I thought I would share an
update on my quest for better blood glucose control. I wrote before about starting a new
medication: Januvia. As predicted, I
began experiencing stomach issues which at first weren’t so bad. I could put up with mild cramping and trips
to the bathroom in order to see the improvement to my fasting blood glucose. Those fasting readings started hanging out in
the 120s and sometimes the 1teens. I
even saw a 109!!!! Cue the happy
dance. But then, at 3 weeks into the new
medication regimen, all hell broke loose.
Ho-lee CRAP! (every pun intended…sorry.)
I was miserably sick to the point that I had to leave work on my one and
only scheduled day. Stomach cramps and
bathroom camping became my new, miserable, kill-me-now norm. It didn’t take me long to come to the
conclusion that this was NO WAY to live my life.
I couldn’t wait it out to see if things would calm down. I was miserable so I stopped taking the
Januvia on day 32 (right after I spent $50 on the refill, of course). It took about 5 days
for things to calm down and I was so relieved.
Then the fasting numbers began to creep back up. Now I’m back to the mid-130s most mornings
with a couple of 160s thrown in for good measure.
Obviously the Januvia was
working and the increase to my metformin can’t cut it alone, but I simply can’t
live that way. What can I do? Well, I’ve decided to just wait and see. I don’t really feel comfortable with these
too-high fasting readings but I’m trying out my new attitude, as explained in my last post. I’m doing my best to eat
sensibly while allowing myself to splurge now and then. (I’m honestly not splurging much at all.) I know what I need to do to keep from seeing
big spikes and I know that even when I’ve “been good” I may still see high
fasting numbers. I’m choosing to let it
slide for a bit and not stress.
I truly don’t like the idea of
more and more meds. My A1c has been
good, despite the morning highs. I see
my doctor in June so I’m going to wait and see what my numbers look like at
that point. I’ve always been a “do
everything I can to keep my numbers low” kinda gal but I’m worn out. I’m going to try being a “do the best I can
and try not to panic” gal for a bit.
Meanwhile, life goes on and it’s good!
Kate, I'm really glad you posted about this today! I don't like the idea of more and more meds either.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of insulin? Has to be better than Januvia. Best of luck, Maureen
ReplyDeleteOh I've thought of it, asked for it and been denied. My thoughts on insulin began here: http://kates-sweet-success.blogspot.com/2013/06/insulin-envy.html
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