Low-carb and Glicazide

[Fibreholic]

I'm type 2, have been for 15 yrs or so. From 'diet and exercise' only through to 2x 500 g Metformin twice a day, and 1x Glicazide MR daily, my glucose levels have got higher.
I'm nearly 70, have a lot of arthritis,(had 2 new hips), and very breathless. Exercise is now a problem...or rather, lack of...is the problem.
Since starting the Glicazide at the beginning of the year, I have gained 9lbs. Most of this is sitting round my waistline. Many years ago I lost two stone with the A***** diet, but took so much flak from my family, I stopped it.
My question relates to the effect that lo-carbing may have on the working of Metformin and Glicazide...Is there any effect.?

I ask because often, especially at breakfast time, I find I am taking a meal that I don't want, simply so as not to take the drugs on an empty stomach.
I am ready to go the lo-carb route again...it seems it is that or stop taking the tablets...I cannot go on gaining weight at this rate.
I would be very grateful for comments and / or advice

 

[Dennis]

Hi Fibreholic and welcome to the forum.

The first thing I would say is don't give up on breakfast. During the night your body reacts to the lack of food intake by creating glucose. This enters the blood stream as blood sugar, so raises your blood sugar levels. The only way this can be stopped is by eating something. If you were to not eat until lumchtime, by then your BS level would be pretty high.

There has been a huge amount of flak thrown at the Atkins diet over the years, most of it fuelled by bodies who have a vested interest in keeping you eating their high carbohydrate products! Whilst I believe that all diabetics benefit from a reduction in carbs, I personally don't think Atkins is particularly suitable for a diabetic because it discourages fruit and veg as well as the starchy carbs. We certainly don't need the starchy carbs (bread, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes) because these give us nothing except high blood sugar levels, but fruit and vegetables are a rich source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. It is possible to reduce weight by carb reduction, without going to the extremes of Atkins, as many forum members have demonstrated.

The only implications I am aware of on metformin and gliclazide are that by losing weight you will reduce insulin resistance, which is what the metformin is primarily for, and by reducing your carb intake you will also lower your blood sugar so may need a smaller dose of gliclazide.

Hope that helps but please fire away if you have any more questions.

 

[Patch]

Just got this from Wikipedia:

Control of hyperglycemia in gliclazide responsive diabetes mellitus of stable, mild, non-ketosis prone, maturity onset or adult type which cannot be controlled by proper dietary management and exercise, or when insulin therapy is not appropriate.

Does this indicate that gliclazide might not be suitable for lo-carbers?

 

[cugila]

Just got this from Wikipedia:

Control of hyperglycemia in gliclazide responsive diabetes mellitus of stable, mild, non-ketosis prone, maturity onset or adult type which cannot be controlled by proper dietary management and exercise, or when insulin therapy is not appropriate.

Does this indicate that gliclazide might not be suitable for lo-carbers?

Patch. Might indicate it ? I've been on it for years and I lo-carb with no prob's.

Wikipedia - that, I wouldn't put too much faith in. :lol:

My research and the BNF shows the contra indication relates to: Sulphonylureas are contra-indicated in the presence of ketoacidosis which is not he same thing.

Ken.

 

[Patch]

Thanks cugila - I'm aware of the difference between Ketosis and ketoacidocis. I just wish the people writing these things were...

Cheers!