heart failure and type 2 diabetes.

[Sukaya]

I have LBBB, diagnosed at age 32, now age 66. I am type 2 diabetic diagnosed 2019 . I have Left ventricle systolic dysfunction EF 40%. Stage 3 kidney disease, diagnosed June ‘23, I cannot tolerate statins as they send my blood Glucose levels into overdrive, most recently last June. The Doctor wanted to give me metformin but I declined for now as I know the side effects are unpleasant. I came off statins and started, a low carb meal plan lowered my blood glucose HBA1c level from 69 to 43 and lost 17kg in weight. I had an angiogram due to occasional out of breath and chest tightness on exercise.

mild heart disease only., I do not have water retention /swollen ankles. Doc wants to put me on spironolactone for water retention and dapagliflozin for diabetes. I am still on a low carb meal plan so this could cause hypoglycaemia. I am thinking of declining these new additions. I am on 1.25mg Bisoprolol and 1.25mg ramipril which I tolerate at these doses. My body does not tolerate tablets well and I keep my blood sugar under control with low carb meals until they wrecked with stains and I had to start over again. Anyone been in this position, any advise welcome please.

[Deejay62]

Hi 5yrs ago when my EF fell to 10%, after taking the tablets you first mentioned, I was put on the heart failure cocktail which included spironalactone, Entresto etc

A couple of years ago I was put on dapa. I know others with heart failure, family, friends, and they were sent dapa also. I didn’t notice any difference at first but after about 4 months I started noticing I was dropping weight and peeing a lot. I still have days when I pee a lot, when fluid accumulates.

I was worried taking it and I think my cardiologist had tried giving it to me without mentioning the name and I wasn’t interested then she called and explained why she wants me to take it and what happens when you take it and she asked me to try it and if I’m not happy they will take me off it. Last year I had an echo and my EF had climbed to 23%. But last year I had various illnesses so I’m not sure it’s still there, but I’m alive.

My worries was because of what I went through with that other diabetic tablet. I never had the continuous nauseous feeling like I did with that one. My stomach did go for a while, but I think it was cleaning out all the toxins out of my system.

[Sukaya in reply to Deejay62]

thank you for your answer, I did look up the tablets and this is why I was worried.

Being on a low carb meal plan keeps my blood glucose to almost normal and dapa would lower further surely, which could possibly send me into hypoglycaemia ? I work as a domiciliary carer, I would hate to collapse while at work!

[Deejay62 in reply to Sukaya]

Speak to your doctor about your concerns and explain it to them like you did to me, you don’t want your glucose level to drop while you’re at work so you’re concerned about taking it. They might be able to make better professional suggestions as to what you can do to avoid any issues. I’m borderline diabetic and I also suffer with dizziness and have to stop and drink water. I also have Afib which I don’t feel.

[Etzel]

Others have commented so I won't repeat but a couple of things. Try the Metformin i'm on it twice a day with no side effects, it could be a better option than Dapa which as I posted elsewhere can give UTI's. I had Spiro for a couple of months but dumped it due to gynaecomastia, they gave me Eplerenone instead worth a question.

I'm also on Trulicity injection once a week which again may be an option to ask about but I know it's now hard to get as it's the base of the fat reducing fad. (I was on it long before it became fashionable! )

[Fuggs]

I had stomach problems with metformin. Changed to Berberine no problems.

[Jimbo53a]

hi i have been on both medications you are concerned about. it is difficult to say how any medications will effect anyone as we are all individuals. i will say i am on higher dose of bisoprol was on ramipril at start not anymore. i was put on spiro about 18 months ago i think not good with dates and dapa later. so far no problems except lost a little weight and am peeing slightly more. if you have any concerns discuss it with a member of your medical team who you trust. hope this helps

[Drummer20]

Hi Sukaya,I also try to avoid too much medication,I my blood sugar has been ok and my cholesterol is ok.I know they would like to give me a statin but I’m worried about my blood sugar going up.I don’t want to get into a situation where I have one tablet then another to counteract the effect of that one.

In August I had an aortic valve replacement and I’m not having any cardiac symptoms now.I was put on bisoprolol and losartan to support my heart when recovering from the operation.My blood pressure was slightly elevated prior to the operation,Im doing more exercise and eating healthier.Trying to loose weight.

The practice nurse wants to speak to me and I think it’s to get me to take a statin.

[Sukaya in reply to Drummer20]

I was put on a statin and it sends my blood sugar into overdrive that’s why I stopped the statin, Blood sugar been great since, I think taking dapagliflozen will lower it too far.

[Drummer20]

I hope they aren’t annoyed with me about choosing not to take the statins yet.