Meds for high blood sugar???? (Glimepiride)

[Wishing on a star]

Since there are a lot of different people here on the DIS, I thought I might get some good info and insight!
I have been dealing with some high numbers, type II diabetes and blood sugar seems to sometimes swing up and down (hypoglycemia)

Of course, I am seeing my Dr. (which I do not think is especially great, but....)
I have been taking Glumetza (metformin) with some good results and little side effects. But lately have been having a lot of stomach pain after eating. So, the Glumetza might be causing this. These meds can be hard on you. First thing was to stop the Glumetza, immediately.

I am not sure that this is the entire problem with my stomach... there are other things like gall bladder, etc, that I might have to continue to look into.

Okay, Dr. called in Glimepiride. I believe this is a sulfonlyurea. I am reading about it, and it sounds okay. But the one thing that concerns me is that it seems that it works faster and better, and can therefore cause bouts of low blood sugar. That, in particular, scares me. And, the gastrointestinal side effects sound a lot like Glumetza/Metformin, too.

Does anybody here have any info or insight on taking this?
The last thing I need is to worry about low blood sugar, and/or weight gain due to having to eat and increased hunger due to drops in blood sugar.

He says to take 1/2 the 1mg tablet every morning. But, I don't usually do a big breakfast at all.

Help!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Since there are a lot of different people here on the DIS, I thought I might get some good info and insight!
I have been dealing with some high numbers, type II diabetes and blood sugar seems to sometimes swing up and down (hypoglycemia)

Of course, I am seeing my Dr. (which I do not think is especially great, but....)
I have been taking Glumetza (metformin) with some good results and little side effects. But lately have been having a lot of stomach pain after eating. So, the Glumetza might be causing this. These meds can be hard on you. First thing was to stop the Glumetza, immediately.

I am not sure that this is the entire problem with my stomach... there are other things like gall bladder, etc, that I might have to continue to look into.

Okay, Dr. called in Glimepiride. I am reading about it, and it sounds okay. But the one thing that concerns me is that it seems that it works faster and better, and can therefore cause bouts of low blood sugar. That, in particular, scares me. And, the gastrointestinal side effects sound a lot like Glumetza/Metformin, too.

Does anybody here have any info or insight on taking this?
The last thing I need is to worry about low blood sugar, and/or weight gain due to having to eat and increased hunger due to drops in blood sugar.

He says to take 1/2 the 1mg tablet every morning. But, I don't usually do a big breakfast at all.

Help!!!

Whose idea was to stop it immediately, yours or the doctor's? Because sometimes it can be managed a little differently to stop the GI distress, a well known complaint with that particular medication, which I believe is the first line treatment for new diabetics.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks Pea-n-me....
With the amount of stomach pain I was having, The Dr. advised to stop immediately and ran a couple of tests, which seem to have come back okay.
This was last week... Stomach has been better... But still seemed to flare up a couple times, and not 100% great.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks Pea-n-me....
With the amount of stomach pain I was having, The Dr. advised to stop immediately and ran a couple of tests, which seem to have come back okay.
This was last week... Stomach has been better... But still seemed to flare up a couple times, and not 100% great.

They were probably looking at your kidney function.

Are you taking the extended release version? How were you taking it?

You're right, hypoglycemia can be dangerous. Supposedly that's one of the benefits of metformin, it tends to not cause it.

Have you seen an endocrine specialist yet?

 

[Wishing on a star]

Exactly!
Yes, Glumetza ER

 

[Cubbiecakes]

When I was fat and took glimepiride, it made me very constipated.

 

[aprilchem]

How long have you been taking the metformin? Did you ramp up to your full dosage in small increments? I was on metformin for years for my PCOS, and the stomach pains go away after you take it for a while.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have taken an entry level dose of the Glumetza (the better name-brand of Metformin) for a year now.
It was much better than the generic Metformin... I think I started getting bad batches of that, and really had the gastro side effects.
So, this would be a sudden onset, after doing well on the Med.

And, I am also concerned about that one side effect just mentioned, too.
It seemed that the cheap Metformin that I changed from had a little of that effect.

I am going to look further into what else might be causing this.
I am beginning to think, as I have been, that something else is going on. Maybe once I get this sorted out I can try the Glumetza again?

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Of course, I am seeing my Dr. (which I do not think is especially great, but....)

Find a different doctor, one you feel is that great.
Visit doctor asap.
Follow doctor instructions.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

An endocrine specialist (could be MD, NP, PA or RN) who specializes in managing tricky cases can help you best here. They have ways to help you figure out what will work best for you. Check with your medical group or hospital, whatever, to find someone you can work with on this. Good luck!