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New medication

Saorlan

Saorlan

Member
Messages
7
Location
scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
hi, I’ve been using metformin for about 6years and because of side effects and the fact that my blood sugar levels were rising my go has put me on glipizide. I’m nervous about taking it because of the seemingly high risk of hypos and would like to hear what other people’s experience is. I’ve never tested my blood sugar but have been told I should start. Also, is there really a risk of weight gain? I’m feeling out of my depth and anxious about how to manage my diabetes and keep weight down....thanks in advance....
 
Saorlan said:
hi, I’ve been using metformin for about 6years and because of side effects and the fact that my blood sugar levels were rising my go has put me on glipizide. I’m nervous about taking it because of the seemingly high risk of hypos and would like to hear what other people’s experience is. I’ve never tested my blood sugar but have been told I should start. Also, is there really a risk of weight gain? I’m feeling out of my depth and anxious about how to manage my diabetes and keep weight down....thanks in advance....
Click to expand...

What helped me most was testing. I test before I eat and then again 2 hours after I eat this shows me the effect on my blood glucose level (bgl) of the food that I eat. Once I had that information I could make an informed decision about what to eat.

The idea is to not have a rise of more than 2 after eating. If you weren't testing before then how were you supposed to know that your blood glucose levels were rising.

I found that controlling my bgl meant that I also lost weight. HOWEVER you are now on Glicizide and you can have hypo's because of the way that it works so you need to get advice from your gp or nurse. Also from someone on here who knows about taking Glic. @Boo1979 I hope that you don't mind my tagging you in but I thought that you'd be able to help.

Glic is a bit of a game changer and you do have to be careful about any diet changes.

Edited to add re the last sentence what I mean is if someone isn't taking any meds or is on Metformin they are unlikely to have hypo's due to diet change. Also to tag in @daisy1
 
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I've just seen that there is a new thread on here about taking Glic.
Help please .. Advice re Gliclazide is it's title.
 
I have been on Glic for over 20 years as diet alone does not produce good enough control. I agree with the approach suggested by @woodywhippet61 of using testing to see the effect of various foods on your sugars - in my experience, that information has allowed me to keep my medication dose as low as possible and stable by using the info to modify my diet as the responses change
Gliclizide can put your sugars too low so you need to be testing your blood sugars, particularly before bed and before driving. Ive had a few hypos in my time but nothing that I havnt been able to sort out and familiarity with the drug has meant I now rarely have any hypos as I know what effect different meals / activities etc have
If you are in the UK, then because Glic can put sugars low, you should be prescribed blood glucose testing strips and a meter by your GP - quote NICE guidance if you have any problems
Gliclizide modified release is less likely to cause hypos than ordinary Gliclizide so get that if you can
Regrding weight gain - some people gain a few pounds, some dont - I havnt seen any weight gain that can be related to Gliclizide - my personal theory is that keeping the dose of Gliclizide as low as necessary to produce acceptable blood sugars and combining it with dietary intervention Is the best way to avoid significant weight gain and diabetes progression
 
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Saorlan said:
hi, I’ve been using metformin for about 6years and because of side effects and the fact that my blood sugar levels were rising my go has put me on glipizide. I’m nervous about taking it because of the seemingly high risk of hypos and would like to hear what other people’s experience is. I’ve never tested my blood sugar but have been told I should start. Also, is there really a risk of weight gain? I’m feeling out of my depth and anxious about how to manage my diabetes and keep weight down....thanks in advance....
Click to expand...
A whole lot of us are controlling by diet rather than medication.
Have you considered trying cutting your carbohydrate consumption?
Personally that helped me loose weight and bring my HbA1c to “normal” levels.
Do you mind sharing your last HbA1c level?
 
Hi. Glipizide is in the same drug group as Gliclazide i.e. the Sulfonylureas so similar info applies to both. They are best used when your pancreas is suspected of having failing insulin output as they stimulate the pancreas to produce more. They will only cause weight gain if you have too many carbs and also if your pancreas isn't too far gone that it still doesn't produce enough insulin. You must test your blood sugar as there is a risk of a hypo until you get the dose right. Note that sometimes I see Glic prescribed for T2s with a lot of excess weight and in those cases it may just be adding more insulin to an insulin overloaded body?
 
woodywhippet61 said:
What helped me most was testing. I test before I eat and then again 2 hours after I eat this shows me the effect on my blood glucose level (bgl) of the food that I eat. Once I had that information I could make an informed decision about what to eat.

