Headache question

[Kosmo29]

Can blood sugar in the 160's and 170's give you headaches. When i get them I have tested and fall in those numbers, but that's not high right?

[princesslinda]

If I get over 150 I know it because i'll get a headache.

Are your 160-170 readings 2 hr post meal? Post meal goals for T2s (or at least the ones given to me) are 110 or less fasting, 140 or less 2 hrs post meals and 110 or less random blood sugars.

IMO those #s are too high. I'd try to avoid foods that cause you to get that high at the 2 hr mark, having them only on occasion.

[It Ain't Over]

Yes they can cause some headaches. Just high enough to make your neck muscles start to get stiff, therefore headaches can follow. Could be other reason, but I know for sure because it has happened to me many times.
170 is not all that hi, but how long had it been there? Might make a difference.

[Kosmo29]

The 170's is usually at an hour and 160's 1.5 to 2 hours. I seem to be increasing with each time I test. I am pre-diabetic.

[Moonglo]

Kosmo,

Forgive me for having to ask, as I'm sure you've told us before, but are you on any kind of medication? And what kinds of foods are you eating when you get those readings? Right before I was diagnosed, I began to notice that I would get headaches after eating things like ice cream, brownies, cake... anything super sweet without any kind of protein or fat to speak of. I wasn't checking my sugar back then, but looking back it makes sense that those headaches were bg induced.

[Kosmo29]

I am on zocor for high chol and advair for asthma. Yeah it does seem to be more carby things without alot of protein etc. It is like almost hard to see, bright and like I get hot flashes. I am a 29 year old male by the way, so shouldn't get hot flashes.

[princesslinda]

My face feels flushed when blood sugar is elevated as well.

Kosmo, do you minimize your carbs? As pre-D or even newly-diagnosed T2, keeping an eye on what you eat may keep you off meds for awhile.

[Moonglo]

But no medication for bg, like metformin?

I would say maybe start off trying to take a look at the things you're eating and see where you can improve there to keep the bg from going so high. It's not morbidly high, but I'm reasonably sure it's a good possibility that's where the headaches are coming from. If changing your diet doesn't help, it may be time to look into taking a small dose of metformin to supplement your efforts.

I'm not a doctor, so please don't take any of that as sacred doctrine or anything... that's just what I would do if it was me.

[Moonglo]

My face feels flushed when blood sugar is elevated as well.

Kosmo, do you minimize your carbs? As pre-D or even newly-diagnosed T2, keeping an eye on what you eat may keep you off meds for awhile.

Lol... Man, Linda, you beat me to it! ;)

[Kosmo29]

I get kind of sweaty too, when I am high. Which is weird, I thought that was just lows. Yeah I am working on that part. I really need too. Both my parents are type 2 and I am pre at 29. :(

[Moonglo]

Hey, don't get discouraged. I'm 26 and was diagnosed t2 just 2 months ago... and, ironically enough, I found out both of my parents are t2 as well (neither of them got their dx until after I did). I found out I was pre at 23 and did nothing about it... if you take care of this now, you may never reach a full diagnosis.

And I would not panic over having to take metformin for a little while if it comes to that. Sure, none of us want to be on meds, but being on met does not mean you are a fully developed diabetic. Lots of prediabetics take metformin.

So yes, you need to work on this. Right now. But this isn't a death sentence... even being t2 isn't a death sentence. And you sound like you're still early enough in that you can pull yourself back out with a little work.

Congrats on acknowledging that you need to do this... some don't reach that point until it's too late.

[Moonglo]

And I get sweaty when I'm running high too, fyi.

[Kosmo29]

Glad I am not the only one. Thanks for all the great info. I need to watch what I eat and lose some excess pounds. That would probably go a long way. Now if I can just find a dr. that will listen to me, instead of saying I am just a tad high.

[princesslinda]

Even w/o a doctor diagnosing you as T2, you can see by your own testing that you are "carb-sensitive." Use this knowledge to your advantage, and eat/live/exercise as if you already have T2.

It might be good to find a new doctor and go in with your meter so he/she can see your readings.

[Moonglo]

I agree with Linda. If the new doctor won't listen to you, find one that will... there are plenty of good doctors out there, and most will hopefully be impressed that you're wanting to take charge now. But don't be afraid to fire one or two before finding the right one, if that's what it takes.

But you're right, losing weight, eating right and exercising are the best things you can do for yourself right now.