Dapaglifloxin - anyone had any experience with this?

[Brunneria]

I recently came off Glipizide to switch to Dapaglifloxin...I stopped taking the Glipizide intending to get the other prescription that day, but I didn't get around to it for two weeks. The very first day without Glipizide, I felt fantastic, my blood sugar dropped by about 30%, I started eating Keto and lost 6kgs in two weeks. Then I got the Dapaglifloxin. I've been on it for 4 weeks, following the same diet but haven't lost any more weight at all. I take probiotics etc to avoid thrush, but the constant peeing and thirst is horrible. I got so dehydrated and felt so awful I stopped taking it. The second day I had horrible kidney pain (I do have stones so could be that) by the end of the night my toes, ankles, abdomen and even the right side of my back near my kidney were swollen so much I felt I'd burst. So I've started taking it again, but I'm really not happy. I don't get to see the specialist who prescribed it for another cpl of months. My GP is a moron....like really, I don't know how he has a job. The Dapaglifloxin doesnt have much effect on my blood sugar. The best thing that has ever happened for my blood sugar is coming off Glipizide, also my constant hunger and other symptoms disappeared instantly. I take Metformin and have noticed a post on this site where someone got bleeding Gastritis from it...I have had constant, very, very low iron since I've been on it. The medications for type 2 all seem to be making me sicker. I'm sticking to the keto diet as its easy for me and I dont get hungry....I'm worried that the Dapaglifloxin will ruin my kidneys. I have had protein in my urine since I first got diagnosed years ago. Since Dapaglifloxin I have had pinkish urine and when I stopped for two days it went steel grey. Its pinkish to clear again now.

Sounds to me as though (as @Indy51 says) you need medical assessment immediately.
If you doc is not up to it, then please go to a drop in centre or Accident and Emergency, or at the very least make an urgent appointment at your surgery with another doctor - taking a urine sample in with you to save time. Your kidneys are too precious to leave an ongoing problem for a couple of months. You could try ringing the specialist's office, describing the situation, and asking for an urgent appointment, even if it is only over the phone.

I cannot believe that the symptoms you are describing are acceptable, and there are MANY different drug combinations available to type 2 diabetics - far more than the average general practitioner uses.

Please get a second opinion.

 

[magicmoose]

Just commenced on this 3 days ago - this is my second time at giving it a go. I could not tolerate it last time but determined to give it another go. I was given no information on DKA from diabetic nurse or pharmacist but being a lurker on here I've read lots of interesting and helpful comments on this drug, so feel I know what signs to look out for.

 

[ringi]

@magicmoose nearly all the side effects are reduced if you advoid all drinks that contain suger (including natural) and limit your carb intake. Often people find they can make the most improvements with breakfast, as breakfast cereals etc are nearly always very high carb.

 

[magicmoose]

@magicmoose nearly all the side effects are reduced if you advoid all drinks that contain suger (including natural) and limit your carb intake. Often people find they can make the most improvements with breakfast, as breakfast cereals etc are nearly always very high carb.

I tend to skip Breakfast, although I am going to try to make an effort to eat it a little later so it's more like brunch, then skip lunch which normally includes bread. I'm pretty good with drinks, I mostly drink water, tea or coffee, although have recently slipped into drinking sugary drinks - depression related. Stopping that from today. BS this morning on waking was 18.2, so am hoping to see numbers fall now I'm back on my New Year, New Start regime!

 

[ringi]

Advoiding bread will greatly help, personally I often have cold sausages and/or homemade frittata. Frittatas are easy to make and will keep a for a few days in the fridge, some people freeze them, so can get one out each night for the next days lunch. Be creative on what you put in a frittata, for example cooked fish works well.

Try measureing and recording your BG before each meal and 2 hr after you started the meal, this will show your progress and help with motivation.

A 10 minute walk after a meal will also help greatly, and if the walk is somewhere nice it is also likely help with the depression.

But nothing will help as much as giving up all drinks that contain suger.

 

[ickihun]

Just commenced on this 3 days ago - this is my second time at giving it a go. I could not tolerate it last time but determined to give it another go. I was given no information on DKA from diabetic nurse or pharmacist but being a lurker on here I've read lots of interesting and helpful comments on this drug, so feel I know what signs to look out for.

Ditto. I'm still suffering with thrush, again; but the alternative is more insulin units, no matter which diet I follow.
I'm too DKA aware but so far, so good. I'm on constant liquid diets so rehydrate even through bad IBS bouts. Which are not Dapagliflozin related.
I will be stopping this drug before my bariatric operation.

 

[magicmoose]

Advoiding bread will greatly help, personally I often have cold sausages and/or homemade frittata. Frittatas are easy to make and will keep a for a few days in the fridge, some people freeze them, so can get one out each night for the next days lunch. Be creative on what you put in a frittata, for example cooked fish works well.

