Medication

Ok thought perhaps that it would be helpful to have place to discuss medications.

I'll start. Due to the discovery that Actos is linked to bladder cancer my doctor decided to take me off of Actosplus Met that was controling my diabetes. She gave me Janumet to try, it was awful my readings went up and it made me feel terrible then I started losing sleep. So I quit taking that and she wanted to try Tradjenta but that's not on the provider approved list so instead of fighting for who knows how long to get it she decided to try Onglyza. I started it Thursday and haven't any side effects but it doesn't seem to be helping my levels any. Wish they could find some way of helping control these thins without all the side effects and hassles. If it doesn't start dropping the number soon I don't what she'll try next.
Has anyone had any experience with it?

No, I've never had those kind of issues but I've notice over the years there are so many kinds of diabetic medications and after a period of time they all seem to cause trouble.
It must be very frustrating to have to experiment so much..thyroid hormones don't seem to have as quick a reponse ..usually it takes 6-8 weeks to show any difference in blood work.

Is this type 2 diabetes?

Yep it's type 2 diabetes. Ok so gave it a week and my levels didn't go down so I called and let her know that while I was able to tolerate the Onglyza without side effects it wasn't lowering my levels. Now I get to start Kombiglyze with dinner this evening. It's the Onglyza combined with Metformin in one pill. Hopefully it does the trick because living with the elevated levels after having them under control for so long sucks. I felt awful yesterday, the nurse I spoke to said it was to be expected with my levels being over 200 for the past week.

Is there any way seated chair exercises would help with lowering your sugar levels?

I know many with adult onset Diabetes have been able to control their levels with moderate exercise and wondered if you've ever been counselled on working something into your daily activity..

My brother-who-never-calls also has type 2 diabetes. He chooses not to take care of himself though, so he's lost part of his leg and foot. I know it's nothing to mess with. Have you ever tried herbal/supplements to help lower your blood sugar? I'm sure they would never replace the insulin, but it might help. Of course, you should ask your doctor, but I've been poking around the internet and found this http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/alternative-medicine , http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/conditionsatod/a/Diabetes.htm .

Unfortunately the Kombiglyze did not work, my levels stayed up and it made me feel like my heart was about to break free and take a road trip on its own. So now we are trying Metformin ER twice a day. She thinks that the other meds were interacting with the Humira I take. So in addition to the metformin she said Centrum Womens (bought the off brand it was exactly the same thing for less and buy one get one today) and said to try the new Glucerna Hunger Smart for diabetics who are trying to lose weight. So we'll see how things go. I don't know how your brother does it Muggleborn. I can't function well at all, my doc says she has lots of patients like that though and she's happy I choose to take a pro-active route in dealing with my health. As for exercise I do the stretching exercises I learned in pt and some chair dancing but I don't have access to anything else at the moment. I'm hoping to save enough for a recumbent bike. Would love to know of anything else that may help. Checked the links above and sadly my allergies and the reaction from the other health problems prevent a lot of the natural rememdies.

Weesa,I'm so disappointed and frustrated for you. How many people struggle because all the good medications they take for specific conditions interact and cause havoc when mixed?

I'm glad your doctor keeps trying to work with you and you do your exercises on your own.

Do you ever feel like detoxing from all medications and starting over with new ones?

I've no idea how many suffer from the same problem of meds mixing badly. It sucks for sure and it'd be nice if it didn't have to be part of the process of what's right for each persons treatment. As to detoxing from all meds I sorta did that while waiting for my appointment the last pill I took before yesterday was on Sunday. As for the Humira it's a twice a week thing and unfortunately if I stop that the joints won't be happy. I am going to speak to my dermatoligist when I go back for my routine appointment there if it's possible to go to something else. I'm just getting really tired of medications and side effects and feeling like my day has to planned so closely around them.

I suppose the fuss would be worthwhile if you found relief . I wonder if there are some older medications that would be helpful.
I struggled all winter with bronchitis and had a different antibiotic at every doctor's visit. The last time, I asked if penicillin or one of its derivatives could be substituted. Tracy didn't want to prescribe penicillin for fear of an unknown sensitivity but gave me ampicillin which started working within a couple of days with no side effects.

Can't remember the last time I was given ampicillin.bet it's been years because newer antibiotics are brought to doctors' attention all the time and yet it works better for me than others.

Might be you could find some older versions of everything you need but the Humira.It's too new to have a predecessor.

The Humira is to new for a predecessor that's for sure. Metformin is actually one of the older diabetes medicines out there. I just really wish the blasted Actos hadn't been linked to cancer, I was able to take it just fine and my levels were well controlled.

Too bad they can't alternate the Actos with other meds to maintain your levels but reduce the cancer risk..trouble is...is hard to determine the exact cause of most cancers...maybe it has nothing to do with the Actos.

Quite frankly I'm half tempted to see if she can put me back on it if this doesn't work. I just wonder about high how the risk is especially with a family history of various cancers on both sides.

