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Diabietics and Meds.

simply_h

Well-Known Member
Messages
201
Location
The north
Hello All,

Hope we are all fighting fit and enjoying the weather.

Whats the the score with doctors and nurses, that as soon as they know you are Diabetic they put you on a load off pills..

Like I was pre-diabietc for about 3 years, was give no advise at all, I asked for some advise, but was told not to worry and carry on as normal.. I do not drink much, I try and eat normal non-processed food, am a normal weigh, normal Blood Pressure etc..

But as soon as I failled a OGTT and my very 1st Hba1c came back as 6.6% I was told I was Diabietic and told to take Satins, Ramipril & Metformin.

My cholesterol is a little high, it has been a little high since as far back as I can remember, as far as I know my Blood pressure has always been normal (as its gets checked all the time threw work).

So is it a case of as SOON as they know you are Diabietic, they get you on a whole load off pills or am I missing something, as from reading lots on this forum, some people who have has higher HbA1c at diagnoses have just been told you try and change there diets and wait and see, if pills are required..

Any Ideas.

Cheers
Simply_h. :D
 
It's not true that all diabetics are given loads of pills just for the sake of it, apart from insulin I don't take anything else and wouldn't want to unless there was evidence to suggest I may benefit in the long-term.

Nigel
 
This is only my theory, but if you have been under observation for three years as pre-diabetic, I wonder if they assume that the diet and exercise route has not worked and thus you now need to progress to medication given your results? If they haven't given you good enough advice during that time, then that is a shame.
 
Hello,

I just rang the doctors to find out..

When I had my OGTT my results were:
1st Blood test - 7mmol
Drink the sugar drink given by the nurse and then go and sit in the waiting room for 2 hours.
2nd blood test - 8.1mmol

Cheers
Simply_h
 
These are the usual criteria which is used for Diagnosis :

Diabetes mellitus. fasting level ≥ 7.0 OR 2 hr level ≥ 11.1

Impaired glucose tolerance (1GT). if fasting level < 7.0 AND 2 hr level ≥ 7.8 and < 11.1

Impaired fasting glycaemia (1FG). if fasting level ≥ 6.1 and <7.0 AND 2 hr level < 7.8

You would appear to have had a high fasting level so I should think it was possibly logical to prescribe something, even the Statin....however there is nothing to stop you trying diet only. You cannot be ordered to take medication if you wish to try something else........

You should discuss it with your GP.
 
Hi

Metformin is the first line medication most T2s are put on if medication is needed. Statins are also often prescribed if your cholesterol is raised. I was put on a high dose of Simvastatin as my GP usually prescribes high doses of anything! I suggested halving it to the DN and the GP agreed. My cholesterol is still around 3.5 (very good) so my decision to keep the dosage low was right. Check with your GP that the dosage is right to meet your target level of cholesterol. I've also very recently been put on low dose Ramipril (another GP this time) as my blood pressure was becoming slightly elevated. I assume your BP is also elevated? If it isn't then discuss this with your GP?
 
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