactive hypoglycemia. Sounds pretty scary...but don't get bent outta shape. First thing's first, I'm not diabetic. Second, I don't have to take medicine or give myself shots. I can regulate my blood sugar with the food I eat.

But let's back up a bit so you can understand what it means to be a reactive hypoglycemic. Last week, I took a four hour blood glucose test. That translates to six individual sticks with a vial of blood each time. One initial stick to take a base reading. Then I drank a large cup of a super sugary orange drink. Then they took my blood at the 30 minute mark, the one hour mark and every hour on the hour for three more hours. (Does that make sense?)

At the hour mark, I had a freak out moment. I felt really sick and light-headed. Like my skin was crawling. And the lady couldn't find my "tiny vein" as she put it. So she proceeded to dig the needle into my skin searching for said vein. I almost threw up. It was bad.

Then there may or may not have been a crying episode where all my anxiety surfaced after said stabbing of the arm. I'm not ashamed. A girl can only take so much before the ultimate breaking point is reached.

Then I was just resigned to my fate of having to give my arms over to them every hour for the stabbing. By the sixth blood draw, my veins had had enough. And I was completely physically and emotionally spent and absolutely starving. I forgot to mention I had been fasting for 12 hours. Yikes.

This is what I know: Part 3.

During said freak out moment mention above in part 2, the nurses checked my blood sugar level and said it was normal.

But here's the thing.

When my blood sugar level is normal, it's too high. My initial level was considerably lower than normal. It jumped up to normal (or high in my case). Then plummeted down to really low again resulting in me being ridiculously tired and weak.

So there you go.

Unlike regular hypoglycemia, reactive hypoglycemia is a result of what you eat. So my diet and how frequently I eat will change significantly. And it will make me feel so much better. For that I am thankful.

So please follow along as I cut out all processed foods, refined sugars and limit my caffeine intake...And watch me learn to eat six small meals a day and the great importance of portion control. It's going to be a journey, and I can't wait to share it with you.