[brand19922006]

My glucose medicine has been changed from Metformin 500 mg twice a day to Glimepiride 4 mg twice a day. Anyone have any information on how Glimepiride has done them? Good or bad? Thanks.

 

[moon]

I haven't used Glimepiride, a drug that stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin, but did use Glipizide which has a similar action for about a month in the beginning. Both my endocrinologist and I wanted off of it because the pancreas has a finite ability to produce insulin and so one is borrowing from the future if you will. Through changing my diet drastically (low-carb, high-fat) I was able to eliminate it in a month. I'm still on metformin, but if/when the time comes that my low-carb/high-fat diet isn't enough, I will move to insulin rather than further compromise my pancreas. Just something to think about and talk with your physician about. Is this your regular GP or an endocrinologist?

I looked up the dosing of Glimepiride and it says recommended starting dose is 1-2 mg/day - to maximum 8 mg/day, which is where you are. That's a big change from 1000 mg/metformin (2500 mg/day of regular metformin is maximum dose.) Did your doctor ever suggest increasing the metformin instead?

 

[brand19922006]

No. I was still getting sick off of Metformin after several months of use.

 

[jwags]

It is a sulfyurea drug that overstimulates the pancreas. The thought is that your pancreas has a finite number of beta cells and we need to preserve as many as possible. Since this drug produces too much insulin at once it often causes bg lows, so always carry your meter and a fast acting source of glucose to treat lows below 70. It is too bad the metformin didn't work, did you try the extended version?

 

[foxl]

I hope you know, too, that Glimepiride and all SU drugs can cause HYPOS. In my case, sharp, nasty hypos. Carry glucose at all times!

 

[brand19922006]

I had Metformin 500 her

 

[brand19922006]

My levels are usually so high. Do you think they could go down really fast?

 

[foxl]

Mine plummeted every morning between 9 and 11. I was only on it 10 days. It was too much. Even the lowest dose.

 

[brand19922006]

Well I hope it goes down some just took my lunch break at work. I ate a steak sub on flatbread. My levels were 320. Wonder why.

 

[jwags]

Can you tell us what type of food you are eating? 320 is kind of high. Are you following a low carb diet? Most of us cannot handle any type of bread without going high. Sulfa drugs may work for awhile but they may give you a false sense of being safe. Since they create more insulin they also make you more Insulin Resistant. In controlling bgs all day long you want to eat so your body doesn't need a lot of insulin. For me that meant giving up cereals, bread, crackers, rice, pasta and of course fruit and sugar products.

 

[naynay]

Brand, if your numbers were so high, why were you eating a sub? Even a flatbread has quite a bit of carb in it. Why didn't you opt for that same sub, minus the bread in a salad? You can do that at Subway.

Be careful with the Glimiperide. I used to take Amaryl, and although it helped in the beginning, I also had very nasty lows on it. Once my bg went down to 42 without warning. Those type of lows are extremely scary.

Unfortunately I would have stuck it out with the Metformin over a drug that stimulates the pancreas. Or, I would have requested insulin. Metformin works in your liver, not your pancreas. I think that is why I have so many problems now with getting my bg's in control (because of the use of that sulfulonrea or however you spell it).

Good luck, and be sure to carry your meter and glucose tabs or smarties for sudden lows.

 

[brand19922006]

I have not been on a low carb diet. I have an appointment today after work to see someone to help me get my eating habits in check. I had a doctor appointment Monday with my primary doctor and she said that was a good idea. Maybe the levels could go down. I have had levels from 525 down to 189.

 

[naynay]

I have not been on a low carb diet. I have an appointment today after work to see someone to help me get my eating habits in check. I had a doctor appointment Monday with my primary doctor and she said that was a good idea. Maybe the levels could go down. I have had levels from 525 down to 189.

Oh my! I know you have been on the forum before. Why did you decide against changing your eating habits? I'm just curious, especially after reading so many who have had success?

I know how difficult it can be to change, but your numbers are really high! I'm shocked your doc did not suggest insulin right away.

Take care of yourself!

 

[brand19922006]

Naynay, I thought I was doing right by getting the flatbread, boy was I wrong. Hopefully, I can get some help today on how to eat. But do you think my numbers can get that low that quick? That is scary. Thanks for the good input.

