are migraines and hypoglycemia 'connected'?
Briefly: Born 1960; in 1976, after three seizures (blackout, tremors, tongue/cheek/lip bites), I was diagnosed w/hypoglycemia (hypo). Thereafter, I would periodically suffer awful headaches, usually near my left ear; which, for lack of other reasons, I attributed to hypo. My remedy was (my idea of) protein - tuna, cheese, peanut butter. To my (30+ years later memory) my neurologist never mentioned migraine.
In Nov. 1991, I had such a terrible headache, with numbness in my left arm/side, that I went to the local ER. I was then diagnosed with migraine. After seeing a neurologist, I was prescribed Imitrex as needed.
Imitrex side effects, for me, were worse than the migraine. So, per my then-neurologist's instructions, I used OTC pain relievers (Excedrin), and rested/slept, as there were few options: lights/TV were too bright, music/TV too loud, I couldn't concentrate/focus on reading (my favorite habit! If I can't read, I'm definitely sick!) Sometimes an aura, sometimes not; sometimes off-balance, sometimes not; could not 'zero in' on words in a book, page, monitor, etc.
Since then, after reading on both, and esp. whenever I have a migraine, I've wondered if the hypo and migraine were somehow connected, or maybe I was suffering both, jointly or severally.
Worst migraine was five days; most frequent was two in a week.
The hardest part is having a supervisor who doesn't know of migraines; doesn't believe ME when I call out w/a migraine. I'd like to tell her that, between having a migraine and coming to work, I'd rather come to work. Then again, maybe THAT would convince her that I'm not 'pulling her leg' (i.e, lying). I DON'T joke about migraines!! THEY ARE HELL!!!
When I called her the morning of the 9/29/9 migraine to advise that I'd be out, I got "when are you coming back? Will you be in tomorrow?" Not, how are you feeling; do you think you'll be ok omorrow?" Criminy, I had more non-co-workers ask me how I felt than co-workers!
Absolutely (for me!). Sugar causes most of my migraines. Low blood sugar causes the worst migraines ... more likely to go "breakthrough". Eating right is essential for me and if I sneak I pay. I'm not alone in this. I have cousin's with the exact same situations. I'm sure there's a connection between the auto-immune system and migraines as well. I hope this sets you on a new path with good results. -Sage
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cobaltcats,
-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•*Welcome to MyMigraineConnection!*•-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-
Migraine is a genetic neurological disease. It can be comorbid with many other conditions, meaning that you have both at the same time, but neither causes the other. So, if you're asking if one condition causes the other when you ask if they're "connected," the answer would be "no."
However, for some people, blood sugar levels dropping too low can trigger a Migraine attack.
Hopefully, you now have a doctor who is helping you with better treatments. There are many options other than Imitrex. If you're having three or more Migrranes a month, it would be best talk talk with your doctor about a preventive regimen.
For your co-workers, we have an article that has materials you can print to share with people to help them understand Migraine disease better. Take a look at Migaine and Headache Education for Those Who "Don't Get It."
Welcome again,
Teri
- Thank you for your input
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So maybe I was on, or near, the right track with the headaches during my hypo years.
The pain was usually near my left ear, a sudden, thumping pain, as it is now. But after so many years, I don't recall an aura. So I've had migraines since 1976, and was diagnosed in 1991.
I usually get the aura right before, and it seldom disappears until I have taken something and slept for several hours. Tuesday I had gotten up at my usual time, felt fine, did all my morning rituals, sat down to put my shoes on, and wham - aura. But then I did a stupid thing. I took the Excedrin, and proceeded to work. DUMB. Got to the bus stop, where the crossing guard said I didn't look well. He tried his darndest to get me to go back home. But I got on the bus. Got all the way downtown, crossed the street, and got on the homebound bus. Dropped clothes on the floor, and went to bed.
The next day I made it to work, having slept for 22 hours. Sort of 'floated' around the office, still a bit dizzy, still headachey. But I got thru the day, and such a looong day. A few co-workers asked how I felt. Did she? Not on your life. She's not one for asking such things, admitting an error, or believing me for anything.
When the cleaning lady said she hadn't seen me that morning, and I told her why, she stepped away from me, like you would when you learn that someone has a cold. She knew what migraine is. I told her maybe she could educate someone else (super).
I don't have the migraines as often lately, thankfully, but when I do, they floor me. I now want to contact my first neurologist (hypo) and throw the migraine idea at him to see what he says, if he even remembers me from 1976-1986. The hypo-related seizures stopped after ten years; I wish the migraines would as well, tho they aren't as frequent, but are still hell. I hope that menopause doesn't increase the appearance of migraines. Would/could it? I'm in the perimenopause stage (50).
Thanks!