Hep C Crohns Seizure disorder =? possible hypoglycemic

[lost_n_meds]

I have been diagnosed with a seizure disorder for 19 years, As well I have had crohns disease for 17 years. I found out 9 years ago that I had contracted Hepitis C. I have blacked out many years and everyone thought that the cause was due to my seizure. Though I black out more often than having a grand mal. I seem to have the seizure disorder under control minus the occasional blacking out. I still shake and shimmy from time to time. My boyfriend who happens to be diabetic noticed the other morning that I became disoriented in the store, lost vision, had to hold to him for guidance, shook uncontrollably, and became quite weak. I hadn't eaten anything that morning. He made me eat lunch with him as we were heading for a long trip. He fears that there could be a great chance I could be hypoglycemic especially with my crohns affecting my intestinal intake and hepititis C affecting my liver. Could this be a possibility? I have been having several black out spells recently and haven't been able to eat until later in the afternoon. I normally don't eat until 3. If there is a chance, How should I approach my doctors?

[JDRF-Team-sgg]

First, let me remind you and any other readers of this post that we are not physicians and cannot give medical advice as far as diagnosing a health problem. However, those of us who mann this website are very familiar with type 1 diabetes and can answer your question from the point of view of folks who know what normal glucose levels are supposed to be.

If I were you, I would check glucose levels when you feel weak. Normal levels should be between 70-126. Levels below these numbers are considered hypoglycemic. You state that your boyfriend is diabetic, so he must have the equipment (glucometer and test strips) for testing, and the testing is easy to do. You have the capability right there to do a test and see what the numbers are, and can easily find out for yourself whether your glucose levels are dropping too low. It is normal for gluoose levels to vary throughout the day, but if levels drop below 70, you do need to eat. Even at about 80, I find that I can start to feel a little bit weak and can need a small snack. Yes, if glucose levels drop extremely low, you can become unconscious, and yes, the symptoms you describe do fit the picture for possible hypoglycemia, so your boyfriend has made a good suggestion about something that probably does need to be discussed with your doctor. But you don't have to guess. Do some finger ***** tests and find out what the numbers are running.

So even though your doctors are diagnosing your blackout spells as part of seizure disorder, it won't hurt you to borrow your boyfriend's glucometer when you start to feel the way you do before you black out and get a real number rather than guessing about whether you are possibly hypoglycemic or not. If you do discover that glucose levels are running low when you start to feel this way, then you should contact your doctors and tell them what the glucometer readings have been at those times. Write down the information, the date, the time, whether you have eaten anything and what,/when you ate so you have good information to help your doctor understand what is happening to you.

The Crohns disease of course can affect whether you are processing the carbohydrates that you eat in such a fashion that your body is getting the energy it needs, so if you do discover that at times your glucose is running lower than normal, you should talk to your doctor, for besides making you FEEL bad, this is not good for you if it is happening often. Some dietary changes may have to happen, and your specialist can help you figure out what to do.