 

[brand19922006]

When my numbers were that high, I did not go the doctor. I just recorded them from my meter. My sister said I should have went to the hospital but when they are really high, all I want to do is just sleep. So I just try and lay down and rest. I go to a doctors office for no insurance patients. I do not always see the same doctor so it is hard to build up that relationship of them knowing your habits. This doctor wants me to keep a record of my glucose levels and blood pressure for a week and take her the results. If they are bad I have to see her soon. If they are good I do not go back for 3 months.

 

[marshagolightly]

I checked the nutrition facts for a sub i wanted. A 6" had 46g. Checked the same sub flat bread. Same carbs!! No thank you! Went somewhere else. Subway lets you build your sub bread veggies and all on their website.

 

[naynay]

Naynay, I thought I was doing right by getting the flatbread, boy was I wrong. Hopefully, I can get some help today on how to eat. But do you think my numbers can get that low that quick? That is scary. Thanks for the good input.

If you begin a low carb/high fat diet your numbers will fall quickly. They may not be perfect for a while, but they will definitely fall. 500's are just way too high. No wonder all you want to do is sleep! When my numbers were in the 300's all I wanted to do was sleep. I find that when I'm even up in the 200 range now I'm getting tired. Since going on insulin, I've definitely had my days of good and bad, but for the most part I have much more energy and I'm not coming home from work and taking 2-1/2 hr naps anymore. I feel better too. Although I struggle on a daily basis, I still eat low carb and I find that I do not miss those carbs all that much. If I get a really bag craving, I will eat something starchy with the least amount of carbs that I can, just to satisfy that craving. You can make things that are very low carb that satisfies that craving as well. You just have to be diligent and willing to do it. We are all here for support. Try eliminating all breads, pasta, rice, and potatoes as well as corn from your diet for two weeks. See how your body and numbers respond in that time. Trust me...once you start seeing lower numbers you will begin to want them more and more; better numbers that is not carbs!

Good Luck Brand. You can do it.

 

[Shanny]

Okay Tania - you know what you have to do, and that is STOP eating bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, and anything made with corn, wheat, oats, rice, or any other cereal grain. Stop using milk and sweets of any kind. You will not get better unless you do, and you will be spending all your days running to the doctor if you don't take control yourself. The doctors can't do it for you, and they're costing you money that you don't have.

The choice is yours. Take control or not - you have the ability to change this by AVOIDING carbs . . . I said avoid - not limit. Stop eating carbs.

 

[jwags]

It's not easy being diabetic and doctors and dieticians don't help very much. Very few of them will suggest a low carb diet. But take it from a group of diabetics that have tried all sorts of diets. Low Carb works in most people. It doesn't replace meds or insulin, you may still need those. When you have pancreatic damage your pancreas no longer produces enough insulin or the insulin you do produce is recognized by your cells. So basically we have broken pancreases. That means we cannot eat normal food like bread, fruit, crackers, rice, pasta or potatoes. Anything with carbs will raise your bgs. Since your pancreatic response is slow or non exhistant there is no way for you to produce enough glucose to push all the glucose into your cells for energy. When you have high bgs like you stated there is also sllent damage going on inside your body. That means all the extra glucose that is not being pushed into your cells is sticking to your nerve endings. Over time the nerves get totally sugar coated and it cuts off ciruclation to toes, legs, hands, kidneys, heart, and eyes. That is why so many diabetics end up losing kidney function, going blind or losing limbs. I don't want to scare you but this is your diabetic body, not your doctors. You have to get serious about testing and what foods make you spike. I really think with your bgs right now you might want to ask your doctor about insulin. I guess what I am confused about is why your doctor had you on so little metformin. Most of us take a lot more. Is there any way you can switch doctors? It sounds like your doctor doesn't really know a lot about diabetes

 

[naynay]

Can you tell we are all motherly type hens on this forum? It's because we care about all the people here who struggle with their diabetes and offer suggestions and tips to help improve their lives. Even if I still struggle to get in control, I never give up trying to get there. That means low carb, adding good fat, and watching the protein intake.

Please consider dropping the bad carbs from your diet and increasing your saturated "good" fats. There are so many foods that you can enjoy. This is a lifestyle change, and as hard as it can be, it is your body and your health. Please have enough concern for yourself to change your habits.

We care about what happens to you Brand. You are worth yelling at ! We Love You...take care of yourself please!