Type 2 When to add Glicazide to Metformin?

[Clearly]

Hi, I've had diabetes for over 10years which was caused by psych meds giving me metabolic syndrome. I was managing ok until I had a time of prolonged stress and I completely lost control of my diet. My Dr won't give me a testing kit, but my last HbA1c was 98 and I'm being advised I have to add 80mg of Glicazide to the 2000mg Metformin I was already taking.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

My fasting sugars have come down to around 7.3-8.9.

I still need to alter my diet a great deal.

Typically it's 2 slices toast and marmite for breakfast. For lunch veg or salad with jacket potato and cheese, and dinner possibly a sandwich. Also, fruit.

I'm currently staying in a hospital because I got mental exhaustion and it's proving tricky to get the right diet.

I read on Dr Jason Fungs site that Glicazide won't protect against heart problems or some types of damage. I'm not sure whether to ask if I can take more Metformin, or whether to accept this recommendation of 80 mg Glicazide. I'm hoping tackling the diet more will bring my sugar levels down, but a Dr has told me it's too late to reverse the diabetes.

I'd be grateful to hear the thoughts of those with more knowledge or experience than me.

 

[Goonergal]

but a Dr has told me it's too late to reverse the diabetes.

I’d question that. Dr Unwin’s surgery and the Virta health people have evidence of those with type 2 long-term turning things around.

Typically it's 2 slices toast and marmite for breakfast. For lunch veg or salad with jacket potato and cheese, and dinner possibly a sandwich. Also, fruit.

I'm currently staying in a hospital because I got mental exhaustion and it's proving tricky to get the right diet.

I'm hoping tackling the diet more will bring my sugar levels down,

That diet in the hospital won’t be helping as there are a lot of carbs, however assuming you’ll be in a position to address diet, I’d be wanting to give that a shot before adding in the more ‘heavy duty’ meds. For comparison my own HbA1c at diagnosis was 108, and I’ve maintained non-diabetic levels for 5 years without meds.

You mentioned Jason Fung. Following his advice would be a great starting point.

 

[Outlier]

Well, I'm not a doctor so I can't advise about drugs, but there is no reason why you can't adjust your diet to a more diabetic-friendly one and see where that takes you. My GP and the diabetic nurse both actually raised their voices to tell me that I would HAVE TO take more meds because diet WOULDN'T TOUCH my blood glucose readings. I was back in pre-diabetic readings within a few weeks and hope to be in remission by my next Hb1Ac test, as my fingerprick tests are consistently excellent. I am now on no meds at all.
We are all different, but your readings aren't so bad, and there is plenty of room to make your current diet kinder to your blood glucose readings, so why not give it a try? We are all here for you, and we know how to make positive adjustments to help our condition.

 

[Clearly]

Hi @Goonergal , thanks so much for your helpful reply.

I'm so relieved that there may be hope of some reversal.

I agree that it seems best to tackle diet first before adding Glicazide, but the Dr was quite emphatic that it was best.

 

[Clearly]

Well, I'm not a doctor so I can't advise about drugs, but there is no reason why you can't adjust your diet to a more diabetic-friendly one and see where that takes you. My GP and the diabetic nurse both actually raised their voices to tell me that I would HAVE TO take more meds because diet WOULDN'T TOUCH my blood glucose readings. I was back in pre-diabetic readings within a few weeks and hope to be in remission by my next Hb1Ac test, as my fingerprick tests are consistently excellent. I am now on no meds at all.
We are all different, but your readings aren't so bad, and there is plenty of room to make your current diet kinder to your blood glucose readings, so why not give it a try? We are all here for you, and we know how to make positive adjustment to help our condition.

Thanks so much for your encouragement, I'm so relieved to be able to come here to share what's happening with others.

I'll definitely give it a try now. I just found out last night that the hospital will make me a veg omelette for dinner if needed.

 

[Daibell]

The Gliclazide might help a bit. I was on 320mg for years as well as Metformin but I was slim and unknowingly a late onset T1 with a failing pancreas. It's not the most suitable drug if you are a T2 as lack of insulin may not be the problem rather than insulin resistance. Yes, keep the carbs down in your diet and exercise where you can

 

[carty]

Starting with your breakfast I have 1 slice of lowish carb toast with plenty of cheese on top and marmite .This may keep you fuller but is less carby
Carol