Is there something wrong or should i just forget about it?

Question

for quite a while I have had various problems and I feel as though maybe they are all related in some way but wonder if they are just average things.

*really bad pains in the stomach after eating any heavy foods like a meal. Yet when this happens I feel like I'm starving and could eat more even though it hurts.
*hungry always and have to make sure i dont overdo it
*not overweight but only just in normal weight range, I would find it easy to lose weight if i could stop the cravings for sweet things late at night
*bad mood swings when i haven't eaten enough and people even know it now
*try not to drink to much because otherwise i have to go to the toilet all the time, but that could be partly due to a medication i am on for skin troubles i suddenly developed when i turned about 19.
*Shaky hands when i do anything physical sometimes bad enough not to be able to drink from a glass
there are more things but the doctors havent made any connections. Have any ideas?

Answer 1

You might have hypoglycemic probllems or IBS. You should have yourself checked. I have IBS. I have suffered for yrs and gone for several tests before my diagnosis.

What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is the clinical syndrome that results from low blood sugar. The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from person to person, as can the severity. Classically, hypoglycemia is diagnosed by a low blood sugar with symptoms that resolve when the sugar level returns to the normal range.

Who is at risk for hypoglycemia?

While patients who do not have any metabolic problems can complain of symptoms suggestive of low blood sugar, true hypoglycemia usually occurs in patients being treated for diabetes (type 1 and type 2). Patients with pre-diabetes who have insulin resistance can also have low sugars on occasion if their high circulating insulin levels are further challenged by a prolonged period of fasting. There are other rare causes for hypoglycemia, such as insulin producing tumors (insulinomas) and certain medications. These uncommon causes of hypoglycemia will not be discussed in this article, which will primarily focus on the hypoglycemia occurring with diabetes mellitus and its treatment.

Despite our advances in the treatment of diabetes, hypoglycemic episodes are often the limiting factor in achieving optimal blood sugar control. In large scale studies looking at tight control in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, low blood sugars occurred more often in the patients who were managed most intensively. This is important for patients and physicians to recognize, especially as the goal for treating patients with diabetes become tighter blood sugar control


What are symptoms of hypoglycemia, and how low is too low?

The body’s biochemical response to hypoglycemia usually starts when sugars are in the high/mid 60’s. At this point, the liver releases its stores and the hormones mentioned above start to activate. In many patients, this process occurs without any clinical symptoms.

While there is some degree of variability among people, most will usually develop symptoms suggestive of hypoglycemia when blood glucose levels are lowered to the mid 50’s. The first set of symptoms are called neuro-genic (or sympathetic) because they relate to the nervous system’s response to hypoglycemia. Patients may experience any of the following;

nervousness,
sweating,
intense hunger,
trembling,
weakness,
palpitations, and
often have trouble speaking.
In most patients, these symptoms are easily recognizable. The vast majority of patients with diabetes only experience this degree of hypoglycemia if they are on medications or insulin. Patients (diabetic or with insulin resistance) with high circulating levels of insulin who fast or lower their carbohydrate intake drastically should also be cautioned. These patients may also experience modest hypoglycemia.

Anyone who has experienced an episode of hypoglycemia describes a sense of urgency to eat and resolve the symptoms. And, that’s exactly the point of these symptoms. They act as warning signs. At this level, the brain still can access circulating blood glucose for fuel. The symptoms provide a person the opportunity to raise blood glucose levels before the brain is affected.

If a person does not or cannot respond by eating something to raise blood glucose, the levels of glucose continue to drop. Somewhere in the 45 mg/dl range, most patients progress to neuro-glyco-penic ranges (the brain is not getting enough glucose). At this point, symptoms progress to confusion, drowsiness, changes in behavior, coma and seizure.

Answer 2

Ask your doctor about hyperthyroidism and hypoglycemia. Those could account for the shakiness and food cravings. However, they would not account for the stomach pain. Many women I know have a similar problem after eating heavy meals, including myself. This could be due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There are medications out now to help with that--maybe you should ask your doctor about that too.

Answer 3

It sounds like you may be hypoglycemic. I don't know what medication you are on, but that can also contribute to being hungry all the time. Go to another doctor and then another if they still aren't listening. Hypoglycemia is a relatively mild condition, but it does need to be monitored. Your stomach cramping just sounds like a sensitive stomach's reaction to rich food. Start taking measures to maintain your blood sugar, starting with daily vitamins and healthy snack in between small meals. You should be eating every 3-4 hours. To fill yourself up look for foods with protein (like eggs), fiber (oatmeal) and lots of water weight (fruit).

Answer 4

Have they ruled out IBS? Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Spastic Colon? Just a thought. I have both. Some of your symptoms sound familiar.

Answer 5

I would have a thyroid test done and also a blood sugar test.