Hi newbie question about Glicazide

[Laconic]

Hi diagnosed type 2 HBIAc 110, being on meds for 3 weeks of metformin 500mg gradually being increased every two weeks
Also started low carb diet reading after lunch 5.0 mmol morning 3.9 mmol.
As Glicazide makes pancreas produce more insulin and I’m low carbing is it really necessary. Worried about going hypo so stopped Glicazide and had reading of 4.3 this morning.
Stopping Glicazide is against doctors wishes, but I don’t feel I need it also hoping to come off metformin when my HbaIc is a lot lower will be tested again end of Jan and be controlled by diet alone
Wondering if anyone else has been in this situation

 

[Pandora71]

Hi diagnosed type 2 HBIAc 110, being on meds for 3 weeks of metformin 500mg gradually being increased every two weeks
Also started low carb diet reading after lunch 5.0 mmol morning 3.9 mmol.
As Glicazide makes pancreas produce more insulin and I’m low carbing is it really necessary. Worried about going hypo so stopped Glicazide and had reading of 4.3 this morning.
Stopping Glicazide is against doctors wishes, but I don’t feel I need it also hoping to come off metformin when my HbaIc is a lot lower will be tested again end of Jan and be controlled by diet alone
Wondering if anyone else has been in this situation

Hi Lcaonic. Am type 1 but do have experience of low carb! I wondered if because you are taking glicazide you are also able to test your blood glucose levels to see if you are correct. If you do stick with low carb then you should lose some insulin resistance and therefore perhaps require less medication but I think the only way you can know if by testing at 2 hours after a meal to see if you are back in to a healthy range and also when you get up in the morning and go to bed. Otherwise there is a risk of going hypo. Ideally your doctor would be aware of low carbing and offer advice on tapering meds down but appreciate you may be on your own here.

 

[Si100330]

Hi Laconic. I was put on glicazide straight away at my local walk in centre. When I saw the nurse at my own doctors she put me on metformin she wasnt too happy about me being on glicazide but told me to stay with it for a week/ 10 days. She warned me about going hypo and told me to check my bloods at breakfast midday and in the evening. I dont know if you experienced any trouble with your eyes but as I reduced my sugar content and like yourself stuck to a low carb diet I noticed my eyesight had become blurred. I was told this was because my glucose levels were coming down quickly so I was told to stop taking it. I think from memory my level dropped to 3.7 at its lowest. After a couple of days my eyesight returned to normal. I've watched my carbs since day one, it certainly works for me. It's a minefield at first but it sounds like you are on top of it and your figures are coming down. My hba1c was also 110 at diagnosis and my glucose was 28!! My hba1c is now 28. Keep doing what your doing, look at food labels and I bet your readings will come down more. Good luck, keep determined

 

[Docb]

Hi Laconic, I also got started on gliclazide and metformin when my HBA1c took a big hike. Started to low carb, the finger prick readings tumbled and the GP reduced the gliclazide to avoid hypos. Went down to zero gliclazide but finger pricks started to go up and I am now on a minimal dose of it and things have steadied.

So, it sounds like my experience is similar to yours except my DN/GP, I think sensibly, adjusted the gliclazide to keep my blood glucose in an acceptable range. DN still a bit worried about me taking the minimal dose with my now "normal" HBA1c because of the risk of dipping below 4. I have kept a good set of records so I could set her mind at rest about that and could show her that no gliclazide easily pushed me into double figures.

 

[Laconic]

Thanks for replies my mmol was 3.9 first thing in morning when on Gliclazide
It’s my decision to stop it but will monitor my glucose levels regularly

 

[Docb]

Can I suggest that you keep very good records so that you can show your GP what has been going on. I have found that very helpful in discussions with mine.