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Gliclazide

kazlincs

kazlincs

Well-Known Member
Hi, I've just started on Gliclazide, and on the first day my sugar went down to 3.6 where I had jelly legs and my hands were shaky. It happened the same again today.
Is anyone else on the same drug? What's your 'number' where you feel the first effects of a hypo? What do you drink or eat to get it back up quickly? X






L
 
kazlincs said:
Hi, I've just started on Gliclazide, and on the first day my sugar went down to 3.6 where I had jelly legs and my hands were shaky. It happened the same again today.
Is anyone else on the same drug? What's your 'number' where you feel the first effects of a hypo? What do you drink or eat to get it back up quickly? X






L
Click to expand...
Hi , it is the strangest feeling!!! For me the ‘number’ at which I feel it depends on how fast I am falling, but generally I feel it when I drop below 3.9. I set my Libre alarm at 4.5 and if I alarm I check my arrow and if it is falling sharply, then I will drink 150mls of orange juice or eat 2 jelly babies To prevent a hypo. This seems to work for me but it does take some experimentation to avoid post hypo spiking! If you have just started on Gliclazide and are finding the hypos are frequent or difficult to manage, speak to your Diabetic nurse to see if your dose needs adjusting.
 
Hi, thanks for replying
Is your libre alarm a constant glucose monitor? I'm not even sure our surgery has a proper diabetic nurse! I think they just know the basics tbh.
How would I go about getting a CGM?
Also do you drive? I'm not sure whether I have to inform DVLA and my insurers..
Thank you for your help
 
kazlincs said:
Hi, thanks for replying
Is your libre alarm a constant glucose monitor? I'm not even sure our surgery has a proper diabetic nurse! I think they just know the basics tbh.
How would I go about getting a CGM?
Also do you drive? I'm not sure whether I have to inform DVLA and my insurers..
Thank you for your help
Click to expand...
I think you need to inform insurers, but it should not affect your cover or the premium. Mine have been fine.
I do not think you need to notify DVLA, but you must report any hypo events where you needed assistance from others. You also need to follow their guidelines for diabetic drivers. If you have a bgl meter then taking a reading showing level above 5mmol/l before driving will help if you have an accident since it can be used in court as evidence you were within guidance limits. Meter memories were designed with this in mind. But it is not mandatory on us to use it, but its a bakup.
www.gov.uk

Diabetes and driving

You may need to tell DVLA if you have diabetes, depending on the treatment you're getting
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
It sounds like your glic dose is higher than you need. I was on max dose 8 years ago, and it did nothing for my glucose levels as I was highly Insulin Resistant. I changed my diet and found I had to reduce the dose right down as my fasting levels dropped. So yes, it can cause hypo's.

I am still on a holding dose even today, because it suits me and allows me to be more relaxed about my diet. I have only had one hypo in the last 3 or 4 years, and that was because I drank alcohol to excess. Booze amplifies the effect of Glic it seems. Glic affects alcohol similarly. I like Glic, its my friend. Hic.
 
Oldvatr said:
I think you need to inform insurers, but it should not affect your cover or the premium. Mine have been fine.
I do not think you need to notify DVLA, but you must report any hypo events where you needed assistance from others. You also need to follow their guidelines for diabetic drivers. If you have a bgl meter then taking a reading showing level above 5mmol/l before driving will help if you have an accident since it can be used in court as evidence you were within guidance limits. Meter memories were designed with this in mind. But it is not mandatory on us to use it, but its a bakup.
www.gov.uk

Diabetes and driving

You may need to tell DVLA if you have diabetes, depending on the treatment you're getting
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Click to expand...
I do have a monitor, that I take everywhere with me. I ride a motorbike as well as a car, that's the biggest worry, so I'll make sure I test before I go on any ride outs. I keep a flapjack and a chocolate bar in my bag too. I'm sure my doc said I'm on the lowest dose. Thanks very much for the info
 
Oldvatr said:
It sounds like your glic dose is higher than you need. I was on max dose 8 years ago, and it did nothing for my glucose levels as I was highly Insulin Resistant. I changed my diet and found I had to reduce the dose right down as my fasting levels dropped. So yes, it can cause hypo's.

I am still on a holding dose even today, because it suits me and allows me to be more relaxed about my diet. I have only had one hypo in the last 3 or 4 years, and that was because I drank alcohol to excess. Booze amplifies the effect of Glic it seems. Glic affects alcohol similarly. I like Glic, its my friend. Hic.
Click to expand...
I have a tot of rum on an evening, and rarely go out for drinks, but I will be having a few in 2 weeks, as it's my birthday
As for these meds im sure the doc said I'm on the lowest dose. So far it's only happened at work, I'm on the move but not overly much, so I'll make sure I have something to eat before I go.
Thanks for the reply
 
kazlincs said:
I have a tot of rum on an evening, and rarely go out for drinks, but I will be having a few in 2 weeks, as it's my birthday
As for these meds im sure the doc said I'm on the lowest dose. So far it's only happened at work, I'm on the move but not overly much, so I'll make sure I have something to eat before I go.
Thanks for the reply
Click to expand...
I thought I was now on minimum dose of 40mg tab per day, but I have seen someone reporting they are on 20mg, so must be pill splitting since I think 40mg is the smallest pill. My recent hypo was on the 40 mg dose, and normally I find the one tab will drop my bgl by up to 3 mmol.l without alcohol boost, but can be by 5 mmol drop with a finger of whiskey boost.
 
I would say flapjacks and chocolate bars aren’t the best thing to bring your blood sugar up fast as the fat slows down the absorption of the sugar. I carry fruit pastilles which work for me. Other people use jelly babies, or orange juice. Then follow up with a small carby snack to keep it up.
 
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