Just Diagnosed type 2, feeling a bit downhearted!

[AF59]

Having been told 3 years ago that I was pre diabetic I made as many changes to my diet and lifestyle (other health conditions and covid permitting) to try and avoid progressing to the "I am diabetic" status but today I have been told I am diabetic, steroid induced. My doctor prescribed gliclazide in an effort to bring down my high blood sugar level, but at todays first meeting with the diabetic nurse she said she would not do anything with me until she had contacted the doctor to find out why I am on gliclazide and not metformin. Can anyone give me any advice? Thanks

[Koalajane]

I too was diagnosed type 2 diabetic from steroids,I was prescribed gliclazide as was a friend with GCA in high dose steroids,

I found it worked well and also changed to a low carb diet. At my first 6 monthly review my hba1c had dropped to 38 so my doctor advised I come off the gliclazide. That was 5 years ago and I have been in remission ever since.

My feeling is that gliclazide is so much better when it comes to dealing with steroid induced type 2. Metformin is not strong enough. If you are on gliclazide then you should be testing your sugars to make sure you don’t go too low. You should be prescribed a glucose monitor, test strips and lancets.

Good luck

[AF59 in reply to Koalajane]

Thank you so much, already feel much better from reading your reply. Doesn't take much to explain that glicazide is better if type to is steroid induced and I thank you for that. I am already on a fairly reduced carb diet (ongoing attempt to reduce the plump results of the steroids) and I already have a monitor that I purchased when first advised my blood sugars were high. I questioned the nurse about what levels I should be looking for and she said nothing below 4 but wouldn't discuss high levels because she didn't want to scare me. Tested today at mid-day result 9.7. Once again, thank you for your reply, I feel more positive today!

[Koalajane in reply to AF59]

I discovered from testing thot the steroids raise my sugars between 12 noon and 5pm. They go up quite a bit then which could explain your high result

[AF59 in reply to Koalajane]

Again, thank you. I'm so glad I found this forum yesterday!

[Skertchly in reply to AF59]

That’s a very good reading for me as I average 20

[Skertchly]

I’m surprised your not on metformin and injecting 30-40 mgs of glucose. I am. Best to go with doctors advice.. there’s no cure only some level of control. You get used to it. I’ve been on type 2 meds for Ten years. Good wishes.

[HeavyFoot]

Personally, I was delighted to come off the gliclazide and just take Metformin as it was a legal requirement in the UK to take a blood test before every drive if you were on gliclazide. Is that still the case?