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Need some advise please?

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mollylogan

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I'll quickly give a back ground to my diagnosis. Excuse typos as on phone and can't see (honest;-))
I'm 39 years old and have always been an ok weight. With my two pregnancies I put on huge amounts if weight (4 stone+) and had gestational diabetes on both occasions. I lost the weight after so no problems...
Until that is, my 7 year old daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 Neuroblastoma which saw us having to go to The States for treatment. We were there for 6 months initially, long spells in hospital, bad depression, rich American food etc... 3 stone weight gain and a year later and I had type 2 diabetes. I was initially put on Metformin and Glicazide and not a huge difference was made. I was eating constantly and craving really naughty food too!
At one time i used to take Robyn to America every three weeks (by this time she had sadly relapsed with no treatment option here) for 48 hours to receive chemo and on one of these trips I forgot the Glicazide. I panicked for about a minute and then thought ill increase the Metformin to the maximum dose and deal with things upon my return. To my surprise, that weekend I wasn't trying to eat the furniture!!
I googled ( yes I know...) and sure enough it can cause you to feel hungry.
I stopped taking it for about a year, lost a stone and a half but sugar levels are still poor.
Last month I went to see the diabetic nurse at our surgery and asked if I could be considered for Victoza or Byetta. She gave me januvia as we were off to The States for a couple of weeks again and I said I would see how I got on.
My fasting bm is at least 11.5 so I think after nearly 4 weeks this is not good. I'm also pleased to say I'm really trying with lowering carbs etc... And I feel better.
I called her today and she said that after discussion with the diabetic nurse specialist it was decided to try me on Glicazide slow release. I'm not overly keen on this and I don't think I'll take it.
I don't really care about the long term effects if my illness at all but I know I need to be well 'for the day' to care for my child.
They say I'm not 'heavy enough' to warrant Victiza or Byetta. I say, give me Glicazide and I soon will be! I have a feeling its about cost. What a false economy....
Thoughts about slow release Glicazide if you wouldn't mind?? 🙂 and also my long range test was 9.5 I think... Any help gratefully accepted...
 
Welcome Molly. I'm afraid all I can do for you is send you a {{{{hug}}}} and loads of admiration for coping with all that your family has gone through. There are others on the forum who are far more knowledgeable about the drugs you're being offered and you will no doubt get a sensible reply very soon. Meanwhile, hang on in there.
 
Hi Molly, I don't have any experience with slow-release gliclizide, but I imagine its action is the same as the ordinary stuff - to stimulate your pancreas to produce more insulin. More insulin may reduce your levels but may also cause weight gain as you have found. There is a difference in cost to the NHS: Januvia (sitagliptin) is around ?34 a month, Byetta around ?68 a month, and Victoza around ?78 a month - so the difference isn't huge* and if it works to bring down your levels and help keep your weight down then I would have thought certainly worth a try.

*OK, it's twice as much, but not a huge cost is what I meant to say! 🙂
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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