hypoglycemia or anxiety? What to do

Mental health
1

Hello all, hoping someone can help please.

I have been dealing with anxiety for 2 years now and really not made much progress. I have tried CBT but avoided antidepressants which I am starting to doubt whether I should accept them. My mood has been very low lately and stress / anxiety up.

My anxiety symptoms are constant and I get:

Shakes

Sweats

Fainting spells or light headiness

irritable

Fatigue

vision and balance problems

weakness and just general like I am going to drop feeling.

My anxiety is mimicking symptoms of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) I think.

I am not diabetic but both my parents are and like the hypochondriac I am, I bought a machine to monitor my bloods for a month before going back to the GP, so I can at least rule it out.

My blood sugar regularly dips to around 3.2 and hovers around 4. A few times it's been 6-7 but never within the normal range of 5-6. Over the month it averaged at 4.1 which I think could explain the constant fatigue and shaking.

I have measured 3 times a day (morning, dinner and before bed) and random times when feeling shaky plus made a note of it. My sugar levels are often worse midday. I have even tried adjusting diets to see if this influences it, but with the amount I eat, I fail to see how many glucose levels are so low.

My question is, am I being stupid looking at this. I know anxiety causes a lot of adrenaline rushes which in turn cause your body to burn sugar / glucose faster which could explain the drops but I am not massively convinced.

Even on propranolol and calms, my anxiety symptoms still persist which is making me think there is something else.

Can anyone please advise?

 

2

I can completely relate and am also at a loss as to what's going on. I've had so many tests done and all showing as normal..I also got myself a glucose monitor and always reads between 4 and 5.3 usually. My belly gets very delicate and I don't have an appetite but fund I have to force myself to eat or it gets worse.feels like my body is just crashing I get really woozy am shaky and shivery..like I'm going to pass out. Very scary feeling! Hypoglycaemia has been suggested and gp said even though blood sugar within normal range everyone is different and it could just be low for me.

I have been diagnosed with ME but wonder if my anxiety with feeling unwell just makes things worse. Been suggested that it's anxiety but like a vicious cycle...low blood sugar feeling makes me worried then the anxiety makes these symptom's worse?!

It can be debilitating at times!

3

Thank you for the reply.

I spoke to my doctor a few times about it and tests glucose and thyroid have all come back fine yet I am convinced the faint feeling feels to physical! I know the tests are accurate and I shouldn't worry but the thing is your glucose levels change constantly. They might have been fine on the day but generally being low affects everything and I can relate to losing the appetite, I struggle at times!

I can't seem to accept that after two years this is normal and just anxiety. I know what you mean about deliberating, sometimes I literally have to just sit down until the wooshing feeling stops and I calm down.

It kinda makes me think I need to just get on this Sertraline just so I can say look I have tried it now.

 

4

I know exactly what you mean and can totally relate.

I've been told anxiety by a few gps and when I was diagnosed with M.E. the consultant said it's quite a common symptom too..so I don't know which it is. Are u tired /fatigued and flu like? May be worth still pushing for more tests although ME diagnosed through a process of illumination. I'm still struggling to accept the diagnosis to be honest as fatigue not my most debilitating symptom..it's the low blood sugar/faint wobbly symptoms that are the worst!!

I'm trying to eat little and often..snacking on cereal bars and veg sticks etc but doesn't help too much. I also think there's a connection to my monthly cycle as seem to be worse just after my period..even though I'm on ferrous fume rate meds for low iron.

I know what u mean..I'm sometimes tempted to go on anti anxiety meds to just see if it helps!

5

Fatigue is a problem for me as well and I am tired and flu like constantly. I have actually been on antibiotics 6 times this year (never before then! and one course was 6 weeks alone after a nasty bout) and had 2 steroid injections due to repeat infections. Seen an ENT who found no issues at all and put it down to stress and anxiety as well. He suggested it's because I am run down.

But yeah the low sugar and faint wobbly symtom is the worst, especially when in a busy place or work. It's hard not to panic which then spirals the anxiety.

I am trying to work out diets to help, slow releasing carbs are needed I think. Cereal bars are a good way to go.

Had you every pressured blood pressure by any chance? My ENT suggested something called Hypertension which when standing fast can cause the similar sensations.