meds change

RiffRaff

Active Member
Messages
27
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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people that have no manners,,
hi guys my nurse in her infinite wisdom has decided to change my meds from Metformin 500mg three times a day to Actos 15mg once a day. because of the side effects wind,, the runs and sleep pattern that an insomniac would be proud of how many of us are taking Actos an what do i have to look forward too there is some scary side effects when you read up on the net, i hate Google. my Ac1 is up and down from like 31 47 44 49 the higher one been the latest these were done on a 6 week interval, i cant do diets no will power an the fact i like all the things that are supposed to be bad for me, bread,pasta,rice,sweets of any kind,beer and spirits. but hey that's life

cheers Riff
 

Patricia21

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,764
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
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Animal crualty
Hello and welcome.
I dont consider myself on a diet as diets sound like starvation,which is not the case,I eat plenty,
Its just getting to eat different things,and its not so difficult,
Read round the forum and you will get the idea.
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
I'm not on any medication so can't answer your question, but Metformin and its variants aren't the key to control. Diet is the key, although as Patricia said, the word diet is a misnomer. It is really an eating plan. Your A1c is climbing ever higher and I suggest you have a good read round these forums before it is too late. Negativity isn't wise, neither is reliance on your medication to enable you to eat what you like. If you have a meter and use it to test out your meals you will see what I mean, and the results may well be the motivation you need to grab control of this disease while you can. Which do you prefer? A bit of will power and determination, or the awful consequences of uncontrolled diabetes? The choice is yours.

Sorry to sound so harsh, but I strongly believe in what I say.
 

RiffRaff

Active Member
Messages
27
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
people that have no manners,,
yep i agree with the will power bit and the testing. but when you ask what should be the norm for fasting an after meals an all the other times that everyone say test for you get so many answers. yes i know everyone is different an will get differing results. i eat lots of different things to vary my food an i don't eat large portions of anything. i dropped 4 kilos since the last time i was stuck on a scale about 5 weeks ago. as for the awful consequences of uncontrolled diabetes Fournier gangrene is a good one to have(joking) had that the beginning of summer 2014 loads of fun NOT.recovered from that just about. its all down to self help as all the HCP's are just out to prescribe stuff an fob you off.or send you on a course were the people running it have no bloody clue an have memorized an idiot sheet
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
I agree with everything you say above, so all we can do is help ourselves, and this forum is the best place to start.

As for readings, yes you will see different targets mentioned, but the best levels to aim for are the non-diabetic ranges. We might never quite reach those, but we can try.
 

AndBreathe

Master
Retired Moderator
Messages
11,320
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
yep i agree with the will power bit and the testing. but when you ask what should be the norm for fasting an after meals an all the other times that everyone say test for you get so many answers. yes i know everyone is different an will get differing results. i eat lots of different things to vary my food an i don't eat large portions of anything. i dropped 4 kilos since the last time i was stuck on a scale about 5 weeks ago. as for the awful consequences of uncontrolled diabetes Fournier gangrene is a good one to have(joking) had that the beginning of summer 2014 loads of fun NOT.recovered from that just about. its all down to self help as all the HCP's are just out to prescribe stuff an fob you off.or send you on a course were the people running it have no bloody clue an have memorized an idiot sheet

Sounds like you have a meter you can use to test? If so, what are your current results?

A target isn't a once and forever thing. I believe, particularly at the outset, we need a range of smaller targets, which allow us to demonstrate both progress and success. Once we near achieving a target, we can modify it to reflect a new achievable figure. By that I mean, if you are current;y scoring, say 8 before eating, and 12 after, you could set your initial targets at something like 7 and 9, then trim it back until you are reaching for tighter control.

The published blood ranges, from this site are :

upload_2015-2-3_13-24-6.png


As I say, these ranges could be unachievable and de-motivational at the outset, but driving your blood scores down, usually by modifying what we eat is, in my view, the best way forward.

Fortunately, I've never taken medication for my diabetes. I sort of knew if I went down that route, I'd subconsciously expect it to do all the work. And aside from all else, long term, daily medication doesn't fit with my current lifestyle.

Good luck with it.
 
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RiffRaff

Active Member
Messages
27
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
people that have no manners,,
yep i have a meter a one touch ultra easy never used after doctors would not give strips after first lot i had , but as i type this a friend who is T1 has just brought me two that he doesn't use a freestyle optium neo and a bayer contour next usb. both say no coding on the boxes so am i right in thinking that i can use the code free strips i have read about on here. they both look over kill for what i want but hey if i can get cheap strips that work be a bonus. oh an should i test at every meal before an after or just main meal in the evening

cheers
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
I doubt you can use any old strips in any old meter. They are all different, designed for use with the meter they are intended for. The Codefree meter isn't expensive and the strips are very cheap.

