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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by texaschic on March 19, 2008, at 13:14:00
I'm at work so I have to make this quick, but I went to the doctor today and she reminded me that its time for my physical, and that on my last physical I tested hypoglycemic. And this was when I hadn't even fasted! So when she reminded me of that again today I looked it up and figured out it can be caused by high alcohol cunsumption, which I've been struggling with for a while now. I also read that although alcohol induces hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia can also cause the urge for the high alcohol consumption! So its a vicious cycle. Anyway, if anyone knows anything about this I would appreciate your input. I thought about putting this on the substance abuse board, but I already know my drinking is a problem, I really wanted to know if anyone knew about how it related to hypoglycemia. Anyway, I'm writing this fast so I may not be making sense (I'm not even sure what I'm trying to ask), but any input is appreciated.
-T
Posted by ClearSkies on March 19, 2008, at 20:45:45
In reply to Alcohol induced hypoglycemia (alcohol trigger?), posted by texaschic on March 19, 2008, at 13:14:00
Dear TC, I don't anything about hypoglycemia, but I sure know a fair bit about drinking too much. If your doctor's picked up on that aspect of its impact on your health, the simplest thing to do would be to drastically cut down or eliminate your alcohol consumption, and then see if it has a positive effect on your overall health.
It's possible that it might take around 6 weeks or so to see a consistent improvement in your health. I'd say that you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain by trying it.
take care,
ClearSkies
Posted by TexasChic on March 19, 2008, at 22:48:46
In reply to Re: Alcohol induced hypoglycemia (alcohol trigger? » texaschic, posted by ClearSkies on March 19, 2008, at 20:45:45
I've tried to quit and succeeded for about a week or so, but I always succumb to the urge eventually. I've had a few eye opening situations that have freaked me out about my drinking, but I just don't know how to stop. For the first time I'm actually seriously thinking I may be an 'ALCOHOLIC'. Its been going on for more years than I care to admit. In the midst of this post I went out and bought a pack of smokes. I always felt like quitting smoking was the most important thing I could ever do, but now I think quitting drinking may be even more important. I don't want to start smoking again, but if it can substitute for drinking, it may be the healthier choice (at least I won't kill anyone smoking and driving). I'm really freaking out a bit.
-T
Posted by ClearSkies on March 20, 2008, at 8:48:14
In reply to Re: Alcohol induced hypoglycemia (alcohol trigger? » ClearSkies, posted by TexasChic on March 19, 2008, at 22:48:46
It's as great a gift that you can give yourself as quitting smoking is. Having trouble after not drinking for week might suggest that you've got to break the habit rather than you're an alcoholic (I'm saying this because I know nothing about your drinking habits). For myself I can say that it consumed my life for many years - I spent a lot of time thinking about where I was going to stop on the way home for a bottle of wine, and then when I began to try to conceal the problem from others, I would pick different liquor stores to stop at, so as not to make it obvious that I was a "regular" anywhere.
It had taken on a life of its own.
Waking up the next morning and feeling like absolute crap for the first half of the day was ordinary for me for many years. Headaches, upset tummies, shaking, you name it.
But everybody's life as an alcoholic is different, so I'm not trying to suggest that you are one - that's someone that you can only conclude for yourself. Generally speaking, if you think you have a problem, then you probably do. If you're having trouble quitting, then the first place I would go would be an AA meeting. They are the most accepting rooms full of people on the planet. If you're not comfortable in a room full of people, they have online resources. There's an alternative to AA, called Women For Sobriety, which I found invaluable. I spoke to my pdoc (finally). I spoke to my therapist, who recommended an outpatient treatment program, because I wasn't able to stay sober for long on my own. There are many, many places to get the help we need, and absolutely no cause for despair if you find you're struggling on your own.
There's babblemail, too. I would love to help.
CS
Posted by texaschic on March 20, 2008, at 10:08:41
In reply to Re: Alcohol induced hypoglycemia (alcohol trigger? » TexasChic, posted by ClearSkies on March 20, 2008, at 8:48:14
Thanks so much CS! I'm really busy at work today but felt the need to come post and say I'm feeling better today, I was just freaking out last night for some reason. I think I was having an anxiety attack. Things seem much more doable today! I talk more later.
-T
Posted by Sigismund on March 20, 2008, at 19:55:51
In reply to Alcohol induced hypoglycemia (alcohol trigger?), posted by texaschic on March 19, 2008, at 13:14:00
My doctor told me that alcohol blocks the metabolism of glucose/carbohydrate (maybe just for a bit, or preferrentially competes?)
That should mean something, but not, I'm afraid, to me.
Posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2008, at 12:34:17
In reply to Re: Alcohol induced hypoglycemia (alcohol trigger? » ClearSkies, posted by texaschic on March 20, 2008, at 10:08:41
Still dont understand why I felt great on 4-6 beers and .5 xanax twice a day? I don't get it? Sober for l2 years at least now and never felt good since anyone know why? Phillipa
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 21, 2008, at 22:05:06
In reply to Alcohol induced hypoglycemia (alcohol trigger?), posted by texaschic on March 19, 2008, at 13:14:00
True alcohol-induced hypoglycemia is actually quite rare. If a person has, or is developing a metabolic disorder, even relatively modest alcohol consumption can reveal that vulnerability through low blood sugar.
