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Sugars suddenly come down linked to severe headaches/migraines?

olly1

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello, I've never posted on here but am concerned due to a sudden drop in my blood sugars and therefore my insulin requirements- both my novo rapid and lantus are down by about a third. Up until now they have been very steady over time and have only changed, slightly and not on this scale, due to weight loss. What's even stranger is that the drop started after a severe migraine, which lasted five days and saw me in bed vomiting during this time. Obviously during this time I took hardly any insulin as the small amount of food I could eat I was throwing up but it has continued as my diet has returned to normal. I hadn't had a migraine for 20 years (I am mid 30s) and certainly never of this length. Blood test showed normal thyroid and liver function, testosterone on the low end of normal range (worrying). Three weeks after 1st migraine had another very bad headache (not sure this was migraine as this built up over a few days) which again lasted around 5 days with vomiting. Now on daily meds for this - topiramate - but I feel it has to be linked to my diabetes, particularly the fact that I suddenly need less insulin. GP has referred me to neurologist but won't refer me to diabetic specialist saying I probably need less insulin now because I was eating less during the periods of headache, which shows a worrying lack of knowledge about how insulin works. So apologies that much of this isn't diabetes related but if anyone has any advice on what I should do I would much appreciate it as the headaches are debilitating and I am very concerned about the change in my insulin needs.
 
Hi @olly1 and welcome to the forum.

I will bump your post up to see if anyone can help you.
 
Hello.
Your migraines might be messing up ur digestion? I suffer migraines and know that they can really slow down and even stop ur digestion whilst happening, so if u r not digesting food then u won't need as much insulin? But that wouldn't explain a constant need for less.... Unless the medication also interfers...

How long have u been diabetic?

this is not a scientific answer btw, just me trying to piece together what I know about migraine
 
Hi, thanks for your response. Have been type 1 since 16 (now 35). Didn't know migraines could affect digestion, but as you say it's strange how this continued after the migraine. I wondered about the meds too, but again I only took these once the second attack finished and the three weeks or so after the first attack / before I started the meds I had the low sugar issue. I also checked the side affects and can see no probs re diabetes. It's a puzzle!
 
I only know about the digestion because my doc have me a medication tip (this was before I was T1 diabetic though mind) to take an anti sickness tablet 20 mins before the pain killer so that the pain killer could digest. It's also why u have to take migraine tablets at onset, because if u leave it too long it won't digest and won't work.


Could it be something simple like a fresher insulin pen or new injection site?

Stress? Actually, migraines cause tension headaches which can last weeks, and they in turn can cause migraines leading to a vicious circle. Did ur head ache completely go in the 3 weeks?
 
Olly1, you have every right to been seen by a diabetes specialist and you should insist that your gp refers you over to the care of your hospital diabetes clinic, some things are out of the remit of your average gp and sometimes we need specialist intervention, this is especially so with a condition like type 1 diabetes.

You should still a Neurologist as there maybe other explanations why you are experiencing the headaches and migraines. Good luck!!!!
 
Gp's advice nearly killed me, you need to see a specialist - only reason I am here today is because of a specialist intervention at a&e! Insist politely to be referred after all you still need gp to prescribe your meds! lol
 
Hi Olly1,

Hypoglycaemia is a cause of migraine, according to the NHS and the Migraine Trust, so I suppose it's quite possible that a drop in BG (as opposed to the absolute level) could be the cause.

But I think your GP is absolutely right to refer you to a neurologist: this should be standard where migraine returns after a long absence or worsens. The frightening diagnoses are much more likely to be neurological than endocrinological, and in your position I'd be keen to rule out stroke and brain tumour.

Having said that, I'd also push for a diabetes consultant referral, since your insulin needs have dramatically changed without apparent cause. That's outside the experience of a GP diabetic practice and needs specialist input.

Good luck,
Kate
 

Hello yes you can get an abdomen migraine....anyway I would go and see your GP so that they can refer you to a neurologist! I suffer with terrible migraines too which yes can affect BG levels and the way your body works...and I saw my GP who was worried as my mum suffered with migraines and had a stroke and died....not trying to scare you...anyway I saw the neurologist and he doesn't think it is related to my mother but he sent me for an MRI and started me on Gabapentin...I have to admit it has helped my migraines an enormous amount and I rarely get any now apart from the odd occasion or if I miss my dose of Gabapentin...I am still awaiting my MRI results but please please go and see your GP don't suffer

Good Luck
 
Whenever my BS levels go up or down quickly I get severe headaches. I recently started insulin and my levels have gone from around 16mmol to 4mmol and I've had the worst headaches I've had for a long time. They are much worse in a morning and so I can only guess that my liver and insulin are causing problems through the night by messing around with my BS level... My DSN and GP etc all say headaches have nothing to do with diabetes but I didn't used to get headaches at all until I got diabetes so it's a big coincidence if that's the case!
 
Hi Olly
Not sure where you live but if you in London, get your GP to refer you to prof Amiel at Kings College. She is one of the best diabetes specialists in the UK.
 
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