You need to test all meals to begin with until you sort out what you can and can't manage carbs-wise. Once you know a meal is fine for you (having tested it a few times to confirm this) you can relax a bit with that meal. Best to keep a food diary too, including portion sizes of carbs. Record your levels alongside. Soon you will see a pattern emerging that you can learn from. For example, I know I can manage 2 new potatoes, or 2 roast potatoes, but not mash and not jackets, and no more than 2 with one meal. I've learnt this through rigid testing.
 

RiffRaff

Active Member
Messages
27
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
people that have no manners,,
to be honest dint think that i would be able to stick any strip in coded or not down side to test every meal for a month aint cheap what ever way i go. but i dont suppose i should put a price on it, its my health i'm talking about(probably the first sensible thing i have said) so will be ordering one and a couple of hundred strips plus the lancets an see were it goes from there
 
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Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Good luck, and let us know how you go on with your testing.
 
G

graj0

Guest
hi guys my nurse in her infinite wisdom has decided to change my meds from Metformin 500mg three times a day to Actos 15mg once a day. because of the side effects wind,, the runs and sleep pattern that an insomniac would be proud of how many of us are taking Actos an what do i have to look forward too there is some scary side effects when you read up on the net, i hate Google. my Ac1 is up and down from like 31 47 44 49 the higher one been the latest these were done on a 6 week interval, i cant do diets no will power an the fact i like all the things that are supposed to be bad for me, bread,pasta,rice,sweets of any kind,beer and spirits. but hey that's life

cheers Riff
The side effects of Metformin are a stroll in the park compared with Actos, from what I've just read. Good luck with that. BTW, I've taken Metformin since 1997 and it was only 2 years ago that I discovered that by cutting my carb intake, the side effects were no way as bad as they use to be. As for the diet thing, it's been said, will power not required, a bit of discipline might be. I see that hypos can be a problem when taking Actos, so if you do cut carbs, do be careful. Since cutting my carbs I was able to stop taking Gliclazide, Januvia and Atorvastatin and I've lost 4 1/2 stone, so bit of a no brainer really, low carb it is. You may hate Google but I suggest you look at the law suits against the manufacturer by people who have used the drug long term. I took a very similar drug called Rosiglitazone which helped me gain 8 stone in weight and screwed up my liver function which is still not normal. Rosiglitazone is no longer available and I wouldn't be surprised if Actos (Pioglitazone) eventually goes the same way. As it is quite possible that this drug suits you well, monitor the side effects carefully. Naturally this only my opinion and I'm not a medic, but at the end of the day we all have to take responsibility of our care and I am personally very cautious of what GPs prescribe, never mind the nurse. I always think that they should be made to try some of this stuff themselves before they give it to us. You mention sleep pattern, you're not on a statin by any chance? All the best.
 

Daibell

Master
Messages
12,642
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
Can I ask whether you were having Metformin SR, the Slow Release version? This gives far fewer bowel problems. As graj0 says, the Glitazones can work very well but do have some side effects so do watch out for these and read the leaflet. A low-carb diet remains the best plan of attack. If you are not overweight, there are other drugs in addition to Metformin that can help e.g. Gliclazide and Sitagliptin. I chose Sitagliptin over a Gltazone when my diabetes GP offered one or the other as I was aware of some of the side effects.
 
G

graj0

Guest
Can I ask whether you were having Metformin SR, the Slow Release version? This gives far fewer bowel problems. As graj0 says, the Glitazones can work very well but do have some side effects so do watch out for these and read the leaflet. A low-carb diet remains the best plan of attack. If you are not overweight, there are other drugs in addition to Metformin that can help e.g. Gliclazide and Sitagliptin. I chose Sitagliptin over a Gltazone when my diabetes GP offered one or the other as I was aware of some of the side effects.
I'd forgotten about the SR or XR versions of Metformin, they make quite a difference as well. I gained about 10 kgs after starting Gliclazide and the most frustrating thing was that I kept to my calorie restricted diet and exercise regime, but still gained. These drugs affect the way you handle food and to make it worse I was given Januvia as well, I think I was awash with insulin. My understanding is that if insulin isn't required then Januvia doesn't make you produce more.
 