Ethanol inhibits the liver's ability to manufacture glucose, a task it generally performs without difficulty, to maintain blood sugar during the periods between meals. But, liver stores of glycogen (basically, a quick release source of glucose) usually are more than able to prevent ethanol intake from messing things up.
Without getting into too much biochemistry, there are probably 100 different reasons why a person could develop low blood sugar. It might be nothing more than a coincidence that you're a drinker, and you have hypoglycemia.
If alcohol is involved in your symptoms, then the most likely concerns would be hypoadrenal or hypopituitary output, or, the beginnings of diabetes, or excessive thyroid output. Like I said, there are many different factors to consider.
It's probably a good idea for you to get to the bottom of the underlying metabolic aspects.....symptoms of hypoglycemia can include depression, anxiety, emotional lability....even if hypoglycemia isn't the only source of these symptoms, it can aggravate these psych symptoms.
You're quite right that you may be drawn to drinking because you have hypoglycemia. I share the others' concerns about habitual drinking.
I'll be in touch offline.
{{{{TC}}}}
Lar
Posted by texaschic on March 27, 2008, at 17:10:12
In reply to Re: Alcohol induced hypoglycemia (alcohol trigger?) » texaschic, posted by Larry Hoover on March 21, 2008, at 22:05:06
DRINK! There's just something that triggers when I know its time to go home. I suddenly get this overwhelming URGE to stop on the way and get alcohol. I've resisted the past week because of lack of money, but the urge has still been there!!! I find myself trying to substitute with food or cigarettes (I've smoked two a night all this week). The thing is, when I do have alcohol, I still want to eat and sometimes even binge when I get drunk. I just don't understand why I feel this when I get home to where I can actually relax for the first time all day! Home isn't stressful, so why do I feel that way? Any insight would be welcome. I'm about to leave work, and can't guarantee I won't stop for wine if I can cash a check somewhere!!!
-T
Posted by MidnightBlue on March 27, 2008, at 17:38:12
In reply to What is it about going home that makes me want to, posted by texaschic on March 27, 2008, at 17:10:12
Maybe you don't want to go home to an empty apartment? Maybe you don't want to be alone?
MB
Posted by TexasChic on March 27, 2008, at 19:24:25
In reply to Re: What is it about going home that makes me want to » texaschic, posted by MidnightBlue on March 27, 2008, at 17:38:12
I don't know, I really look forward to coming home. Once I'm here I don't want to leave! I think maybe its not a reaction to coming home as maybe finally being able to loosen up and relax. Even if I don't go home I want to drink. I don't know, it doesn't really make any sense. I just know its some sort of anxiety related thing.
-T
Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2008, at 20:56:08
In reply to Re: What is it about going home that makes me want » MidnightBlue, posted by TexasChic on March 27, 2008, at 19:24:25
Was for me my way of unwinding and settling in and I liked it. Phillipa and it did control my anxiety. Felt worse off it. That's just me.Always knew my limit no drunkensess as then went to bed and woke feeling good.
Posted by Sigismund on March 28, 2008, at 23:33:17
In reply to What is it about going home that makes me want to, posted by texaschic on March 27, 2008, at 17:10:12
I don't think it's so odd. We need to break time up. Think of smoking, an inexplicable habit which is yet oddly enjoyable in the way that little bits of time are marked off from each other. This cigarette I share with you marks our break together.
In the same way there are longer stretches of time. If you didn't have a drink to seperate the sobriety (such as it is) on either side of it, I can imagine the tedium of one day bleeding into the next getting to you.
We have a beagle. Every morning when he wakes up he jumps on the bed. Sleep divides one relatively dreary and peaceful day from the next. He celebrates his return to conciousness by jumping on the bed and saying hello.
Posted by TexasChic on March 30, 2008, at 19:29:55
In reply to Clocks ticking slowly, dividing the day up » texaschic, posted by Sigismund on March 28, 2008, at 23:33:17
Weird huh? My doctor told me if we can get my blood pressure down, I will have a lot more energy. Apparently high blood pressure makes you feel tired and run down. So I started taking this new medicine Friday morning, and Friday night and Saturday I can't seem to stop cleaning my house! Keep in mind my house desperately needed cleaning. Usually on the weekends I have to fight staying in bed the entire time. I tell myself to clean for so long, and then I can lay down and read my book (and usually fall asleep). But this time I just kept put off laying down and kept cleaning! Weird huh? My living room looks freaking awesome! I even rearranged the furniture so that its more open and roomy. So this all leads to the question, how do you know if its depression or a medical condition?
-T
Posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2008, at 20:04:32
In reply to New hi-blood pressure med, cleaned apt like crazy!, posted by TexasChic on March 30, 2008, at 19:29:55
T that is amazing. What med is it? But it's true I think depression for instance comes with my autoimmune thyroid disease. Common on the thyroid boards. Love Phillipa but certaintly congratulations
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