Is this diabetes or anxiety ?

[Suzi7979]

This last week I have suddenly got 2 panic attacks after eating meals. Both times it happened when I was very hungry, which meant I ate the food quickly. I woke up today, felt dizzy and eat my breakfast. While eating I got racing heart, then stood up and felt faint. My bloodpressure was suddenly high also.

Does the palpitations sounds like anxiety/ panic attack or can it be a symptom of diabetes? I am going to call the gp tomorrow, just wanted some input meanwhile.

Thanks

It doesn't sound like diabetes to me. Could be reflux/wind if you're eating really quickly but there's no harm in getting checked out.

Thanks. I will call the gp tomorrow.

That's not diabetes. Symptoms are mainly thirst, needing to wee a lot, also losing weight, tiredness.

I get palpitations from issues with my thyroid but there are lots of things it could be.

Yes, I also have thyroid problems. Thanks for letting me know It's not diabetes.

From memory, if you have very low blood sugar it can cause panic attacks. I am very hazy on the details but I had a very similar thing years ago and was eating high-sugar snacks when very hungry then having panic attacks, but once I paid a bit more attention to my diet it got better.
Good luck with getting it sorted out - panic attacks are really an unpleasant thing to deal with

A work colleague has this happen now and again. It's when she rushes her food down as not eaten for some time and very hungry. Apparently it's something to do with a rush of activity (blood?) to her stomach which causes her blood pressure to drop. The result is that she gets very dizzy and panicky feeling, often faints and sometimes vomits.

So she tries to eat more regularly, not rush food etc.

Thank you so much. I will try to eat regularly and not rush food. Yes, panic attack are horrible.

Sounds like your thyroid levels are too high.

See your doc for a blood test.

My thyroid levels are normal. Had it checked out 2 months ago. I am also on anti-thyroid meds.

@Suzi7979

My thyroid levels are normal. Had it checked out 2 months ago. I am also on anti-thyroid meds.

Thyroid results can change rapidly.

Definitely worth a test.

Ok, thanks. I will call the gp tomorrow and ask for a blood test.

Why not try eating regular meals and not rushing them before approaching the GP?

That's a good idea. I will try to do that and see if it happen again before calling the gp.

This could very well be diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. I had exactly the same symptoms for years, particularly after eating at restaurants (because I usually ate more carb-heavy foods and drank sugary soda). I was baffled why I had "panic attack" symptoms like palpitations and heartburn, and eventually started to avoid eating out altogether.

During pregnancy I failed the gestational diabetes test and started measuring glucose very closely. My symptoms correlated with blood sugar spikes about 1-2hrs after eating. It wasn't serious enough to require treatment because average blood sugar over 24hrs was normal.

It was fairly easy to manage...I cut down on white carbs & sweet things with meals and never drink anything with added sugar (juice, soda, sweetened tea etc). If I do eat carbs I combine it with lots of protein or fibre like eggs with toast, salad and bread etc which slows down the rate of glucose absorption.

Thanks. I never drink any sweet drinks, only water. However I eat porridge and Rice quite often. I will have to check what I eat from now on and change my diet. More protein, fats and veg. I actually had gestational diabetes.

I have the same experience as @CrystalPuff. I have PCOS, and insulin resistance is part of the deal. I had gestational diabetes when pregnant, so know what a plummeting blood sugar feels like, and often my insulin processing goes haywire when my thyroid is off (Hashimoto’s).

I would get your TSH and A1C tested.

Thanks , I have graves levels been normal the last 2 months. Will ask the gp for the tsh blood test.

Just woke up to my heart racing again. I am waiting for the gp to call me back.

@Suzi7979

Just woke up to my heart racing again. I am waiting for the gp to call me back.

This is really normal with Graves if you're not medicated right. Please don't panic.

I had the same symptoms when my peri menopause journey started....

However it is definitely best to get it sorted with your gp and go from there.

I have had graves for 3 years. This has never happened before. They lowered my dose 1 month ago, probably I need a change of dosage.

@Suzi7979

I have had graves for 3 years. This has never happened before. They lowered my dose 1 month ago, probably I need a change of dosage.

It's almost certainly that your dosage needs to be upped again.

Palpitations are one of the main symptoms of Graves.

It will have taken a month for your body to settle into the new dosage hence why you're having symptoms now.

I imagine your doc will just up these again.

Thank you so much. I am trying to not panic.

How are you feeling now and what did your GP say

The GP sent me straight to the hospital. Had bloods done my thyroid is a little bit elevated than last month, but since it is still within normal range, the doctor said I should not experience palpitations. I was referred to a cardiologist, had 24hrs heart monitor. I am now waiting to see if I have got some heart problems. They also didn't change the dosage for my thyroid.