I am T2 and now taking Glimepiride and struggling,

[MaryKate]

Now I find I need to have a snack morning and afternoon or my levels drop very low by mealtimes. for the last few weeks I've been having a sort of muscle stiffness spasms in one or both legs at ankle level, rather painful and unable to sleep. I'd like to stop taking these tablets and return to gliclaside (spelling not sure) I also take Metformin. I struggle with terms like Hbac etc as they were never used and only told my levels should be above 5.0 and below 7.0 before breakfast and then below 120 and above 7.0 before meals. I am vegetarian and actually eating less and less now. I thought I was keeping good control but now feel totally at sea. Hope I have explained in a way that can be understood, at nearly 80 i often feel my concerns are 'talked over'. Ther's going to be no miracle cure for me but I did feel I was in control
I'd really welcome help and advice.

 

[Inka]

I’d just phone up and say that the tablets don’t suit you and you wish to return to the Gliclazide @MaryKate You could also ask why they were changed if you’re not sure of the reasoning behind it. Don’t let yourself be talked over. I find taking a list of questions and a pen helps me ‘take control’ better. I then feel more like the appointment is helping me.

Can you give us an idea of your blood sugar numbers through an average day?

 

[Lucyr]

Now I find I need to have a snack morning and afternoon or my levels drop very low by mealtimes.

What number are you seeing before meals without a snack? You mention targeting above 7.0 before meals so I wonder if you’re having normal levels not low. Only under 4.0 would be low.

 

[MaryKate]

I’d just phone up and say that the tablets don’t suit you and you wish to return to the Gliclazide @MaryKate You could also ask why they were changed if you’re not sure of the reasoning behind it. Don’t let yourself be talked over. I find taking a list of questions and a pen helps me ‘take control’ better. I then feel more like the appointment is helping me.

Can you give us an idea of your blood sugar numbers through an average day?

I think I do let myself be talked over rather hard to stay firm for me though. Just looked back and my fasting mnumbers were between 4.7 and 5.2 pre Glimepiride, now 3.2 and 2.8 (once) but never 4. anything. Mid day is now 6,2 and evening can be 8.3 pre Glimepiride would be around 8.4 and evening 8.6 to about 9.4....

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Just looked back and my fasting mnumbers were between 4.7 and 5.2 pre Glimepiride, now 3.2 and 2.8 (once) but never 4. anything.

That does sound like the Glimipiride isn’t working well for you at all @MaryKate

You should book an urgent appointment to discuss it, and consider whether you feel safe to take the next dose.

Is it a single tablet you are on? Could you speak to a pharmacist tomorrow if you struggle to get hold of your GP.

How long have you been on it?

 

[Lucyr]

I think I do let myself be talked over rather hard to stay firm for me though. Just looked back and my fasting mnumbers were between 4.7 and 5.2 pre Glimepiride, now 3.2 and 2.8 (once) but never 4. anything. Mid day is now 6,2 and evening can be 8.3 pre Glimepiride would be around 8.4 and evening 8.6 to about 9.4....

We can’t give medical advice but personally I’d stop taking it whilst waiting to speak to gp if you were happier with levels without it. Thats just what I’d do as someone that’s happy to self adjust though.

 

[MaryKate]

Only been taking the Glimipiride for 6 weeks, first two weeks or so seemed okay but I have begun feeling unsteady, also been losing sleep recently due to a sort of muscle stiffness and pain round my ankle. I have booked an aointment at the surgery. I feel so confused to be honest I thought I was doing well . I am very grateful for all the help and advice.

 

[Leadinglights]

Now I find I need to have a snack morning and afternoon or my levels drop very low by mealtimes. for the last few weeks I've been having a sort of muscle stiffness spasms in one or both legs at ankle level, rather painful and unable to sleep. I'd like to stop taking these tablets and return to gliclaside (spelling not sure) I also take Metformin. I struggle with terms like Hbac etc as they were never used and only told my levels should be above 5.0 and below 7.0 before breakfast and then below 120 and above 7.0 before meals. I am vegetarian and actually eating less and less now. I thought I was keeping good control but now feel totally at sea. Hope I have explained in a way that can be understood, at nearly 80 i often feel my concerns are 'talked over'. Ther's going to be no miracle cure for me but I did feel I was in control
I'd really welcome help and advice.

The levels you were told seem a bit odd as normally the range to aim at would be 4-7 mmol/l before meals and no more than 8-8.5 mmol/l 2 hours after meals but if overall levels are higher then you would look to trying to have the increase from before eating to 2 hiurs after to no more than 2-3mmol/l.
Your HbA1Cis a test which basically gives a average blood glucose level over the 3 months prior to the test and would be used to give a diagnosis and determine what would be a suitable medication or whether dietary changes alone would be sufficient to bring levels down to normal.
If you were prescribed gliclazide then I assume your HbA1C would have been well into the diabetic zone.
It would be worth asking your GP what your HbA1C actually is as you can judge what those spot blood glucose reading are likely to be.
But one risk of metformin use is it can affect vitamin B12 levels which if low can cause aching and muscle weakness and would need injections of B12 every 3 months. As you are vegetarian you may not be eating foods with vitamin B12.
Even if veggie it is still possible to eat a suitable diet that will help reduce blood glucose. This link has a veggie meal plan which may give you some ideas.
It would be worth discussing your medication with your GP or nurse as there are some newer NICE guidelines which suggest that an acceptable HbA1C level should be more lenient for more mature people which came from some research which found people were being over medicated to keep blood glucose levels lower than was needed and a more personalised plan was better.