Too many drugs

[mark hawksworth]

I was diagnosed T2 4 weeks ago with blood of 104 and finger pricks of around 22. Started on 80 mg gliclazide which seems to have helped. I have recently started having finger test of between 3.5 and 8. Anything below 4.5 I feel the effects of feeling woozy and on anything below 4 I can get very dizzy and not with it. The doctor suggested I drop to 40mg gliclazide, after 3 days I have just had a low of 3.4 (not nice episode). A new doctor, without seeing my test results, has asked me to take metformin with the gliclazide. As I am new to all this would I be right in thinking the two tablets together will lower my Blood even more and cause me to go proper Hypo. Any advice would be grateful as I am holding off taking the metformin until I speak to a doctor on Monday.

 

[Brando77]

I'm in the same boat. Was on Gliclazide 2x80mg, then put on Metformin 2x500mg and half a Gliclazide twice a day. Big improvement. I'm happy but everyone's different I suppose....I'm still new at 3months so darned inexperienced in all things Diabetes.
Good luck 🙂

Edited to add, mine was 98 and finger test 20.7.....nearly 'SNAP'

 

[trophywench]

Metformin doesn't actually have a direct effect on your BG level - it is more to enable your body to use the insulin at its disposal better - to help overcome some of the insulin resisting effects within a T2's body to some degree.

Unlike Gliclazide, which straight away encourages the pancreas to dispense more insulin, Metformin doesn't work optimally at any dose, until a couple of weeks after you start taking it. Hence you wouldn't be able to tell whether it made a difference or not, for at least 2 to 3 weeks after you start, and it isn't something you can take 'as and when' either - needs topping up every day to remain as helpful as it can be.

 

[DaveB]

The Metformin would be the first choice and shouldn't affect BS. Gliclazide is best prescribed if your pancreas is suspected of having a reduced insulin output. Many T2s may have an increased insulin output anyway due to insulin resistance so Gliclazide may not be the best way forward. If a low-carb diet and Metformin don't help then Gliclazide may then help as it may indicate lack of insulin.

 

[Drummer]

You are going proper hypo - the Gliclazide dose seems to be too high for the amount of carbs you are eating, and is hammering the insulin out of your pancreas at a higher rate than required. You might - er - forget to take the tablets, particularly if you want to drive to see your doctor - 'four is the floor, need five to drive' is the little mnemonic I have seen quoted. Medical advice should not be taken from a forum, but continuing with the Gliclazide could be dangerous with the blood glucose levels you are seeing. You need to consult a doctor who will realise just how well you are controlling your blood glucose levels and allow you to adjust your medication as appropriate for your needs.

 

[Chrissiem]

I was having the same issues, so went back to my surgery a few weeks ago and saw a different GP who checked my latest blood results. I was taking Glimeperide, which is similar to Glicazide and having a lot of lows especially mid morning. He changed me to Metformin, only 500mg daily to start with but now my levels are mostly between 6 and 8. Definitely need checking again especially if driving, as that was my concern.

 

[mark hawksworth]

Thanks for everybody's advice, spoke to a third doctor who basically said "no no no" to taking both tablets as the hypos could become dangerous. Told me to cut out the Glicazide and just take 1 metformin 500mg in the morning. First day yesterday and felt so much better, finger reading's between 4.9 and 7.3 throughout the day. Last week I was still driving with readings in the mid 3s without realising it was dangerous, nobody tells you about these things. Hopefully I am on the right path now.

 

[Beck S]

That seems much better.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Thanks for everybody's advice, spoke to a third doctor who basically said "no no no" to taking both tablets as the hypos could become dangerous. Told me to cut out the Glicazide and just take 1 metformin 500mg in the morning. First day yesterday and felt so much better, finger reading's between 4.9 and 7.3 throughout the day. Last week I was still driving with readings in the mid 3s without realising it was dangerous, nobody tells you about these things. Hopefully I am on the right path now.

Wow! Thank goodness you got the advice you needed!

Glad to hear the simple adjustment has worked so well for you.

 

[Beck S]

Well done as well for keep going back to the doctors and not just accepting it. I remember the doctor I saw at the hospital being very clear about the gliclazide and what it could do to me, and that even though my HbA1c was 107, they only started me off on the lowest dose of both that and the Metformin to see how it went. Describing your symptoms to the doctor and then him giving you more drugs on top seems really quite bad to me.