It's called "hypoglycemia", not "hypochondriasis"...

So I'm hypoglycemic, yet my parents are convinced I'm a hypochondriac. I haven't even attempted to tell my mother about my condition (even though she has the same symptoms!) because she'd just use it as further ammunition in her endless tirade to make me miserable (not being dramatic, she's emotionally abusive). My father knows, and I thought he was "on my side", if you will, but today he yelled at me for saying I'd like to get glucose tablets (and eventually a glucose meter)--with my own money!!!! First of all, (sorry, I need to rant) I'm 17 1/2. I shouldn't have to get permission to take care of a condition, regardless of whether or not my parents don't care. I'm so close!! to being 18, yet still have the restrictions of a 10 year old! Plus, glucose meters can be expensive, and while I can buy my own, it'd be cheaper and overall easier if my parents would cover it with their insurance, and I'd pay whatever (minimized) fees are left. I'm trying to move out as soon as possible (before I turn 18, if possible), so I need to save as much money as possible for an apartment. I don't know what to do. I'm having trouble handling the condition in itself, but to have my parents deny me resources that can help me is making it nearly impossible. I'm already having symptoms/"attacks" of low blood sugar at least once a day, and it's affecting my schoolwork/ability to function, especially during school. Anyone have ideas/advice???? Even general advice on how to handle hypoglycemia would be greatly appreciated Gotta figure out how to make them believe me; I'm trying to get in to see my doctor to have her take my blood glucose level but my parents procrastinate for weeks/months when I ask to see a doctor

Has your doctor diagnosed you with hypoglycemia by blood tests? I have been told that I am type 2 diabetic and have taken oral meds for over two years. But when I tried to get a glucometer my lab results did not meet the definition required by medicare. Perhaps your insurance would be less strict in what qualifies. I bought my own glucometer and test supplies. The glucometer itself is not too expensive. The testing strips are more costly.

Most insurances (all I have billed for and all I've had myself...so I can not actually say "all insurances"...just "most") do not pay for blood testing supplies if there is not a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes (either type I or type II). They also have strict guidelines as Yoda mentions. Meters run anywhere from $10 (or free with some insurances) to over $100...however, the strips are where the companies make their money. The strips for my meter are $115 for 100 strips...you can do the math, but that is over $1 a strip!

My advice would be to act "as if" you tend to hypoglycemia. This means eat several small meals a day instead of 2 or 3 big ones. Limit simple carbs. If you start feeling shaky, eat something small...a handful of baby carrots, a small apple, a piece of cheese, etc. Glucose tablets are not the way to go, for 3 reasons. First off, they are designed for insulin dependent diabetics in the case of a insulin/hypoglycemic emergency. One must consume 3 of them to pull out of the immediate crisis, and then eat to ensure the crisis does not start again. Second, they are just sugar and comparatively expensive. It costs me around $5 for 6 tabs...a couple packets of sugar like you find at the local fast food place will do exactly the same thing. The third reason is that simple sugars (like glucose tabs) cause an immediate rise in sugar, followed by a rapid drop (the reason a diabetic must eat anyway)...causing hypoglycemia like feelings (because of the speed of the drop), even if the drop is back down to normal. If you actually have "reactive hypoglycemia", they could cause a drop below normal, causing hypoglycemia all over again.

Since you are nearing 18, I am assuming you are nearing completing high school. If you go to college (even community college) you will have health services. The cost of health services is part of your school fees. You can be seen there and ask for testing at that time...this would be done witout any input from your parents whatsoever.

Well, I'm not a medical doctor, but you can balance your blood sugar out with a healthy diet. I'm sure you can find all sorts of resources on line. The big culprit is sugar in any form, even artificial sugars because they make the body react like it's sugar.

I'm functionally hypoglycemic...that means it doesn't show up on a test but is obvious from my symptoms and the way my body responds to treatment... which is a healthy diet.

Don't eat carrots or bananas unless buried in a well balanced meal. Both those foods bypass the normal filters and dump sugars straight into the blood stream...causing a huge spike in insulin.

You don't need any special meters to monitor yourself unless it's really serious..and since it sounds like you've self diagnosed yourself and haven't been to see an MD, a healthy diet will probably be all you need too.

Eat something healthy every 2 hours, no longer than 3 hours apart. Don't eat a full meal every 2 hours though... maybe half a sandwich (on whole grain bread?) or a cup of soup...granola bar (watch the sugar though.) A constant input helps the body keep the insulin levels on an even keel.

Drink lots of water.

I think you might benefit from some deep breathing and good self talk too, to help with the anxiety and the frustration from parents.
Hypoglycemia is uncommon in adults, and in children over the age of 10...unless it's connected with diabetes.

Try eating every two hours ...healthy foods, no sugar added (there's plenty in regular foods) and see if you don't feel better.

Talk with your Doctor about your financial and parental situations. They are sometimes able to arrange for you to get glucose testing meters and strips at little or no cost.

I don't think glucose tabs/paste are too expensive but you need your MD to set up a an appropriate dose regimen for the glucose. Usually folks don't have hypoglycemia as a primary diagnosis. Is it related to or caused by some other disorder? What does your MD say about why you are experiencing this?

I would go to the doctor (with your mother, if something is wrong with you, s/he will deal with her) before you do yourself serious harm. Your post shows your ignorance of hypoglycemia and confusion about the condition.

I haven't been diagnosed by a doctor, however a nurse I know (she's been a nurse for 25+ years, and has hypoglycemia herself) has told me that my symptoms match hypoglycemia exactly. Plus, the "treatments" have worked; if my blood sugar is low (or I have those same symptoms), I eat something with protein (I could be mixing up words here), like crackers or a muffin or a granola bar, so I don't have the sugar crash. I do agree that I would benefit from talking to the doctor, I'm trying to pressure my dad into making an appointment (cause whether he believes me or not, the symptoms are there, and are a problem!).

Good. Yes, that's about all you do for it probably... diet and good health, exercise stuff and the like.

Now, you're supposed to have a physical annually right? Why not present it that way? Or do you have a school nurse you can make an appointment to see when she visits? She can give you resources, or a note for your parents maybe??? Good wishes.

The nurse I mentioned is also the school nurse.

If your hypoglycemic stay away from caffeine such as soda, all teas (except herbal), coffee and chocolate as caffeine increases insulin production which causes blood sugars to drop.

Damn...all the good stuff lol

One good thing about being my age, as opposed to yours, has got to be that when I don't feel well, people no longer assume I'm a hypochondriac.

My parents weren't supportive of my problems growing up, but I turned out to have legitimate medical issues. I wasn't, contrary to their opinion, just being lazy. It's just too bad more parents don't pay attention.