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Type 2 Gliclazide been put on this after Metformin

Squeekyboy

Well-Known Member
Messages
141
Location
Cheshire, England.Uk
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
TV: don't watch TV, find most programs boring.Don't have a telly now but do watch videos now & then on a monitor.
Hi all,
After me following a low carb diet since 2015, I have now been given Glicazide x one 80gm tablet per day after breakfast.

The side effects of this medicatiom scare me regarding giving me a hypo & having me eat more carbs & couldn't beleive this one...eat sugar cubes if exersizing...what?
Are there any other medicines I could have other than Metformin(caused very lose stools on a daily basis) or this Gliclazide with more changes to my diet with bigger risks of hypos?

Any advice please to what alternatives to Gliclazide with less chance of giving me a hypos?
Very Confused.
Squeekyboy
 
I have been using it since 2006 & have had no lows on it. You should be ok unless you eat or drink thing which cause lows like excessive alcohol etc.
 
You have to understand that glicizide is a blood glucose lowering drug and you have been asked to try it probably because of your last set of results.
The hypos are a warning that you are continually near or around normal blood glucose levels. If this happens then have a word with your GP about your worries.
He will probably reduce the dose, as long as you are getting good results.
I would advise a low carb of maybe 100g per day, spread evenly throughout the day, this is low enough when taking the drug.
 
I'm surprised the doc suggested taking carbs (sugar) to balance the Gliclazide; a bit weird. I gather you can get 40mg of Gliclazide so the doc should surely have started with that very low dose to start with? Make sure you test with the meter for a while after a couple of hours or so to check that you aren't going hypo. I was on Gliclazide for many years and eventually on full dose 320mg with no effect which told me it was time for insulin as my beta cells were dying. If 40mg or 80mg causes low blood sugar then it tells you your beta cells are in a reasonable state. Do check your BS levels if you are driving; a DVLA requirement. BTW did the doc prescribe standard Metformin or the Slow Release version? With loose stools Slow Release should be used. There is no equivalent to Metformin and Gliclazide has a completely different mechanism. If you have excess weight then reduce the carbs, ask for Slow Release Metformin and suggest the Gliclazide may not be needed?
 
xfieldok said:
What are your numbers at the moment?
Click to expand...
Hi,
Thanks for getting back to me.
My numbers are around 9.6 moll to 10.4 moll but I retired April this year & have not had much to do apart from changing rooms around in the house & some decorating.
My numbers before retirement were usually around 6.4moll.
Squeekyboy...Steve
 
Hi there,
Thanks for you advice here.
The info with the Gliclazide say I should take biscuits & lump sugar with me if I do some gym visits incase I start to go low.
Also to eat carb food.
Does this make sence to you?
Thanks Squeekyboy...steve
 
How low is your "low carb eating?
Eating carbs in order to take medication sounds like crazy medical advice to me..
 
Derbysocks said:
I have been using it since 2006 & have had no lows on it. You should be ok unless you eat or drink thing which cause lows like excessive alcohol etc.
Click to expand...
I do have a bottle of red wine mpst weekends but my doctor said
bulkbiker said:
How low is your "low carb eating?
Eating carbs in order to take medication sounds like crazy medical advice to me..
Click to expand...
bulkbiker said:
How low is your "low carb eating?
Eating carbs in order to take medication sounds like crazy medical advice to me..
Click to expand...
Hi, I have been on 70g carbs a day.
The leaflet in the Gliclzide box stated to eat sugar & carbs if I go low, not the doctor.
 
Squeekyboy said:
Hi, I have been on 70g carbs a day.
The leaflet in the Gliclzide box stated to eat sugar & carbs if I go low, not the doctor.
Click to expand...

Exactly so if you don't want to take the meds then cut down the carbs a bit more?
Eating carbs (that you are kind of allergic too with Type 2) to allow you to take extra medication which, by the sounds of it, you don't want to seems a bit odd don't you think?
 
Yes you've hit the nail on the head here,I don't want more meds.
Lowering carbs more sounds sensible to me you may remember I'm on Metformin slow release but still visiting the loo three to four times a day so thinkingabout giving them up as I remember you doing that.
How many carbs drop do you think would do it?
Thanks
Squeekyboy...steve
 
Personally I'd go to as close to zero as you can.. Then if you want to start to build back up then you can experiment with that after getting your sugars down. Try a ketogenic approach with fewer than 20g per day.
I would guess that the 70g you are currently on hasn't been quite low enough. Maybe try skipping a meal too and doing some walking.. not too energetic but longer and slow walks.. also get you out of the house!
 
Ive been on Gliclazide for over 21 years and have been low carb eating throughout but cutting the amount of carbs when necessary to retain good control ( started off at 30-40g per meal, now closer to 40g per day) and have managed to mosrly return prediabetic / non diabetic hbA1Cs throughout from a starting BG of 28 or 29 ( last hba1C was 40)
v v low carb does not seem to suit my body - under 20g carbs a day has led to steadily rising BGs whenever Ive tried it - my liver unhelpfully seems to believe I need extra shots of glucose at that level.
The main things Ive flound with Gliclazide are 1) the need to test BG in order to guide eating 2) for me modified release Gliclazide gives a flatter BG pattern than normal release Glic does 3) stress spikes my BG bigtime ( I think my cortisol response has something of a hair trigger) Glic doesnt help me with those spikes and more regular testing and eating to my meter / fasting becomes more important
 
My thanks to you and everyone else for your imput.
I'm going to keep on with the lowering of the carbs & if that does not do the trick, I shall try other ways that some of you have mentioned. I'll try lowering to 20 carbs daily for as long as I feel it comfotable & check with my meter
to see whats happening.

Thank you all for your never ending support.
Squeekyboy...Steve
 
Good luck and if you need any help tips etc please don't hesitate...etc
 
I still take one 80g Gliclazide in the morning, normally eat about 30g carbs a day but don’t have hypos. Last 2 blood tests were 38. So quite happy with that. I haven’t really got the willpower or lifestyle to go even lower carb which I would have to to drop the gliclazide completely. Used to take 4 x 80g + 4 metformin before low carbing.
 
I was given the same after the same problem with metformin. It scared me too initially. I have been on it for about 10 months now. No problems. I carry a few jelly babies and glucose tabs but have never needed them. The blurb was scary when i read it but they do have to make you aware of possibilities. Hope this helps. ☺
 
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