I don't think...

Bratty1 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-16-2006, 10:02 AM

The actos is helping, I think it's actually causing my BG to go higher.

I know it's only been a few days that I've been taking it... but I really think it's causing me to have higher blood sugars. This morning my BS was at 160. I took my meds (500mg metformin, 2.5mg of glyburide and 15mg of actos) Then for breakfast I had a small bowl of organic cereal (total carbs with the 2% milk = 55 grams). Three hours later my BG = 293!

I have called my doctor to see what he thinks, but I don't think I should take the actos anymore.

kgm0612 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-16-2006, 10:57 AM

I'm not sure how long it takes for the Actos to start working properly, but with Metformin it usually takes several weeks.

What are you eating throughout the day, Bratty? If you're eating foods high in carbohydrates, like the cereal you ate this morning, then your blood sugars are going to be up there. Instead of eating organic cereal, try the Special K Protein Plus cereal instead. One bowl only has 14g of carbs.

I'd cut back on your carb intake for a bit and test often to see how your blood sugars are reacting to the foods that you're eating.

Karen

Harold · #3 (**permalink**) 11-16-2006, 12:28 PM

Actos will not make your bg's go higher, but will take about four weeks to see results. Now if your dead set on not taking it tell your doctor.

ladytaz · #4 (**permalink**) 11-16-2006, 12:52 PM

What Harold said, it won't make it go higher, it works kinda sorta like metformin, in helping your body use the insulin it does make. And it takes anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks I think it is for it to really start taking affect.

your breakfast was pretty high in carbs! You may have to do like I have to and start my day out really low carb! If I start out high, I can have a hard time bringing the BG down sometimes.

Eggs, breakfast meats, and a peice of toast ... or a LITE yogurt (under 20 carbs), or the cottage cheese n fruit. Give those things a try and test 2 hours later to see how ya do with that

ALSO, doc may need to up your glyburide dose. The glyburide actually lowers your BG. You are on a relatively low dose of it right now.

Give it a couple more weeks, to let the actos and metformin start doing their jobs, and just keep a close check on your numbers, and watch those carbs!!
Keep the first meal of the day on the lower side, and for your lunch and supper, try to not let them be over 45g for right now at least ... see if you have a pattern going with that, and if you are still running high after your big meals, then cut the carb count down in say 5g increments. Once the meds all kick in, you may be able to add carbs back again

OH and watch the carbs on those snacks! I wouldn't eat anymore than 20 to 25 carbs per snack time ...

Bratty1 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-16-2006, 01:10 PM

I *use* to be able to eat a meal containing 60 grams of carbs with just the metformin and the glyburide and my blood sugars would be perfect... of course that was the past and now things seem to be a lot different... I researched actos online and found on the bottom of this page: ACTOS medication for insulin resistance to help you manage your type 2 diabetes it says that in some clinical trials it has caused BG levels to increase... this is what has me concerned... I dunno, but I have called my doctor (he's not in today so they have left him a message for him to call me back tomorrow).

As for what I eat during the day... the cereal is the last thing I have eaten (at 9am) I know this is not good, and I am about to eat a little something now. (Just tested BS = 178)

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

ladytaz · #6 (**permalink**) 11-16-2006, 01:20 PM

I would eat a (lettuce) salad of some sort with VERY little carbs or NO carbs at all! You'll still get filled up but it won't make your BG go higher!

If you've got some chicken, grill some of that up (I season it up then fry it in a pan using PAM or other non stick spray) and put it in there too!! Very YUM!!

If you dont have any lettuce/salad available, eat some meat, and veggies ... just remember, keep it low on the carbs since you're running high right now

lilituc · #7 (**permalink**) 11-16-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bratty1

it says that in some clinical trials it has caused BG levels to increase...

Keep in mind that in a clinical trial they have to report anything that happens as a potential side effect. So if some people's bg increased (for any reason) while they were in the trial, they have to report that. It doesn't mean that the Actos necessarily caused it.

It does take at least two weeks to have an effect. It sounds like something else may be going on.

Harold · #8 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 04:17 AM

Dextrose is used as a filler in pills. Dextrose is one of a few types of sugar/carbohydrate. So yes it could increase your bg by a couple of points for a few minutes.

Cyborg · #9 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 05:29 AM

I rarely, if ever, have eaten a breakfast with 60g of carbs. Even on the pump I would have a difficult time controlling my bg if I did so. If I did eat that many carbs for breakfast, I would definately use my Symlin.

Bratty1 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 07:49 AM

Well something is definitely not right... My morning BS was 160... I took my meds (including the actos), ate a Breyer's light yogurt (18 grams of carbs) and a small glass of V8 juice... two hours later... BS = 230.

ladytaz · #11 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bratty1

Well something is definitely not right... My morning BS was 160... I took my meds (including the actos), ate a Breyer's light yogurt (18 grams of carbs) and a small glass of V8 juice... two hours later... BS = 230.

How long have you been on these meds/dosages? And what are the dosages of Metformin and Glyburide are you taking? You may need your med doses upped hun! Most probably the glyburide, and possibly the metformin as well.

When I started out, I was on 500mg Metformin 2x daily and 10mg Glipizide 1x daily, it wasn't working like it should after 3 weeks, so he upped me to 1000mg Metformin 2x daily and 10mg Glipizide 2x daily. We ended up having to cut the night dose of Glipizide becuase I was going low (in the low 40's) nearly every middle of the night.

