Jo’s Cafe

As many diabetics, Type 1 and 2 know, we may start out on one medication and end up on another.

I was diagnosed in December 2004 (yup, my year anniversary as a diabetic is coming up) and was put on Avandia 4mg daily. My levels went down some, but really not very much. After 6 weeks, I went back to the doctor and he increased my dose to 8mg. Still I saw some results, but not much. Another check up and this time he add Glucophage 1000mg XR.

Within a few months I was at the max dosage of Avandia and flat wasn’t getting the levels down at all. Even though I was exercising and hardly eating any food at all, the levels would not go down below 200 and stay there.

Finally I asked the doctor to switch me to Actos. The side effects of Avandia were getting too long (I’m sure you’ve seen the recent commercials now where the side effects take up more time than the actual commercial) Plus, I like the idea that this medication may be helping prevent a heart event too.

Eventually I was at 45mg Actos and 2000 mg of Glucophage XR daily and taking Starlix at meals.

Then Ivan and my gall bladder hit. I was finally able through shear will and stubbornness get my sugar levels down below 200 and keep them there. The morning I went in for my gallbladder surgery in July ‘05, I had a morning read of 124. When I got out of surgery that day, it was up to 169. They would not let me take any diabetes medication that morning in case I crashed out in surgery. I was only allowed my Thyroid medication.

I recovered well, nasty ugly little scars on my tummy, but at least I wasn’t in pain and living on pain killers day to day.

But then about September, my sugar levels climbed up over 200 and stayed there. I even re-hit an over 300. When I went to see my doctor in October, I was frustrated not only with the no control, but the weight gain.

I had already decided that I was ready for insulin. We had discussed this issue previously and I was ready. I researched Lantus and just felt it was something that was going to help me. So what if I had to stick myself once a day? As long as I felt better.

Two weeks later, I was having “within normal range” morning readings. My doctor was very pleased with the results, but the weight was becoming an issue. I wasn’t eating any more, just my body was using what I was eating better than it use to and was over storing. Thanks to the wonderful way Actos works in helping the insulin I have to store fat, I was am getting fatter. Doc agreed to reduce the oral medication (Actos) and see if that will help me in losing weight.

So I see the doctor again on the 15th of this month. We’ll see.

But I will say this: Type II’s … don’t be afraid of the needle. You are not a failure if you go on insulin — I asked for it to be in better control. I’d rather stick myself once a day with a needle so fine you almost need a magnifying glass to see, than take the chance in losing my eyesight or a leg. Think about it hard. Then try it. It’s worked wonders on my control.