Hi, I’m new to this forum but used to contribute to a diabetes forum years ago when I was first diagnosed with T2 DM in 1998. I am male and 63 years old.
I have progressed through D&E, antidiabetics such as Rosiglitazone and currently Metformin (maximum dose 3x850mg).
I am currently on Simvastatin 20mg – was 40 mg but my cholesterol was too LOW, still low at about 2.4.
I take 75mg aspirin once per day, along with Candesartan, Amlopidine and Bendroflumethazide for high blood pressure (reasonably well-controlled).
Somehow or other I have managed to wangle a repeat prescription of Orlistat, this is prescribed by my GP who does not worry about things such as actually losing weight on it – the practice nurses followed the strict guidelines of only prescribing it if you lost 2Kg a month. I did lose about 10 Kg on Orlistat but now it just seems to keep my weight stable at 102-104 Kg. My height is 1.72 metres so my BMI is around about 35kg/m².
Because of my obesity I suffer from heartburn, so I am taking 150mg of Ranitidine as well.
Just to add to the pill menagerie, I suffer from hay fever so I take seasonal antihistamines, and I also get the odd bout of gout (!) so I take the occasional 50 mg Voltarol.
To further add to this veritable pharmacopaeia of medications, two years ago I was prescribed Lantus, which I have titrated up and down until I am now taking 30 units, although it has varied between 6 and 56 units. I also take Novorapid which I titrate according to carb intake between about 8 and 24 units. My fasting BMs are 5-7 and I peak 12-16 in the evening.
I have now reached the stage where I feel a simplification of my medication is required, and I see one possible answer in the newer drugs such as Byetta or Victoza.
The problem is my HbA1c is really rather good, between 5 and 6 at the last test, but this has been at a cost of actual or near hypo on frequent occasions, including some rather scary night-time hypos. The constant insulin input has given me an enormous appetite, and I have only stabilised my weight by taking Orlistat and suffering the gastric consequences.
I finally persuaded my GP to refer me to the diabetic nurse specialist at Hospital whom I visit on Thursday of the week. I desperately want to shake off the insulin (and the weight) but I am unsure how to approach this as my HbA1c is good.
I strongly feel that I would benefit health-wise by reducing my medication, which I am sure Byetta or Victoza would allow me to do. I am told that Victoza helps with high blood pressure and just losing weight would help with that as well.
I also feel that the NHS may well benefit financially as I’m sure the totality of medications I am receiving now must cost more than an equivalent Victoza or Byetta regime.
How do you think I should approach the hospital DSN with my request to go on one of the newer injectable drugs? Do I even have a case given my good results? The benefits of other peoples’ experiences would be very helpful.
Thank you for bearing with me during my long screed.
JPG
I have progressed through D&E, antidiabetics such as Rosiglitazone and currently Metformin (maximum dose 3x850mg).
I am currently on Simvastatin 20mg – was 40 mg but my cholesterol was too LOW, still low at about 2.4.
I take 75mg aspirin once per day, along with Candesartan, Amlopidine and Bendroflumethazide for high blood pressure (reasonably well-controlled).
Somehow or other I have managed to wangle a repeat prescription of Orlistat, this is prescribed by my GP who does not worry about things such as actually losing weight on it – the practice nurses followed the strict guidelines of only prescribing it if you lost 2Kg a month. I did lose about 10 Kg on Orlistat but now it just seems to keep my weight stable at 102-104 Kg. My height is 1.72 metres so my BMI is around about 35kg/m².
Because of my obesity I suffer from heartburn, so I am taking 150mg of Ranitidine as well.
Just to add to the pill menagerie, I suffer from hay fever so I take seasonal antihistamines, and I also get the odd bout of gout (!) so I take the occasional 50 mg Voltarol.
To further add to this veritable pharmacopaeia of medications, two years ago I was prescribed Lantus, which I have titrated up and down until I am now taking 30 units, although it has varied between 6 and 56 units. I also take Novorapid which I titrate according to carb intake between about 8 and 24 units. My fasting BMs are 5-7 and I peak 12-16 in the evening.
I have now reached the stage where I feel a simplification of my medication is required, and I see one possible answer in the newer drugs such as Byetta or Victoza.
The problem is my HbA1c is really rather good, between 5 and 6 at the last test, but this has been at a cost of actual or near hypo on frequent occasions, including some rather scary night-time hypos. The constant insulin input has given me an enormous appetite, and I have only stabilised my weight by taking Orlistat and suffering the gastric consequences.
I finally persuaded my GP to refer me to the diabetic nurse specialist at Hospital whom I visit on Thursday of the week. I desperately want to shake off the insulin (and the weight) but I am unsure how to approach this as my HbA1c is good.
I strongly feel that I would benefit health-wise by reducing my medication, which I am sure Byetta or Victoza would allow me to do. I am told that Victoza helps with high blood pressure and just losing weight would help with that as well.
I also feel that the NHS may well benefit financially as I’m sure the totality of medications I am receiving now must cost more than an equivalent Victoza or Byetta regime.
How do you think I should approach the hospital DSN with my request to go on one of the newer injectable drugs? Do I even have a case given my good results? The benefits of other peoples’ experiences would be very helpful.
Thank you for bearing with me during my long screed.
JPG
