Results from changing meds

[Eddie]

3 months ago I stopped taking glucovance (glyburide/metformin) which I
was taking 3 times per day for a total of 3.75 mg glyb and 750 mg of
metformin. I was running an A1C of 5.8%. All seemed fine, but I was
concerned about taking glyburide which forces the beta cells to produce
insulin whether you need it or not. Besides, having to make sure that
I got enough carbs to not go hypo, I was worried about the long term
affect of forcing the insulin.

My NP agreed to let me drop the glucovance and we tried (2)850 mg
tablets of Metformin. After 3 months, A1C is still 5.8%. I'm thrilled.
I'm also learning that if I know I'm going to eat a bad meal (bad
carbs) like out in a restaurant or at a party, I can take a glucovance
before the meal and it really helps keep things in control. I don't do
that very often, so I don't worry about long term affect of doing it
that way once in a awhile.
Ed

[johnniemccoy@]

"Eddie" <ekirstein*takethispartout*@catskill.net> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
>3 months ago I stopped taking glucovance (glyburide/metformin) which I was
>taking 3 times per day for a total of 3.75 mg glyb and 750 mg of metformin.
>I was running an A1C of 5.8%. All seemed fine, but I was concerned about
>taking glyburide which forces the beta cells to produce insulin whether you
>need it or not. Besides, having to make sure that I got enough carbs to
>not go hypo, I was worried about the long term affect of forcing the
>insulin.
>
> My NP agreed to let me drop the glucovance and we tried (2)850 mg tablets
> of Metformin. After 3 months, A1C is still 5.8%. I'm thrilled. I'm also
> learning that if I know I'm going to eat a bad meal (bad carbs) like out
> in a restaurant or at a party, I can take a glucovance before the meal and
> it really helps keep things in control. I don't do that very often, so I
> don't worry about long term affect of doing it that way once in a awhile.
> Ed
>
hehe.... that's what we need.... a morning after pill.

John

[Eddie]

johnniemccoy@ presented the following explanation :
> "Eddie" <ekirstein*takethispartout*@catskill.net> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>>3 months ago I stopped taking glucovance (glyburide/metformin) which I was
>> taking 3 times per day for a total of 3.75 mg glyb and 750 mg of metformin.
>> I was running an A1C of 5.8%. All seemed fine, but I was concerned about
>> taking glyburide which forces the beta cells to produce insulin whether you
>> need it or not. Besides, having to make sure that I got enough carbs to
>> not go hypo, I was worried about the long term affect of forcing the
>> insulin.
>>
>> My NP agreed to let me drop the glucovance and we tried (2)850 mg tablets
>> of Metformin. After 3 months, A1C is still 5.8%. I'm thrilled. I'm also
>> learning that if I know I'm going to eat a bad meal (bad carbs) like out in
>> a restaurant or at a party, I can take a glucovance before the meal and it
>> really helps keep things in control. I don't do that very often, so I
>> don't worry about long term affect of doing it that way once in a awhile.
>> Ed
>>
> hehe.... that's what we need.... a morning after pill.
>
> John

Actually, more like a morning before pill. Whatever works. ....Ed

[johnniemccoy@]

"Eddie" <ekirstein*takethispartout*@catskill.net> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> johnniemccoy@ presented the following explanation :
>> "Eddie" <ekirstein*takethispartout*@catskill.net> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]..
>>>3 months ago I stopped taking glucovance (glyburide/metformin) which I
>>>was taking 3 times per day for a total of 3.75 mg glyb and 750 mg of
>>>metformin. I was running an A1C of 5.8%. All seemed fine, but I was
>>>concerned about taking glyburide which forces the beta cells to produce
>>>insulin whether you need it or not. Besides, having to make sure that I
>>>got enough carbs to not go hypo, I was worried about the long term affect
>>>of forcing the insulin.
>>>
>>> My NP agreed to let me drop the glucovance and we tried (2)850 mg
>>> tablets of Metformin. After 3 months, A1C is still 5.8%. I'm thrilled.
>>> I'm also learning that if I know I'm going to eat a bad meal (bad carbs)
>>> like out in a restaurant or at a party, I can take a glucovance before
>>> the meal and it really helps keep things in control. I don't do that
>>> very often, so I don't worry about long term affect of doing it that way
>>> once in a awhile.
>>> Ed
>>>
>> hehe.... that's what we need.... a morning after pill.
>>
>> John
>
> Actually, more like a morning before pill. Whatever works. ....Ed
>
Really, I wonder if that could be an answer for those of us who'd like to go
out for a normal dinner once in a while.

