Hi
@mikemelhuish & welcome to the forum
Even though you have to report certain medication to the DVLA, driving with high numbers can be just as dangerous for you & of course other road users as for a T2 this can make you very sleepy and tired. When I was first diagnosed and had an average of 11 I could sleep standing up, and avoided using the bus because as soon as it moved I would nod off.
Of course we can’t tell you what to do or whether to take your prescribed medication or not but please consider talking to your HCP again to see if there is any other meds that would be more suitable for you as a HGV driver if your not going to take the Gliclizide
Of course there is the other added jeopardy that if you continue with the high numbers you have, you run a high risk of developing damage from those high numbers like retinopathy, neuropathy, kidney damage, liver damage to name a few which could also end your career early.
You say you have had a complete lifestyle change, can you elaborate more on that? What are you eating etc, a lot of T2 on the forum manage to keep there BG in range with a low carb or keto diet, either on its own or with minimal meds that don’t cause hypos. It may be with tweaks to your diet you can maybe reduce the need for Gliclizide etc