I was diagnosed almost 3 weeks ago and put on Gliclazide 80g for the first 2 weeks - 1 breakfast and 1 dinner. I was told I didn't need to check my blood sugar but after reading comments on the site I decided for my own self management this was the way to go so I purchase one online. On Tuesday I was taken off the Gliclazide and put on to metformin 850mg and told to take one with breakfast for two weeks and then introduce a second one with my evening meal. On Wednesday I began to experience dizzy spells. I've checked by levels 2 hours after lunchtime and evening meals and it's down to 4.9. Concerned that if I introduce a second tablet my levels will be too low. Can anyone offer any advice?
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meds and bs readings
- Thread starter JRF
- Start Date
DavidGrahamJones
Well-Known Member
Nobody will be able to offer advice, that's really for a medically qualified person like your doctor.
However, when looking at the way the different drugs work, Gliclazide works mainly by stimulating the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin to produce more insulin. They are usually used when dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss are not enough. Metformin is often the first medication to be prescribed.
It is my opinion that to tell someone not to use a meter when they've prescribed Gliclazide is irresponsible. There are strict rules issued by the DVLA to insulin dependent diabetics and although the rules may not apply to you, the fact that Gliclazide can lead to a hypo really dictates that you have to be careful.
Metformin works differently, it makes the release of glucose from the liver lessen, resulting in lower blood sugars. It also increases your sensitivity to insulin and decreasing the amount of glucose that is absorbed from the food you eat. I personally take 1000mg twice a day so 2 850mg isn't far off that. It's brilliant that you have you meter because you can tell exactly what's happening after your meals. Maybe your GP is telepathic but that really is poor advice.
I think the only answer is that by checking your BG as you have done and you are able to confirm that your BG is within what diabetes.co.uk have on their website (https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html), it's up to you but at some point you should consult your GP, just to let him know that you're aware of your condition and are not going to "just take the tablets".
Stay well.
Another thought, as with all newly diagnosed type II diabetics, doctors prescribe without the full facts. There are two things at play, how much insulin the pancreas produces and how insulin resistant is your body. See if you can get a c-peptide test (how much insulin the pancreas produces) and an insulin resistance test. I've paid for mine quite recently and the information is useful. Your GP will almost certainly have other ideas.
However, when looking at the way the different drugs work, Gliclazide works mainly by stimulating the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin to produce more insulin. They are usually used when dietary changes, exercise, and weight loss are not enough. Metformin is often the first medication to be prescribed.
It is my opinion that to tell someone not to use a meter when they've prescribed Gliclazide is irresponsible. There are strict rules issued by the DVLA to insulin dependent diabetics and although the rules may not apply to you, the fact that Gliclazide can lead to a hypo really dictates that you have to be careful.
Metformin works differently, it makes the release of glucose from the liver lessen, resulting in lower blood sugars. It also increases your sensitivity to insulin and decreasing the amount of glucose that is absorbed from the food you eat. I personally take 1000mg twice a day so 2 850mg isn't far off that. It's brilliant that you have you meter because you can tell exactly what's happening after your meals. Maybe your GP is telepathic but that really is poor advice.
I think the only answer is that by checking your BG as you have done and you are able to confirm that your BG is within what diabetes.co.uk have on their website (https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/blood-sugar-level-ranges.html), it's up to you but at some point you should consult your GP, just to let him know that you're aware of your condition and are not going to "just take the tablets".
Stay well.
Another thought, as with all newly diagnosed type II diabetics, doctors prescribe without the full facts. There are two things at play, how much insulin the pancreas produces and how insulin resistant is your body. See if you can get a c-peptide test (how much insulin the pancreas produces) and an insulin resistance test. I've paid for mine quite recently and the information is useful. Your GP will almost certainly have other ideas.
Thank you. To be honest it's all very overpowering at the moment. when I knew something wasn't right 3 weeks ago I went to the pharmacy as it was the weekend and he took my bs and advised to get an appointment on the Monday. When I called the surgery to explain they said I didn't need to see my gp and gave me one for the next day to see the diabetic nurse. Not sure if this is normal procedure or not. My second appointment with her was when she gave me the metformin. I tried to show her the readings I had taken for the two weeks but she wasn't interested.
DavidGrahamJones
Well-Known Member
Try not to worry too much, there's a lot to take on board, there's some info available written by a forum member which I expect will be posted when they read your message. At least you have come to a good place. We are mostly in the same boat, most having similar experiences although not all. You get the benefit of everyone's experiences.
Sadly the whole issue is very hit and miss, one gets the impression that the response you get depends very much on where you live and even then, what sort of GP's practice you go to. You did better than me 20 years ago, diagnosis was the result of an insurance medical, after years of telling my GP I was always thirsty. Even with the diagnosis my GP would not prescribe any medication, just a "eat sensibly", a joke really as I didn't eat cake, chocolate, sweets in fact anything with sugar in . . . . . except the odd beer and had been following the low fat idea since my wife said I had to in 1989. My referral to an endocrinologist took 5 months.
Should really have been her first prescription but never mind, you have metformin now. Gliclazide as I mentioned earlier helps the pancreas make more insulin. There is a tendency for people to gain weight without eating more, I gained 10 kgs, no problem, didn't eat more or exercise less, it will affect different people in different way though.
That's just bl00dy rude, even if she wasn't interested she could have at least had a look. Probably a good idea to keep all your results because at some time in the future you may get to see somebody who will want to know. I think her treatment has been rather blasé.
What most people on this forum do is adjust their eating habits by cutting out carbs to one degree or another. I cut out bread/pasta/rice/potato (except for treats) and threw away 2 diabetic medications and a statin. No brainer, I've continued for the best part of 4 years with excellent results.
Keep a stout heart, don't let the b@$t@rd$ grind you down.
Johnjoe13
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 398
- Location
- England - United Kingdom
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Hi and welcome @JRF I would agree with what you have been told that only a medically qualified person can give you advice. Your BG must have been very high for the Doc to put you straight on Gliclazide which as mentioned can in certain circumstances cause a hypo, and yes I think the Doc should have given you better advice and a meter. As for the Metformin, like @DavidGrahamJones has said this drug operates differently but from what I have read it is very rare for it to reduce BG so low as to cause a hypo.
If I were you i'd immerse yourself in this site where you will learn a lot about this disease and the best way to cope with it in terms of your diet, this is the best way to complement you medication. From my experience diet is the key and especially a low carb one. Finally try not to worry as there are lots of people here who can give you the benefit of their experience
If I were you i'd immerse yourself in this site where you will learn a lot about this disease and the best way to cope with it in terms of your diet, this is the best way to complement you medication. From my experience diet is the key and especially a low carb one. Finally try not to worry as there are lots of people here who can give you the benefit of their experience
DavidGrahamJones
Well-Known Member
I'm hoping I didn't imply that Metformin might cause a hypo, as you say, because of the way it works it's rare to hypo. Gliclazide on the other hand is a different matter. Many years ago I stupidly took some before breakfast expecting 2 rounds of toast, bread was stale (we did't eat much bread anyway) so no breakfast. Not good, very definitely felt like a hypo and technically as BG was about 4 not exactly, still felt like rubbish.
