Type 2 didn't know this

[mikeydt1]

been type 2 didn't know that it was possible to have hypos and only thought that injecting could cause a hypo to happen.

although i am on tablets yesterday didn't feel too clever and off course got worse over night. this morning i checked my BG very early and although high nothing serious to worry about then later on started to get sweats, nothing seemed to be sinking in, stiff muscles, shakes you name it.

well god must of been looking down as a nurse came to see my partner and myself and she must of realised something was adrift with me and got me to check my BG and be blown i was only having a hypo which shocked me as i thought it wasn't possible with been on tablets only.

the nurse took appropriate action to get my levels up and as i have a catheter in a sample has also been sent off.

the problem i have is that i got so used to having high levels that i wasn't even aware my BG had gone the opposite way.

as i sit here typing i am feeling fine but was taken aback this morning but thankfully had someone here who helped me when needed

 

[Andy HB]

It looks like you are on gliclazide amongst other things. This most certainly can cause hypos because it stimulates your pancreas to produce extra insulin.

If you drive, then you must take the necessary precautions prior to getting in to the car. You must be testing to ensure your levels are ok.

 

[grovesy]

If you are on Gliclazide you should have been told it can cause hypos. Prescribed meter and strips to test.

 

[trophywench]

Even non diabetics can go below the magic number of 4 on occasions (four is the floor!) - eg it's a red hot day and you've been mowing your very large lawn for well over an hour, such things as this! Sightseeing and traipsing round Seville in July. Walking from the hotel to the beach anywhere with a seashore ….. playing sports.

Are you actually on Metformin and Gliclazide? You've only told us you've been prescribed two things, but not what they actually are!

 

[Andy HB]

Even non diabetics can go below the magic number of 4 on occasions (four is the floor!) - eg it's a red hot day and you've been mowing your very large lawn for well over an hour, such things as this! Sightseeing and traipsing round Seville in July. Walking from the hotel to the beach anywhere with a seashore ….. playing sports.

Are you actually on Metformin and Gliclazide? You've only told us you've been prescribed two things, but not what they actually are!

In another post @mikeydt1 indicated that he was on "sitagliptin and gliclazide." 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Thanks @Andy HB - I did look but didn't see that.

@mikeydt1 - on the Patient Info Leaflet for Sitagliptin (the one you get inside each packet of it) if you look at Side Effects, in the Moderate Sie Effects, the second one down is 'Low Blood Sugar'.

You really have to be quite dedicated to testing your blood sugar - who knows whether the dose is too high for your current needs?

You need to tell your doctor that this has happened, especially if it is repeated on other days!

 

[mikeydt1]

had a lay down and feel 100% better till next time and will know what to look for.

luckily we had a NHS nurse here who was here when the hypo was happening and new what to do.

as for medication think it is a case of going back to my starter dose and taking it from there.

finally didn't realise just how bad a hypo can be.

 

[Drummer]

You need to test your blood glucose regularly if you were prescribed glucose lowering drugs, and should have been given advice on adjusting dosage - surely?

 

[DaveB]

Hi. It's almost certainly the Gliclazide. Sitagliptin tends to stop working when your blood sugar becomes near normal so is unlikely to be the main problem.

 

[trophywench]

I knew someone else would know more about than I do!

 

[grovesy]

You need to test your blood glucose regularly if you were prescribed glucose lowering drugs, and should have been given advice on adjusting dosage - surely?

Gliclazide in my experience is not predicable and comes in fixed doses tablets and the slow release version are not suitable to be broken up.

 

[Grannylorraine]

As Trophywench said it is actually possible for anyone to have a hypo, I have had them although not very often. But I feel that is why it is important for type2s to test there levels.

 

[Andy HB]

As Trophywench said it is actually possible for anyone to have a hypo, I have had them although not very often. But I feel that is why it is important for type2s to test there levels.

But, more importantly, it's because gliclazide is being taken. It makes having a hypo far more likely and why testing is not just recommended but actually a requirement if driving is involved. Sorry to repeat this point but it didn't seem to have been noticed (but possibly because it isn't relevant in this case?).

Andy 🙂

 

[Annette&Bert]

Interesting, when I was first diagnosed the nurse/practitioner did tell me that gliclazide could cause hypos. That was not why I came off it though, I came off because I was putting weight on!

I have to add that here we are in 2020 and we are constantly told how dangerous this condition is, and furthermore that it affects every organ in our bodies, yet no Lab has ever developed a med to take once a day with good results and very little side affects.

It angers me greatly.

 

[grovesy]

Interesting, when I was first diagnosed the nurse/practitioner did tell me that gliclazide could cause hypos. That was not why I came off it though, I came off because I was putting weight on!

I have to add that here we are in 2020 and we are constantly told how dangerous this condition is, and furthermore that it affects every organ in our bodies, yet no Lab has ever developed a med to take once a day with good results and very little side affects.

It angers me greatly.

My now previous Diabetic Nurse, she retired a few years ago , I not only gave the meter and strips, but also gave me the leaflet on driving and hypos. I no longer take as I was having a lot of hypos despite being on the slow release version. I never gained weight on it , I a totally managed to lose more weight on it .

 

[Annette&Bert]

Grovesy youare lucky. The reason I knew it was the cause of weight gain for me was that the gain happened really quite quickly, and by a hike of 7lbs within only 2 weeks, therefore I had to come straight off it, sadly it really interfered with me because I had lost 10lbs just before!

 

[grovesy]

Grovesy youare lucky. The reason I knew it was the cause of weight gain for me was that the gain happened really quite quickly, and by a hike of 7lbs within only 2 weeks, therefore I had to come straight off it, sadly it really interfered with me because I had lost 10lbs just before!

I dont class my self as particularly lucky as the Gliclazide made some of more drops quite quick and unpredictable. I one time had to sit in my car ,in my Chiropractor car park for nearly 45mins taking glucose tablets before my levels were high enough to drive the short distance home. I also did not feel particularly hypo.

 

[Grannylorraine]

But, more importantly, it's because gliclazide is being taken. It makes having a hypo far more likely and why testing is not just recommended but actually a requirement if driving is involved. Sorry to repeat this point but it didn't seem to have been noticed (but possibly because it isn't relevant in this case?).

Andy 🙂

I was merely pointing out that anyone is at risk of a Hypo, I do not take any of the meds that may cause hypos and was told I therefore did not need to test. I have had a few hypos, I was just saying whatever meds you are on, type2's do need to test, I was told by a DN that my blood sugars would not go below 4 on the meds I am on, but the fact I have had hypos and need to test before I drive proves otherwise. Thankfully I learnt about testing and hypo awareness from this forum.

In the OP case, it is worrying that he has not been informed and supplied with the necessary equipment to be able to test. His post came across that he was surprised that type 2 could have hypos.

 

[Paul Taylor]

Im a Glicazide user and yes it can definitely cause Hypos. But i find it alot better for me than the other drugs. Im not overweight at 85kg, but i do find i have to watch my Sugar levels with this drug.
I use the Contour Next, which links to an App on my iphone. Which is really handy for keeping records and watching the Trend of your levels.

I keep some small Mini Mars bars in the car and in my bag. So if i ever start to feel "Weird", i quickly have one and that gets me back up to 5.5 to 6.

 

[trophywench]

Chocolate isn't really recommended for treating hypos cos the amount of fat (ie cocoa fat) in it slows the carb content down instead of it being instantly available.