Bratty1 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladytaz

How long have you been on these meds/dosages? And what are the dosages of Metformin and Glyburide are you taking? You may need your med doses upped hun! Most probably the glyburide, and possibly the metformin as well.

When I started out, I was on 500mg Metformin 2x daily and 10mg Glipizide 1x daily, it wasn't working like it should after 3 weeks, so he upped me to 1000mg Metformin 2x daily and 10mg Glipizide 2x daily. We ended up having to cut the night dose of Glipizide becuase I was going low (in the low 40's) nearly every middle of the night.

I have been on the metformin and the glyburide off and on for the past 4 years, consistently taking them both for the past 3 months. The metformin dosage is 500mg x2/day and the glyburide is 2.5mg x2/day. I was taking the medication, but not watching my diet OR testing my blood sugars. I decided last week to get more serious about taking care of my diabetes so at my last doctor's appointment, my doctor added actos (15mg) to the mix. He mentioned upping my dosage of metformin, but decided against this because of one of the side effects that I was already having a problem with (the diarrhea).

I still have not spoke to him about it all, but he did call back and leave a message on my voice mail (I was at an appointment with my son this morning when he called). He asked me to continue taking the actos and give it a little time, and that he would call me back again.

Anyway, I'm feeling sorry for myself... even though I know it's all my own fault to begin with. heh I'm close to saying "f*** it!!"

ladytaz · #13 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bratty1

I have been on the metformin and the glyburide off and on for the past 4 years, consistently taking them both for the past 3 months. The metformin dosage is 500mg x2/day and the glyburide is 2.5mg x2/day. I was taking the medication, but not watching my diet OR testing my blood sugars. I decided last week to get more serious about taking care of my diabetes so at my last doctor's appointment, my doctor added actos (15mg) to the mix. He mentioned upping my dosage of metformin, but decided against this because of one of the side effects that I was already having a problem with (the diarrhea).

I still have not spoke to him about it all, but he did call back and leave a message on my voice mail (I was at an appointment with my son this morning when he called). He asked me to continue taking the actos and give it a little time, and that he would call me back again.

Anyway, I'm feeling sorry for myself... even though I know it's all my own fault to begin with. heh I'm close to saying "f*** it!!"

Don't give up hun!! I know how you're feeling! I felt EXACTLY the same way a couple months into it!

So since you were taking the meds, but weren't eating correctly and all that, this is like it's the "beginning", when first diagnosed.

As for the metformin side effect. My sis has that same problem as well with OUT the metformin, the metformin was making it WAY worse. You can ask if he'll prescribe you Wellcall or Welcall ... not sure how it's spelled, but sounds just like "well call". This has helped her a lot! Are you on the Metformin ER or just regular? Taking the ER can help reduce that yukky side effect as well.

One thing I learned real quick was that you can't always rely on your doc, you need to take your care into your own hands, research, learn ALL you can about your diabetes!! Inform and educate yourself! Knowledge ... this is your weapon!!! You sometimes almost have to be your own doctor, and have to instruct your doctor on what needs to be done, or at the very least, give suggestions for things to be done! Sad, but true!

My doc was of no help to me in the diet department. I had to learn what and how to eat all on my own!! He also was only concerned with my morning numbers! I told him NO, I NEED to know how different foods are affecting me, so I can learn what I can and cannot eat! I'm not just diabetic in the "mornings" it's a 24/7/365 thing!! Therefore, I'll test before and after each meal at the very least, and you'll know how I'm doing through out the ENTIRE day, not just in the morning!!! He agreed

Thank God for places like this forum and others, and other diabetics, else I don't know what I would have done! I would have been SO LOST!

Just don't give up! It takes time hun! It's a learning process, and a process to get the right mix and dosage of meds to get things going right!! I'm a year and 3 months into my diabetes and I'm still not as fine tuned as I need to be!!
My issues were financial tho, wasn't able to go to the doc for some time, meds being taken were more important! But I've kept up on eating properly and taking my meds religiously and testing .. ok ... I had slacked off on the testing some and don't ALWAYS eat properly, but I'm pretty good

Peter Lee · #14 (**permalink**) 11-19-2006, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bratty1

I have been on the metformin and the glyburide off and on for the past 4 years, consistently taking them both for the past 3 months. The metformin dosage is 500mg x2/day and the glyburide is 2.5mg x2/day. I was taking the medication, but not watching my diet OR testing my blood sugars. I decided last week to get more serious about taking care of my diabetes so at my last doctor's appointment, my doctor added actos (15mg) to the mix. He mentioned upping my dosage of metformin, but decided against this because of one of the side effects that I was already having a problem with (the diarrhea).

I still have not spoke to him about it all, but he did call back and leave a message on my voice mail (I was at an appointment with my son this morning when he called). He asked me to continue taking the actos and give it a little time, and that he would call me back again.

Anyway, I'm feeling sorry for myself... even though I know it's all my own fault to begin with. heh I'm close to saying "f*** it!!"

These are relatively low doses of medication leaving plenty of scope to increase to a level where effective control can take place assuming you get your diet and exercise regime organised.

Quote:

I'm close to saying "f*** it

If you do that and give up trying to control your sugar levels your health will suffer considerably over a period of time resulting in a shortening of your lifespan.

One thing you could do is to get another opinion on your lifestyle and medication from a diabetes specialist.