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Newbie here - any advice welcome

F

Fizzgig92

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hello from a newbie to the forum and Diabetes UK.

I have been diagnosed for over 10 years and have been managing my diabetes with Metformin which I have tolerated very well.

Last year my DN added sitagliptin to my meds which did not seem to have any effect on my levels and then changed it to alogliptin.

I had some annoying digestive issues with alogliptin - feeling bloated and hardly able to eat anything at all so I stopped taking it independently (naughty me!) and I do feel better

I have had my first blood test since I stopped the alogliptin and I am waiting for the results. If the results are bad my DN has suggested putting me on dapagliflozin but the side effects of this scare me. I would rather try alogliptin again as my symptoms were annoying rather than debilitating.

Has anyone any advice for adapting to alogliptin please i.e. best times to take it, whether exercise helps etc

Would also like to hear people's experiences of taking dapagliflozin. Are the side effects very bad? Do you really have to drink lots of water?

Many thanks








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@Fizzgig92 I was put on metformin mid August, got to 4 tablets then next week was put on dapagliflozin and just 2 metformin. I knew it would happen as HCP had extolled the benefits on basis it is good for cardiovascular health and I have high blood pressure. It knocked me off course. I was eating c120 grams of carbs and was worried if that was sufficient which led me at times to eat too many. I did start peeing at night again. In December my hba1c was 44. It probably helped. In February I was given the option of dropping one tablet heart said drop dapaglifozin head metformin. I dropped one metformin as I was due a cataract op and didn't want to change drastically plus my Cousin's wife had type 2 and had related heart problems.
I was told to stay hydrated but I don't take the actual tablet with a lot of water. I was given ketostixs and warned of the problem with ketones ( rare) i finally tested in March but was fine. The ketostix change colour in contact with urine. I was told if you are going to be affected you will feel unwell. I was also told as there was likely to be sugar in urine I may have urinary Tract infections. I had had a couple years ago but nothing whilst taking the drug.
 
It’’s important to remember that any potential side effects of a medication are only a possibility, not a certainty. Some are more common than others, but the vast majority of people can take most medications with either no side effects at all, of just mild ones that can clear up after a while.

If you’ve not yet tried a ‘flozin, it may be worth your while giving them a go. You already have experience of how you have reacted to a ‘gliptin in the past, but until you’ve tried a ‘flozin you won’t know if that may be effective for you and with negligible or no side effects?

Can you remember the results of your previous HbA1c when you were still on Alogliptin? And what sort of HbA1c you would like to aim for?
 
You only mention taking metformin but not what dietary changes you made and hopefully continued with that as managing the condition is a lifelong process.
Rather than more medication there may be something you can do there as ideas have changes since your original diagnosis as to how powerful diet can be.
 
Hello Fizz I do metformin and Empagliflozin, the side affects of the flozins are scary but I am on the lower dose of 10mg daily which seems to be ok with me, I have noticed since being on it my kidney levels are higher than normal, the doc doesn't seem bothered about that but they are monitoring it every 3 months. I take 2 x metformin daily as well, Supposed to take 3 daily but I find it upsets my bowel, so just do the two.

I do think our bodies know whats best and I am a believer in listening to that 1st and foremost. Try the flozin if its the lower dose see how you go, you will be able to judge if it suits or not, but do keep an open mind, you may find it suits you well and keeps blood glucose at a good level for you.

Good luck, let us know how you go.
 
Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences here.

I've been told that I have to make an appointment with the doctor. This probably means my levels aren't good or maybe they want to put me on insulin.

I think my last HbA1c was 50. They like you to be under 50 so the alogliptin was working. I might be willing to try it again as the symptoms were annoying rather than absolutely debilitating.

I think the main side effect of dapagliflozin that worries me is getting thrush. I'm going abroad in June so the thought of facing that in a country where I can't speak the language makes me very anxious. It's a big holiday and I really need to be well.

Keeping my fingers crossed
 
Fizzgig92 said:
Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences here.

I've been told that I have to make an appointment with the doctor. This probably means my levels aren't good or maybe they want to put me on insulin.

I think my last HbA1c was 50. They like you to be under 50 so the alogliptin was working. I might be willing to try it again as the symptoms were annoying rather than absolutely debilitating.

I think the main side effect of dapagliflozin that worries me is getting thrush. I'm going abroad in June so the thought of facing that in a country where I can't speak the language makes me very anxious. It's a big holiday and I really need to be well.

Keeping my fingers crossed
Click to expand...
If your HbA1C is 50mmol/mol then that is only just over the diagnostic threshold so that is not too bad and maybe a bit more attention to your diet will be sufficient to drop it down some more without additional medication.
What would be typical meals as there may be some foods which are a particular problem.
Have a look at this link as it may give you some ideas that you can do with your diet, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

Another thought is if you do start on the medication, you could take thrush medication, which you can buy over the counter, with you just in case when you are away./
 
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Fizzgig92 said:
I think the main side effect of dapagliflozin that worries me is getting thrush. I'm going abroad in June so the thought of facing that in a country where I can't speak the language makes me very anxious. It's a big holiday and I really need to be well.
Click to expand...
Do you have a smart phone? Could you learn to use google translate?
 
If you want to be prepared can you check your records online to see what the level is this time? If it is still only just above the threshold, Leadinglights' suggestion on diet is eminently advisable. Even if it is not, you could discuss leaving the change of medication until you return. The GP should listen and may decide that your peace of mind and the risk of side effects as you change may outweigh the need to change medication immediately.
 
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