mellow.cypriot

Thank you for the replies...I went to my 2nd doc who ordered some additional tests (the first series of tests were "normal" =/ ) and referred me to an endocrinologist. Besides a wound to my vanity, I don't think the weight gain is a serious issue...just the fact that I'm eating about 50% more per day than I used to before my issues developed. And Jules88, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who is going through nursing school with this issue. You're right...I have noticed that stress makes the symptoms much worse. Before I just used to ignore the stress and work through it, now seems I have to actually focus on minimizing it! For the best, I'm sure. Would you mind giving me any more advice on how you've dealt with your condition? And have you received a formal diagnosis, or just learned to manage it? Thanks...

Hi everyone, I was wondering if there were any nurses out there with hypoglycemia that could give me some advice. A little background: I am a nursing student, and just recently (last month) developed reactive hypoglycemia. As if my nursing program isn't difficult enough, now I have the stress of needing to eat every 2-4 hours. If I don't (and even sometimes when I do), I will start sweating, lose my ability to focus, become severely impaired (it seems like I am intoxicated), and lose sensation in my extremities. After a good sized meal, I am back to normal. I recently got a blood glucose meter and have recorded measurements of 50 and 54 mg/dL. I won't even mention the problems I have had with weight gain (haven't gained weight for 10 years, but have gained 10 lbs in 1 month). But here's what I'm really concerned about...How do other nurses with hypoglycemia work with this condition? Are the places where you work ok with you needing to take a break every few hours to eat? One thing I am especially concerned with is becoming impaired while on the job, and making a poor decision. I am worried that I would be passed over for a job for someone who doesn't have the potential to become severely impaired. I am beginning clinicals in a few weeks and am worried because I am still trying to figure out how to manage my condition. Every so often I'll be studying and start panicking, thinking "I won't be able to cut it in nursing, I'm going to be resented by my bosses and coworkers and won't be a good fit...I should just quit!:banghead:" and have to take a break to calm down (which is actually what I'm doing right now). So if anyone has advice or information they could share, it would be extremely helpful...thank you!