I have noticed for the past year or so really bad headaches after I go low (low for me is 50 or lower) I only get the headaches when I go low overnight like 3am or so. If I go low during the day I have no problem I just treat and go back to my routine. At 1st my headaches would last for just the morning then they would go away but now they last for at least a day and a half to two days. Its a horrible headache I feel my head throbbing and any sudden movement makes it worse. I take excedrin but doesnt really help. Anyone else with similar problem?
I’ve noticed headaches from nighttime lows, too. I’ve determined that mine are the result of excessive teeth clenching while sleeping. I have this problem even without hypos but when I go low at night the symptoms and headaches are much worse and last well into the next morning.
You may well be going lower than 50 - possibly very low. If these happen at all frequently, it could be worth borrowing a CGM from your doctor and seeing what happens overnight - maybe your overnight basal needs tuning.
I think that it’s similar too a hangover? I’m not sure the ADA or any other organization associated with the treatment of diabetes would recommend it but I find that “hangover cures” like burritos, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, french fries, bacon cheeseburgers and other greasy, horrible food has some cathartic value after a bad hypo. That may be highly subjective though…
Jag1 I am well under 50 when I get the horrible headaches I have a dexcom and can see the trends I haven’t had many lows in the night but I recently started running since I’m doing a 5k obstacle course/run in Nov since I started running I’ve only had 2 or 3 lows so it might be the exercise that’s making me go low. What I don’t get is the headaches ill have to ask the dr next time I see him
Thanks everyone!!
I definitely get those awful low “hangover” headaches. A CDE I had once told me it was pretty normal (she was a Type 1, too). I get migraines, so I think sometimes a bad low will trigger a migraine-type response in me. My headaches sound a lot like what you describe: last up to two days, excedrin doesn’t help, throbbing head, worse with sudden movement, etc. My CDE suggested drinking some caffeine (like a diet coke, or something) and that sometimes helps, but it’s not a long-term fix. Other than never going low (which while nice, isn’t really likely going to happen), I don’t really have a good answer to help, so if you get any good advice from your doctor, let me know!
will do Erin & I’ll try the caffeine thing hopefully it helps…
I’ve never had migraines and do not normally get headaches thankfully(tw) but I sure do remember those exact headaches that you speak of when waking up some mornings years ago. Mine were caused by seizures from Very low blood sugars.
Moderate to excessive exercise can continually bring a Diabetics’ sugars down throughout the day(s) when a Person’s sugar level is normal or low in the first place and especially during the night when no carbs are going in. My (seizure)headaches used to last a whole day but not two days, so you most likely have something else going on. CGMs are not always accurate unfortunately.
I’m so glad you posted this because I’m having very similar headaches, and was starting to get a bit worried. So I am glad I am not alone! In my case, I am finding that the headaches are actually my first warning of a hypo. I start feeling the beginnings of a migraine even in the 60s. However unlike you I get them only during the day time. Most of the time it goes away after the hypo is corrected, but on bad days the migraine-like feeling can linger and linger. I try not to let diabetes get in the way but the other day, it was so bad that I had to bail out on an evening appointment.
im glad im not the only one also lol but like you I try not to let diabetes or my headaches get in the way but these headaches are just getting worse and worse im going on to the 3rd day of this horrible headache 
I have a toddler and 6yr old to take care so its not fun at all but I do my best to try and ignore it its not easy to ignore but I try…
Wow that is scary!! I go as low as 30 and sometimes my dexcom won’t even record it just says “low” and it records to 40 I also rather have a low cause highs just make me angry its so hard to explain but I get in a horrible mood, and like you said lows are easier to correct. Thanks for all the info 