Question for diabetics that take sulfonylureas

[drugrep]

I take Actos, Metformin, & Glipizide.

Day 3 of induction. (Haven't take glip in 2)

I'm not planning on taking my glipizide, don't want my sugar to go to low. Here's the question. If I test sugar and it's around 105, should I take glip that day to get it down? If you answer no, let's say it's 140, same answer?

I appreciate your responses.

[MizKitty]

I take (took) the same 3 drugs, plus a low dose daily shot of long-acting insulin. Soon after starting LC, I stopped the glipizide, not out of fear of hypoglycemia, but because I know they stimulate my poor exhausted pancreas to pump out insulin, and will eventually force the burning out of beta cells. I was always unhappy about taking it.

I can't tell you if 140 is better than or worse than taking a drug that will eventually damage your pancreas, but my instincts say the 140 is a better choice, especially if it's a big improvement over where you were before LC.

You should continue to see your numbers slowly drop if you stick with LC. The results you see in 3 days, while dramatic, aren't all you get!

I've gone from 220-290 range down to my current 110-140 range in 11 weeks, and I'm still slowly dropping. I'm pretty sure that as the weight comes off, I'll get to start reducing the other drug dosages as well. Really looking forward to that!

Good luck and good health to you!

[drugrep]

Now my doctor would say yes the glip is squeezing your beta cells, but if your sugar is 140 they are actually working harder to get it down. He thinks I should take to give pancreas a break.

It's all in how you look at it. He's not against low carb, he just thinks pancreas working harder at 140 w/ out drug than at 90 with drug.

So the burning question. Which is more damaging to beta cells: 140 w/ out medicine or 90 with medicine? Where is that threshold? 90, maybe 120, maybe 140, maybe not until 200.

[drugrep]

I may have found my answer and it would suggest that I continue to take glipizide.

Fasting levels greater than 100 toxic to beta cells.

Prolonged exposure greater than 140
Fasting greater than 100

Source:

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045678.php