Recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and prescribed Metformin. I just wondered if anyone else has experienced the Metformin having a dramatically negative effect on their migraines? Mine are worse than they have been in decades with regards both frequency and severity.
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Metformin and migraine
- Thread starter Carol 239
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mikeyB
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- Type 1
Metformin can cause headaches, but has actually been found to improve migraine- at least in rats. One thing to watch out for is an interaction with migraine treatments containing salicylicates (aspirin). The level of salicylate in the serum can be significantly raised. The first symptom of raised salicylicates is ringing in the ears.
All that said, there is anecdotal evidence all over the Internet that Metformin can worsen migraine in some humans, but given the millions on Metformin, it must be very rare.
All that said, there is anecdotal evidence all over the Internet that Metformin can worsen migraine in some humans, but given the millions on Metformin, it must be very rare.
rebrascora
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Hi Carol.
Sorry to hear your migraines are worse. I used to have severe and chronic migraines pre diagnosis which would result in vomiting and passing out as well as being feverish and of course a splitting head. They would happen as frequently as twice a month and I haven't had a single one since diagnosis, when I started eating low carb. I can even have a glass or two of red wine without problems now and that was one of my major triggers! It is one of a number of silver linings from my diagnosis. I had suffered them for more than 20 years and the frequency had started to increase the last few years, so this really was a huge benefit. I was initially prescribed Metformin and took it for several months before they realised I was Type 1 and not Type 2, but just suffered the well known digestive side effects from that. I put the cessation down to diet change but it is interesting that @mikeyB says there is research which showed it improved migraine at least in rats.... I have not taken Metformin for about 6 months and have still not had a return, so my gut feeling is that low carb higher fat diet has done it for me.
I wonder if it may be the casing on the tablets or some other additive which is causing you problems rather than the active ingredient itself. It would be worth discussing it with your GP to see if there are alternative brands that you could try or slow release if you are not currently taking that, although the SR version is more likely to have extra coating or additives.
Sorry to hear your migraines are worse. I used to have severe and chronic migraines pre diagnosis which would result in vomiting and passing out as well as being feverish and of course a splitting head. They would happen as frequently as twice a month and I haven't had a single one since diagnosis, when I started eating low carb. I can even have a glass or two of red wine without problems now and that was one of my major triggers! It is one of a number of silver linings from my diagnosis. I had suffered them for more than 20 years and the frequency had started to increase the last few years, so this really was a huge benefit. I was initially prescribed Metformin and took it for several months before they realised I was Type 1 and not Type 2, but just suffered the well known digestive side effects from that. I put the cessation down to diet change but it is interesting that @mikeyB says there is research which showed it improved migraine at least in rats.... I have not taken Metformin for about 6 months and have still not had a return, so my gut feeling is that low carb higher fat diet has done it for me.
I wonder if it may be the casing on the tablets or some other additive which is causing you problems rather than the active ingredient itself. It would be worth discussing it with your GP to see if there are alternative brands that you could try or slow release if you are not currently taking that, although the SR version is more likely to have extra coating or additives.
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Thank you all for your responses to my query. I've had migraine for over 50 years, but things had eased off over the last few years. Since taking the Metformin I have been back to having them almost every day, and as severe as ever they have been. But migraine is a weird ailment, and i wondered if there was a link or if it was all coincidence.
mikeyB
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The pathology of migraine is caused by nerves causing blood vessels to dilate. The older you get, your blood vessels become less reactive, so migraine is rare in old age. Of course, if you smoke you constrict blood vessels, and if you have high cholesterol your aterioles clog up. So if anyone tells you their migraine stopped, you know why, but resist the temptation to tell them not to start any long books.
So, if you do get migraine in old age it’s a sign of a healthy brain, ironically.
So, if you do get migraine in old age it’s a sign of a healthy brain, ironically.
Neens
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Sorry to hear this. I have suffered headaches from metaformin and a couple have been migraine-y... Lie down dark room, vice like and sweats. I have been on max dose since Dec and side effects less now on slow release. Had only about 7 major heads and 10 that were no worse than a stress head. Remember to talk to your team and see if there is alternative medication.
Oh Neens, if only i had a team!!! I have a GP who seems to think all i need to do is take the metaformin and put up with all the side-effects. I asked about the slow release and he said not suitable but then couldnt elaborate. I asked about a dietitian appointment and he said "YOU don't need to change your diet" - he doesnt even know what my diet is like, and if he looked at me he would see i am overweight. Still got another 3 weeks before my initial app with the DN. Going to give the meds a couple more days and then stop them, the side-effects are crazy and debilitating at the moment. Thanks for your response to my post, at least on the forum i feel that people are listening.
Neens
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- Type 2
So sorry, Carol. Sadly this is the case for many people. I count myself lucky with my team (2x empathetic /expert GPs and a DN). Hopefully things will be better with your DN. Do you know what your local hospital diabetic care is like? If you are not happy with GP you could asked to have a referral.
Not sure about meds (v. New to this) but as far as I know a lot of people who struggle on metaformin ask for slow release. There are less side effects, although without being too detailed... I was * Blocked * for 6 days and then 3... So that was horrid. Less headaches and nausea though.
I swapped because was on over 50 tablets a day and often missed lunchtime dose due to work. So GP just swapped me over. 1x 1000mg breakfast and repeated evening meal.
Sucks that you are having such a rotten time and you can rely on good tea, sympathy, support and experience/insight on this forum.
Good luck!
Wondered how you found time in the day to take all those 🙂 Thanks for the support, its good to know that other people understand.
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