A question about increasing my meds...

PhyllisAnn · 02-07-2006, 07:08 PM

I am having problems getting my blood sugar down when I first wake up. (I have type 2 diabetes..diagnosed back in Sept. 05) First the dr. increased the glucophage (metformin) from 500 - 1000 mg in the evening. Didn't seem to make much difference. So then I figured I'd take it later in the evening..not with my supper. Still no change really. So now the dr. has increased my amaryl(glimepiride) from 4 mg to 6 mg in the evening. I also take 4 mg in the A.M. My question is this...how long does it take to see changes..if there are any? And I take the cinnamon capsules twice a day...not sure if that's helping or not..but been taking it about 3 weeks. I was just wondering increasing...you see immediate results? It could be worse..but its' still too high..ranging from 150-180 in the AM..when first waking up. Throughout the day I'm fine.

P.S. to clarify things..I only increased my amaryl last night.

desertdiabetic · 02-07-2006, 07:58 PM

150 to 180 fasting is high - gee, like you didn't already know that! It does take a little while for the medications to kick in - sorry, I dont' have any time to quote - I know someone else that had this similar problem, but she was diagnosed for a longer period of time. She could not get the numbers down whatever she did. It finally came to insulin. Dawn phenomenon should not drive your numbers up that high.

It could be the honeymoon is over and you do need insulin or more aggressive medications - though 1000 metformin is pretty strong. I too tried to take metformin later in the evening to help with higher numbers in the am - I don't think it worked for me either. I have read in medical articles that when a type 2 is first diagonsed they usually have lost at least half of their beta cells. That certainly depend on how long one has been diabetic. It can take many years to diagnose - is it possible that you are a long term diabetic that has just recently been diagnosed? By that I mean have some of the signs been there for years by just did not get diagnosed? Have you had high blood pressure - overweight - high triglyerides and cholesterol? All these are related to diabetes.

pipermac · 02-07-2006, 11:47 PM

Although It is high....Its not too bad...you are pretty close to getting really good numbers. What are your numbers like immediately before bed?

PhyllisAnn · 02-08-2006, 01:19 AM

I was diagnosed in Sept....5 months ago...and I have been borderline..which I know the doctors don't like to use that term anymore. But I have had my blood sugar checked every year...and it's been "pre" diabetic. But I bet maybe I should have been on meds sooner ...because having it checked only once a year..when it's "pre"...might not be an accurate enough assumption. It's been "pre" for several years. I am slightly overweight...well, no....probably at least 20-30 lbs overweight. I do have high blood pressure too. Grrrr....it's such a pain getting old..lol. I really don't want to get on insulin..seems that trying meds and dosages for only 5 months would be too pre-mature to put me on insulin yet..wouldn't it? So...should I give this higher dosage of amaryl...a week..a couple days..two weeks..how long to see if it's working? My blood sugar before supper is usually 120 or lower.

desertdiabetic · 02-08-2006, 01:53 AM

Well, it is easy to say this not being the one having to do it...

I agree with you about the insulin part. I don't want to do it either but I will if that times times. It probably is not "if" more than "when." Diabetes is progressive with some exceptions, they say. The length of time from diagnosis to taking insulin just depends on your particular situation. The progressing depends on so many different things. Many, many people start on insulin when they are diagnosed because it took longer to be diagnosed. They give the figures of up to 10 years to be diagnosed because it is a stealth disorder. There are some tests that say to some degree what your pancreas is producing insulin.

The other thing here is just because you are going on insulin does not mean that you have to stay on insulin. How you approach your diet and exercise program can change that situation, sometimes. I say sometimes because you have no other choice but to use insulin. As much trouble it can be for you to handle insulin it is not as difficult as it sounds. Lose the extra weight and that will help your high blood pressure - google Richard Bernstein and learn the ins and outs of eating. Don't accept blood glucose levels that the run of the mill medical profession says are ok. Your numbers are high - bring them down. Bringing down your blood sugar will help bring the other things into control.

Take exercise seriously. Very seriously. It is not just recommended because it helps - it is part of the treatment just as medications and diet.

Blood sugar of 120 before eating is high. Type 2's in control will see numbers below 100. It may not sound like much, but it it. Control with diet might still be possible if you are aggressive with your approach. I don't mean completely with diet at this point - take it week at a time. Get your numbers down, lose weight and you will see differences. That may require insulin - which does not mean you have to be on it forever if you change things enough.