Day 5 since diagnosed and Gliclazide

[Zaraah]

Hello all,

I was diagnosed last Friday with triple figure 129!

GP started me on 2 x Gliclazide 40mg daily and 1 x Metformin 500mg daily for first 7 days, 2nd week 2 daily and 3rd week 3 daily.

Since Friday diet overhaul med diet/low carb with walking (between 12k to 17k daily varies each day).

So today was a good day all green numbers on monitor single figures and then this evening at 7.40pm got a 5.7 and felt awful. Ate dinner and ended up eating slice of white bread and also 2 sips of coke. Number went up at 8.04pm it was 6.8 and then 7.6 at 8.20pm. 2 hours later now well just over at 9.45pm it is 6.7. I do not know if going down and till it go more down when I am asleep?!

I do not ever want to feel like that again if I was heading towards a hypo even though 5.7 I felt different.

My first appointment with Diabetic Nurse by phone this Friday, 7 days after being diagnosed.

Anyone have experience of being able to ask to come off Gliclazide given single figures more yesterday with a couple of double figures start and end of day and today all single figures?

Anyone have any advice please? Can Diabetic Nurse change medications. I really hope I can change things with being active (I was not before) and also diet and think being on Gliclazide and after this evening just going to stress me out more and also have a slightly raised blood pressure although not being tested for this yet as GP focusing on my triple figure of 129 which he said had to come down.

Sorry I just waffling now as so worried by experience this evening and my final reading just now ❤️

 

[Anna DUK]

Hey @Zaraah, sorry to hear how you felt when your levels dipped to 5.7. This is probably because your body has been used to those higher figures for a while and as your levels start to come down into the 'ideal' range, your body is feeling like you're dipping too low (levels below 4 is hypo). Hopefully over the next few weeks you will feel yourself whilst your levels are between 4-7, and even slightly higher than that too. Do mention this to the nurse too, and ask them when they plan to do another HbA1c to see if the medications and dietary changes you're making are helping to lower the 129 result.

It is possible for some people to come off Gliclazide, not everyone, but some have. Especially those who try to put their type 2 into remission.

 

[Zaraah]

Thank you so much for replying. GP told me for me on Gliclazide 5 and under is hypo and to sip coke etc. Like you said about 4 and under increasing same online however GP told me 5 so I fixated on that to make sure I did not go lower than 5 and at 5.7 I was not feeling right.

Funny thing was yesterday and today was feeling really well and lots of energy etc and then this evening just hit me!

I will check when next HbA1C will be and really hope nurse can least reduce Giclazide maybe from 80mg to 40mg daily. I can only ask ❤️

 

[Anna DUK]

It might be that the GP has given you a higher threshold just so you can treat anything under 5 as a hypo to avoid actually going hypo (if that makes sense). But definitely one to speak to the nurse about. The nurse will be more specialised in diabetes than the GP (so could also be that the GP got the hypo figures wrong on the day).

Yes, always worth asking. Let us know how you get on at the appointment this week. Hopefully it will prove to be a productive and supportive time with the nurse!

 

[Docb]

Hi @Zaraah. To answer your question...when i came off Gliclazide it was accompanied by a distinct rise in my BG readings. I came off it because my my BG levels had reduced to sensible levels and my DN was concerned that at my age, it was unwise to drive BG levels down and run the risk of becoming unsteady.

My take on the numbers you have quoted is that your HbA1c was up in the red zone and action was needed and well done to all concerned for doing something about it. The current spot readings you have quoted are very much in the "normal" range (5-10) suggesting what you have done - a combination of carb reduction and the medication - is working. At those sorts of levels, you should have an Hba1c well below 129 in a couple of months time.

When on Gliclazide my levels dropped to lows of around 5 but I never got anywhere near having an Hypo. I came to the conclusion that there might be a theoretical risk of it causing problems but the benefits of taking it far outweighed the risk of hypos and continued with it until everything was stable.

So, my usual pragmatic suggestion is not to panic, to do the things which work for most and keep monitoring.

 

[Newbie777]

Hello, usually the GP will put you on Metfirmin and then increase teg dosage to max, which is 2000mg andthen look at Glicizide.

Your HBa1c is quite high, but remember this is taken over a 3 month period, so you BG on a daily basis will vary.

In terms of going hypo, ask your DN if perhaps you can take Glicizide in the morning, rather than the evening.

I have mentioned this many times, but stress can make your BG worse.

Over the next few weeks as your body adapts to the medicine you may find it better to understand your reads and your food and exercise intake.

