What Was Triggering Her Outbursts and Confusion? The Rare Diagnosis Behind Lindsay Trainor’s Mood Swings

ByWeence

For many people, mood swings and sudden emotional outbursts are attributed to stress, fatigue, or even mental health issues. But for Lindsay Trainor, a high school teacher from Northern Virginia, her sudden mood changes were caused by something much rarer—a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, or insulinoma. This tumor was responsible for severe hypoglycemia, leading to dangerous dips in her blood sugar levels that triggered her erratic behavior and confusion.

Lindsay’s journey began with small incidents, like becoming irrationally angry over minor inconveniences. Over time, these episodes grew worse. In one instance, she missed the turn to her daughter’s daycare, convinced that the building had changed overnight. These alarming moments made Lindsay question her mental health.

Initially diagnosed with anxiety and depression, Lindsay didn’t feel the treatment was helping. It wasn’t until her husband, Bryan, noticed a connection between her mood swings and when she ate that they started exploring her blood sugar levels. In April 2023, Lindsay was diagnosed with hypoglycemia caused by an insulinoma.

What is an Insulinoma?

An insulinoma is a rare type of tumor that grows in the pancreas and produces excessive amounts of insulin, causing dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). These tumors affect about 4 in 1 million people each year. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include confusion, irritability, shakiness, and in severe cases, unconsciousness.

For Lindsay, her insulinoma had been causing her symptoms for nearly seven years. After months of monitoring, doctors performed surgery in September 2023 to remove the tumor. Within days of the operation, her blood sugar levels returned to normal, and her erratic episodes disappeared.

Trust Your Body and Instincts

Lindsay’s story serves as a reminder that not all health issues are what they seem. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s important to push for answers. Even when diagnosed with anxiety, Lindsay trusted her instincts and kept searching for a cause until she found it.

If you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms or changes in behavior, don’t hesitate to advocate for your health. Sometimes, the answers lie in unexpected places.

Brian 'Weence' Bateman is a seasoned medical and health writer with over a decade of experience in web development, search optimization, and social media for dentists and healthcare providers. His in-depth knowledge and dedication to the field are evident in the meticulously researched and informative content he produces.

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