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Reduce medication or not

saffron15

saffron15

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
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She/Her
I had an appointment with DN today. She said she was happy for me to reduce my medication in view of hba1c reduction ( its 44). She said I could stop the SGLT2 ( on since September) or one metformin for 3 months and we would then have a further chat and hba1c. I indicated I wanted to lose more weight and may need to reduce carbs. She said that may cause hypos. In the end I went for reducing metformin by one tablet because I've had upset tum for a few days. I am peeing a lot including through the night and suspect that is the SGLT2. I did complain about the peeing. Effectively I could do either. I hadn't expected her to suggest reducing meds.
I'm considering low carb/ calorie one day a week and not taking the SGLT2 that day only . She said reduction is likely to increase my BG minimally but all my numbers are good including cholestral . Ive had high blood pressure ( controlled) since 2006 and am aware SGLT2 is also good for heart health. Given an option I hadn't anticipated, I was wary of stopping the SGLT2 even though I dislike some of the side effects.
Ironically I didn't mention the statin I'm on which may be the cause of aching hips and knees. If I stopped SGLT2 once a week 8d take an extra metformin that day only.
I'm due a cataract op next week and start steroids for a fortnight next Friday. I will not reduce the SGLT2 if at all whilst taking steroids.
I asked about testing for bg as I haven't tested for a month. I was considering starting again from Friday. She said it wasn't necessary unless it was for a trend. Her view for short term steroid no reason to test.
I'm thinking as I'm typing, am I better not changing at all whilst on the steroids eg still take the metformin?

Any views welcome,
 
Check the half life of the sglt2 you take, I thought each tablet stays in your system for a few days so you couldn’t just not take it one day a week to low carb that day. Metformin takes weeks to build up so you can’t just swap one sglt2 for one exee te a metformin one day a week only either.
 
@Lucyr thanks for the reply. I desperately want to eat less carbs but feel i cannot with the SGLT1 . I'd also like to know which tablet ( or none) has caused me to poo a lot and pee all through the night for last few days. Peeing has been for a number of weeks pooing is recent.

Of course pooing may be stress. I was very disappointed when I went to hospital on Monday to discover the macular oedema the consultant observed on 8 January hadn't got better ( though hasn't got worse) eye drops increased.
 
The sglt2 purpose is to make you pee more to pee out the glucose, you have to drink plenty with it. The rest is probably stress.
 
Hi @saffron15 and congratulations on your hbA1c result. I agree with your thoughts on not making changes to your medication until you finish your course of steroids.
If peeing at night is impacting on your quality of sleep then stopping or reducing the sglt2 could improve your sleep quality and give you the option to reduce carbs without worrying about hypos.
 
@silver minion I agree with you. I wasn't expecting her to suggest reducing medication so was wrong footed and I wasn't sure if it was a bad idea stopping the SGLT2 the last few days I've been peeing 4 x when should be sleeping. I might stop one metformin then once I've completed the steroids contact surgery about dropping sglt2 and reintroducing metformin. I thought I was stuck with sglt2 and horrible statins forever. This week is the first anniversary of the death of my cousins wife who was 5 days younger than me and died of a heart attack brought on by type 2 diabetes which is why I'm a bit sensitive about possible heart problems.
 
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saffron15 said:
@silver minion I agree with you. I wasn't expecting her to suggest reducing medication so was wrong footed and I wasn't sure if it was a bad idea stopping the SGLT2 the last few days I've been peeing 4 x when should be sleeping. I might stop one metformin then once I've completed the steroids contact surgery about dropping sglt2 and reintroducing metformin. I thought I was stuck with sglt2 and horrible statins forever. This week is the first anniversary of the death of my cousins wife who was 5 days younger than me and died of a heart attack bought on by type 2 diabetes which is why I'm a bit sensitive about possible heart problems.
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So sorry to hear about your cousin's wife. It's a salutory reminder that we could all be affected by diabetes complications regardless of age and history. I understand your concerns and support whatever choice you make.
 
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