Only discovered I had diabetes before Christmas, since then I feel I'm a guinea pig for whatever the dr wants to give me! Can anyone tell me why I have to take so many meds ( metformin 2x500mg daily, glidazide 80mg once daily, simvastatin, aspirin, and new one yesterday ramipril 1.25mg daily) blood pressure is fine never been high tending to the low side if anything, heart fine blah blah blah. So can anyone out there explain why I've to take all these meds because of diabetes? Please help as I'm totally confused. :?
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Medication is a hard pill to swallow
- Thread starter AllieD
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sugarless sue
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Welcome to the forum. The 'package' of Simvastatin, Aspirin and also Ramipril is offered to all diagnosed Type 2 diabetics for protection on the assumption that they will get complications such as heart disease etc from their diabetes.
It is your choice to take these drugs, the doctor can offer but there is no obligation for you to take them unless you have a pre-existing condition that warrants taking them.
The diabetic medication is to help control your diabetes and keep your blood sugar levels down. You can reduce this medication, sometimes, by controlling your diet, reducing your carb intake and portion sizes.
Some Type 2 diabetics are able to manage their blood sugar levels by diet and exercise alone but it all depends on willpower, dedication and just how damaged your Pancreas is to start will.
It is your choice to take these drugs, the doctor can offer but there is no obligation for you to take them unless you have a pre-existing condition that warrants taking them.
The diabetic medication is to help control your diabetes and keep your blood sugar levels down. You can reduce this medication, sometimes, by controlling your diet, reducing your carb intake and portion sizes.
Some Type 2 diabetics are able to manage their blood sugar levels by diet and exercise alone but it all depends on willpower, dedication and just how damaged your Pancreas is to start will.
Welcome to the pharmaceutical support club. There are opportunities to 'get off' some of these drugs, through diet, exercise and lifestyle changes/control. In all areas Diabetics are expected to have better than average levels because of the higher risks of cardiovascular disease and other complications. Use this forum to learn as much as you can, ask more questions and tell us more about your self and where you are starting from. It's a long journey and the sooner you learn the best route for you the less risk you run.
Many of these drugs can have side effects, varying from the uncomfortable to dangerous, make sure you read the product inserts and if you suspect any of the more serious ones don't hesitate to contact your Doctor.
Understanding as much as you can will help and this forum is a treasure chest of practical information, just type in a search term (try each of your tablets first for instance) and enjoy an entertaining source of knowledge.
Many of these drugs can have side effects, varying from the uncomfortable to dangerous, make sure you read the product inserts and if you suspect any of the more serious ones don't hesitate to contact your Doctor.
Understanding as much as you can will help and this forum is a treasure chest of practical information, just type in a search term (try each of your tablets first for instance) and enjoy an entertaining source of knowledge.
A little bit more of my experience...
The Metformin and Gliclazide are to reduce your glucose levels, they work in slightly different ways but you'll find a lot of information on these on the site. By reducing my carbs I did manage to drop one of my gliclizide tablets for a while, but for some reason have had to go back up to two over the last few months (putting this down to less activity during the colder weather). I hope you have been given a meter to monitor your BG levels as this will be your most important tool and friend for the fore seeable future.
I found the Ramipril had little effect, Dr kept upping the concentration and the Blood pressure stayed where it was regrdless (watch out for 'white coat syndrome). The side effects listed look nasty so I wasn't comfortable taking it, I have found that exercise, relaxation/meditation and deep breathing are just as, if not more effective and at the last check up got the Dr approval to drop them as I'd kept good levels for last two check ups without them.
Aspirin is to thin your blood and reduce possibilities of clotting, the jury is out and divided on the need and effectiveness of this. For me Aspirin had some strange effects on my stomach (Dr would not believe) It made me very constipated and I proved this by stopping and starting it several times. I have now dropped this too.
The simvastatin is to reduce your cholesterol levels. Like many people I found I could not tolerate this, it left me feeling worse than having the flu, aching muscles spinning head. Just started on Atorvastatin which so far (4 days) seems to be tollerated better, but won't know if it has reduced my levels for a few months yet.
That's the tablets and me, you may have a very different experience, the practical aspects of taking them and re-ordering them is another issue, keep organised is the only advise I can give you and I just wish I could take my own advise. Make sure you have enough for weekends, bank holidays and if you go away on holiday - it is a whole new world, take care, good luck and good health.
The Metformin and Gliclazide are to reduce your glucose levels, they work in slightly different ways but you'll find a lot of information on these on the site. By reducing my carbs I did manage to drop one of my gliclizide tablets for a while, but for some reason have had to go back up to two over the last few months (putting this down to less activity during the colder weather). I hope you have been given a meter to monitor your BG levels as this will be your most important tool and friend for the fore seeable future.
I found the Ramipril had little effect, Dr kept upping the concentration and the Blood pressure stayed where it was regrdless (watch out for 'white coat syndrome). The side effects listed look nasty so I wasn't comfortable taking it, I have found that exercise, relaxation/meditation and deep breathing are just as, if not more effective and at the last check up got the Dr approval to drop them as I'd kept good levels for last two check ups without them.
Aspirin is to thin your blood and reduce possibilities of clotting, the jury is out and divided on the need and effectiveness of this. For me Aspirin had some strange effects on my stomach (Dr would not believe) It made me very constipated and I proved this by stopping and starting it several times. I have now dropped this too.
The simvastatin is to reduce your cholesterol levels. Like many people I found I could not tolerate this, it left me feeling worse than having the flu, aching muscles spinning head. Just started on Atorvastatin which so far (4 days) seems to be tollerated better, but won't know if it has reduced my levels for a few months yet.
That's the tablets and me, you may have a very different experience, the practical aspects of taking them and re-ordering them is another issue, keep organised is the only advise I can give you and I just wish I could take my own advise. Make sure you have enough for weekends, bank holidays and if you go away on holiday - it is a whole new world, take care, good luck and good health.
phoenix
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Ramipril is an ACE inhibitor, (angiotensin converting enzyme is abbreviated as ACE),. These are often prescribed for people with diabetes, even if they haven't got high blood pressure. There is evidence that they have protective effects on the kidneys.
Sid Bonkers
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Just like to echo what Phoenix said about Ramipril.
I do or rather did have slightly high BP but was prescribed Ramipril by a cardiac consultant to "help protect my kidneys form the ravages of diabetes" was how he put it. A little dramatic perhaps but I don't have any side effects from it and if it is working to protect my kidneys from 'possible' kidney damage then I'm OK taking it
I do or rather did have slightly high BP but was prescribed Ramipril by a cardiac consultant to "help protect my kidneys form the ravages of diabetes" was how he put it. A little dramatic perhaps but I don't have any side effects from it and if it is working to protect my kidneys from 'possible' kidney damage then I'm OK taking it
suffolkboi61
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I was put on ramipril March 2008 after my heart attack and diagnosis of heart disease and (touches wood) have not had any problems with it nor any of my medications.
Then again being an ex soldier my stomache can just about take anything I throw down into it :lol:
Then again being an ex soldier my stomache can just about take anything I throw down into it :lol:
