The drugs don't work

[Sean Bexley]

I'm type 2 diabetic, and have been for about 3 years, my problem is that I've been tried on every drug and every type of insulin on the market and every one of them gives me a violent reaction.

Without being too indelicate, I can't venture far from a bathroom and I'm in constant stomach pain, not only that, they don't seem to make much difference anyway.

Consequently, I've taken nothing for six months now and allthough I feel fine my blood sugar is rocketing (a constant 19-20) and my heart problems have returned.

Any comments or advice would be much appreciated.

 

[LeeLee]

Hello Sean, sorry you're struggling. Can you tell us what you've tried? What does your consultant say? Have you had any investigations to see whether there's an underlying gut problem that the drugs are aggravating? We're not doctors, but there's a wide range of experience here on the forum so helpful suggestions may follow.

 

[Caroline]

Hi, I think you need to talk to your doctor and ask for further investigations.

For my own experience, I do have tummy problems and don't like to be too far away from the loo and have clean underwear in my work bag and desk drawer for emergencies. I also can't eat for at least two hours before I travel in case I get held up and need the loo urgently.

You'd need to take advice that you are getting the right things but for the tummy problems I take codeine phosphate for the cramps and pain. I used to take imodium but developed an intolerance towards it, wlthough it was effective. I now use colpermin, but please do take advice to ensure you get something that is right for you and wont react badly with anything else you are taking.

metformin is well known for causing tummy problems and (my term for it) nuclear fall out. You need to persever withthat one as things do improve in time

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear you are having problems Sean.

Can't really comment as not T2... if you are having difficulty with meds (most likely Met from what you've said) have you tried the SR version - Glucophage?

And what adjustments have you made to your diet to try to help your struggling metabolism cope without meds. 18's-20's must be makgin you feel pretty grim I'd think.

Have you tried reducing carb intake to see if you can get those numbers down a bit? Jennifer's advice or Test Review Adjust give a good framework for testig etc.

http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

 

[itsallgood]

Sorry to hear this Sean, personally I had big problems with metformin early on but after changing to metfrominSR (glucophage slow release), cutting down on carbs particularly porridge and eating brazil nuts regularly my bum is now very well behaved.

 

[Sean Bexley]

Hello Sean, sorry you're struggling. Can you tell us what you've tried? What does your consultant say? Have you had any investigations to see whether there's an underlying gut problem that the drugs are aggravating? We're not doctors, but there's a wide range of experience here on the forum so helpful suggestions may follow.

Hi Lee, as far as I'm aware, I've tried every drug on the market and all the different insulin types, I know I've got an hiatus hernia, for which I'm taking Lanzoprazole, I had a ten minute chat with a consultant about 2 years ago and I can't remember what he said, unfortunately, I don't think the diabetic nurses believe me even when I've taken my wife in there with me to confirm the problems, so any help or advice you can give me would be most welcome.

Sean

 

[Sean Bexley]

Hi, I think you need to talk to your doctor and ask for further investigations.

For my own experience, I do have tummy problems and don't like to be too far away from the loo and have clean underwear in my work bag and desk drawer for emergencies. I also can't eat for at least two hours before I travel in case I get held up and need the loo urgently.

You'd need to take advice that you are getting the right things but for the tummy problems I take codeine phosphate for the cramps and pain. I used to take imodium but developed an intolerance towards it, wlthough it was effective. I now use colpermin, but please do take advice to ensure you get something that is right for you and wont react badly with anything else you are taking.

metformin is well known for causing tummy problems and (my term for it) nuclear fall out. You need to persever withthat one as things do improve in time

Hi Caroline

I was actually incapacitated by it, even to the point of being taken to hospital several times.

 

[Sean Bexley]

Sorry to hear this Sean, personally I had big problems with metformin early on but after changing to metfrominSR (glucophage slow release), cutting down on carbs particularly porridge and eating brazil nuts regularly my bum is now very well behaved.

Thanks, I'll try that

 

[LeeLee]

Something else that has been recommended by others with the windy problems caused my metformin is charcoal tablets.

Have you changed your diet to minimise the carbs that you eat? From a personal point of view, I find that eating low carb meals when taking metformin helps me.

Have you been referred to a consultant endocrinologist, or are all the attempts at controlling your diabetes being controlled by your GP? A specialist centre will have access to all the drugs available, including ones to counter the nasty side effects. If you can find a way to tolerate the drugs that reduce insulin resistance, your blood glucose levels should start to respond.

 

[Copepod]

It's quite possible that you have a gastro intestinal problem that is not connected to diabetes medication. You really need to speak to GP and get referred to a gatroenterologist. I'm surprised that hasn't happened already, given your emergency admissions to hospital. Once you have a diagnosis, then also ask to see a dietician, who may be able to recommend some foods to exclude / include.