[Ed B]

Hello all

I found this message board while Googling for diabetes discussion boards. It looks like a great community.

First a little history:

I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about 4 years ago. At the time we found out that my average blood glucose level was about 300 over the past 6 months. I pretty much knew intuitively that I had it before the doctor confirmed it, because of frequent urination and because of the ill feeling in my “core” when I tried to drink sugared drinks and any food/candy with high sugar levels. A couple of sips and I would pour out the drink or throw away the sugary foods.

My doctor prescribed the standard type 2 Diabetes starter kit with Actoplus and a statin drug - Lipitor in my case. I quit taking the Lipitor because of the muscle and joint pain it caused. After about 4 months I was able to get my fasting blood sugar levels down to a reasonable level and I didn’t have to take the Actoplus very often if I was careful with my diet.

To the issue:

This past August, my doctor switched me from Lipitor, which I wasn’t taking, to Crestor to help better manage my cholesterol levels. The blood tests that led to the change showed a very good a1c with a fasting blood glucose level at a reasonable 125ish that morning. I was controlling my sugar level with diet and had not taken Actoplus for several months because my numbers were good. My overall cholesterol was at 200 and my triglycerides were high. That being so my doctor had me try Crestor for a few weeks and told me to come back to be tested again.

I took Crestor for a few weeks as he directed and went back for another blood test. My cholesterol numbers were remarkably improved - went from an over-all of 200 to 130ish. I have never seen my cholesterol that low and I asked the nurse to double check, assuming that was my LDL level. Nope, that was my total cholesterol number so we were all happy. However, my fasting blood sugar level was higher - about 160 that morning.

Since then, my blood sugar levels are averaging about 30 to 40 points higher for similar testing intervals. Early this morning, I forgot to take the 10mg of Crestor as I usually do. I took the Crestor about 4 hours after eating my typical Saturday morning breakfast. I tested my blood sugar 30 minutes after taking Crestor and my blood sugar was 277. That is 4 1/2 hours after eating. I haven’t seen 277 in a few years, but this is also the first time I have checked my BS level within 30 minutes of taking this medicine.

I love the way Crestor is controlling my cholesterol. And I haven't found any mention of elevated blood glucose being a side-effect of Crestor. But it sure seems to be affecting me this way. I am taking the Actoplus again to help get the numbers down.

Have any of you heard of Crestor or any other statin drug causing an increase in blood sugar?


Thanks

Ed B