headaches and more

For atleast 10 years now I have very adverse reactions to carbs, almost all of them.  I recently ate a variety for one week so I cojuld get blood work done to accuretly test and I was miserable.  I was bloated, gained 10 pounds( in 1 week), had headaches, gained a shoe size and a ring size, had racing heart and palpitations, bad dreams and brain fog.  I doesn't seem to matter whether the carb is wheat, rice, potato, fruit.  I get a stronger reaction from grains of any type though.  And refined sugar sends me over, I will wake the next day as if out of an anesthetic.  When I stop eating this way I get shaky, short tempered, and dizzy for a couple of days.  If I eat like this regularly this happens if I don't eat every coupld of hours.  I have been on a low carb plan for 7 years and this is the only way I can controle the symptoms, but it is a very limited way to eat.  I was a hyper child and have never been able to tolerate refined sugar.  I remember feeling like my insides would tremple so bad I would die, it was horrible.  I woudl have fits of rage and kick and scream to dispell the shakes and energy and then literally pass out and sleep for and hour.  All tests for fasting blood sugar, pancreas, thyroid come back normal.  My BP is perfect.  What is going on?!

[Shazia Alam, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to obtain a history from you and examine you, I cannot comment on a formal diagnosis or treatment plan for your symptoms. However, I will try to provide you with some information regarding this matter.

Your symptoms may be related to a malabsorption problem, which means your body is not absorbing the carbohydrates properly.  I would recommend possibly seeing a GI doctor regarding this.  Some patients with migraines may have a sensitivity to carbohydrates which triggers their migraines and can also give them the headaches and brain fog.  

I hope this information was helpful, but a GI specialist may be able to give you more information.