sally and james
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,093
- Type of diabetes
- Family member
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Eight months after diagnosis as T2, we are now having an overview of James’ medication. I must emphasise the word “we”, this is not an idea originating in the local doctor’s surgery. Drugs seem to have “grown like Topsy”, with the approach being to simply add more, never reduce or discontinue.
On diagnosis, James was immediately put on 2 x 850mg metformin, fortunately with none of the well documented side effects. He was also put, by me, onto a low carb diet. Nine days later, dangerously elevated sugar levels had dropped to normal, where they remain. Over the ensuing months, we decreased the metformin to 1 x 850mg, then 1 x 500mg then to none at all, each time to a chorus of dreadful warnings that blood sugars and HbA1c would rise. For the record, they have continued to fall.
Then there are the blood pressure pills. With serious hypertension, he was put on a calcium channel blocker, no effect, so the dose was increased. No serious effect, so an angiotensin receptor blocker (Candasartan) was added. You’ve guessed, no significant effect, so dose increased to maximum. Once again, barely significant improvement. Total achievement, about 10mmHg down from a starting point of around 180 systolic pressure, which may, of course, have been due to serious weight loss and much increased exercise, not drugs. So a diuretic was added, leading to a reduction of another 5mmHg, but still way off goal. Then, just before Christmas, on our insistence, an alpha blocker was added to the cocktail and, finally, bingo, results. Readings of around 130/80.
Then, a few weeks ago, we were chatting to a doctor (privately, not our GP), who said, "there are only two reasons why anyone is on is on a maximum dosage of a drug, either they need it, or it doesn’t work. Your blood pressure is low enough to experiment a little". So, half the Candasartan has gone and, would you believe, three weeks later, blood pressure is now typically around 115/70, so we are about to drop a little further and see what happens and then try a similar experiment with another “non-effective” medication.
I should say, while doing these experiments, we do have a blood sugar meter, ample supply of strips and a good quality, arm band type, blood pressure monitor, so we are able to watch all changes on a daily, and several times a day basis, as needed. If the need arises, any of the above drugs can, of course, be increased or resumed, but at present, they are not needed. We will know if they are.
Is, or has, anyone else had a spring clean of the drugs cabinet?
Sally.
On diagnosis, James was immediately put on 2 x 850mg metformin, fortunately with none of the well documented side effects. He was also put, by me, onto a low carb diet. Nine days later, dangerously elevated sugar levels had dropped to normal, where they remain. Over the ensuing months, we decreased the metformin to 1 x 850mg, then 1 x 500mg then to none at all, each time to a chorus of dreadful warnings that blood sugars and HbA1c would rise. For the record, they have continued to fall.
Then there are the blood pressure pills. With serious hypertension, he was put on a calcium channel blocker, no effect, so the dose was increased. No serious effect, so an angiotensin receptor blocker (Candasartan) was added. You’ve guessed, no significant effect, so dose increased to maximum. Once again, barely significant improvement. Total achievement, about 10mmHg down from a starting point of around 180 systolic pressure, which may, of course, have been due to serious weight loss and much increased exercise, not drugs. So a diuretic was added, leading to a reduction of another 5mmHg, but still way off goal. Then, just before Christmas, on our insistence, an alpha blocker was added to the cocktail and, finally, bingo, results. Readings of around 130/80.
Then, a few weeks ago, we were chatting to a doctor (privately, not our GP), who said, "there are only two reasons why anyone is on is on a maximum dosage of a drug, either they need it, or it doesn’t work. Your blood pressure is low enough to experiment a little". So, half the Candasartan has gone and, would you believe, three weeks later, blood pressure is now typically around 115/70, so we are about to drop a little further and see what happens and then try a similar experiment with another “non-effective” medication.
I should say, while doing these experiments, we do have a blood sugar meter, ample supply of strips and a good quality, arm band type, blood pressure monitor, so we are able to watch all changes on a daily, and several times a day basis, as needed. If the need arises, any of the above drugs can, of course, be increased or resumed, but at present, they are not needed. We will know if they are.
Is, or has, anyone else had a spring clean of the drugs cabinet?
Sally.
