Meds help

[Chris300185]

I was diagnosed on Weds 15th, Bs 24-28, given gliclazide 80mg twice daily and metformin 500mg once daily. On monday 20th i was told to double my dose of each... baring in mind ive been told this is a marathon not a sprint, by weds 22nd i went back to the hospital with my BS between 12 & 14. She said i should start taking insulin to lower my BS. I personal feel this is s bit early to be doing that, as id only been on my double dose of meds for 2 days. By lunchtime on weds my bs was 9.8, and in the evening 9.4. I didnt take my insulin, its now at 8.5... am i right to ignore the doctor? My meds are obviously working without having to inject and tell the dvla etc...
Has anyone else ignored what the doctors said? I feel loads better and my bs is getting lower every day

 

[Steff]

Hi Chris.
Personally yes you can say we know ourselves better then anyone but when it comes to diabetes I would never ignore the doctor they know best and have the degrees and letters after there name to prove it lol. I definetly would never ignore taking my insulin although myself I have only been on it 3 weeks Id never not take it Why would I not want to give myself the best chance to control my diabetes.

Are you worried or scared that once you inform the DVLA your going to lose your licence or something?

 

[Grannylorraine]

Personally I would not ignore the docs, but it is your body so only you can answer that question. Was the doctor at the hospital or GP? If it was at the hospital you could talk to your GP as a second opinion.

 

[Martin Canty]

At the end of the day it's up to you but IMHO they were a little premature prescribing insulin..... It takes a few weeks for Metformin to start working & even longer for dietary changes.... I'd talk to the Dr again.

Congratulations on the change in BG in just a week..... I'd gauge progress by taking Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) first thing in the morning

 

[Ralph-YK]

I don't know enough about insulin to say anything other than: See doctor, show them you're latest figure. They're a long way down from what they were

 

[Chris300185]

Ive just got home and taken my BS again and its 6.6! I just feel that the neds hadnt had chance to kick in properly and now they have. My diet can't be changed anymore than it already has, ive cut everything out. Ketones are now zero and my bs is normal. If it goes up again then i'll take the advice and take some insulin. @Steff - yes i am affraid of having licence revoked for a while, im an MD and need to be at work every day, and walking 15 miles isnt my idea of fun.
All in all though, i feel ive made the right decision. Thanks for everyones input.

 

[Copepod]

The usual result of informing DVLA about starting insulin is that you get a 3 year licence for car and / or motorbike. Restrictions are stricter for minibuses, vans, lorries etc. You need to renew licence every 3 years.

 

[Steff]

Ive just got home and taken my BS again and its 6.6! I just feel that the neds hadnt had chance to kick in properly and now they have. My diet can't be changed anymore than it already has, ive cut everything out. Ketones are now zero and my bs is normal. If it goes up again then i'll take the advice and take some insulin. @Steff - yes i am affraid of having licence revoked for a while, im an MD and need to be at work every day, and walking 15 miles isnt my idea of fun.
All in all though, i feel ive made the right decision. Thanks for everyones input.

Just be careful Chris I know you say your doing well and yes you are but symptoms of hypers etc can come on very quick and if your behind the wheel and have an accident and something serious happens I don't think "im sorry officer my diabetes was under good control" will cut it .

Good luck anyways

 

[trophywench]

Yup - Gliclazide can make you hypo since it works by encouraging your pancreas to make more insulin. Fine - trouble is though nobody can predict when it will actually lob that extra insulin into the pot. If you happen to be sitting at 6 when it does - you could find yourself in trouble wherever, especially whilst driving.