Normally reads of between 5 to 7 first thing in the morning and between 7 to 9, 2 hours after food are suggested. But I would say don't worry, you will get to these figures.

Also once your Hba1c drops you may just go on Metformin, so keep up the really good work.

 

[Zaraah]

It might be that the GP has given you a higher threshold just so you can treat anything under 5 as a hypo to avoid actually going hypo (if that makes sense). But definitely one to speak to the nurse about. The nurse will be more specialised in diabetes than the GP (so could also be that the GP got the hypo figures wrong on the day).

Yes, always worth asking. Let us know how you get on at the appointment this week. Hopefully it will prove to be a productive and supportive time with the nurse!

Thank you so much Anna. I was down to 5.7 at lunchtime this time yesterday and did not feel bad as the night before so stayed calm, ate lunch and was ok. Same again before dinner at night was 5.9.

Definitely a learning curve however when happened that night I though I do not want to feel that awful again. Definitely motivates to stay on diet and activ for sure!

Will report back once have first telephone appointment with nurse tomorrow

 

[Zaraah]

Hi @Zaraah. To answer your question...when i came off Gliclazide it was accompanied by a distinct rise in my BG readings. I came off it because my my BG levels had reduced to sensible levels and my DN was concerned that at my age, it was unwise to drive BG levels down and run the risk of becoming unsteady.

My take on the numbers you have quoted is that your HbA1c was up in the red zone and action was needed and well done to all concerned for doing something about it. The current spot readings you have quoted are very much in the "normal" range (5-10) suggesting what you have done - a combination of carb reduction and the medication - is working. At those sorts of levels, you should have an Hba1c well below 129 in a couple of months time.

When on Gliclazide my levels dropped to lows of around 5 but I never got anywhere near having an Hypo. I came to the conclusion that there might be a theoretical risk of it causing problems but the benefits of taking it far outweighed the risk of hypos and continued with it until everything was stable.

So, my usual pragmatic suggestion is not to panic, to do the things which work for most and keep monitoring.

Thank you @Docb for the advice. I was definitely much calmer when went down to those levels again yesterday as felt better and not so bad as other night.

Luckily my lowest 5.7. Day 7 of medications today and my monitor has been al green numbers of 5-9 since Tuesday (day 5 since taking medications).

Feeling much better doing the walk and not as slow as was 7 days ago. Amazing how quickly body adapts. Still trying to average 15k steps daily since diagnosed last Friday.

Hopefully like you say it all helps to bring down the HbA1C fingers crossed

Will see how my first appointment with nurse goes tomorrow

 

[Zaraah]

Hello, usually the GP will put you on Metfirmin and then increase teg dosage to max, which is 2000mg andthen look at Glicizide.

Your HBa1c is quite high, but remember this is taken over a 3 month period, so you BG on a daily basis will vary.

In terms of going hypo, ask your DN if perhaps you can take Glicizide in the morning, rather than the evening.

I have mentioned this many times, but stress can make your BG worse.

Over the next few weeks as your body adapts to the medicine you may find it better to understand your reads and your food and exercise intake.

Normally reads of between 5 to 7 first thing in the morning and between 7 to 9, 2 hours after food are suggested. But I would say don't worry, you will get to these figures.

Also once your Hba1c drops you may just go on Metformin, so keep up the really good work.

Thank you @Newbie777 for the advice. Hopefully nurse will give the readings they want to see as GP gave me monitor along with prescription and must admit was little lost. However found Diabetes UK and so glad I did as forum is amazing.

Yes noted regarding stress which is something I have to work on having had some recent losses and stressful job. However last Friday was a wake up call and I was lucky no ketones were found so taking as positive and each day at time

 

[Zaraah]

Just thought I would add just before lunch today had my lowest reading yet - 5.1. Had lunch and will test to make sure gone up.

I am concerned about increasing Metformin by another tablet as per GP’s advice on day 1 of diagnosis hoping nurse appointment will clarify when she sees results so far so hopefully keep me on same current medications or tweak.

If added another Metformin 500mg daily tablet my readings would lower. Will see what nurse says tomorrow as early days and I am still learning

 

[Zaraah]

Last night before usual time before dinner I went lowest yet 4.7. End up adding half a slice of white bread to my dinner along with some cream cheese. Levels went up after dinner.

As I doing low card diet is that ok when taking Glaclazide 80mg daily?

Be glad when have appointment with nurse this afternoon so hopefully things become clearer

 

[silver minion]

Last night before usual time before dinner I went lowest yet 4.7. End up adding half a slice of white bread to my dinner along with some cream cheese. Levels went up after dinner.

