low episode symptoms

[lovetosing]

I am a sort of goody goody type 2 who at my last check up was told I was doing so well that I was back down to literally 'borderline' diabetic and that I did not need the other tablet (Zicron) any more.
Knowing that the Zicron was the med that can cause low symptoms if I went too long without eating etc. I was very surprised when yesterday I started to feel bad during a Zumba class, muscles felt very weak as the class went on and energy levels dropped dramatically. I also felt shaky and of course hungry. I hadn't eaten since about 10 am and the class took place between 1 and 2, so I guess being hungry would be natural, but I always thought that on only Metformin, I wouldn't really experience low glucose symptoms and indeed never have before. Anyone had a similar experience?

 

[Northerner]

It is possible to have low blood sugar, even if you are not diabetic, and especially if you haven't eaten for some time and been exercising. Your liver and muscles store a certain amount of glucose in the form of glycogen, and this can supply your needs up to a certain point, but there does come a point where you might begin to struggle a bit as your body seeks to get energy from converting fat stores - this is what happens when runners hit the wall. I believe metformin also works in part by inhibiting glucose production by the liver (please correct me if I am wrong!)

Were you able to measure your levels? I have experienced what I thought was a low blood sugar, only to test and find out it is normal, so it is possible to mistake the symptoms - only sure-fire way to know is to test 🙂

 

[Copepod]

Isn't Zircon medication a mineral / vitamin pill? Confusingly, zircon is also zirconium silicate ZrSiO4.

I've personally seen the effects of extreme activity (several hours running round the fells putting out controls for a mountain marathon, not eating or drinking much, through snow, sleet, rain and strong winds, ending in the dark) on my partner, who takes no medication for anything - he came back to the camping barn, nearly collapsed, asked me to take his blood glucose level with my meter, revealing 3.x mmol/l. Then I kept bringing him hot drinks, noodle soup, muesli bars etc, until he felt well enough to get under hot shower and begin to warm up.

So, the moral of the story is don't exercise with inadequate food inside you - often a muesli bar / banana / apple etc can be all you need to see you through a Zumba class several hours since last meal.

 

[SimplesL]

I had a mild instance of "going low". Day off work so up a bit later had brekkie went to the gym. Decided to catch up on my mountain of ironing so put the music on and was dancing around the kitchen to the music going to & from ironing pile. Then about 30 mins into the ironing I went all shakey and sweatey.

Had some lunch (probably should have before I started ironing) and all was well after. I didn't test as I'm not required to but after this I do now have a meter from Abbotts & now keep a pot of strips which I buy.

Not had a repeat & I do now spot check. I did the other day when I got home after a visit to the gym and I was 4 but felt OK. Shows how exercise can reduce levels. Trainer at the gym advised to eat some fruit about an hour befoer an exercise session. I tend to eat an apple. Seems OK.

I'm "only" on 2 500g metformin a day since levels are only just above "normal".

 

[lovetosing]

It is possible to have low blood sugar, even if you are not diabetic, and especially if you haven't eaten for some time and been exercising. Your liver and muscles store a certain amount of glucose in the form of glycogen, and this can supply your needs up to a certain point, but there does come a point where you might begin to struggle a bit as your body seeks to get energy from converting fat stores - this is what happens when runners hit the wall. I believe metformin also works in part by inhibiting glucose production by the liver (please correct me if I am wrong!)

Were you able to measure your levels? I have experienced what I thought was a low blood sugar, only to test and find out it is normal, so it is possible to mistake the symptoms - only sure-fire way to know is to test 🙂

Thanks for your usual kind and quick reply. I was not near my testing kit and in fact only have one strip left. In fact the doc said that with type 2 and the good control, I shouldn't be testing myself at all (something I don't really agree with). You are right about how Metformin works. I was just puzzled because I have never felt that way during exercise before. I do wish I could have tested to find out for sure.🙂

 

[lovetosing]

Isn't Zircon medication a mineral / vitamin pill? Confusingly, zircon is also zirconium silicate ZrSiO4.

I've personally seen the effects of extreme activity (several hours running round the fells putting out controls for a mountain marathon, not eating or drinking much, through snow, sleet, rain and strong winds, ending in the dark) on my partner, who takes no medication for anything - he came back to the camping barn, nearly collapsed, asked me to take his blood glucose level with my meter, revealing 3.x mmol/l. Then I kept bringing him hot drinks, noodle soup, muesli bars etc, until he felt well enough to get under hot shower and begin to warm up.

So, the moral of the story is don't exercise with inadequate food inside you - often a muesli bar / banana / apple etc can be all you need to see you through a Zumba class several hours since last meal.

Thanks for that. I am sure you are right - I probably didn't time the eating right and forgot how late it was. The second med was ZICRON rather than Zircon. It is one that actually removes sugar fromt the blood stream. Actually someone else on the forum when I first joined had not heard of it, but I checked the box to make sure I had the name right - Zicron.
Thanks again.

 

[lovetosing]

I had a mild instance of "going low". Day off work so up a bit later had brekkie went to the gym. Decided to catch up on my mountain of ironing so put the music on and was dancing around the kitchen to the music going to & from ironing pile. Then about 30 mins into the ironing I went all shakey and sweatey.

Had some lunch (probably should have before I started ironing) and all was well after. I didn't test as I'm not required to but after this I do now have a meter from Abbotts & now keep a pot of strips which I buy.

Not had a repeat & I do now spot check. I did the other day when I got home after a visit to the gym and I was 4 but felt OK. Shows how exercise can reduce levels. Trainer at the gym advised to eat some fruit about an hour befoer an exercise session. I tend to eat an apple. Seems OK.

I'm "only" on 2 500g metformin a day since levels are only just above "normal".

You sound in a similar diabetes category to me. I am sure you are right and I just didn't time my eating right (the class was 1 - 2 pm) I should have eaten something first. I also was told I didn't need to test, but I would prefer to have the option. Are the strips expensive?
thanks for your reply.

 

[Copepod]

Thanks for that. I am sure you are right - I probably didn't time the eating right and forgot how late it was. The second med was ZICRON rather than Zircon. It is one that actually removes sugar fromt the blood stream. Actually someone else on the forum when I first joined had not heard of it, but I checked the box to make sure I had the name right - Zicron.
Thanks again.

Thanks for being sure - it's so easy to transpose 2 letters (at least it is with my typing and my brain! 🙂) , that I wondered if that is what had happened.

Good luck with your next zumba class 🙂