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Sitagliptin and Metformin......HELP!!

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fatbill

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Help!
I have Parkinson's as well as T2.
I was taking 850 Metformin twice a day, but had to change to liquid Metformin when I couldn't swallow the tablets, which are quite big.
The liquid Metformin made me very nauseous, along with flatulence and diarrohea.
Not being able to see or speak to a doctor, I spoke with a nurse at the practice who changed my meds to 100mg Sitagliptin once a day.
I know I've only been taking the Sitagliptin for 2 days, but my blood sugar is now 18.6 mmol.
Should I persevere with the Sitagliptin for a day or two and keep testing, or seek help?
The Parkinson's gets me a little confused at times like this, and decision-making more difficult.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
 
Hi. Sitagliptin is a completely different drug from Metformin. Sitagliptin works by stopping an enzyme that in turns turns the pancreas off after a meal. This extends the time during which insulin is produced. To be honest for many, Metformin only has a small effect. By far the biggest effect would be from reducing the carb intake. There are one or too other drugs that might be more helpful than Sitagliptin.
 
DaveB said:
Hi. Sitagliptin is a completely different drug from Metformin. Sitagliptin works by stopping an enzyme that in turns turns the pancreas off after a meal. This extends the time during which insulin is produced. To be honest for many, Metformin only has a small effect. By far the biggest effect would be from reducing the carb intake. There are one or too other drugs that might be more helpful than Sitagliptin.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that, Dave.
I think part of my problem is that I haven't seen a Diabetes clinic in years.
Diagnosed when we lived in Spain, I was prescribed Metformin which seemed to work OK.
We've been back here for over 3 years, and my prescription was just carried on with no real review.
Since being diagnosed with Parkinson's at the end of 2018, my swallowing capabilities have deteriorated, which prompted the therapy clinic to get my meds changed to liquid, which I just can't tolerate.
I think I really need to see a proper Diabetic clinic so that they can maybe look at a proper strategy.
I'm not sure that over-the-phone diagnosis by a practice nurse is the best thing.
I'll have to look again at my diet....it's been totally trashed by the effects of Parkinson's.
I guess there will by booklets available to help.
Thanks again for your input.
Watching my BS figures climbing is a bit worrying.
 
Sorry to hear about your rising BGs and difficulties finding meds that work well for you.

There are several other options if the sitagliptin isn’t working out.

Hope you can manage to get a proper review, now that surgeries and clinics are opening up again. Those kinds of elevated BGs do need looking at, and are probably making you feel pretty rotten.
 
fatbill said:
Thanks for that, Dave.
I think part of my problem is that I haven't seen a Diabetes clinic in years.
Diagnosed when we lived in Spain, I was prescribed Metformin which seemed to work OK.
We've been back here for over 3 years, and my prescription was just carried on with no real review.
Since being diagnosed with Parkinson's at the end of 2018, my swallowing capabilities have deteriorated, which prompted the therapy clinic to get my meds changed to liquid, which I just can't tolerate.
I think I really need to see a proper Diabetic clinic so that they can maybe look at a proper strategy.
I'm not sure that over-the-phone diagnosis by a practice nurse is the best thing.
I'll have to look again at my diet....it's been totally trashed by the effects of Parkinson's.
I guess there will by booklets available to help.
Thanks again for your input.
Watching my BS figures climbing is a bit worrying.
Click to expand...
You may have already looked at the Parkinson's UK website but they seem to suggest that certain diabetes medications both help the diabetic condition and Parkinson's symptoms.
There may also be other resources you can access through them to help you.
But yes, I agree you need to see the diabetic specialists to get a treatment program to suit your circumstances.
 
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