Hypoglycemia Vs. GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder)

[Kitty]

I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for many years.  I had taken St. John's Wort for about a year and that really helped.  Recently I went to the doctor for forgetfulness and concentration problems, I was tested for Hypothyroidism and Vitamin B Anemia, both negative.  Then I started having dizzy spells.  I looked up the symptoms for Hypoglycemia and found that all of these things, plus hand tremors, headaches and exhaustion were also symptoms.  So I went to my new PCP and had my blood sugar tested.  It was 79, but I felt really good at that time.  He said that was really close to normal and put all of my symptoms under the Anxiety category and prescribed Zoloft.  Since the symptoms of both conditions are so similar, I would like to know the differences.  And would it be worth the trouble of getting a glocometer and testing my own sugar when I am actually having the symptoms of dizziness, shakiness or sleepiness?  Is a glucose tolerance test in order here?

[clockworks]

A related discussion, Nighttime Blood Pressure spikes was started.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Kristin:

Raynaud's is a syndrome of vasospasm where both artrial and venous spasms and one gets full vasoconstriction, a white color (no blood flow), then a bluish color occurs (venous spasms), then finally a reddish color (the complete return to normal).  Just a blue color does not imply Raynaud's.  There is also usually a trigger such as cold temperature to turn on the vasospams.  Your symptoms do not sound like Raynaud's.

CCF Neuro MD

[Kristin - question on Raynauds phenomen]

Hi I had a question about Raynuads.  I occasionally get blue feet,and it happens any time anywhere.  Its mainly my entire foot but the toes start first then sole of foot looks dirty.  I get no pain whatsoever, or burning or any other signs.  Ill just look down and its like wow, what happened.Could this be something other then raynauds?  I never notice my hands or fingers at all and no pain is involved in this strange occurance.  i have lower blood pressuse.  Also heard this is usually an autoimmune problem related to Scleroderma (very scarey connection)  What are your thoughs?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Kitty:

Hypoglycemia is a common problem.  One way to avoid the effects is to change your eating habits somewhat, try and multiple the number of meals you eat.  This will prevent times of hypoglycemia.  Most people do not feel the effects of hypoglycemia until the glucose or sugar levels drops below 50-60. However, by this time, fat metabolism should kick in unless the sugar is dropped too fast, such as with an insulin surge due to eating a meal or snack with a large amount of sugar.  Since you have had anxiety attacks for years, longterm hypoglycemia would have likely been diagnosed along time ago as your symptoms would not respond to anxiety medication.  Continued tremors(shakinness, sleepiness, and dizziness would not be from hypoglycemia as when you eat your meals the symptoms would go away.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD