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Blood glucose levels have suddenly dropped on Gliclazide?

D

Derek Cotter

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi all,

I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis in October last year. This resulted in me becoming diabetic. I tried to control it with diet only but it didn`t work so for the last 7 weeks I have been taking Gliclazide tablets. I was on one 80 tablet a day for a few weeks and then then was put on two 80 tablets a day. On average my blood levels have been around 11. The only time I have been able to get them down is if I haven`t eaten for 4 - 5 hours and then it would not go below 7. Three days ago I was shocked to see I had gone down to 5.6. My readings since this have been mostly around 6 and 7. I just checked myself and I am 5.4. I have not changed my diet and I am not doing any extra exercise?

What would be the reason for this or is it normal for Gliclazide to start working properly after 6 - 7 weeks?

It just seems strange that I have gone from worrying about how high my levels are to worrying about them being to low?

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks,

Derek
 
Re: Blood glucose levels have suddenly dropped on Gliclazide

Hi. I can only speculate. The fact that Gliclazide now appears to be working implies your pancreas has returned to normal and producing insulin either by itself anyway or with the help of the Gliclazide which works by stimulating the islet cells. As you have had pancreatitis only an experienced doctor could comment on the typical recovery time afterwards. I would be inclined to discuss with your GP the possibility of reducing the Gliclazide back down a bit and seeing what happens?
 
Re: Blood glucose levels have suddenly dropped on Gliclazide

Hello Derek .

When I was on gliclazide it could act quickly sometimes - catching me out if I hadnt
eaten enough to cover for it .
I am a small portion snack liking person and if I ate little and then dashed about doing activity
it would kick in faster giving me a suprise 'hypo' .
So yes it can act quickly but I am unsure as to how ? [the mechanics of it]

I remember my GP firmly telling me to eat more [than I like to do] when he put me
onto it .
'Make sure you eat properly on this' he told me :o
I didnt really believe him at first - soon found out how 'right' he was about it :oops:

Hope this can help .

Anna .
 
Re: Blood glucose levels have suddenly dropped on Gliclazide

Hi there,

I too was taking Gliclazide initially 80mg per day, then 160mg per day and then top dose of 320mg and my sugar was no where near reducing into recommended levels. Added in Metformin twice per day with a referral to the Hospital and my sugars soon started to drop, far too drastically which led me to feel totally out of control and experiencing hypo's too often despite constantly eating!! I reduced the Gliclazide to nothing and now take Metformin alone, as suggested to me your Pancreas my have been kick started by the Gliclazide ;) hurrah!!

I resorted to using it again last month after a high sugar reading (type 1.5 so I thought my pancreas was packing in!) and it was awful!! I never want to take them again, felt very strange, unwell, cloudy head and unable to think properly :(

Good luck, I hope they've helped get your pancreas going again

Stacey


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Re: Blood glucose levels have suddenly dropped on Gliclazide

Thanks for the replies folks,

Well, my levels have since gone back to normal with occasional low periods followed by highs.
I have come to the conclusion that I think my insulin production is being possibly affected by the pancreatitis inflammation.

A few weeks ago I had to wait for about 7 hours with zero carbs,sugars etc for my blood sugars to drop from 16 to 12. I thought that my body was stopping the production of insulin as I had never waited this long for it to drop that little. A few days later I had three weetabix and fruit for breakfast, One sandwich mid morning and pasta for lunch. I took a reading in the afternoon and was only 10!
My diet doesn`t really change because of my conditions but my blood sugars vary from week to week quite alot.

Thanks,

Derek
 
Re: Blood glucose levels have suddenly dropped on Gliclazide

Hi Derek, sometimes not eating for long periods of time leads to ur liver dumping glucose which can make levels higher not lower so keep a lookout incase u start worrying that u haven't eaten for hours yet ur really high. Slow releasing carbs (low GI) are best for this!

Stacey! I didn't know u went back on the gliclazide? Are you off them now? When I was put on them at diagnosis they had zero effect not even a slight hint of an effect... Turns out that because I have lost so many beta cells so far anyway gliclazide won't work as there are not enough cells to stimulate for it to make a difference :-(


Diagnosed with GD in 2010, Completely disappeared postpartum. Re-diagnosed December 2012 with type 1.5 diabetes, age 26, BMI 23 currently controlled by only Metformin, 500mg twice a day.
 
Re: Blood glucose levels have suddenly dropped on Gliclazide

Thanks Elaine,

I`ve heard about the liver dumping glucose. I think it was referred to as a "leaky liver". Would blood sugar levels have to be really low for that to happen? Or could it be that the body hasn`t received any food for ages so it starts to release it?

D
 
Re: Blood glucose levels have suddenly dropped on Gliclazide

Both really but mostly when u havent eaten for a long period of time it releases the glucose to give you energy as u haven't supplied ur body with food for fuel. Happens to me thru the night giving me annoying morning readings :-(

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