Daibell

Master
Messages
12,642
Type of diabetes
LADA
Treatment type
Insulin
I'd forgotten about the SR or XR versions of Metformin, they make quite a difference as well. I gained about 10 kgs after starting Gliclazide and the most frustrating thing was that I kept to my calorie restricted diet and exercise regime, but still gained. These drugs affect the way you handle food and to make it worse I was given Januvia as well, I think I was awash with insulin. My understanding is that if insulin isn't required then Januvia doesn't make you produce more.
Yes, Gliclazide can cause weight gain I assume by getting the pancreas to produce more insulin and hence use up some of excess glucose in the blood? My understanding is that Januvia suppresses a DPP-4 enzyme that in turn switches insulin production off after a meal hence the time is extended and yes it has no effect once your BS in normal. Both these drugs appear to be indicated if you are slim and effectively an early LADA like I was. I can't remember how the Glitazones work. I wonder whether your calorie restricted diet still had too many carbs? Fat is much higher calorie than carbs weight for weight and is why I have some reservations about the ND if your bs is way too high?
 

RiffRaff

Active Member
Messages
27
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
people that have no manners,,
not on a statin but i do take Amlodpine 10mg, Omeprazole 20mg, Ramipril 10mg once a day and Tramodol 100mg three times a day. and now Actos 15mg once a day

so there's a few that have come to light now i have admitted to my self i have T2 diabetes, woo hooo a big step forward there on its own
carbs in small portions, abit more exercise, less alcohol, need to find a food plan that suites me, eat at regular times,and test test test
tiny steps forward but it will get sorted
 
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angelicbaby

Well-Known Member
Messages
160
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
There are many of us on here that do not have a low carb eating plan and still are managing our diabetes. You certainly need to keep carbs in check and monitor the effects each one has on you to find out which ones to avoid, but you don't need to cut them out completely (unless they send your glucose readings sky high).

Good luck.
 
G

graj0

Guest
There are many of us on here that do not have a low carb eating plan and still are managing our diabetes. You certainly need to keep carbs in check and monitor the effects each one has on you to find out which ones to avoid, but you don't need to cut them out completely (unless they send your glucose readings sky high).

Good luck.
Horses for courses really. I suppose if we were to be scientific about it we would have to ask exactly how much carb do we actually eat. I was originally under the impression that 250gms a day was "normal", but have recently read that 125 gms is more the norm. Personally I'm eating about 80 gms a day (my food diary software calculates it for me), which has made enough of a difference for me. Some may not have to go that far and some might do better by going even lower. From my wife's experience of Atkins, cutting them out completely is not just difficult, but almost impossible. The emphasis being on almost.
 
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Daphne917

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,320
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Horses for courses really. I suppose if we were to be scientific about it we would have to ask exactly how much carb do we actually eat. I was originally under the impression that 250gms a day was "normal", but have recently read that 125 gms is more the norm. Personally I'm eating about 80 gms a day (my food diary software calculates it for me), which has made enough of a difference for me. Some may not have to go that far and some might do better by going even lower. From my wife's experience of Atkins, cutting them out completely is not just difficult, but almost impossible. The emphasis being on almost.
I also find that it depends on the type of carb for example I can eat a salad sandwich with two pieces of seeded bread (28 carbs) with no problem but when I had a similar salad sandwich using a Warburton Thin (20 carbs) my BS levels were higher by at least 3.0 and took longer to come down. I thought that being less carbs would be better but it obviously wasn't - back to the drawing board me thinks
 
G

graj0

Guest
I also find that it depends on the type of carb for example I can eat a salad sandwich with two pieces of seeded bread (28 carbs) with no problem but when I had a similar salad sandwich using a Warburton Thin (20 carbs) my BS levels were higher by at least 3.0 and took longer to come down. I thought that being less carbs would be better but it obviously wasn't - back to the drawing board me thinks
Is that where Glycemic Index comes into it? My brother has been told that he is now pre-diabetic and has been told to eat low GI foods, which in my mind is a good start, I but I think Glycemic Load is possibly more important for some. Certainly had I not reduced my GL, I would not have lost any weight, reducing GI just spreads it out to reduce the peaks in BG. IMHO of course. Also, I've heard that not all calories were created equal, obviously not all carbs were created equal either. Sometimes I despair, none of this game is an exact science, we really do have to "suck it and see".
 

Daphne917

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,320
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Is that where Glycemic Index comes into it? My brother has been told that he is now pre-diabetic and has been told to eat low GI foods, which in my mind is a good start, I but I think Glycemic Load is possibly more important for some. Certainly had I not reduced my GL, I would not have lost any weight, reducing GI just spreads it out to reduce the peaks in BG. IMHO of course. Also, I've heard that not all calories were created equal, obviously not all carbs were created equal either. Sometimes I despair, none of this game is an exact science, we really do have to "suck it and see".
I think that because we are all individuals we need to remember that it's no size fits all! For example a very low calorie diet would not work for me - been there, done that and, health wise, nearly did myself a mischief but others can loose more in a week than I did in 2 Months. However I also seem to be able to eat a little more carby foods than others eg cereals and bread.
 
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