injectable medication (not insulin)

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goldfish_21

Active Member
Messages
39
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi,

I am due to have a review at the diabetic clininc on friday, and last time I was there the doctor added Glimepiride to my Metaformin and advised me that if that didnt work to keep my numbers low then he wanted to start me on injectable medication, and possibly tablets to protect my kidneys.

My initial reaction was to be horrified and kind of saw it more as a threat of what would happen if I didn't behave, so I didn't ask any more questions. All I really know is that he wasn't talking about insulin.

Having low-ish carbed for a while now, my numbers are coming down, but are not ideal, and I now really need to start preparing myself for what may happen next. I think I've got my head round the idea that changing the meds is not a punishment, just the next step in trying to find a treatment plan that suits me and my diabetes, and I have some books which cover the various types of medication which I can look at, and obviously the internet, but was hoping that there may be people on here who could give me some advice/insights about what may happen etc

Vicky
 
C

catherinecherub

Guest
Hi,

The non insulin injectable drugs you are referring to are Victoza and Byetta. Several members here use them and there is a thread about both of them here.
viewforum.php?f=26

With regards to kidney protection, you are usually prescribed a Blood Pressure
Medication, something like Ramipril.

You are doing the best that you can and that is all that can be asked of you so don't think that it is your fault.

Is there anything that we can help you with diet wise? There is plenty of information here that may help.

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17088

I am sure that others will add to your topic.

Take care.

CC.
 
S

Snodger

Well-Known Member
Messages
787
goldfish_21 said:
I think I've got my head round the idea that changing the meds is not a punishment, just the next step in trying to find a treatment plan that suits me and my diabetes
Click to expand...
I'm on insulin so don't have personal experience to help you with the other meds, but I just wanted to endorse what you say above - it's the right way to think about it. If you broke your leg and the doc put you in plaster, you wouldn't think 'this is punishment' you'd think 'this is helping me get better'.
Also... speaking as someone who has injected for over 20 years now... don't be scared of it, and good luck.
 
B

bowell

Well-Known Member
Messages
945
Dislikes
Tablets, Mums with pushchair who push in ,Bus and WC
There are other tablets to try before you move onto Victoza and Byetta.

My GP is doing his best to keep me off Insulin as long as poss (i have black outs)
I have been put on Januvia now together with my existing Metformin and Glicazide
Januvia seems to be working fine for me

Told my next steps would be Byetta or Victoza then Insulin

Ask is there anything else you can try FIRST
You are meant to be involved with your treatment

Bob
 
G

goldfish_21

Active Member
Messages
39
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Thanks for your replies. I prepared myself by reading up on Victoza and Byetta (thanks Catherine), and was ready to push for a discussion of other options (thanks Bob), whilst accepting that if I need injectable medication it's not the end of the world, or any reflection on me (thanks Snodger).

However, when I got to my appointment, my HBA1C had improved so much that they've done a complete U turn, no longer want to move me onto injections, they're happy to let me carry on as I am as they can see I'm getting things well under control, no longer want to start the meds for blood pressure and kidneys as blood pressure is good again (having been high recently), they're impressed that I've managed to lose half a stone since I last saw them in March, despite being put onto 4mg of glimepiride at that point (added to 2g daily of metaformin), which they expected would cause weight gain, and I have actually been discharged from the specialist diabetic consultants into the care of the GP, to be re-referred if (when) necessary when things change in the future. Needless to say I am a happy bunny.

HBA1C 12/11/10 12.8 (at diagnosis)
9/3/11 9.3
2/8/11 6.8 (4 months after discovering this site and all the useful info/advice & support).

Everything seems to be moving in the right direction :)

Vicky
 
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