The idea is to not have a rise of more than 2 after eating. If you weren't testing before then how were you supposed to know that your blood glucose levels were rising.

I found that controlling my bgl meant that I also lost weight. HOWEVER you are now on Glicizide and you can have hypo's because of the way that it works so you need to get advice from your gp or nurse. Also from someone on here who knows about taking Glic. @Boo1979 I hope that you don't mind my tagging you in but I thought that you'd be able to help.

Glic is a bit of a game changer and you do have to be careful about any diet changes.

Edited to add re the last sentence what I mean is if someone isn't taking any meds or is on Metformin they are unlikely to have hypo's due to diet change. Also to tag in @daisy1
Click to expand...

Thanks, that’s helpful....I think that’s the scary thing...all this stuff going on and I had no idea.
 
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Daibell said:
Hi. Glipizide is in the same drug group as Gliclazide i.e. the Sulfonylureas so similar info applies to both. They are best used when your pancreas is suspected of having failing insulin output as they stimulate the pancreas to produce more. They will only cause weight gain if you have too many carbs and also if your pancreas isn't too far gone that it still doesn't produce enough insulin. You must test your blood sugar as there is a risk of a hypo until you get the dose right. Note that sometimes I see Glic prescribed for T2s with a lot of excess weight and in those cases it may just be adding more insulin to an insulin overloaded body?
Click to expand...
Yes, I did think that was the logical answer. Thanks...
 
bulkbiker said:
A whole lot of us are controlling by diet rather than medication.
Have you considered trying cutting your carbohydrate consumption?
Personally that helped me loose weight and bring my HbA1c to “normal” levels.
Do you mind sharing your last HbA1c level?
Click to expand...
My gp said it was 'in the 80s'. Last time was 56 and the time before 42. I’ve experienced a lot of stress and wonder if that’s made the difference. I’m very confused by the carbohydrates, rather by the mixed messages...my gut sense is for low carb high protein but I’m told that to avoid hypos I need to have higher carbs!
 
Boo1979 said:
I have been on Glic for over 20 years as diet alone does not produce good enough control. I agree with the approach suggested by @woodywhippet61 of using testing to see the effect of various foods on your sugars - in my experience, that information has allowed me to keep my medication dose as low as possible and stable by using the info to modify my diet as the responses change
Gliclizide can put your sugars too low so you need to be testing your blood sugars, particularly before bed and before driving. Ive had a few hypos in my time but nothing that I havnt been able to sort out and familiarity with the drug has meant I now rarely have any hypos as I know what effect different meals / activities etc have
If you are in the UK, then because Glic can put sugars low, you should be prescribed blood glucose testing strips and a meter by your GP - quote NICE guidance if you have any problems
Gliclizide modified release is less likely to cause hypos than ordinary Gliclizide so get that if you can
Regrding weight gain - some people gain a few pounds, some dont - I havnt seen any weight gain that can be related to Gliclizide - my personal theory is that keeping the dose of Gliclizide as low as necessary to produce acceptable blood sugars and combining it with dietary intervention Is the best way to avoid significant weight gain and diabetes progression
Click to expand...

Thanks, I need this sort of grounded response. I am in the uk and will get what I need from the gp. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. I think being on metformin allowed me to stay in denial...now there’s no way I can deny the reality of T2 .....onwards
 
Hiya, just wanted to say that I've been on gliclazide 4 weeks now. I used to be on metformin SR and I was so so scared to change as I knew there was a risk of hypos. My diabetic nurse would not let me start the new tablets until I had a blood testing machine. I did have a few hypos in the beginning but my dose was far too high so it's been lowered and thankfully I'm doing much better. I understand it can make you feel anxious as it has done me! But just make sure you test your blood sugar (I test 4 times a day) and take your kit with you everywhere you go. I also take Orange juice and a snack with me just in case. If you do have a hypo it can be managed so you just have to remain calm and not panic. I'm in the UK too. Xx
 
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