gliclazide AND metfermin

[will2016]

had my annual MOT today and my Bs has shot up, own fault for being greedy on the sweet stuff, i read 11, also want me on statins which i am reluctant to use to be honest, chol is 5.7 up from 3.5 last year, is that dangerously high? i have been on gliclazide for 18 months, and will the metfermin give me the runs like it did before and is it common to be on both? soory for yet more questions.

 

[SimplesL]

Hi Will

I'm only on Metformin but my dad was on the same as you for many years. If you had problems in the past with metformin did you try the slow release as kinder on the stomach?

Not sure about your 5.7 colesterol level being dangerously high perhaps someone will advise on that one for you. Mine has just gone down a bit to 3.5. I'm on the lowest dose of simvastayin of 10mg at night. I've not had any trouble, dad was on 40mg for years but has now been reduced to 20mg & off metformin as his kidneys have just about packed up. Just had his 2nd dialysis session.

Take care
Lynne

 

[Hanmillmum]

Hi,

someone will correct me if I am wrong, but your cholesterol should be below 5.0 if you have no other cardio risk factors, but under 4.0 if you have risk factors such as diabetes I'm sorry to say. This will be why they are keen for you to start the statin.

 

[vince13]

Until January 2011 I was on gliclazide and metformin (although they did substitute the slow release Metformin for the standard dose, which stopped the stomach upsets). I was put on statins and high blood pressure tablets by my surgery when I was diagnosed in 2008, because that is what my surgery does for diabetics of type 1 or 2. I've had no trouble with any of the medication at all since then and am still on 500mg x 2 twice a day Metformin even though I'm now on insulin.

I understood cholesterol was supposed to be below 5 (I'm now 3.6) but I'm not 100% sure of that. If it works I don't mind being on statins for that (10mg at night).

I don't take the medication without asking questions about things first but am happy to do so if I'm convinced it's working for me and it's for the good of my health.

 

[will2016]

thanks all, it is the slow release version of metformin i am going onto so hope no poopy episodes this time 🙂 is there a suitable sugar substitute my wife can use to make me cakes, cos i love me cakes too much? 😛

 

[Mark T]

...is there a suitable sugar substitute my wife can use to make me cakes, cos i love me cakes too much? 😛

Well, she could use something based on sugar alcohols.... but that will have you running to the loo!

 

[KateR]

is there a suitable sugar substitute my wife can use to make me cakes, cos i love me cakes too much? 😛

I use Splenda which is OK to cook with as well as putting in tea or on cereal and it it is a very good substitute.🙂

 

[trophywench]

Ditto on the Splenda - or the supermarket own brand variety which is cheaper - but it's the 'granulated' variety you want not the liqid etc.

However you need one heck of a lot less of it than sugar for the same sweetness and it's very light in weight - I just made a cake the other day (with 6 oz ground almonds instead of flour so very low carb) and to 4oz butter where you would usually match that with 4oz sugar, it called for 22g - ie less than an ounce) of Splenda. (4oz = 112g)

And if you use ground almonds you need to add baking powder and more 'wet' ingredients, which was provided with 4oz of Greek yoghurt and an extra egg - so 4 eggs in the whole caboodle.

Some nice low carb (but watch out not necessarily low calorie!!!) recipes can be found here

http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/forum/Blah.pl?c-800/

 

[Caroline]

Metformin and gliclizade. I'm on both.

The metformin will probably affect your tummy till your system gets used to it. I have found it helps to reduce my carbs. If I eat too many carbs in one go my tummy is out. I was told to always take metformin with or soon after food to reduce the effects.

With the gliclizade I was advised to take it 20 minutes or half an hour before eating to give it a chance to work, it encourages the pancreas to produce more insulin which you need to be ready when you eat

 

[belladonna]

Hi, I am newly diagnosed and had my first clinic appointment the other week. I have been on both metformin and glicazide since January. My cholesterol was 5.5 and the doc said last week that that would be OK in a non diabetic person but if diabetic they like it to be below 4.5. i am now on simvastin to bring cholesterol down. However, my blood pressure is well below norm, so no problems with that. Hope this helps. xx Is

 

[Paul]

metformin gave me wind and the trots for months but has settled now.

 

[Carina1962]

I am on the highest dose of simvastatin (80mg) and my last reading was 5.8 and she told me that she wants it to be 4 or below. I am due to see my GP at the end of the month to discuss what to do next about my high cholesterol.

 

[mcdonagh47]

I am on the highest dose of simvastatin (80mg) and my last reading was 5.8 and she told me that she wants it to be 4 or below. I am due to see my GP at the end of the month to discuss what to do next about my high cholesterol.

If a Statin isn't doing the honours the next step recommended by NICE is to add a fibrate.

 

[will2016]

thanks all for advice recipes etc, i am scared to take the met as it gave me horrendous runs before and i was forced off work, and the policy is if i go sick more than 7 days in a year its disciplinary action against me, so scared to take anything that may make me ill, esp this year as my jobs going and they would save a few quid in paying me off if they can force me out, :/