Question from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA:

I have type 1 diabetes treated with Glucophage [metformin] and Lantus, and for about eight years I’ve been non-compliant (eating very poorly), but taking my pills. I stop taking insulin about every four months because I experience side effects of bloating and poor digestion that goes away when I stop taking it.

Two weeks ago, I started eating correctly for the first time in my life (fairly low carbs with lots of vegetables and protein and no simple carbs at all), and also started exercising three times per week. My blood sugars dropped from 320 mg/dl [17.8 mmol/L] to 120 mg/dl [6.7 mmol/L] during those two weeks, and I was physically feeling great. However, when my blood sugars got down to around 100 mg/dl [5.7 mmol/L], I stopped taking my insulin as I was afraid of going too low, and I was eager to get off of the insulin anyway.

The day I stopped the insulin, I had an odd reaction with foggy brain and slight dizziness in the afternoon, although my blood sugar read 141mg/dl [7.8 mmol/L]. The following day, I developed more problems with extreme fatigue, and again I couldn’t think clearly. It’s been like that for two days now. My blood sugars have also started creeping back up to about 190 mg/dl [10.6 mmol/L], even though I am eating exactly the same foods.

Why am I feeling this way when my blood sugars were doing so much better? I seem to have symptoms of foggy brain with or without insulin, although it seems worse since stopping the insulin.