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DragginLady Posts: 15
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Does anyone have knowledge/experience with wild swings in blood glucose (BG) with AI and hydrocortisone (HC)? I was mistaking low BP for low BG. After several episodes of definite hypoglycemia, I bought a glucometer and got the surpirse of my life, wild swings from low to high to low BG. In short, I'm hypoglycemic until I eat and then become hyperglycemic (72 fasting, 188 after OJ and cereal today). Normal 80-120. I've tried to control with diet w/o success. Banana = 161. Small dinner and apple = 192. It gets stranger. With BG of 188, I took 5 mg of HC and BG dropped to 86. This has been a consistnet pattern since I started monitoring. HC is supposed to raise BG, not lower it! Happens 100% of the time. Am essentially controlling diabetes with HC. ??? Sorry to say, I'm symptomatic all the time. and the symptoms of AI, hypo- and hyperglycemia are hard to sort out. Shaking, severe palpitations, weakness, blurred vision, brain fog, drenching sweats, etc. I've become housebound and unable to drive, unable to predict symptoms minute to minute. I sure hope someone has some answers for me. Yes, I need to see an endocrinologist. Sure wish I had health insurance! (61 YO with AI = DENIED) Lab work and MRI of adrenals or pituitary would probably be helpful--and put my house in foreclosure. HELP! |
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teri72193 Posts: 1264
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Yes I have had this problem as well, mostly with the low. You might ask your Endo about Jenuvia, it has helped a lot of patients. I am allergic, but it has helped others. Diagnosed with primary Addisons at age 46 almost died before it was diagnosed. Then told by Mayo Doctors in 2011 that I have secondary. Take HC 30.0 a.m. and 10 mg at noon and 10 mg at 4 p.m. 100 mcg Synthroid. Stress dose with Hydrocortisone for emergencies and carry a Solu-Cortef injection for emergencies. Also take 50,000 Units Vitamin D 3x wk and potassium 15 ml once per day. On pain meds Fentanyl patch 50 mcg and Hycrodone APAP 15 mL every four hours. I love this site and am so grateful for all of you! |
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ITeach91 Posts: 1872
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Hi, Yes there are problems with maintaining blood sugar when you have adrenal insufficiency. I get very hypoglycemic to the point where I am ready to fight with someone (irritability), dizzy, headache, shaky, weak, etc. I have to eat protein every 2-3 hours or I'm sick as a dog. I haven't tested on the other end but wouldn't be surprised if it came up quickly into insulin resistance area...all I know is, I can't eat sugar like I used to (and I love/crave it so!). Last night had a piece of cake and wow the headache I got from it really wasn't worth it. Deb I'm glad to share my experience, but I am not a doctor and you should always consult your own physician.
I'm hypopituitary (SAI and hypothyroid) caused by a pituitary cyst. Taking 7.5 mg prednisone and 75 mcg synthroid daily. |
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DragginLady Posts: 15
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Thanks for your helpful input, Deb. You said something tell-tale, that you crave sugar. That's a sign of HYPERglycemia. Have you considered buying a glucometer? They're cheap ($16) and even free on line. It's the meter strips that are expensive ($32 for 50.) You may also be having wild swings. When I take my data to the doctor, will ask about a more extended-release form of HC. These wild swings are debilitating. Today, it took me 6 hours to regulate enough to go to work (fortunately, I work from home, but am unable to drive.) The symptoms you describe with HYPO are same as mine but I also have similar symptoms with HYPER, shaking, weakness. palps, and drenching sweats. I'm afraid to eat and afraid not to eat so am always doing fingersticks. I need some suggestions: What do you eat for your protein snacks? I need something quick and easy in emergencies. So what do you know about insulin resistance and the tx? All I can find is to eat a diabetic diet which is not working for me. Sandra |
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ITeach91 Posts: 1872
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Protein snacks - never enough of those are there? Things that have worked for me: Boiled egg, low-fat string cheese sticks, 4 oz low fat cottage cheese, Whey protein shake made with Stevia instead of sugar, snackpack of almonds, edamame, turkey pepperoni (rarely because of the BHT), Greek yogurt (2x protein). If it seems heavily dairy - it is, but it's hard to carry meat around as easily as you can carry cheese... Deb I'm glad to share my experience, but I am not a doctor and you should always consult your own physician.
I'm hypopituitary (SAI and hypothyroid) caused by a pituitary cyst. Taking 7.5 mg prednisone and 75 mcg synthroid daily. |
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ITeach91 Posts: 1872
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P.S. On the hyper - I find hypo you also crave sugar because you are low on it. So I guess all the symptoms could be one or the other, I find this is true for cortisol low/cortisol high as well to a certain extent. Deb I'm glad to share my experience, but I am not a doctor and you should always consult your own physician.
I'm hypopituitary (SAI and hypothyroid) caused by a pituitary cyst. Taking 7.5 mg prednisone and 75 mcg synthroid daily. |
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DragginLady Posts: 15
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Ain't that the truth--symptoms for hypo, hyper, and AI are all very similar. Add hypothyroidism and who knows what's going on? No wonder it takes so long and many tears to reach a dx. Again, I highly recommend the glucometer if you're having daily symptoms. It tells me how much HC to take and how much to eat. I just read about an extended-release HC in trials called DuoCort. Gonna be a couple years tho in US. Already got the string cheese, yogurt, and almonds. Thanks for the suggestions. Gonna go boil some eggs now. Sandra |
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EnglishRose119 Posts: 170
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protein does nothing for my levels, i need juice or sugar sadly |
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ITeach91 Posts: 1872
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Actually, you would think this is true but it is proven that a sugar load will help temporarily but then cause the levels to dump even lower when it wears off. Protein is a longer-term fix. If you feel the need to get an immediate high from juice, eat protein with it. I would never recommend sugar for hypoglycemia and I'm positive most doctors would not, either. It will make the situation much worse in the long run. Deb I'm glad to share my experience, but I am not a doctor and you should always consult your own physician.
I'm hypopituitary (SAI and hypothyroid) caused by a pituitary cyst. Taking 7.5 mg prednisone and 75 mcg synthroid daily. |
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ITeach91 Posts: 1872
VIP Member
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I thought of a couple other things after I posted the other day - peanut butter on apple, hummus and whole wheat crackers. Deb I'm glad to share my experience, but I am not a doctor and you should always consult your own physician.
I'm hypopituitary (SAI and hypothyroid) caused by a pituitary cyst. Taking 7.5 mg prednisone and 75 mcg synthroid daily. |
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