Really need advice please, Urgent

Firstly hi, and what a great forum for diabetic people hopefully I can get some good advice here.

This maybe a little long winded, but feel I ought to explain the full situation and background.

I have suffered clinical depression since I was a child; I am now 39, the depression in turn led to me becoming agoraphobic and social phobic. These symptoms are so bad that I do not get out now, with the exception of medical appointments. As you can imagine, not getting out has its own side effects...weight gain, although everyone in my family has weight issues, not through over eating or lack of exercise, perhaps hereditary. About 18 months ago I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic, the usual signs, excess bladder relief, yeast infections etc.

I was prescribed Gliclazide initially to bring my levels which were around 22-24 down. This was unsuccessful, so Metformin was to be used alongside the Gliclazide. Unfortunately Metformin did not agree with me, so I was put on Pioglitazone with the Gliclazide. This appeared to do the trick.

Unless you weigh yourself regular, you don’t tend to realise weight gain, although I felt I had gained a lot of weight over a short period. When you are morbidly obese your average household scales tend to have the habit of refusing to allow you onboard...well don’t cater for your weight. I recently had to go to hospital to see a bariatric consultant; part of the procedure is a weigh in. I was gobsmacked to learn I had gained about 8 stone in about 8 months, this confirmed my fears. This is not due to eating as I eat very little; I have also quit alcohol, soft and fizzy drinks, no sugar in drinks etc. I have also been suffering from pitting edema, fluid etc.

Just to scare the living hell out of me, my GP had me tested for heart failure.....a week of waiting for results fearing the worse, results came back clear, heart, liver, kidney, thyroid, all ok. The problem is the diabetic drugs, Pioglitazone is known for weight gain, water retention and Edema, as is Gliclazide. I cannot cope with this massive weight gain, I am at the point of stopping all my diabetic medication, yes there are risks, but the amount of weight I am gaining has its own very serious risks with a BMI of approx 56.6. I am at risk from heart diseases, stroke, amongst other health risks, that alongside the risks of my severe obstructive sleep apnoea, which has the side effects of circulation and heart issues, Coronary Artery Disease etc, stroke etc. The sleep apnoea not necessarily due to obesity, I am due an operation to remove an enlarged uvula and have my nose broken and reset and turbinate’s sorted. I have to sleep using a Nippy 3 ventilator.

I am on the waiting list for bariatric surgery, as well as the nasal issues, this could be quite a while. I really cannot deal with any more weight gain; my mobility is affected due to the increase. If the weight gain does not kill me, the effects on my depression will.

There must be alternative medication I can use. I have heard of some that apparently cause weight loss, to be honest I am not bothered if it causes a loss or not, as long as no more gains.
Any expert advice greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

breakfast.....depending on sleep pattern, sometimes breakfast skipped, but would be cornflakes or similar, no sugar, semi skimmed milk.

lunch 2 slices toast, tea= potatoes, veg, chicken for example.

My weight although overweight was stable before the diabetic drugs. I never had any edema issues or anything like it.

Thanks for the response.

I tend to get conflicting advice in general, I was advised to have carbs as they generate sugars or something like that. One doctor says one thing, one says another. Example, recently I went to get a repeat prescription for electrodes for my glucose monitor, gp says I dont need them? yet another says I should keep a check on my levels? this is at the same surgery. I am 1000% convinced the gain is purely due to the meds. My legs especially near on doubled in size with the edema, this effected my legs, feet, stomach, all come on rapidly.

In regards to excercise, I find this impossible, mobility issues, extreme tiredness and fatigue as little or no sleep, vicious circle. I have suffered back issues for a long time, yet another thing I am waiting an appointment, skeletal consultant and physio. I cant stand for more than a few minutes due to excrutiating pain, cant walk more than a few yards.

Diabtetes is understated I think, it has effected me quite badly so far. I suffer the sharp stabbing pains, burning, I also have neuropathy, loss of sensation in my right hand finger tips, no strength in left hand and only sensation in half of it. Most things are kind of in hand, but everything is a waiting game.

bariatric surgery due
sleep apnoea being treated
nasal, uvula surgery due
skeletal, physio due
neuropathy electro due
depression, awaiting cbt, on anti depressants, but seam to do little

I can eat a pound of Brussells sprouts.

Click to expand...

I bet people keep clear then :lol:

Totsy, very similar issues, I also have the anxiety, panic attacks etc, as well as a few breakdowns, one very major one. Unlike you diabtetes has just made things a lot worse for me, one issue after the next. I wish I could quote 17 stone, well perhaps I could, but I'd be fibbing a little. Prior to diabtetes I was fluctuating between 25-27 stone, but kind of remained stable at them weights. I am a big fella anyway at 6ft 4. I know diet is quoted often, but as stated, pre diabetes I had no weight gain, was not too bad on just the gliclazide, when combined with the pioglitazone weight gain was fast, fluid build up was rapid. My diet will change when I have the gastric operation, whether I like it or not. In the meantime I need to get off these tablets, perhaps the injection that is available, although not sure on true side effects.