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Gliclazide - quick question re metallic taste

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lottiep

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Hi! I have Type 1 diabetes diagnosed last year, am currently on 2g metformin and recently had Gliclazide added. Ever since I started taking it I have had a really strong metallic taste in my mouth which I can't get rid of and it's actually making all food and drinks taste revolting. Has this happened to anyone else? Waiting to see consultant as taking it hasn't made any difference to my bloods which are still high. Any info or advice appreciated. Thanks
 
Hi. The metallic taste will be the Metformin. It is a fairly common side effect which for me lasted 6 months. It will gradually go but it does seem strange at first. Metformin does reduce your appetite and this is one aspect of it! Have you been diagnosed as late onset T1 i.e. a LADA? As a LADA which I suspect you are (not being T1 in your early years), tablets will only work initially and sadly will probably fail to control your blood sugar adequately. I'm afraid with LADA you do need to go on to insulin fairly quickly which I'm sure your consultant will explain. In the meantime do have a low-carb diet to minmise your sugars and obtain a meter to check your sugars if you haven't already got one. If your sugars go well into double figures before you see the consultant be prepared to check for ketones at your surgery or A&E etc; hopefully it won't be necessary.
 
Hi there, was diagnosed June 2011 type 2, then it was type 1, I was put on metformin immediately. Bloods stabilised then started to increase so I was put on 4 units of insulin every morning and evening with the metformin. Early this year they then told me all my results were normal and when I asked if I did in fact have diabetes at all was told by the consultant he would put it in writing!!! A few weeks later my GP contacted me and told me he'd discussed my case with an expert and I was diagnosed with a rare form that meant that the antibodies were present in my pancreas but inactive, that I was Type 1 and that it was unlikely to become active anytime soon if ever! In September my bloods started rising hitting 30 some days so the metformin was doubled, when that didn't appear to do anything significant the Gliclazide was added but again it has not done a great deal. Bloods range from 11-20+ haven't hit 30 again though. Seeing consultant in December but this metallic taste is foul. Weight has been falling off me as I simply have no appetite what so ever but it's also leaving me with no energy. I also have epilepsy which has never been properly controlled and am popping pills like you wouldn't believe! I just wish someone would make a diagnosis and stick to it, the constant changing of minds just keeps ringing alarm bells - 22 years on and I'm still waiting for my epilepsy to be sorted, don't think I can face the same happening with the diabetes!! Thanks for the advice x
 
Hi. I've not heard of inactive antibodies, but it appears they have become active now? You are showing all the signs of LADA and with your current blood sugar levels my personal (unqualified) view is that insulin must be round the corner. Metformin only ever reduces sugars by 1-2 mmol and does nothing to increase insulin production. Gliclazide can only prod pancreatic cells that still exist. Weight loss is a sign of inadequate insulin production. Whatever the diabetes diagnosis the only thing that will reduce your blood sugar levels if tablets fail is insulin. Do keep an eye out for possible ketones and let's hope the consultant prescribes the right treatment even if the diagnosis remains unclear.
 
Hey Lottiep!

Daibell is right, you seem to have LADA and that is a progressive condition. You will need insulin.

The weight loss is because your body is unable to use its energy due to lack of insulin. You really need to get back to a consultant as soon as possible as this could become very serious very quickly.

Go back to your doctor and tell them that you need to be tested for ketones. If ketones are present, your BG is high and you are losing weight you need to start insulin immediately. I know it's hard, but you need to go and make a fuss - it seems that the tablets you are on are doing little good and you will become ill if this doesn't get sorted out quickly.

Ask for a c-peptide test - this shows how much insulin you are producing. It should let them know if you have enough insulin or whether you need to start injections immediately.

Take care

Smidge
 
Hi guys, thanks for your advice!! Seeing the consultant on the 13th December and thanks to you guys can at least go armed with questions and demands!! Unfortunately my consultant is verging on incompetent - from my experience anyway - so it feels good to be able to see him armed with facts and be able to fight my corner so to speak! One other question: if I do start on the insulin will I continue on the metformin? Do the two come together or will I come off the metformin? Many would view it very strange I know but given the number of pills I take every day to be able to stop pumping quite so many drugs into me in exchange for insulin for me would be a relief - possibly an unrealistic view of insulin I know but I'm getting to the point where I'm struggling to swallow the pills there are so many!! Where's the pause button??
Thanks again
Lottiep
 
Hi. I think I'm right in saying that Metformin is often continued with insulin. It does control glucose release by the liver in the background and reduces appetite. It doesn't have much effect on blood sugar but overall is a harmless drug with some positive points.
 
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