As I doing low card diet is that ok when taking Glaclazide 80mg daily?

Be glad when have appointment with nurse this afternoon so hopefully things become clearer

Hi @Zaraah your current readings look fine. How low carb are you going? As long as you have enough carbs to keep your BG over 4 and below 8 2 hours after meals you are doing fine with the current medication. If you want to reduce the gliclazide you may want to reduce your carbs a bit more to keep your BG levels within the current numbers. Discuss it with the nurse this afternoon.
It takes time to adjust your eating habits and activity levels to manage your diabetes and hopefully you will also be able to reduce your medication as your hbA1c numbers come down. That is my goal, to get my HbA1c below 50 and keep healthy. I started at 165 so it is definitely possible.
Have faith in yourself!

 

[Newbie777]

Last night before usual time before dinner I went lowest yet 4.7. End up adding half a slice of white bread to my dinner along with some cream cheese. Levels went up after dinner.

As I doing low card diet is that ok when taking Glaclazide 80mg daily?

Be glad when have appointment with nurse this afternoon so hopefully things become clearer

Teh 4.7 reading depends upon when yiu take your Glicizide if it is in the morning, aim for about 6 or 7 perhaps before bed, if Glicizide is in the evening then it cod lower still and that's when yiu need to be careful about going too low

 

[Leadinglights]

There doesn't seem to be any clear cut suggestion about how many carbs people should have when taking gliclazide other than very low carb is not advised as there is more risk of low blood glucose (important if you drive) but what anybody as an individual may need may well be different. But as low carb is anything less than 130g per day then that might be a good starting point and than adjust from there depending on what you find on your testing regime.
But speak to your nurse if you have an appointment.

 

[Pam123]

my husband was on gliclazide for a couple of years he gradually reduced it under the advice of the DN
and worked around his carb intake, he was also told not to take any before a gym session and only before his evening meal, he is now in remission and no longer takes any medication.

 

[Zaraah]

Hi @Zaraah your current readings look fine. How low carb are you going? As long as you have enough carbs to keep your BG over 4 and below 8 2 hours after meals you are doing fine with the current medication. If you want to reduce the gliclazide you may want to reduce your carbs a bit more to keep your BG levels within the current numbers. Discuss it with the nurse this afternoon.
It takes time to adjust your eating habits and activity levels to manage your diabetes and hopefully you will also be able to reduce your medication as your hbA1c numbers come down. That is my goal, to get my HbA1c below 50 and keep healthy. I started at 165 so it is definitely possible.
Have faith in yourself!

Thank you for reply. I am pretty low with carbs other than breakfast being porridge, lunch various lentil homemade soups with a protein yougurt and dinners tend to be lots of roasted med veg with different proteins.

When I find numbers goes low I have added slice of bread in evening. Last night did half a slice.

I will see what nurse says and yes we can do this! ❤️

 

[Newbie777]

Yes I take my Glicizide after the gym, but before I have breakfasf, I wonder how people take it in the evening and before the last meal as opposed to after it?

 

[Zaraah]

Teh 4.7 reading depends upon when yiu take your Glicizide if it is in the morning, aim for about 6 or 7 perhaps before bed, if Glicizide is in the evening then it cod lower still and that's when yiu need to be careful about going too low

I have to take one 40mg Gliclazide with breakfast, one Metformin 500mg with lunch and one 40mg Gliclazide with dinner.

Today is day 8 and GP said last Friday to then add another Metformin today and then on 3rd week a 3rd daily Metformin.

Bit worried about increasing Metformin today to 2 when figures under 9. Maybe nurse can reduce my Gliclazide today and then increase Metformin if can work like that?! ‍♀️

 

[Zaraah]

There doesn't seem to be any clear cut suggestion about how many carbs people should have when taking gliclazide other than very low carb is not advised as there is more risk of low blood glucose (important if you drive) but what anybody as an individual may need may well be different. But as low carb is anything less than 130g per day then that might be a good starting point and than adjust from there depending on what you find on your testing regime.
But speak to your nurse if you have an appointment.

@Leadinglights thank you I will ask nurse. Have ditched the car for now and upped the walking to and from work. Only way for me to get active however means can do 15k minimum a day which is good

 

[Zaraah]

my husband was on gliclazide for a couple of years he gradually reduced it under the advice of the DN
and worked around his carb intake, he was also told not to take any before a gym session and only before his evening meal, he is now in remission and no longer takes any medication.

That’s amazing @Pam123 ❤️