I am going to my DR next week and I am going to ask for one of these ---either AVANDIA or ACTOS. I quit taking Metformin because of loose bowels. What is your experiance with either. Please let me know so I can better ask for the right one.

I have only been on the Actos for just about a month. My readings are now in the 80's and very low 100's. I have not had any problems with it. I think I put on a few pounds. I had lost about 12 pounds but put back about 4 this past month. You have to have your liver checked every couple of months for the first year. I was back to the Dr. today. I have been having pains in my stomach and wanted it checked out. I thought it might be my gallbladder. I go next week for a ultra sound of gallbladder and kidney. I am having cataract surgery in a week or so also. My blood sugars were high before I added Actos. Still on glucatrol and glucaphage twice a day. Thought I could get off of one but the Dr. said no today. I don't have diarehea like most of the people I know. Dr. said I might retain some water with Actos. No problem yet. I will keep you posted. Also having a lot of dental work done too. Four crowns. It is hard to find time for all the tests and surgeries!!!

Hi,
I've been a diabetic most of my life. I used insulin for many years and was changed to and was on high doses of Humulin 70/30 insulin for several years due to becoming insulin resistant. I started seeing a(sorry can't spell) doctor that specialist with diabetes and was placed on Avandia along with Humulin 70/30 about 5 years ago. Since then my levels have improved AC1 in range around 7 and insulin units cut more than half. Of course they do liver checks pretty regular and they did ultrasound on my liver awhile back since they were going to be checking my gallbadder anyway.
Avandia has helped me greatly in my opinon. I feel it's also helped with some of the problems associated with diabetes. I have not had any more stasis uclers nor laser due to retinapathy since my levels have improved.
Good Luck,
Mike

I had very nice numbers with both advandia and actos. As far as I know, doctors like to put you on advandia before actos (I'm not sure why -- cost maybe?) -- I didn't have TOO much weight gain with either -- advandia was GREAT -- one pill before bed, however, it stopped working after a while and after my dosage was increased I gained a bit of weight and was constantly tired. So I was switched to Actos, and while my sugars were good, I gained more weight and was tired, so I was put on insulin.

There's also the price -- Actos is VERY expensive -- if you don't have a drug plan it's pretty much unaffordable. Most docs I know though, will give you samples of actos to try :)

Anyway, every body is different! I found I had loose bowels on metformin and it was very annoying! Give it a try -- actos and avandia are VERY convenient :)

Best of luck :)
lmb

I have a question about qlucaphage.....my husband has heard about a class aciton lawsuit regarding it....anybody know where i can find more info on that?

My wife is on Actos and Metformin, doing good. her Dr told her to take Sugarfree Benifiber because of the loose stool caused by Metformin. it helped!

I have a liver disease from my diabetes and they have me on avandia, the hepatologist recommended that my medication be switched from glucovance to metformin & avandia.