Other illnesses

[Shari68]

Hi, I'm a newbie, first post.
I am wondering how do I tell if I am feeling ill is it linked to my diabetes (type 2)? I've had a really bad headache for 2 days now. I'm not dehydrated, in fact I'm really thirsty most of the time, nor anything else that I can put it down to. My most recent hb1ac, taken last week is 95. Should I just see how it goes, and hope my headache subsides, or should I seek medical advice?

 

[Rachox]

Hi Shari and welcome to the forum. Let me first post a link to our useful info post for you:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.17088/
Can you tell us a bit more so we can help you? Since diagnosis have you altered your diet or started on any medication?
Headaches can be a sign of high blood sugar levels still, do up you have a meter to test your blood sugars?https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.17088/

 

[EllieM]

Hi, I'm a newbie, first post.
I am wondering how do I tell if I am feeling ill is it linked to my diabetes (type 2)? I've had a really bad headache for 2 days now. I'm not dehydrated, in fact I'm really thirsty most of the time, nor anything else that I can put it down to. My most recent hb1ac, taken last week is 95. Should I just see how it goes, and hope my headache subsides, or should I seek medical advice?

Welcome to the forums.
Well that hba1c is high, typical of newly diagnosed T2s who haven't had any medication or dietary changes yet. That's an average blood sugar of around 15mmol/L or 265mg/dl. (Different countries use different units so I'm specifying both)

What meds are you on and did they get changed after your recent result? Your symptoms are fairly typical of someone whose blood sugars are too high, I'd seek medical advice in your position, as those levels are too high to keep at in the long/medium term. If they've already changed your meds then I'd be less concerned, as it can take time for a new regime to take effect.

And bear in mind that a low carb diet (see @Rachox 's link for all the info you need) can put many many T2s into remission with no need for meds (or at least greatly reduced meds). As a T2, carbs are your enemy, you can't process them properly. Reducing the number you eat can work much better than attempting to medicate the issue away.

 

[Shari68]

I've been diagnosed t2 since 2013. I'm on 4 metformin a day plus 1pmg dapagliflozin. Up to my last 2 hb1ac checks it's been around 57-63, but my check in July this year was 95. I got another check last week and it's still 95 even though I changed my diet a lot since July. I've just been referred to a specialist diabetes nurse, not had an appointment with her/him yet. My headache could be a coincidence, but I thought I'd ask here first before calling nhs24.

 

[Mike d]

That's a significant jump and one that needs thorough investigation. Like now. Please let us know

 

[Shari68]

Thanks. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[VashtiB]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

This is a great place to get help and support.

Do you have a meter and regularly test your levels? If not I highly recommend that you do so. The meter will tell you what effect the foods you are eating have on your blood sugar levels.

You say that you've changed your diet- can you tell us how? Have you gone low carb or are you following other advice I ask because low carb has worked for me but is not often recommended by the medical profession.

Welcome and if you can give a bit more info hopefully people can give you some suggestions

 

[Shari68]

I woke this morning and I still had the headache, so I called nhs24 and they said to go to A&E. My finger prick blood test was 14.1 and there was glucose in my urine but no keytones. The doc diagnosed me with an atypical migraine and gave me a pill for it. Thankfully that worked! So after all that it wasn't to do with the diabetes. Although I have to see the diabetic nurse soon to look at possibly changing my meds.
Thank you all for your replies. X

 

[JohnEGreen]

Not sure whether a star or a hug it apposite as glad it wasn't diabetes related but I realize how bad migraines can be I tend to wake every morning with head pains of late no fun and makes me like a bear with a sore head literally.

 

[bulkbiker]

So after all that it wasn't to do with the diabetes.

Not so sure of that.... with a finger prick f 14 and HbA1c of 95 mmol/m your poor body must be overloaded with sugar.

When you say you have changed your diet .. what are you eating exactly?.. that could have a major impact on how you are feeling as well as your blood glucose levels.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

I woke this morning and I still had the headache, so I called nhs24 and they said to go to A&E. My finger prick blood test was 14.1 and there was glucose in my urine but no keytones. The doc diagnosed me with an atypical migraine and gave me a pill for it. Thankfully that worked! So after all that it wasn't to do with the diabetes. Although I have to see the diabetic nurse soon to look at possibly changing my meds.
Thank you all for your replies. X

I've been a migraineur all my life, so I feel your pain. I am assuming they gave you some sort of triptan, and I am so glad it gave you fast relief! (Might want to get in touch with your GP though to have some around in case it happens again!)

I have to say though, if your bloodsugars were high, they might actually trigger a migraine. You mentioned you changed your diet. With levels of 14 mmol/l, I'm not sure whether it's being effective. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/ have a read there and see whether something in your new way of eating is tripping you up. You could also just post what you eat/drink in a typical day, maybe we can help you get your levels down? And would probably help you ditch some of the medication you're on as well.

 

[Sarah69]

I too suffer with headaches but they are not diabetic related. I have read a lot on here and it seems as though if they have an ache or pain they blame it on there diabetes. I have been diabetic must be 20 something years now and it wouldn’t occur to me to think it’s diabetes that is causing anything!!

 

[Shari68]

It wasn't my first thought that it may be diabetes, which is why I posted on here for some advice. I'm not prone to headaches, and to have one lasting 3 days was a bit worrying. When I called nhs24 about it the nurse I spoke to wanted me checked out in case it was to do with the diabetes.

 

[Shari68]

Thanks, I'll have a look at the link you posted. Yes it was sumatriptan I was given. It helped a lot. I've never had a migraine, that I know of. My mum was prone to them and my sister too, so I totally empathise with you. Hopefully I'll not get them too often.
I'm waiting for an appointment with a diabetes nurse, so hopefully they'll be able to help me with what I'm doing wrong.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thanks, I'll have a look at the link you posted. Yes it was sumatriptan I was given. It helped a lot. I've never had a migraine, that I know of. My mum was prone to them and my sister too, so I totally empathise with you. Hopefully I'll not get them too often.
I'm waiting for an appointment with a diabetes nurse, so hopefully they'll be able to help me with what I'm doing wrong.

Well, I hope it was a one-off! My husband didn't start getting them until a few years ago, about once every 6 months or so. For some people it just happens once in their life, and that's quite enough! So who knows, you'll maybe fall into that category. For me, they're mainly hormonal, now. Ovulation, menstruation, basically fluctuations in hormones will trigger them in 4 day stretches. I don't get them a lot anymore the rest of the time since I started low-carbing, so... Could be because of the change in bloodsugars, could be because carbs are inflammatory by nature, could be....? Anything really.

The diabetes nurse might not be up to speed with current developments. There's been a lot of research coming out about low carb as a treatment for T2, and the NHS has come on board since early 2019, but the info hasn't always trickled down to doctors and nurses yet. So whatever you do, get a meter. It'll tell you what advice is working for you and what isn't. (It's not biased, doesn't try to sell you on any drug, supplement or expensive diet, it'll just give you straight numbers. Which is quite useful when you're just starting out and everyone has an opinion, in real life and online, on what you should be doing. )

 

[jjraak]

so whatever you do, get a meter. ....when you're just starting out and everyone has an opinion, in real life and online, on what you should be doing. )

Agree fully