Type 1 DM and Vicodin

[pumpgirl03]

I was recently put on vicodin (hydrocodone/Apap) for ovarian pain and was curious if anyone has ever heard of Vicodin lowering blood sugars. I am a type 1 so I can't really figure this out. I haven' t changed anything and seem to be getting 3-4 low's a day(-60mg/dl). This never used to happen to me so it is a little nerve racking. I have a call into my Endocrinologist but he is on vacation and his colleague just said to test more. So instead of 6x a day I am testing between 10-20 times a day depending on how many lows I have.

I was just wondering if anyone has heard of this at all. I have done some research on my own but have not found anything directly realted to diabetes! Help!!

Pumpgirl03

[Erin3267]

Hello. I too am a type 1 diabetic and am taking Vicodin for post surgical pain. I have noticed the EXACT same issue. My sugars were normal in the first day or two after the surgery when I wasn't taking the Vicodin. Best of luck in your recovery/treatment.

[pumpgirl03]

Thanks so much for all of your thoughts.

Hormonally I am all screwed up and am going to one of the University's in my state to see some OB/GYN specialists because our local guys aren't sure what is wrong with me.  I was just curious if anyone had any insite. Thanks again
Pumpgirl03

[JDRF Volunteer WAK]

What I have done when my daughter takes prescription drugs or over the counter  medications, I ask the pharmacist for the phone Number of the manufacturer.  I call them directly and ask them how many carbs are in the medication.  I also ask them if they know how it affects a person blood sugar and metabolism.  This has helped as when my daughter has an asthma attack we were giving 15-20 extra carbs just in medications and not bolusing.  Vicadin has Tylenol in it, which does have carbs.  .  Hope this helps.  Good luck.

[JDRF Team SGG]

Do talk with your Ob/Gyn doctors about hormones and blood sugar, for there are VERY definite relationships between blood sugars and hormones. I noticed for about 20 years that all of my severe hypoglycemic episodes happened at the end of my monthly cycle, and for years no doctor would explain why this happened to me. Finally, doctors at the Boston Joslyn Clinic explained about the insulin-blocking capabilities of hormones that increase during the end of a monthly cycle and how, after these hormones dissipate, the diabetic can face severe hypoglycemia, especially if extra insulin has been required while the insulin-blocking hormones were high. It makes sense, and it helps the diabetic to know these things so she can look out for blood sugar swings when hormones are changing.

[JDRF-Team-sgg]

A team of volunteers are researching your question, and I have a few suggestions.

One person with medical experience has e-mailed this response: "Though not a certainty, there are reports in animal studies of a possible connection between narcotic pain medications (Vicodin is one) and hypoglycemia.  As you know, severe hypoglycemic reactions, like the ones you are now having, are dangerous, but it will be hard to know if Vicodin is or isn't the contributing to them without stopping it and seeing the result.  So the best approach may be to consult your doctor and seriously consider stopping the Vicodin, reassessing the severity of the pain and its susceptibility to other interventions, and making absolutely sure you and your doctor are satisfied that a full-enough assessment has been done to determine the CAUSE of the pain."

Another wisely pointed out that the hypoglycemia may not be due to the Vidocin at all, but may instead be related to whatever is CAUSING the ovarian pain in the first place. Only a physician can find out. I assume you are aware that hormonal changes can cause sugar levels to rise when hormones that act as insulin blockers are high, or drop at times when other hormones are higher. If whatever is causing the ovarian pain also affects hormonal levels, hypoglycemia could be a result. This is something that only a type 1 diabetic female would be aware of, and it may be worth mentioning to the doctor in case hormonal imbalance is actually the root cause of the hypoglycemia. Normally, if hypoglycemia happens during a female diabetic's normal monthly cycle, it happens for a period of several days after blood sugar levels tend to go high. It may be worth carefully noting whether the hypoglycemic situation straightens out by itself in a few days or not.

If not, then perhpas the narcotic medication is to blame and another medication should be considered. Pain is miserable, but hypoglycemia can be life-threatening (especially when driving), so an alternative medication would perhaps be the smarter approach even if pain is not treated quite as well with it.

Meanwhile, do continue the frequent finger pricks, and perhaps increase your carbohydrate intake even if simply by frequent small snacks to avoid frequent hypoglycemia, which can wreck havoc with your warning symptoms of low blood sugar. Being a little high for a few days may be safer than continuing with the lows.