Change of medication

[BBGRAMMY]

Hi all
Hope I’ve done this in the correct thread??
I have been looking in at posts for a long time for type 2 diabetes. However, I’ve only asked questions a couple of times over the years.
I find myself perturbed at being asked to try new medication from my GP due to NHS costs.This was Lingagliptin 5mg for over several years and recently Dapagliflozin 5mg dose for one month increasing to 10mg.
The side affects to Dapaglflozin has caused sleep deprivation during the night with sleep poralysis which was very scary. I have gad bouts of sleepiness during the day. Difficulty concentrating and more frequent visits to the loo due to medication working via the kidneys. I’m due to review this with my GP next week.
I’m wondering if anyone else has been asked to change their meds?
I was contacted by text saying it would be Sitagliptin then asked if I would have a consultation with a pharmacist at my GPs funded by a pharmaceutical company. It was this person who finally changed my prescription. Any insights or help with this is much appreciated.

 

[ChrisT2]

Hi, I was on Dapagliflozin some time ago and had similar symptoms to you, especially in the loo department and had to be taken off it as the constant and urgent need to pee interfered considerably with my job. It was only then that I was told that this was a side effect of the drug and affects some people and not others. (See forum https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/dapagliflozin-10mg.197176/) It would seem this is the case as others find no problems. I was also prescribed Alogliptin when my blood sugar got a bit worse and that also introduced some problems but by then I was starting to think more about my diet as I had basically given up on the pills owing to side effects.
Personally I am happy to try anything new if it reduces my blood sugar as I suppose I am always looking for the magic pill however experience has shown me that it is probably more to do with what and when I eat that has done more than any prescribed pills. I am still on metformin which I hate with a passion but several years ago I was told that metformin is both the most cost effective (they mean't cheapest) and successful drug for treating T2 so sadly I am stuck with it. Love it or hate it but it does seem to work.
I can understand your GP wanting to cut costs and maybe for you there is a wonder drug out there so no real harm in giving it a go but don't be afraid to get the GP to drop the drugs if things don't work out and you should never have to suffer unpleasant side effects just because it's cost effective.

 

[BBGRAMMY]

Hi Chris T2
I’m also happy to try new meds if this reduces my BG. I will check out the link. I too am on Metformin 500mg 3 tds, Fenofibrate 267mg, and Losartan 50mg. I vary my diet and have tried most eg low carb, vegan and low cal.
I can lose weight but my BG stays the same last Hba1c was 53. Keep going and persevere- there maybe a tablet out there for me!
Thanks for your reply…

 

[billhp49]

Hi, I long suspected cost was a factor. Was on 40mg Gliclazideand Hba1c was 48 for some time. Out of the blue a Pharmascist from the pratice telephoned and said my control was good it was time to change medication especially to avoid hypos. Dapagliflosin prescribed at 10mg and was useless. Re hypos, I had one in 2016, the only time in 25 years, it was Christmas and I missed two meals.
I prick test daily and my mmol went up to 9 or 10 fasting having been 5 or thereabouts for years.
Practice refused to change because they don't believe in prick testing even though I download data from Contour plus and have saved years of data.. Had to wait 3 months for Hba1c and it had increased to 61! Referred to Eye Infirmary urgently because eye bleed detected - caused by med change. 18 months later and having been on Gliclazide again the eye problem resolved and consultant said don't let anyone change meds again.
Dapagliflosin caused major wee problems, No sleep because of this. Taken of Dapagliflosin a, because of side erects b,its total failure control type 2 diabetes, Sitaglptosin prescribed but was also no use. After a couple of weeks Gliclazide prescribed again by a new Diabetic Nurse.
Am now having to produce test fortnightly since Practice again want me on Dapagliflosin - so much for caring sharing healthcare! They hadn't even checked on past Dapagliflosin history. There must be a heck of a saving if Practice want money saving instead of patient health.