John

[Eddie]

johnniemccoy@ was thinking very hard :
> "Eddie" <ekirstein*takethispartout*@catskill.net> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]..
>> johnniemccoy@ presented the following explanation :
>>> "Eddie" <ekirstein*takethispartout*@catskill.net> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]..
>>>>3 months ago I stopped taking glucovance (glyburide/metformin) which I was
>>>> taking 3 times per day for a total of 3.75 mg glyb and 750 mg of
>>>> metformin. I was running an A1C of 5.8%. All seemed fine, but I was
>>>> concerned about taking glyburide which forces the beta cells to produce
>>>> insulin whether you need it or not. Besides, having to make sure that I
>>>> got enough carbs to not go hypo, I was worried about the long term affect
>>>> of forcing the insulin.
>>>>
>>>> My NP agreed to let me drop the glucovance and we tried (2)850 mg tablets
>>>> of Metformin. After 3 months, A1C is still 5.8%. I'm thrilled. I'm also
>>>> learning that if I know I'm going to eat a bad meal (bad carbs) like out
>>>> in a restaurant or at a party, I can take a glucovance before the meal
>>>> and it really helps keep things in control. I don't do that very often,
>>>> so I don't worry about long term affect of doing it that way once in a
>>>> awhile.
>>>> Ed
>>>>
>>> hehe.... that's what we need.... a morning after pill.
>>>
>>> John
>>
>> Actually, more like a morning before pill. Whatever works. ....Ed
>>
> Really, I wonder if that could be an answer for those of us who'd like to go
> out for a normal dinner once in a while.
>
> John

Could be, if you're careful. I was at a wedding Saturday evening. I
started with a glucovance pill. Then had 2 rum and diet cokes, couple
of glasses of wine with dinner, coffee, some seafood wraps for
appetizers, some pasta, potato chips (homemade, couldn't resist),
meats, salads and some delicious deserts. I felt really bloated when I
left at 8pm. Got home and measured after about 90 minutes since
eating. Measured 73. I couldn't believe how low I was. I do think
that alcohol with glyburide can make you get low, so you have to be
careful.

[ray]

On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:20:35 -0400, Eddie wrote:

> 3 months ago I stopped taking glucovance (glyburide/metformin) which I
> was taking 3 times per day for a total of 3.75 mg glyb and 750 mg of
> metformin. I was running an A1C of 5.8%. All seemed fine, but I was
> concerned about taking glyburide which forces the beta cells to produce
> insulin whether you need it or not. Besides, having to make sure that
> I got enough carbs to not go hypo, I was worried about the long term
> affect of forcing the insulin.
>
> My NP agreed to let me drop the glucovance and we tried (2)850 mg
> tablets of Metformin. After 3 months, A1C is still 5.8%. I'm thrilled.
> I'm also learning that if I know I'm going to eat a bad meal (bad
> carbs) like out in a restaurant or at a party, I can take a glucovance
> before the meal and it really helps keep things in control. I don't do
> that very often, so I don't worry about long term affect of doing it
> that way once in a awhile.
> Ed

My normal course of oral meds consists of metformin ER 4x500. I started
with the VA in January, and because of their archaic regimen, the doc said
the only thing she could prescribe was glyburide (also told that was not
what she would do in private practice). I have continued with the
metformin and take a glyburide once in a while when I'm running 'high' at
bedtime - it seems to have helped, overall. My last A1C was 5.2.

[bj]

"johnniemccoy@" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:fE9wi.47482$SV4.23516@trnddc08...
>
> Really, I wonder if that could be an answer for those of us who'd like to
> go out for a normal dinner once in a while.
>

Prandin or Starlix could be useful for that.
bj

[Ed]

ray wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:20:35 -0400, Eddie wrote:
>
>> 3 months ago I stopped taking glucovance (glyburide/metformin) which I
>> was taking 3 times per day for a total of 3.75 mg glyb and 750 mg of
>> metformin. I was running an A1C of 5.8%. All seemed fine, but I was
>> concerned about taking glyburide which forces the beta cells to produce
>> insulin whether you need it or not. Besides, having to make sure that
>> I got enough carbs to not go hypo, I was worried about the long term
>> affect of forcing the insulin.
>>
>> My NP agreed to let me drop the glucovance and we tried (2)850 mg
>> tablets of Metformin. After 3 months, A1C is still 5.8%. I'm thrilled.
>> I'm also learning that if I know I'm going to eat a bad meal (bad
>> carbs) like out in a restaurant or at a party, I can take a glucovance
>> before the meal and it really helps keep things in control. I don't do
>> that very often, so I don't worry about long term affect of doing it
>> that way once in a awhile.
>> Ed
>
> My normal course of oral meds consists of metformin ER 4x500. I started
> with the VA in January, and because of their archaic regimen, the doc said
> the only thing she could prescribe was glyburide (also told that was not
> what she would do in private practice). I have continued with the
> metformin and take a glyburide once in a while when I'm running 'high' at
> bedtime - it seems to have helped, overall. My last A1C was 5.2.
>
Very similar regiman. Thanks for the support. I asked my doc if I
should try 2000 mg/day to get A1C lower. Her answer was that 5.8 was
fine, why take more drugs. Not sure I agree, but I'll go along with it
for now.
ed

[Loretta Eisenberg]

Ed, we all have to find what works for each of us individually. You
have adopted a PLAN that is good for you and I think that is wonderful

I have learned that if I am going to have a higher carb meal, I can take
a glyset and it will be fine. Of course, I will have the runs, but
sometimes a piece of cake is just worth it. :-)

Loretta.

