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Meds no longer working as well - What are my options?

A

Andydragon

Well-Known Member
Retired Moderator
Messages
3,323
Location
Gloucester
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I have been a type 2 diabetic for a good 15 years now. I know I am not the best at looking after my food but my levels have usually been good (under 7%)

however recently my levels have increased with my last hbA1c being 78 (9.3%)

I’m on 2000mg metformin MR and weekly bydureon. So at the maximum of those. I was given dapagliflozin but had some side effects (rapid weight loss and thrush) and the dr advised I came off it. The Mir was prescribed without a lot of advice on what it would mean or how to manage the side effects

so what could be next? Given corona virus I am tempted to ask to start the drug again and risk the side effects just to get my levels down. Is this wise or are there alternatives or is insulin the next step?

I have a phone appointment with diabetic specialist doctor on Wednesday but have found being prepared is always good
 
Do you know how much carbohydrate you are eating on a daily basis?
If you aren't eating a low carb diet then you might not need to increase medication if you cut back.
If you are eating low carb then medication might be required if you can no longer do without it.
Does your prescriber show any interest in your diet?
 
Resurgam said:
Do you know how much carbohydrate you are eating on a daily basis?
If you aren't eating a low carb diet then you might not need to increase medication if you cut back.
If you are eating low carb then medication might be required if you can no longer do without it.
Does your prescriber show any interest in your diet?
Click to expand...
I honestly don’t know but that’s a very good point. I was supposed to make an outpatient appointment to discuss diet (I know significantly too late) but now corona has hit that’s not going to happen for the foreseeable. None of my previous doctors have ever shown an interest in diet, I guess as my levels were so good on just the meds I was on
 
Andydragon said:
I honestly don’t know but that’s a very good point. I was supposed to make an outpatient appointment to discuss diet (I know significantly too late) but now corona has hit that’s not going to happen for the foreseeable. None of my previous doctors have ever shown an interest in diet, I guess as my levels were so good on just the meds I was on
Click to expand...
https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html <-- here's my basic quick-start-guide about a low carb diet. (Practically all carbs turn to glucose once ingested, so cutting them can and will bring your blood sugars down.) I'm not familiar with all your medication so if any of them can cause hypo's, do be careful and test often if you go that route. And you might want to read Dr. Jason Fung's the Diabetes Code, or watch his yourube video's, check dietdoctor.com and this forum's website, diabetes.co.uk (not .org!) for more info.

Good luck!
Jo
 
Andydragon said:
I honestly don’t know...
Click to expand...

If you don’t cut carbohydrate consumption such that you are ingesting significantly less glucose than your body is capable of using, then your diabetes will continue to get worse. Irrespective of what any medications may appear to be doing to your blood. Ideally you first need to know how much insulin your pancreas is producing before forming a plan of attack, but asking a GP to order endogenous insulin tests often gets you a look like a dog tilting its head sideways.

In your shoes I would try low-carb/keto before doing anything else, but be mindful that some meds may present a serious danger if combined with that way of eating without vigilant blood monitoring.
 
I am in the same position so would appreciate any advise. I am Type 2 and have been doe 16 years, my meds have gradually increased to the maximum I can take. My doctor has now advised that I start on insulin.
Is this life changing?
How will effect my life?
 
I have the doctor this afternoon calling. With the current issues in the country and all of the shops emptying of food I am not sure how to address the diet.

Right now I'm not sure what he will advise. I want my bloods down to be best prepared if I get covid-19, if it means side effects temporarily then I'll take them to be fair

I am also interested what moving to insulin would mean. It's not ideal I am sure as the nurse has tried every alternative so there must be a reason but the world is not ideal and want to understand
 
Pippadoo said:
I am in the same position so would appreciate any advise. I am Type 2 and have been doe 16 years, my meds have gradually increased to the maximum I can take. My doctor has now advised that I start on insulin.
Is this life changing?
How will effect my life?
Click to expand...

May I suggest you buy and read Jason Fung's seminal book The Diabetes Code as mentioned up thread by @JoKalsbeek? That is very likely to be life changing for someone in your position :smug:

@Andydragon you may also wish to read the above book. It saved my life.
 
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