sugar intolerance and buzzing in brain

[fah_always]

For about five weeks, I've had diarrhea when I eat sugar, even the sugar from cooked carrots or a tangerine.  If there are small amounts of sugar in a food item, like in pizza, I'm generally all right, but other things make me very sick.  I've also developed dizziness and loss of balance, buzzing in my head, muscle aches and twitching, painful sensations on the soles of my feet and the pads of my fingers, slight blurry vision at times, fatigue and difficulty filling my lungs with oxygen at times.  I also have a general "run-down" feeling.  I've done several google searches, but I can't find anything that explains my illness to sugar along with the other symptoms.  The symptoms for diabetes and related illnesses fit a couple of the symptoms I have, but not illness when I eat sugar.  When I do ingest sugar, the result is nearly instantaneous.  It only takes about five minutes (sometimes less) for me to get sick.  If anyone can provide any help, I would be very grateful.  Thank you.

[Flashlighteyes]

I don't know about the sugar problem, but I have had all of the other symptoms for years, the buzzing in the brain, twitching, muscle aches,fatigue, loss of balance, etc.  I was finally sent to see a Rheumatologist and after a bunch of blood tests, I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia and "possibly" Arteritis, which is inflammation of the arteries usually associated with Polymyagia.  You might ask your primary physician to recomment a rhematologist. I have the buzzing in the brain.  It is like a bug being zapped in a bug light.  Hope you find out what it is.

[Carol in PA]

The bowel problem might be Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
The other symptoms you list may be tick borne infection, such as Lyme Disease, Babesia, or Bartonella.

Here is some information about Lyme symptoms:
http://www.canlyme.com/patsymptoms.html

I can provide more information if you are interested.

Wishing you the best,
Carol

[fah_always]

Thank you for the information.  I had already looked at IBS, but it didn't fit.  I do have a lot of the symptoms of Lyme disease and the related diseases.  Not sure if the sugar intolerance would fall under allergies/chemical sensitivity or not.  I really hope it isn't Lyme disease.

[Carol in PA]

fah_always:
If you have alot of the symptoms and have questions about investigating Lyme, you can post a query on the medical questions forum at LymeNet.org.
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php

This support group has hundreds of people who read and post daily, and are helpful to newbies.

Intestinal problems are common with tick borne infections, possibley due to hypercoagulation, which reduces the amount of oxygen to reach the cells.
The buzzing and twitching symptoms may be due to low magnesium within the cells, which alters the bioelectriacal activity.

Dizziness and balance problems can happen when the Lyme bacteria infect the cranial nerves to the ears.
Vision problems result when the nerves to the eyes are infected.

This is a complicated disease.
You'll have to do alot of reading to educate yourself, even if it's just to make sure that you are tested properly.

Carol

[yokux]

can sugar cause acne like rash all over the body.

[Soonerman]

Are you sure it is sugar that makes you sick?  Have you just had a bit of plain sugar and had the same reactions?  If not it could be an allergy to some other food, like gluten (Celiacs).  Celiacs could cause alot of the symptoms you mentioned.  I have most of the symptoms you have mentioned, and I have been tested for many things, including lyme (twice, both neg.).  I have low B12, had positive EBV (doesn't mean it is active now, and it is common for people to have been exposed at some point), but nothing really conclusive found yet.  I am going to get tested for Celiacs and gluten intolerance this week, because it almost seems food related to me and alot of the symptoms fit.  It may be something for you to look into at least, and yokux, celiacs can cause rash as well as the other symptoms.

[Soonerman]

Oh also an overgrowth of candida can cause alot of symptoms in all areas of the body/mind.  These "bad" bacteria can take over, and thrive off of sugar (it is their food/energy source).  Look into the symptoms of candida and causes.

[ksnider]

On April 20 (20 weeks ago) I underwent major gastrointestinal surgery due to endometriosis.  Along with a full hysterectomy, the appendix, Ileocecal valve, ~ 1 foot of the terminal ileum, and ~ 1 foot of the ascending colon were removed.  Since I have had NO normal bowel movements; only diarrhea.  Then within the last 5 weeks I've also developed frequent bouts of double vision/blurriness, aches behind my left eye and sharp pains on the bottom of my left foot, all the while feeling very fatigued. In trying to figure out if it was sugar causing these latest symptoms (possibly due to diabetes), I noticed that the diarrhea was worst when I had sugar.  Like you, if there are small amounts of sugar in a food item, I'm generally all right but digesting higher doses of sugar such as in cookies, cake or ice cream, the diarrhea and headache is nearly instantaneous.  If anyone provides you with help, I would be very grateful for the information as well.  Thank you.

[ChadsWife22]

I have had strange symptoms my entire life including rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, every gastrointestinal problems one can think of, fatigue, weakened immune system, chronic infection, etc.  No one could figure out what it was.  I went to a nutritionist who suggested "sampling" different diets to notice a difference and to see if the problem had to do with diet.  I tried lactose free, gluten free, no fried foods, and finally when I got to sugar free, all of my symptoms went away. I know there is speculation from anyone who has not experienced it, but sugar intolerance/allergy does exist.  With completely cutting out processed sugars, my symptoms have disappeared, I haven't been sick with ANYTHING in over a year, and I've never felt better, even when I was a child.  The only times I have "episodes" is when I eat something I shouldn't have (such as too many carbohydrates) and then all of my symptoms return for a short period until I can detox them out.  I know sugar intolerance is rarely diagnosed if at all, and doctors like to put other labels on what's wrong in an effort to figure it out, but I wanted to assure you that it does for sure exist.

[cindysueT]

I have had similar symptoms. But I also have a lot of pain in my legs when I eat sugar and it almost feels like my cells are bouncing around like crazy inside my body if I have too much at one time. I also have a brain tumor (meningioma).  Had it removed in 94 but it came back a few years ago.  The growth has slowed when I started taking essiac tea.  I read The Yeast Syndrome book and it almost has me convinced that the tumor is tied to my intolerance to sugar.  I just wanted to contact you to see if you had any of these symptoms and to see how you managed to cut it out of your diet.  I have been working on it for a couple of years.  I will go three weeks doing well then I go a few weeks not doing so well and the symptoms come rushing back sooner or later when the sugar has built up in my system or the yeast has gotten out of control.  It is very discouraging living like this.  I want to figure out what is "wrong" so I can fix it!!!  Do you know what I mean?  Any feedback or input would be appreciated.  I feel so alone in this process.

CindyT

[andyjoe]

The sugar reaction and diarhea sounds like dumping syndrom. I have it after stomaach removal. I got down to 76 lbs. I found a doctor to help and was on a med called sandostatin, it's an injection. It saved my life. I still have to take it occasionally but not very much.
TJ