Can I Stop My Diabetes Medications?
I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I am taking 10 mg of glipizide and 500 mg of metformin twice a day. My A1C was 12.5, but I have been feeling better, and I even stopped taking the glipizide every morning. My blood glucose average is now 170. Is that good, or should I continue to take my glipizide every morning?
Rhonda Woods, Chicago
Craig Williams, PharmD, responds: Unfortunately, the medications that are used to help manage blood glucose in people with diabetes do not fix the underlying causes of the diabetes itself. As a result, the medications generally cannot be stopped without losing the blood glucose control that they were providing.
Lifestyle changes can alter the need for long-term medications, and sometimes enable people to stop taking them altogether. For those who have lost a substantial amount of weight or have significantly increased their exercise routines, it is not uncommon to be able to reduce the dosages of medications, or even to try stopping medication for a period. Reducing or stopping your therapies, however, should always be done under the supervision of your health care provider.
When we do stop therapies or reduce the dosages that are used, our goals for good control remain at an A1C of less than 7 percent, a fasting morning blood glucose below 130 mg/dl, and random or post-prandial (after eating) blood glucose levels not above 180. If those targets can be maintained with lower doses or no drugs at all, then it is safe to change your regimen. Because your A1C and average blood glucose are not in those ranges, you probably need to start your medication again to achieve better blood glucose control.
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Comments are subject to review and will not be posted immediately. If you have an urgent medical question, please consult a health care professional. If you have a question for the staff of Diabetes Forecast, please send it to replyall@diabetes.org.I have to stop my meds!
I had lost lots of weight, but stupidly put it all back on and then some. I had my a1c and it was at 10! I can't say I was surprised, but knew I had to lose weight again since I didn't want to be put on insulin. When I was first told I had diabetes I was told to keep it under control with diet, I never was put on meds. This time around they put me on meds..too many if u ask me! I told the Dr. I know how my body reacts and I just need to lose the weight. I lost only 10 lbs and my body freaked out!! The meds made me feel worse!! I had scary low blood sugar episodes. Even after meals sometimes my sugar was too low. Dr took me off Glipizide and told me to continue 3 doses metformin. I since have been cutting back and with close monitoring of my sugar will most likely stop meds. They tweaked my BP meds too and my BP is too low for me to function..I can't drive!..I get horrible dizzy spells to where I feel like I'm going to pass out. I feel like my legs are noodles as if I'm drunk!!..I need my life back!! Ive decided to continue with my weight loss journey and do what's right for me, stopping meds except for one of the bp meds, but will monitor that closely and will of course always check my sugars. If I have to up doses GRADUALLY, I will not over medicate like my Dr. did...now I'm suffering because of it! By the way with just losing 10lbs and watching my diet...my last a1c was down to 6!!
your too high
170 is far too high your going to keep getting dizzy with those numbers. you need to be at 90-110 any thing higher and your doing damage to your body. 170 is not under control and you should seek a new doctor before your body starts shutting down.
Question
I am a type 2 diabetic and my sugars hover around 150 to 170 in the morning I get 5 hours of sleep is that enough sleep?
type 2 diabetes
i recently found out i have type 2 diabetes
along with a thyroid condtion. i was put on the metaformem
it was 500mg once a day.i started getting light headed
and a feeling of fainting.i thought it was the meds so the doc
told me to stop them.now my bs reads 138 in the morning
and i still am getting that faint feeling.should i go back on them
again.
A1C Level
I found out on Valentines Day of all days that I have type 2 diabetes. My A1C level was 11.7 back then and they put me on metformin 500mg which my body couldn't handle, so they changed it to glipizide 2.5mg which I was able to tolerate. I had a follow-up appointment this morning and they drew blood to see where my A1C level is at now, which I am happy to say that it's now at 5.3 which is in the normal range. Now I have the weekend to decide whether to continue taking the glipized or to completely stop it. I cannot make-up my mind on what to do, please help.
I was borderline diabetic
I was borderline diabetic for a long time but then five months ago I lowered my guard and forgot to limit eating sweets and food with a lot of carbo. I started to get sick for days so I decided to consult my doctor. I underwent a blood test and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My AIC level was 13. My doctor prescribed Metformin 500 mg for 2 weeks and thereafter have to increase it to 1000 mg. I took the 500 mg a day for 1 and a half weeks but decided to completely stop it. I've been watching my diet and doing exercises and daily monitoring my AIC. It is over 4 months now. So far so good. My AIC has been within the normal range.
Be wary
You can't monitor your A1C daily. It's a three month thing. You can monitor your daily blood sugars, and it's good if those are in range. But check with your doctor for your A1C, to see how you're really doing.
Feet pain
I have Type 2 diabetes. I am taking Glyburide 5mg twice a day. Before the medication, I was fine. Now, my feet hurt as soon as I lay down. The doctor says it's neuropathy. He put me on Gabapantin 300 mg before going to bed, but it doesn't take the pain away. It just puts me to sleep. Is there anything else I can take to releive the pain? Is it better to take insulin shots than the medication?
Meds.
My alc number is 6.4 and I went from two 500 mgs. of Metformin to just one. I have lost 30 lbs. and I contribute that to my sugar being lowered. My goal is to get off all my meds. I also take Lisnopril which made my blood pressure too low. I was taking 20 mgs and now I take 10 mgs. I also take crestor 10 mgs once a day and my cholestoral is at a good number. I have not felt good since I was put on these meds. They seem to help the systems but they make me feel sick in other ways. Is it worth it?
Feet Pain
Maybe you should have your doctor check levels of vitamin B12 levels. I know that some people who are on Metformin need to have those levels checked from time to time.
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