[Smitie]

All,

I've been on Metformin for only a month and my Blood Sugar levels have not come down and my Dr wants to place me on a second medication. Does anyone have recommendations for that second med?

So far I've looked at a lot of different paths and I want to have as much information before I go see the doctor.

Here is my short list.
Sulfonyfureas - Quite a few old and new Drugs here but not much information on long term side effect.
DPP-4 Inhibitors - Don't like the link to cancer.
Thiazolidinediones - Don't like the Heart Issues.
Byetta - Needle and needs to be in refrigerated

Any comments or input would be great, again I'm not trying to play doctor just want to know what I'm talking about with mine.

Thanks,

Smitie

[Funnygrl]

Actos seems to be a common second med to add.

[Hammer]

Amaryl is another one. It falls under the Sulfonyfureas class of drugs. It's generic name is Glimepiride.

[princesslinda]

Byetta doesn't need to be refrigerated after its first use.
The needles are truly no big deal...much less painful than the fingersticks we do so frequently.

BTW, are you exercising and watching the amount of carbs you eat?

[Smitie]

I've been watching the carbs and put myself back on a low-card diet, I've already loss weight and I feel better.

- Exercising Daily Walking 1-2 miles.
- Cut out all sugars, everything I eat is low carb now.

My first two fasting Blood sugars where 311(Yearly Checkup) and 280(two days after my doctor called me and just cutting back on carbs).

I'm now averaging between 160-180 for AM checks and I'm three weeks into Metformin. My Doctor is recommending a second med and I’ll be meeting with her next week to go over the next steps. I would just like to get a feel for what people have been put on and any issues with the other drugs.

I know it takes time to get the numbers down but I was hoping to have good fasting BS number after the third week of med's.

Smitie

[Scrabblechick]

Smitie, it probably took six weeks for me on Metformin alone, with diet and exercise, to see a really significant change. I was trending downward and then, suddenly, it was like my body stopped fighting me, and my BGs really started to look normal.

[Hammer]

I've been impressed with Byetta. My doctor upped mine from the 5mcg pens to the 10mcg pens, and all my BG numbers have come down. I thought that Byetta would keep the post meal numbers from spiking too much, but my fasting numbers have improved. I just did a BG test that was about 3 hours after dinner, and it was 88. I've never been that low before.

If you're thinking about Byetta, like everyone said, 99% of the time, you can't feel the fine needle you use to inject it. The other 1% of the time, you can feel it, but it's very minor.

I was trying to think of something that I could relate that 1% of the time to, and it feels exactly like if you get a wood splinter in your clothing and as you move, the splinter touches your skin just enough to make you aware that something is stuck in your clothing, so you stop, rub the area until you locate the splinter, and remove it. Well that 1% of the time you do feel the needle, it feels like the splinter did.

[stavs]

I've been on Byetta for a month. I was on the following:

Glipizide
Januvia
Avandia

I have since dropped Januvia and Avandia, and upped to 10mg Byetta on Monday. My BG is lower and today I pulled a 76 before lunch, an 111 after lunch (2 slices of pizza and a root beer) and an 88 at 6pm. This is the lowest I've been, and mine were typiccaly inthe 200 range with the other three drugs. The needles are no worries. I cant say enough about the lizard spit.

Stavs

[matingara]

Originally Posted by Smitie

I've been watching the carbs and put myself back on a low-card diet, I've already loss weight and I feel better.

Have you just cut out sugars (in the short chain form) or have you cut down on ALL carbs?

how many grams of carbs do you consume per day???



-- Joel.

[jazzbo]

Smitie,
I'm sort of new to this (diagnosed about 3 years ago). I tried the oral medications but still could not achieve good numbers. I'm not over weight and I stuck with the diet and exercise regimen. I just started Humalog 50/50, one shot at dinner time. My after dinner numbers are great after just a few days. My morning numbers are still a little high but I think we just have to do a little adjusting. The needles are so tiny and for me it does not hurt. I'm feeling so much better after just a few days. I kind of wish we had started this much sooner instead of waiting so long. The doctor thought the pills are easier and just assumed everyone has a fear of needles. Good luck!

[Smitie]

I've cut down on all Carbs and I would say my carbs per day is below 75 but I've not been counting. I know becasue I was under 20 carbs a day a few years ago when I did Atkins.

Smitie

[adiantum]

g'day smitie, have you been to diabetic education classes yet?
I ask this as I think maybe your not having enough carbs.
I was recomended to have 30 to 45 for breakfast , 30 for lunch & 45 for dinner.
I'm so happy for you that your feeling better

[pdxdennisj]

If you are paying for Byetta out-of-pocket, go for it. I suspect you would have extreme problems getting an insurance company to pop for it until you fail on oral meds - I went through two levels of Medicare Rx appeals before my insurance would cover it.
The sulfonaurides (sp?) are cheap and effective and most folks get a 5-10 year run on them before they fail. They have been around for ages and their shortfalls are well known - can cause hypos if you are not paying attention.

[Smitie]

I'm going to try and get Byetta from my doctor and see what happens, I'm consuming between 20-25 for breakfast and a little more for Lunch and dinner. My goal is to keep my carb under 100 a day.

Smitie

[stavs]

I just got back from dinner....12oz filet mignon, 4 slices of bread, three cokes, and french fries. 1 1/2 hours after my bg was at 122. Stuff is working so wonderfuly. I hope it works for you! Good luck!

Stavs