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Swings and Roundabouts

O

Outlier

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,269
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I have been put on Dapagliflozin for my heart - whih lowers BG - and a low statin dose, which raises BG. My BG readings are now in the 5s, which they were before these medications were prescribed, due to my keto diet. No medicaL person has yet picked up on this. Any comments or similar experiences.
 
Now I find I'm supposed to eat carbs with the 'flozin. I am strict keto - works for me. Nurses know I'm a diet-controlled diabetic, but I'm not sure they know what that means. I don't feel I'm being cared for by experts. And no way do I want to eat carbs.
 
would cgm perhaps be of assistance keeping a closer eye for a few weeks on sugar levels to see how the meds effect you. faster carbs if go low? dexcom currently offers a free 10day trial https://dexcom.com/en-GB/dexcom-one-plus-sample if havent had one before. know that your saying you dont want to eat carbs, some fast carbs if go low maybe necessary, some get away with small amounts of carbs eg 3-4g to bring them out of hypoland should it be necessary.

You could also ask for a second opinion regards treatment maybe another medication would suit your dietry needs better (although perhaps wouldn't be as effective) you'll need to weight up risk vs reward researching options available. maybe could try convice (at least for a little bit) dsn/consultant to provide you with libre sensor to keep an eye on levels for a few weeks (abbotts trial is currently paused within the uk for the timebeing hopefully 15day trial is back open in the future).

best wishes

edit: made the link clickable for the dexcom trial
 
Well. Seems as if there has been a judgement from On High about the 'flozin. I have just had an unsigned unattributed 2 page letter from my surgery stating that I should stop taking it IF...... certain caveats apply, none of which refer to my diabetes or statin, and if in doubt, I must contact them (WHOM ) ASAP, but as they won't be staffed until Monday, I can stew all weekend about this. Close relative in another town has had similar. I've taken today's 'flozin and will not take any more until I've explored Monday's advice. I hope my heart can manage.
 
thnk ur uk based, could call 111 if wanting medical advice downside saturdays usually busy, will take a wee while to get through usually an actual dr will call back sometimes even from the relevant field in which specialize on occassion.
 
@Outlier , how about keep taking the flozins and adding some carbs? Use your meter to see if it raises your bg.
I have a non diabetic relative on a flozin for his heart, it's a common medication for that, and with your history I wouldn't stop it before talking to a professional.
Outlier said:
And no way do I want to eat carbs.
Click to expand...
Why don't you want to add some carbs?
It's high bg leading to diabetes complications, not carbs, or non diabetics would be having diabetes complications all the time.
If the flozin prevents your bg from going high (as a side effect in your case), is there a particular reason to not try to find a middle ground?
Outlier said:
I've taken today's 'flozin and will not take any more until I've explored Monday's advice. I hope my heart can manage.
Click to expand...
Why risk not taking your heart medication until monday?
Even if upping the carbs should raise your bg, I'd choose a couple of days of higher bg over not taking a possibly needed medication.

Good luck, and let us know what happens!
 
Wise advice that I would probably have given someone too.

No carb 'dose' is mentioned, so how much should Ihave to balance the effects of one little pill. If I carb and my BG rises, it will not be understood - voice of experience here - and I may end up on more bloody meds. Or may put on weight which would be very hard for me as I have worked so hard to reduce it. Especially as am on the statin. I'll phone them tomorrow and see what they say. After all, I have only been on the 'flozin for a short time, and the hospital Dr.s never told me I was being put on it, or why, or any of the caveats.
 
Update - saw GP today - new GP. Very professional and approachable,assured me that ketoacidosis was vanishingly rare from taking the 'flozin despite the scare stories, so I shall carry on taking it despite all the negativity, which IMO should not have been given so much airtime. I hope others find this as helpful as I have.
 
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