Try measureing and recording your BG before each meal and 2 hr after you started the meal, this will show your progress and help with motivation.

A 10 minute walk after a meal will also help greatly, and if the walk is somewhere nice it is also likely help with the depression.

But nothing will help as much as giving up all drinks that contain suger.

I love my walks, thankfully the family dog keeps me active with our daily walk in the park - also keeps me sane!

 

[magicmoose]

Ditto. I'm still suffering with thrush, again; but the alternative is more insulin units, no matter which diet I follow.
I'm too DKA aware but so far, so good. I'm on constant liquid diets so rehydrate even through bad IBS bouts. Which are not Dapagliflozin related.
I will be stopping this drug before my bariatric operation.

Yes, I feel your suffering with the thrush! Heavy carb meal for lunch, went out being New Year's Day and blood sugar was 21.9 2 hours after lunch.... Yikes! That is it. Avoiding all carbs tonight apart from some fruit to use up, plenty of water, will be interesting to see BS in morning.

 

[ringi]

Personally I would advoid the fruit as well, as it will do your BG no good.

 

[magicmoose]

Personally I would advoid the fruit as well, as it will do your BG no good.

I don't intend to buy anymore. Actually notice I have started to feel nauseous and light headed. Unusual for me to feel unwell. Just tested BS before I head to bed 11.2 come down in an hour from 15 something.

Depending what it is when I wake in the morning I might ditch the Metformin permanently as the side effects are really getting to me.

 

[ringi]

Talk to your doctor about slow release metformin as many people get less side effects with it.

Feeling light headed when your BG is dropping quickly is normally, you will find that you body adjusts quickly. However you may need to take a little more salt.

Are you in any meds to reduce blood pressure?

 

[ickihun]

Yes, I feel your suffering with the thrush! Heavy carb meal for lunch, went out being New Year's Day and blood sugar was 21.9 2 hours after lunch.... Yikes! That is it. Avoiding all carbs tonight apart from some fruit to use up, plenty of water, will be interesting to see BS in morning.

My thrush triggers even on 6s now with Dapagliflozin. I get no reprieve in fact a new med for trapped nerve (amitriptyline) has a side affect of difficulty in weeing. So I'm in for more fun. Although I've gained some movement in my arm from 4nights of medication (5 including tonight) so I'm hoping to stop Amitriptyline imminently.
I constantly feel blocked even after a long wee. Dull aches in bowels too but could be IBS.

 

[magicmoose]

Talk to your doctor about slow release metformin as many people get less side effects with it.

Feeling light headed when your BG is dropping quickly is normally, you will find that you body adjusts quickly. However you may need to take a little more salt.

Are you in any meds to reduce blood pressure?

Yes, lisinopril for several years now.

 

[ringi]

Yes, lisinopril for several years now.

Idealy check your BP at home, if not get your GP to check it, as the dose of lisinopril may need reducing

 

[magicmoose]

My thrush triggers even on 6s now with Dapagliflozin. I get no reprieve in fact a new med for trapped nerve (amitriptyline) has a side affect of difficulty in weeing. So I'm in for more fun. Although I've gained some movement in my arm from 4nights of medication (5 including tonight) so I'm hoping to stop Amitriptyline imminently.
I constantly feel blocked even after a long wee. Dull aches in bowels too but could be IBS.

I was hoping to start amitriptyline recently to solve my sleep and nerve issues but was refused it for varying reasons.

I've actually had a almost normal BS reading after my evening meal. Two hours after a nice low carb meal and 9.2 ok so still high-ish but single figures! I'm ditching the Metformin tomorrow, I know I could ask for the slow release Metformin but I want to be on less medication!

 

[magicmoose]

Idealy check your BP at home, if not get your GP to check it, as the dose of lisinopril may need reducing

Thanks for that, I'll get it checked at the chemist.

 

[ringi]

Thanks for that, I'll get it checked at the chemist.

Remember to get a valid reading you need to be relexed and should sit for a few minutes before the reading is done. Explain to the chemist you have been fealing faint and what drugs you have recently started.

 

[magicmoose]

Been checked, three times via pharmacy was ok but they advised to get it checked again next week.

 

[ringi]

Been checked, three times via pharmacy was ok but they advised to get it checked again next week.

The issue is thst unless your BP is a little high you may need the dose reducing. But they mostly have a mind set of trying to find people who have BP too high. So what do they mean by "OK"?

 

[magicmoose]

The issue is thst unless your BP is a little high you may need the dose reducing. But they mostly have a mind set of trying to find people who have BP too high. So what do they mean by "OK"?

I didn't really take notice of the numbers. Naughty me. I've just purchased a BP monitor from Amazon that's coming tomorrow so will start testing myself at home.