Is confusion after taking Empagliflozin normal?

[Beelady]

I had an appointment at the Endochrine clinic and was seen by both a coronorary and a diabetes specialist and a pharmacist to discuss my medication. The conclusion was that I should start taking Empagliflozin. Just a very small dose of 10mg/day. They noted that I had been on the drug before and stopped taking it but no record of why.
I had to go to the hearing aid clinic at St James hospital and drove down there, parked up in the multistorey CP and then spent the rest of the day seeking out the audiology clinic. Eventually found where it used to be and told all had been moved to LGI. Got back to CP and couldn't find my car. A very kind young man offered to help me. I was absolutely adamant that I'd parked on Level 1. Are you certain? Yes, I distinctly remember seeing the large L1 sign on the lift shaft wall. Absolutely certain about that! He did a bit of running around and came back to me with a photo of my car on Level 2. I was very shocked that my brain was so confused.
It then came back to me that the reason I came off the drug a few years earlier was due to a similar type of episode. My husband and I had been for a dental inspection and a couple of hours later he was trying to discuss the future treatment plan with me. I had no recollection of seeing the dentist whasoever. I was adamant that I had not been to the dentist at all. My husband was very worried by my irrational behaviour. I kept asking him 'Are you sure I've been to the dentist?'
I feel that this horribly frightening confused state of mind must have been brought on by the medication and I have stopped taking it until I can discuss it with the consultant.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

I had an appointment at the Endochrine clinic and was seen by both a coronorary and a diabetes specialist and a pharmacist to discuss my medication. The conclusion was that I should start taking Empagliflozin. Just a very small dose of 10mg/day. They noted that I had been on the drug before and stopped taking it but no record of why.
I had to go to the hearing aid clinic at St James hospital and drove down there, parked up in the multistorey CP and then spent the rest of the day seeking out the audiology clinic. Eventually found where it used to be and told all had been moved to LGI. Got back to CP and couldn't find my car. A very kind young man offered to help me. I was absolutely adamant that I'd parked on Level 1. Are you certain? Yes, I distinctly remember seeing the large L1 sign on the lift shaft wall. Absolutely certain about that! He did a bit of running around and came back to me with a photo of my car on Level 2. I was very shocked that my brain was so confused.
It then came back to me that the reason I came off the drug a few years earlier was due to a similar type of episode. My husband and I had been for a dental inspection and a couple of hours later he was trying to discuss the future treatment plan with me. I had no recollection of seeing the dentist whasoever. I was adamant that I had not been to the dentist at all. My husband was very worried by my irrational behaviour. I kept asking him 'Are you sure I've been to the dentist?'
I feel that this horribly frightening confused state of mind must have been brought on by the medication and I have stopped taking it until I can discuss it with the consultant.

Never had it, but "confusion" is one of the listed side effects...

 

[Rokaab]

Is it possible that you were having a hypo (low blood sugar) - I know one of the things I get with hypos is confusion and if its gets really low then my memory just doesn't exist for that time period.

Have you been given a test meter to check your blood sugar levels, especially before driving as I think that medication can cause hypos (I may be wrong)

 

[Beelady]

Is it possible that you were having a hypo (low blood sugar) - I know one of the things I get with hypos is confusion and if its gets really low then my memory just doesn't exist for that time period.

Have you been given a test meter to check your blood sugar levels, especially before driving as I think that medication can cause hypos (I may be wrong)

I usually take my test kit with me when I drive but went out in a bit of a rush and didn't have it with me. I've been told to keep to min 5mmols/l and test every two hours when I'm out driving. My FBG was 11.2 at the start of my day but I didn't check it again that day. The Dr did warn me that there is 'a very small risk of going into ketoacidosis on this drug.' I do know that I was incredibly stressed that day due to the inaccurate information put online by the trust being completely wrong.
I'm currently trying to contact the clinic that prescribed the drug to discuss the situation.
Thank you for your reply.

 

[Beelady]

Never had it, but "confusion" is one of the listed side effects...

Thank you for your reply. I found the whole experience utterly terrifying. I know we can all be forgetful at times, but this experience was in a totally different league!

 

[ickihun]

Hi @Beelady. I took a version of this tablet and gave me horrendous thrush but some have experienced a water infection. Please put in a water sample into your GP reception so it can be ruled out. Hope whatever the conclusion it is resolved quickly for you. This tablet is linked to how the kidneys process our fluids. Hence sugary excretion can inflame an existing symptom in the exiting water system.
It sounds like you are looking for something to assist you reducing your higher bgs. Have you tried a lower carb diet? Some use that diet to keep those higher bgs lower and some can stop their existing medications in it's place.
Keep us updated in your findings if you like because others can use your experience in their favour