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Hi im new here

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Kirsty1990

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Type 2
Hi everyone I've been type 2 for over 5 years but fell pregnant 2 months after being diagnosed, then I went very quickly from using metformin to diet controlled after my son was born. Then the pandemic hit and a mixture of nightshifts and poor diet happened. I noticed I'd no energy and felt off all the time so contacted my gp and had a hba1c done which came back higher than its ever been. Over the past 8 months I've had metformin, slow release metformin then faxogil? (Not sure if that's right) all of which I had horrendous side effects on.

My gp has recently done another hba1c which I'm awaiting the results off but he asked me to choose one of two options. I can't remember the names but the first was a tablet that causes weight gain and I'd have to check my sugars multiple times a day and more so if I have to drive any where, the second option was an injection (not insulin).

I'm basically wondering if anyone else on here is on either of those and how do you find them?
 
Hi @Kirsty1990 and welcome to the forum.

I suspect that the "tablet" your GP is talking about is one of the sulfonylureas, Gliclazide being one of the common brand names. This is said to work by promoting the pancreas to produce insulin and as such has the potential to cause your blood glucose to go lower than is wise and so checking before driving is a good idea. I take it myself and my testing has shown it to be effective in reducing blood glucose but I have never seen levels low enough to give me any concern.

I know that there are injection options but I do not know anything about them but I am sure somebody will be along soon with their experiences.

One thing I would say is that there is a lot of talk about diabetes medication causing weight gain. It is much more complicated than some would make out and it is far from certain that any given medications will cause weight gain in those who take it. Other things are far more important. As far as I am concerned, taking gliclazide has had no effect on my weight.
 
Hi Kirsty, if you let us know what your hba1c is when you get your results then this will help people advise you. There are many type 2’s on here with a lot of experience bringing down their numbers with various methods. You will get a lot of support here xx
 
Looking at your profile I see that you are just 31 which means that you were just 26 when you were diagnosed which is quite young for Type 2. Not impossibly young by any means but I wonder if they considered that you might possibly be a slow onset Type 1. That can initially respond to Type 2 medication and especially dietary changes but then deteriorate months or years later, especially if diet lapses. I wonder if your Doctor has considered a C-peptide and GAD antibody test. These are the blood tests which help to identify Type 1 diabetes.
I think the non insulin injectables tend to help with weight loss but can cause nausea and digestive upset. Do you have much/any weight to lose?

It is quite frustrating when doctors say that medication causes weight gain, particularly insulin. Gliclazide is a drug which stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin so the overall effect is to increase insulin in the body, so it is essentially the same thing. It is generally too many carbs and calories in the diet which cause weight gain. The insulin/gliclazide just enables the body to access them. Telling people that the medication causes the problem is not tackling the issue which is that they are eating too much or the wrong things. If you moderate your diet then they should not cause weight gain.
 
Welcome to the forum @Kirsty1990

Glad you have found us. Let us know the results of your most recent checks when they come through.

It can be really helpful to have others to walk alongside you who are facing the same struggles and frustrations day-to-day, people who instinctively ‘get it’, and who have a variety of strategies you could consider.

Good luck, and keep asking questions 🙂
 
rebrascora said:
Looking at your profile I see that you are just 31 which means that you were just 26 when you were diagnosed which is quite young for Type 2. Not impossibly young by any means but I wonder if they considered that you might possibly be a slow onset Type 1. That can initially respond to Type 2 medication and especially dietary changes but then deteriorate months or years later, especially if diet lapses. I wonder if your Doctor has considered a C-peptide and GAD antibody test. These are the blood tests which help to identify Type 1 diabetes.
I think the non insulin injectables tend to help with weight loss but can cause nausea and digestive upset. Do you have much/any weight to lose?

It is quite frustrating when doctors say that medication causes weight gain, particularly insulin. Gliclazide is a drug which stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin so the overall effect is to increase insulin in the body, so it is essentially the same thing. It is generally too many carbs and calories in the diet which cause weight gain. The insulin/gliclazide just enables the body to access them. Telling people that the medication causes the problem is not tackling the issue which is that they are eating too much or the wrong things. If you moderate your diet then they should not cause weight gain.
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Thank you for your reply. Yes I was 26 when I was diagnosed. I'm not sure if my doctor has thought of that as he is a gp who has some training in diabetes but I'm not sure to what extent. I'll mention those tests when I next speak to him to see what he says. I'm also a hca on a ward that uses DSN's so I think I'll speak to whoever is on the ward tomorrow.

I need to loose around 5 stone to be in the upper range of healthy bmi. But one of the reasons I've been switched from metformin is the digestive issues I have.

I know what you mean about them saying it causes weight gain especially with my gp who then rules out the medication due to my current weight.

I used to understand how to control my levels so well but I'm struggling at the minute so I'm trying to research the best and worst foods to eat to try and create a diet plan. I've recently started trying to exercise so hopefully that will help.
 
@Kirsty1990 If you are a type two, and nothing more exciting, then the problem is probably going to be the carbs - starches and sugars - we are told that they are healthy, but we can live without them, unlike protein and fat which are essential.
What would be a typical diet for you these days, and what levels of blood glucose do you see after eating?
 
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