[ray]

On Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:03:55 -0400, Ed wrote:

> ray wrote:
>> On Mon, 13 Aug 2007 23:20:35 -0400, Eddie wrote:
>>
>>> 3 months ago I stopped taking glucovance (glyburide/metformin) which I
>>> was taking 3 times per day for a total of 3.75 mg glyb and 750 mg of
>>> metformin. I was running an A1C of 5.8%. All seemed fine, but I was
>>> concerned about taking glyburide which forces the beta cells to produce
>>> insulin whether you need it or not. Besides, having to make sure that
>>> I got enough carbs to not go hypo, I was worried about the long term
>>> affect of forcing the insulin.
>>>
>>> My NP agreed to let me drop the glucovance and we tried (2)850 mg
>>> tablets of Metformin. After 3 months, A1C is still 5.8%. I'm thrilled.
>>> I'm also learning that if I know I'm going to eat a bad meal (bad
>>> carbs) like out in a restaurant or at a party, I can take a glucovance
>>> before the meal and it really helps keep things in control. I don't do
>>> that very often, so I don't worry about long term affect of doing it
>>> that way once in a awhile.
>>> Ed
>>
>> My normal course of oral meds consists of metformin ER 4x500. I started
>> with the VA in January, and because of their archaic regimen, the doc said
>> the only thing she could prescribe was glyburide (also told that was not
>> what she would do in private practice). I have continued with the
>> metformin and take a glyburide once in a while when I'm running 'high' at
>> bedtime - it seems to have helped, overall. My last A1C was 5.2.
>>
> Very similar regiman. Thanks for the support. I asked my doc if I
> should try 2000 mg/day to get A1C lower. Her answer was that 5.8 was
> fine, why take more drugs. Not sure I agree, but I'll go along with it
> for now.
> ed

IMHO - 5.8 is not fine. 4.8 might be fine. How are you doing with diet and
exercise? I find I need all three to keep numbers where I want them. YMMV.

[johnniemccoy@]

"Loretta Eisenberg" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> Ed, we all have to find what works for each of us individually. You
> have adopted a PLAN that is good for you and I think that is wonderful
>
> I have learned that if I am going to have a higher carb meal, I can take
> a glyset and it will be fine. Of course, I will have the runs, but
> sometimes a piece of cake is just worth it. :-)
>
> Loretta.
>
....lol, Loretta. That one made me laugh.... a peice of cake is worth the
runs....lol

John

[Frank t2]

That's OK when you know where you're running ...



"Loretta Eisenberg" <[email protected]> a écrit ...
> Ed, we all have to find what works for each of us individually. You
> have adopted a PLAN that is good for you and I think that is wonderful
>
> I have learned that if I am going to have a higher carb meal, I can take
> a glyset and it will be fine. Of course, I will have the runs, but
> sometimes a piece of cake is just worth it. :-)
>
> Loretta.
>

[Ed]

Loretta Eisenberg wrote:
> Ed, we all have to find what works for each of us individually. You
> have adopted a PLAN that is good for you and I think that is wonderful
>
> I have learned that if I am going to have a higher carb meal, I can take
> a glyset and it will be fine. Of course, I will have the runs, but
> sometimes a piece of cake is just worth it. :-)
>
> Loretta.
>
I totally agree Loretta.

[Frank t2]

If Loretta had written 'beer' instead of 'cake',
I would also agree with you and her ...

Sadly ...

"Ed" <mail@nospammers_edkirstein.com> a écrit ...
> Loretta Eisenberg wrote:
>> Ed, we all have to find what works for each of us individually. You
>> have adopted a PLAN that is good for you and I think that is wonderful
>>
>> I have learned that if I am going to have a higher carb meal, I can take
>> a glyset and it will be fine. Of course, I will have the runs, but
>> sometimes a piece of cake is just worth it. :-)
>>
>> Loretta.
>>
> I totally agree Loretta.

[ray]

On Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:39:48 -0400, Loretta Eisenberg wrote:

> Ed, we all have to find what works for each of us individually. You
> have adopted a PLAN that is good for you and I think that is wonderful
>
> I have learned that if I am going to have a higher carb meal, I can take
> a glyset and it will be fine. Of course, I will have the runs, but
> sometimes a piece of cake is just worth it. :-)
>
> Loretta.

FWIW - I tend to agree - however, I've noticed that since modifying my
diet it takes a much smaller serving to satisfy me, so often I'm still
within bounds.

[W. Baker]

Eddie <ekirstein*takethispartout*@catskill.net> wrote:
: I'm also learning that if I know I'm going to eat a bad meal (bad
: carbs) like out in a restaurant or at a party, I can take a glucovance
: before the meal and it really helps keep things in control. I don't do
: that very often, so I don't worry about long term affect of doing it
: that way once in a awhile.
: Ed

My endo has given me Starlix, which is also a beta cell pusher, but of
much shorter duration than the glyburide. I use this when eting out or
for holidy meals, etc. Currently, as I am just gettign back on the
Metformin after my recent hospitalization, I will be using the Starlix a
bit more to keep my BGs in contrl while ramping back up on teh metformin
EX I use.

Wendy