I certainly can understand the caution if there are various cancers on both sides of the family.
Is your diabetes adult onset type 2 that can be controlled by diet and exercise? Of course,you've got the added whammy of having the PA which inhibits movement and cuts down on your activity.We really need to find a creative way for you to get things under control without filling your body with too many chemicals.

Yes it's the Adult Onset Type 2 variety. I wish diet would control it but that doesn't seem to be the case as for exercise what activity I can manage isn't helping either it seems.

I am sorry to hear that you've been unable to use some of the easier ways of controlling diabetes,Weesa.I know it's been helpful to many people I know,but they've had bodies that cooperated with moving about. Any chance of getting near a pool this summer? That's always my go to plan for feeling like a kid with all of life's possibilities ahead of me.

Medication sucks that's all there is to it. Looking like I will have to use insulin which I don't want to do but it maybe only option. As to getting near a pool this summer it depends on whether Dad is able to tolerate going back to work or not. If he can then they are thinking salt system pool if not will have to see if my brother can do it and I'll chip as much as I can since it also has to be set for me to be able to use. So fingures crossed.

Any chance insurance or disability could help with the pool for therapy purposes? A salt water pool might be really great for the psoriasis. When we lived in Florida and went to the beach once a week,Larry's cleared up to next to nothing...moved north and not only did the psoriasis make a come back but the PA developed as well.

hate to hear about the insulin but protecting yourself is a number one priority and if the tools are there....I guess you'll explore every option.

Fat chance the govt is going to pay any part of the pool even if it's medically beneficial.

Googling to see what other options are out there. The Humira pen is bad enough every other week I really don't like the idea of adding daily insulin shots/pens.

Weesa, I developed Type 2 diabetes about 10 years ago. I was able to lose about 20 pounds when I when I was diagnosed (the shock scared me into action). I was able to maintain very good numbers for 10 years. I also slowly put most of the weight back on. This last year my numbers shot up terrible and my doctor put me on Metformin reminding me that this was a progressive disease and I would probably never go off medication for it again. I can't say the Metformin helped much as I really struggled to keep my blood sugar below 200. I hear the Metformin ER is suppose to be a far better medication so I hope it helps me.

Over the summer and fall I had problems with my liver and thyroid all of which are tied into the endocrine system along with blood sugar. I was very nervous to have my knee surgery, but thought if it helped with exercise, it would be worth it. I have now lost 20 pounds since my surgery and my A1c was 5.5. My doctor was thrilled. I have to say my eating habits have changed (I can't eat as much and quit eating out) but the constant rehab exercises has also played a part. Unfortunately this gets to the bottom line at least with me I have to keep my weight down to control my blood sugar. The only way I can lose weight is to eat less, better food and regular exercise. I have a recumbent bike and that is the life saver for me.

Good luck with your finding a solution. My heart goes out to you as I know how very difficult this fight is. I, like you, will go down fighting.

I take the Metformin ER 500mg twice daily and it does help but I'm also really trying to watch what I eat and be as active as I can be. I would love to get a recumbent bike but have to save a bit more for one. I've been able to stay under 200 but would love to stay below 120 for longer periods. Going to ask my doctor if perhaps adding a third dose will help. I really don't want to take insulin, already have to do the Humira shot bi-weekly and it's more than enough shot wise for me.

My mother was an adult onset type-2 diabetic and was maintained on medications for years until she had a significant weight loss. I don't recommend her methodology, though ... she had a severe abdominal infection and was maintained on a PICC for about a month while they were trying to stabilize her enough for a colostomy. ... the medication ultimately was crashing her sugars and the doctor discontinued it.

I suppose I should get back to the good news which is that you can come off the oral medication with some significant changes in diet and activity.

Absolutely not the preferred methodology. I'm really watching my intake especially of carbs, and do my best to get through some chair exercises as well as some stretching and stuff while laying in bed. Hoping the bike is feasible soon, think it will make a big difference and help with losing weight. The Glucerna Hunger Smart products are great they really help even things out and keep the spikes at bay.

Went to the doctor yesterday for my routine follow up as it's called. Was pleasantly surprised to find that my A1C wasn't to high and my fasting level on the day of the blood work was a terrific 106 so no insulin for me at this time. She looked over the x-rays that the rheumy I was seeing had ordered and told me that the only exercise she would approve for me would be swimming (no impact lots of calories burned) and recumbent bike in moderation.
Now to get that bike and move my brother along on getting the pool installed.

I'm so excited for you Weesa, you know I've been inquiring about pool exercise for you all along. Now,for manifesting that healing pool!

When it's here and ready for you,let me know and I'll send you all the information I have...oh, and there's a device called a swim belt that looks like the sort of floaty device you'd use in waterskiing for safety reasons... well,you can strap one of those babies on and tread water in the deep end of the pool,or anywhere your feet won't touch...and the workout is tremendous..absolutely no impact but the effort to keep upright while moving your arms and legs is phenomenal.

I can't use one in the gym pool because it's not deep enough but my in law's pool is perfect.

Is there a Y or health club pool nearby that you could use?
In the meantime much applause for your great blood work! You're juggling a lot of things,but you must be doing something right!

That's great news Weesa! Whatever you are doing, keep doing it!