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Changing medication

debbiek

debbiek

Active Member
Messages
33
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi im type 2 diabetic i am currently on Metformin but it is not agreeing with me at all and doctor has decided to change it to Gliclazide , they still haven`t told me to test my blood sugars . will i need to if change medication ?
 
Yes did same to me they gave me the finger prick machines but I've come off glitzaside on metaformin and now insulin
 
debbiek said:
Hi im type 2 diabetic i am currently on Metformin but it is not agreeing with me at all and doctor has decided to change it to Gliclazide , they still haven`t told me to test my blood sugars . will i need to if change medication ?
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Yes, on Gliclazide you need to test. This drug works differently from Metformin. It stimulates your pancreas to produce extra insulin. If it produces too much, your levels will drop too low. You need to test before you drive and before bed at the very least. If you follow a low carb eating plan, it is especially important you test regularly because the fewer carbs you eat the less insulin you need. If you do drive, your nurse should prescribe you a meter and strips.
 
debbiek said:
Hi im type 2 diabetic i am currently on Metformin but it is not agreeing with me at all and doctor has decided to change it to Gliclazide , they still haven`t told me to test my blood sugars . will i need to if change medication ?
Click to expand...
I understood that Gliclazide was one of the drugs that you need to test if you are taking.
 
debbiek said:
Hi im type 2 diabetic i am currently on Metformin but it is not agreeing with me at all and doctor has decided to change it to Gliclazide , they still haven`t told me to test my blood sugars . will i need to if change medication ?
Click to expand...
You will need to as it can cause hypos
 
debbiek said:
they still haven`t told me to test my blood sugars . will i need to if change medication ?
Click to expand...

You need to test your BG whatever medication you take. Purely because you are diabetic, it doesn't matter what the medical people say. They seem to discourage testing so that they don't have to prescribe test strips. Personally I have never understood why some doctors feel that just an HbA1c every 6 months or even a year (seems to depend on your doctor) is adequate when regular self testing will allow you to be aware of your BG immediately.

Metformin is usually the first drug to be prescribed to type IIs, it's been around for a long time. It doesn't agree with everyone, I had terrible problems with Metformin but the weight problems caused by Rosiglitazone and then Gliclazide were even worse.

I'm back on Metformin and lowering my carb intake has eased the diarrhea problems considerably. I could have tried the Slow Release version but I seemed to find a solution before it was offered. The other benefit with lowering carbs for me (no bread/pasta/potato/rice . . . . . usually) is that I was able to ditch Gliclazide, Januvia and statins. There is also virtually no possibility of having a hypo which wasn't the case when taking Gliclazide.

Although the law does not stipulate anything for diabetics who are not insulin dependent, the fact that hypos are a possibility when taking Gliclazide (it's making your pancreas create more insulin) it's advisable to be very aware of what your BG is doing before you drive and to have something like Glucose tablets with you in case of a hypo.
 
If they've prescribed you potentially hypo inducing medication then they have to prescribe you a blood meter and test strips, Gliclazide is one of those drugs.
 
DavidGrahamJones said:
Y

Metformin is usually the first drug to be prescribed to type IIs, it's been around for a long time. It doesn't agree with everyone, I had terrible problems with Metformin but the weight problems caused by Rosiglitazone and then Gliclazide were even worse.

I'm back on Metformin and lowering my carb intake has eased the diarrhea problems considerably. I could have tried the Slow Release version but I seemed to find a solution before it was offered. The other benefit with lowering carbs for me (no bread/pasta/potato/rice . . . . . usually) is that I was able to ditch Gliclazide, Januvia and statins. There is also virtually no possibility of having a hypo which wasn't the case when taking Gliclazide.

Although the law does not stipulate anything for diabetics who are not insulin dependent, the fact that hypos are a possibility when taking Gliclazide (it's making your pancreas create more insulin) it's advisable to be very aware of what your BG is doing before you drive and to have something like Glucose tablets with you in case of a hypo.
Click to expand...

I am glad you have managed to ditched Statin , im close to ditching it also ,cholesterol is dropping feb its was 6 now its 4.9 , thanks for advice incase of hypo will have Glucose tablets with me at all times
 
Have Monitor from doctors today so now the fun begins , again thanks everyone for all advice
 
debbiek said:
Hi im type 2 diabetic i am currently on Metformin but it is not agreeing with me at all and doctor has decided to change it to Gliclazide , they still haven`t told me to test my blood sugars . will i need to if change medication ?
Click to expand...
You should test your glucose levels on a regular basis. It is a must to keep a record of your bgl's to maintain control of your diabetes. Change your medication by all means if it is not performing or is causing you illness. I changed my insulin due to poor performance and frequent illness from excessive glucose levels. You have to be comfortable as well as in control at all times.

But don't just rely on your medication, keep fit and active, stay hydrated and get regular checks from your GP.
 
leslie10152 said:
You should test your glucose levels on a regular basis. It is a must to keep a record of your bgl's to maintain control of your diabetes. Change your medication by all means if it is not performing or is causing you illness. I changed my insulin due to poor performance and frequent illness from excessive glucose levels. You have to be comfortable as well as in control at all times.

But don't just rely on your medication, keep fit and active, stay hydrated and get regular checks from your GP.
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im not just tested my blood it was 3.8 mmol feeling shaky right now guess this is a hypo ?
 
debbiek said:
im not just tested my blood it was 3.8 mmol feeling shaky right now guess this is a hypo ?
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Anything below 4.5 can be determined as hypo. If you are feeling weak and shaky, confused and have poor coordination, that is a hypo. It feels very much like a severe panic attack. You may also experience profuse sweating, thirst and hunger, irritability, and slurred speech. 3.8 is getting down to dangerous territory. Make sure you take in some carbohydrate to raise the glucose level to correct the condition. Get information about hypoglycemia and how to treat it asap! Make sure everybody around you also know what to do in such a situation.
 
leslie10152 said:
Anything below 4.5 can be determined as hypo. If you are feeling weak and shaky, confused and have poor coordination, that is a hypo. It feels very much like a severe panic attack. You may also experience profuse sweating, thirst and hunger, irritability, and slurred speech. 3.8 is getting down to dangerous territory. Make sure you take in some carbohydrate to raise the glucose level to correct the condition. Get information about hypoglycemia and how to treat it asap! Make sure everybody around you also know what to do in such a situation.
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thank you i already have done starting to feel better
 
Did you have to ask/demand a meter or did the doc actually say sorry meant to have given you one of these.....? Would love to know what they said. And a good job you did get one, lol first test and it's in hypo territory, if you were none the wiser we might never of heard back from you........!
 
@debbiek

You should not be having these hypos. Something is wrong. My best guess is the Gliclazide. You are producing far too much insulin - and Gliclazide will be doing this. Please have another word with your doctor, for your own sake.
 
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